Here are some not-so-obvious players you may want to start in Week 10, along with less desirable options that should be warming the bench.
START
MARK SANCHEZ (NYJ-QB): The rookie’s season has been one big roller coaster ride thus far making him an undesirable fantasy option in non-keeper setups. The one thing you have to love about Sanchez is that he has the freedom to unleash big downfield throws to his receivers, unlike a number of others (i.e. Kyle Orton, Vince Young, etc.). This season the Jacksonville secondary has been unable to put the clamps on opposing receivers. The fact that the downtrodden group even made Chris Chambers look good means that Sanchez and Braylon Edwards will be turning back the clock and playing a little school yard football.
BEANIE WELLS (AZ-RB): The bruising back is picking up steam and opposing defenders can’t help but take notice with the pain and bruises he’s leaving in his trail. A middle-of-the-road Seattle defense doesn’t have enough disrupters to supply constant pressure on Kurt Warner, which should allow the Cards to put up points early and proceed to hammer away with Wells once they’re in a comfortable lead.
BERNARD BERRIAN (MIN-WR): Like lambs to the slaughter, the Lions entering the Metrodome will be a bloody, messy affair. A downfield threat like Berrian will have several opportunities to break free for big plays versus the likes of Philip Buchanon, Anthony Henry and William James, who’ve collectively lied down and allowed wide outs to abuse them on their way to the end zone. The ex-Chicago Bear’s life will be made even easier with Sidney Rice attracting most of the attention and leaving him in single coverage.
JOE FLACCO (BAL-QB): Jersey Joe’s stat line could’ve been much more pleasing to the eye if not for a pair of spectacular plays by Bengal cornerbacks Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph in Week 9. The tall gunslinger gets to regroup versus a moribund Cleveland defense this week, which is allowing opposing quarterbacks to average 250 yards passing. Baltimore’s defense may not be as potent as it once was, but it should be able to hold down Cleveland’s lightweight offense and set up Flacco with some short fields that he should certainly do some damage with.
LENDALE WHITE (TEN-RB): Going with White this week (or any week) isn’t for the feint of heart, but his matchup versus the Bills is a juicy one for the Tennessee running game. The red-hot Titans should have no problems steamrolling an embarrassing Bills run defense allowing a league-high 174 rushing yards per game and a 5.1 yards-per-carry. The underutilized White will get into the action once Jeff Fisher sits and rests Chris Johnson for bigger and better battles up ahead.
MALCOLM FLOYD (SD-WR): Watch San Diego play on a weekly basis, and you’ll soon notice that the Bolts will typically target the 6’5” Floyd in the end zone a few times. With Chris Chambers now out of the picture, the fifth-year wide out will be afforded a number of open looks with Philadelphia planning to stop Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates. It’s just a matter of time before the tall playmaker starts putting his big body to good use by gaining big yards after the catch.
ZACH MILLER (OAK-TE): Endorsing any Raider is tough these days, but going with Miller in this spot makes a lot of sense given Kansas City’s injury woes at safety. A number of Chiefs fans are actually high on safety DeJuan Morgan, but my money is on the crafty and sure-handed Miller, who can manhandle both Morgan and Mike Brown over the middle. The Chiefs were unable to stop Mike Sims-Walker, Mike Thomas and Jarrett Dillard from making plays despite getting some steady pressure on the quarterback from Tamba Hali, Tyson Jackson and company.
BRANDON PETTIGREW (DET-TE): Last week’s super sleeper reappears against a Minnesota defense that’s giving up the second-most fantasy points to tight ends.
SIT
DAVID GARRARD (JAX-QB): Garrard is someone you should rarely trust and he’s definitely a player you should typically steer clear of when he’s on the road. His offensive line isn’t doing him any favors, particularly rookie Eben Britton, who did his best impersonation of a subway turnstile versus Kansas City. A well-rested, blitz-happy Jets defense will be wreaking plenty of havoc on Jacksonville’s young tackles.
CARSON PALMER (CIN-QB): Yes, the last time Palmer faced the mighty Steel Curtain, he led his team to a heroic last-minute victory, but this time he plays on the road with Head n’ Shoulders man Troy Polamalu in the Steeler lineup. Palmer will get his yardage numbers, but also stands a good chance of turning the ball over more than once versus a suffocating defense that comes after you from all angles. Don’t bench Palmer for Vince Young this week, but if you have Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco on your bench, consider benching the former Trojan.
RYAN GRANT (GB-RB): Grant is monster versus bad teams, but merely average (or worse) versus good defenses—the Dallas Cowboys qualify as such. The ‘Boys did a fine job in limiting Michael Turner to 50 yards a couple of weeks ago, a repeat performance is eminently possible.
BERNARD BERRIAN (MIN-WR): Like lambs to the slaughter, the Lions entering the Metrodome will be a bloody, messy affair. A downfield threat like Berrian will have several opportunities to break free for big plays versus the likes of Philip Buchanon, Anthony Henry and William James, who’ve collectively lied down and allowed wide outs to abuse them on their way to the end zone. The ex-Chicago Bear’s life will be made even easier with Sidney Rice attracting most of the attention and leaving him in single coverage. 
