Week 10 NFL DFS QB Breakdown: Top Cash Game and Tournament Picks

The quarterback position is one of the most flexible in NFL DFS. You can go in a variety of different ways. Do you pay up for one of the top studs or try to save some money with a value option? Do you eat the chalk or look for a low-owned option with upside? There’s no 100% one-size-fits-all answer, so each slate and contest type is going to require thought and consideration.

In this piece, I highlight quarterbacks who stand out in our large suite of analytical fantasy tools, most specifically, our FantasyLabs Player Models. While the models are built for DFS contests, this is an all-purpose fantasy article with actionable information for all formats.

As news breaks throughout the week and we adjust our projections (powered by Sean Koerner), player ratings in our Player Models will change as the projections change. For updates, visit the models directly.

And don’t forget about the tools that FantasyLabs has to offer, like our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.

Or you can just use our NFL DFS sims to effortlessly create advanced lineups.

Finally, make sure to check out all the projections available for purchase (Chris Raybon’s come included with a FantasyLabs subscription) within the FantasyLabs Models. Subscribers now have the option to purchase Derek Carty’s THE BLITZ from our Marketplace. Projections from One Week Season and Establish the Run are available if you’re a subscriber to those specific sites (our optimizer is a separate add-on feature).

You can also combine them to create your own aggregate projections:

Top NFL DFS Cash Game Options

Josh Allen ($7,000 DraftKings, $9,200 FanDuel)

Allen squared off with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs last week in a potential AFC Championship preview, and he responded with his best fantasy performance since Week 1. He racked up 273 yards and one touchdown through the air, and he added another two scores on the ground. He ultimately finished with 28.82 DraftKings points, making him the third-highest-scoring QB of the week.

We all know what Allen brings to the table. He’s arguably the best combination of passing and rushing upside in the league, combining elite arm talent with the touchdown prowess of a goal-line hammer. He’s combined for at least 40 combined passing and rushing touchdowns in five straight seasons, and he’s on pace to do it again in 2025-26.

Allen has immense upside against the Dolphins’ porous defense in Week 10. Miami ranks 28th in defensive EPA this season, including 30th against the pass. They’ve been victimized on the ground and through the air all season, and they’ve allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to opposing QBs.

James Cook did most of the damage in the Bills’ first meeting with the Dolphins this season, but there’s no reason Allen can’t go off this time around. The Bills are currently implied for 30.0 points, which is easily the top mark on the slate.

Allen stands out as an elite value on DraftKings at just $7,000. It results in a 97% Bargain Rating, and he ranks first at the position in projected Plus/Minus. It can be tough to find the salary to pay up for a QB in cash games, but doing so for Allen is justified.

Jacoby Brissett ($4,600 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel)

If you’re not going to spend up for Allen, going as cheap as possible at the position is likely the best alternative. In that scenario, it’s hard to do much better than Brissett.

Brissett has been one of the best backup QBs in football for years, and he’s shone when given the opportunity to start for the Cardinals this season. He’s made three starts in place of Kyler Murray, and he’s responded with 24.84, 20.76, and 24.70 DraftKings points. He’s thrown for multiple TDs in all three outings, and he also brings just enough rushing upside to the table.

Brissett took full advantage of a juicy matchup vs. the Cowboys last week, and he draws an interesting opponent this week in the Seahawks. Seattle is not a bad defense, but they’ve been a major pass funnel. They’re No. 1 in the league in rush defense EPA, which means opposing QBs have had to throw the ball against them more than usual. Opposing QBs have averaged 37.3 attempts per game against the Seahawks, which is the fourth-highest mark in the league. That makes this matchup better than it might appear on paper.

Brissett is extremely affordable across the industry, but he’s a massive value on DraftKings. He owns a position-best 98% Bargain Rating, and he’s the fourth-cheapest starting QB on that site. That shouldn’t be the case given his previous production.

Now available: our NFL DFS SimLabs Lineup Generator that creates advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation.

Top NFL DFS Tournament Options

Baker Mayfield ($6,200 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel)

Mayfield is having another fantastic season for the Buccaneers. He’s cooled down a bit in recent weeks – including a dreadful performance in his last start before the bye – but the good has still far outweighed the bad. He had at least 19.64 DraftKings points in five of his first six outings, including one performance of just under 30.

Mayfield draws a matchup vs. the Patriots in Week 10, who have been a solid defensive team this season. However, they’ve been a bit more imposing against the run than the pass, and they allowed three passing touchdowns to Michael Penix last week. The Patriots have also had one of the easiest schedules in football, so the Bucs will represent a step up in weight class. This game should also be a friendly environment for fantasy purposes, given the 48.5-point total.

Mayfield stands out as a strong tournament option in Sim Labs. Only Allen has a higher optimal lineup rate at the position, and Mayfield is projected for a bit less ownership. He’s also one of the few QBs this week with a better Bargain Rating on FanDuel than DraftKings.

J.J. McCarthy ($4,900 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel)

McCarthy made his return to the lineup in Week 9, and he engineered a massive upside over the Lions. He wasn’t asked to do too much in that contest – he attempted just 25 passes and finished with just 143 yards – but he made a couple of big-time throws when he needed to.

McCarthy ultimately finished with two passing scores vs. Detroit, and he added nine carries and a touchdown on the ground. His rushing upside is his biggest selling point for fantasy purposes. His 40-yard dash time puts him in the 94th percentile among quarterbacks, so he has the potential to be a real threat as a runner. McCarthy has scored two rushing touchdowns in his three NFL starts, and any QB that can chip in production with his legs has the potential to be fantasy-viable.

He’s another starter who stands out in Sim Labs, with his optimal lineup rate in line with Mayfield’s.

Drake Maye ($6,400 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel)

The Patriots have found their new franchise quarterback. Maye has propelled the Patriots to a 7-2 start this season, tied for the best record in the AFC. He’s been an absolute stud for fantasy purposes, ranking sixth among QBs in fantasy points per game.

Maye is coming off a rare down game last week vs. the Falcons, but he had scored at least 23.08 DraftKings points in each of his three previous starts. The Falcons are a tough defense, so Maye has earned a pass for that performance.

The Buccaneers stand out as a much friendlier matchup. They’re middle of the pack in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing QBs. The Patriots are also going to be without Rhamondre Stevenson for the second consecutive game, so more of the offense than usual could have to come from Maye.

Contrarian NFL DFS Tournament Options With Upside

Marcus Mariota ($5,300 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel)

Jayden Daniels has had a brutal year from an injury standpoint. He’s been in and out of the lineup all season, and he suffered a dislocated elbow last week vs. the Seahawks. While he managed to avoid a major injury, Mariota will be under center for Sunday’s contest vs. the Lions.

Mariota struggled in his last start, finishing with just 13.32 DraftKings points vs. the Chiefs, but he has generally fared well in relief of Daniels. He had 17.24 and 21.28 DraftKings points in his other two starts this season, and he had at least 19.6 DraftKings points in both of his extended relief appearances last year.

Mariota stands out as an elite option this week on FanDuel. His $6,300 salary comes with a position-best 84% Bargain Rating, and he leads all QBs in projected Plus/Minus. He can be used in all formats on that site, while he’s more of a tournament option on DraftKings.

Lamar Jackson ($6,800 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel)

Jackson returned to the lineup last week, and he looked just as good as we remember. He finished with 204 passing yards and four touchdowns in a rout of the Dolphins, and he needed just 23 pass attempts to do so.

Jackson’s current matchup vs. the Vikings should be more of a test. They’re eighth in pass defense EPA, and Jackson owns a -2.9 Opponent Plus/Minus.

Still, Jackson is capable of going off against anyone. He’s first at the position in fantasy points per game for the year, and he’s scored at least 25.56 DraftKings points in the four games that he’s finished. He should carry less ownership than Allen, but his ceiling is nearly as high.

Jared Goff ($5,900 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel)

The Lions are coming off a disappointing performance last week vs. the Vikings. Goff was sacked five times, his third game with at least four sacks in his past four outings. That’s beginning to be a bit of a concern. He’s almost been someone who performs much better in a clean pocket, and the splits this season are extremely stark. Goff owns an 83.1 PFF grade when kept clean this season, but that figure dips to just 36.3 when under pressure.

The good news is that Penei Sewell has been removed from the injury report, while Taylor Decker told reporters he expects to play. He’s still listed as questionable, but Goff should have his top two blockers in the lineup.

If he can get some time in the pocket, he should be able to take advantage of an exploitable Commanders’ pass defense. They’re 29th in pass defense EPA, and they’ve allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing QBs. The Lions also have the second-highest implied team total on the slate, so this is a solid buy-low opportunity.

Pictured: Josh Allen
Photo Credit: Imagn Images