DeMario Douglas is coming off a season-high 102 receiving yards, catching five of nine targets in New England’s 45-27 win over Green Bay. He has now cleared 15 PPR points in four of his last five games. Next up is a trip to Munich to face a Detroit team that has been giving up yardage to wide receivers, though A.J. Brown’s possible return adds a wrinkle. Find out whether you should start or sit DeMario Douglas in Week 10.
DeMario Douglas Start or Sit Advice for Week 10
Douglas has been a steady presence in New England’s passing game. He holds 17.4% of the team’s targets and 19.3% of its air yards, and he has scored four touchdowns. He has also made his catches count, averaging 14.0 yards per reception.
Detroit’s pass defense has been leaking yardage. The Lions allow 34.4 PPR points per game to wide receivers against a league average of 31.3, along with 165.2 receiving yards per game compared with a league mark of 147.1.
That number does need context. Detroit has faced New Orleans, Buffalo, the Jets, Carolina, Arizona, Green Bay, Minnesota and Miami, a group throwing 21% above league average against them, so the schedule has inflated the raw figure. Still, the Lions’ secondary is short-handed this week. Cornerback D.J. Reed and safety Kerby Joseph have both been ruled out and did not travel to Munich, and Chuck Clark will continue to start in Joseph’s place.
Game script should also help. Detroit’s offense has been one of the more productive passing attacks in the league, and if the Lions put up points, New England will have to keep throwing.
The Biggest Fantasy Risk for DeMario Douglas in Week 10
A.J. Brown could be back. He has missed the past two games with knee and ankle injuries but practiced in a limited capacity throughout the week. Brown averaged 6.7 targets per game in his three appearances and drew 10 targets against the Jets in Week 6, so his return would cut directly into Douglas’ share. Mack Hollins also returned from injured reserve in Week 9 and drew six targets, giving New England one more option.
Detroit is better in some areas than its yardage suggests. The Lions have allowed just six receiving touchdowns to wide receivers, below the league average of 7.5, and only 42.2 YAC per game against a league mark of 48.7. They also have 27 sacks, well above the league average of 20.0, which could limit how much time Drake Maye has to find Douglas downfield.
His usage has also been uneven. Douglas drew just four targets against Chicago and three against Miami before his breakout last week, so a quieter game is possible if the targets spread out.
Fantasy Outlook for DeMario Douglas in Week 10
Douglas is a Start in Week 10. He has been New England’s go-to receiver over the last month, and a short-handed Detroit secondary in what could be a high-scoring game gives him a strong chance to stay involved.
Brown’s status is the key variable. If Brown is ruled out, Douglas is a confident starter with upside. If Brown plays, Douglas remains a solid FLEX option for fantasy managers covering Eagles, Buccaneers, Bears and Broncos players on bye, but his target volume is less certain.