Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 8

SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.

For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 8 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 8 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.

Start

Andrew Luck, QB, Colts

at Raiders

The Colts' attack has taken a big step forward over the last month with their offensive line play improving. Luck has thrown 15 touchdowns over that four-game stretch and now gets a Raiders defense that's allowed multiple passing scores in five of their six games. Any offseason doubts we had about Luck's recovery can be put to rest, he's a steady QB1 once again.

Boone's projection: 305 passing yards, 3 TDs

Other QBs to start

• Jameis Winston at Bengals
• Andy Dalton vs. Buccaneers
• Mitch Trubisky vs. Jets

James White, RB, Patriots

at Bills

White is the RB8 in standard leagues and the RB6 in PPR through seven weeks thanks to seven touchdowns, including six through the air. With Sony Michel battling a knee issue, White will take on an even bigger role Monday night when the Patriots visit the Bills as 13.5-point favorites. He's a top-10 fantasy option in all formats. Kenjon Barner is slated to serve as his backup and carries flex value for as long as Michel is sidelined.

Boone's projection: 49 rushing yards, 67 receiving yards, TD

Other RBs to start

• Phillip Lindsay at Chiefs
• Kerryon Johnson vs. Seahawks
• Chris Carson at Lions

Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos

at Chiefs

Sanders is coming off back-to-back 100-yard, one-touchdown games and should see plenty of opportunity in a potential shootout with the Chiefs. Though he failed to go off in their Week 4 meeting, Kansas City has allowed the most passing yards in the league this season.

Boone's projection: 81 receiving yards, TD

Other WRs to start

• Doug Baldwin at Lions
• Tyler Boyd vs. Buccaneers
• Geronimo Allison at Rams

David Njoku, TE, Browns

at Steelers

Njoku occupied this space last week and came through with four receptions, 52 yards, and a touchdown - his fourth straight 50-yard game. Fantasy owners can prepare themselves to see a fifth, considering the Steelers have given up 50 yards or a touchdown to six different tight ends this season. That stat looks worse when you realize Pittsburgh's already had their bye.

Boone's projection: 64 receiving yards, TD

Other TEs to start

• O.J. Howard at Bengals
• C.J. Uzomah vs. Buccaneers
• Vance McDonald vs. Browns

Sit

Cam Newton, QB, Panthers

vs. Ravens

Not only does Newton have to contend with one of the best pass defenses in the NFL on Sunday, he's going to do so after seeing limited practice reps due to a shoulder injury. With the Ravens surrendering the second-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks, Newton falls outside of my QB1 rankings this week.

Boone's projection: 223 passing yards, TD, INT, 38 rushing yards

Other QBs to sit

• Matthew Stafford vs. Seahawks
• Carson Wentz at Jaguars (London)
• Russell Wilson at Lions

T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jaguars

vs. Eagles (London)

Yeldon has been the beneficiary of Leonard Fournette's injuries this season, seeing increased playing time and delivering solid production for fantasy owners. That run is about to end as recently-acquired Carlos Hyde prepares to make his debut. The Eagles have been stout against every running back not named Saquon Barkley, and with Hyde joining the backfield, Yeldon is unlikely to see the volume that made him a fantasy starter.

Boone's projection: 36 rushing yards, 39 receiving yards

Other RBs to sit

• Corey Clement/Wendell Smallwood at Jaguars (London)
• Aaron Jones at Rams
• Peyton Barber at Bengals

Devin Funchess, WR, Panthers

vs. Ravens

You could just refer to the Newton section to see why it's a bad idea to start anyone in the passing game versus the Ravens. Funchess has been an incredibly underrated fantasy asset this year, but Baltimore has only allowed one receiver to eclipse 70 yards against them in 2018. That means Funchess will need to score in Week 8 to produce, and the Ravens have only allowed one touchdown catch from a wideout in the last three weeks.

Boone's projection: 55 receiving yards

Other WRs to sit

• Allen Robinson vs. Jets
• DeSean Jackson at Bengals
• Marquise Goodwin at Cardinals

Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings

vs. Saints

Speaking of needing a touchdown, the "Red Zone Reindeer" hasn't hit pay dirt since September and has seen his yardage totals drop in each of the last three weeks. New Orleans, a team giving up the second-fewest fantasy points to tight ends, won't help his cause. It's hard to advise sitting any tight end this season, but there are better options than Rudolph this week.

Boone's projection: 37 receiving yards

Other TEs to sit

• Ben Watson at Vikings
• Cameron Brate at Bengals
• Ricky Seals-Jones vs. 49ers

Stash

D.J. Moore, WR, Panthers

The first-rounder has made some rookie mistakes, but he's seen increased targets since the Panthers' bye week. If Torrey Smith's knee injury limits the veteran or causes him to miss time, it could be the opening Moore needs to see even more usage.

Chris Herndon, TE, Jets

After breaking out with 56 yards and a touchdown in Week 7, the rookie saw a season-high seven targets last Sunday, turning them into four catches, 42 yards, and another score. He came close on a second touchdown as well, but couldn't stay in bounds. In an offense desperate for playmakers, Herndon is a worthwhile stash and is potentially a streaming option in deeper leagues.

Quit

Kenny Stills, WR, Dolphins

Stills hasn't topped 40 yards since starting the season with two strong fantasy performances over the first three weeks. He's averaging just four targets per game and is now dealing with a groin injury that sidelined him for Thursday night's loss to the Texans. Even with Albert Wilson on injured reserve, it'll still be hard to trust Stills in your lineup moving forward.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Raiders

Lynch is an obvious drop candidate after being placed on injured reserve. But like a coach calling timeout in the final minute to let the crowd give a star the ovation he deserves, we're going to let fantasy owners have a moment to honor Beast Mode. At 32 years old, Lynch was still playing one of the most grueling positions in football at a high level. If this is the last we see of him on an NFL field, he'll be missed.