Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 9

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 9 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 9 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.

Start

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Buccaneers

at Panthers

Fitzpatrick is back in the start column despite the risk that comes with using a Buccaneers quarterback in fantasy. The veteran passer was a star through the first three weeks in offensive coordinator Todd Monken's system, posting the most fantasy points of any NFL player, regardless of position. After nearly pulling off an improbable second-half comeback against the Bengals last week, Fitzpatrick gets a Panthers defense that's allowed at least two touchdown passes in every game since Week 1. With a projected total of 55 points, you can prepare the fireworks for Sunday.

Boone's projection: 326 passing yards, 3 TDs

Other QBs to start

• Kirk Cousins vs. Lions
• Dak Prescott vs. Titans
• Alex Smith vs. Falcons

Jordan Howard, RB, Bears

at Bills

Howard disappointed early in the year, but he's scored in back-to-back games and is coming off a 22-carry, 81-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Jets. His matchup with the Bills - another subpar AFC East team - bears a lot of similarities and should allow Howard to see heavy volume and plenty of scoring opportunities. Buffalo is a 10-point underdog playing on a short week.

Boone's projection: 89 rushing yards, 8 receiving yards, TD

Other RBs to start

• Isaiah Crowell at Dolphins
• Lamar Miller at Broncos
• Aaron Jones at Patriots

Marvin Jones, WR, Lions

at Vikings

Jones is coming off his best game of the year, which featured a season-high 10 targets and resulted in seven receptions, 117 yards, and two touchdowns. With Golden Tate traded at the deadline, Jones' target share should remain in that range. In his last meeting with the Vikings - Week 12 of 2017 - he saw nine targets, turning them into a 6-109-2 stat line.

Boone's projection: 87 receiving yards, TD

Other WRs to start

• Devin Funchess vs. Buccaneers
• Sammy Watkins at Browns
• DeSean Jackson at Panthers

Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers

at Buccaneers

Prior to last week, the Bucs had given up touchdowns to tight ends in four straight contests. They also allowed six different tight ends to break 50 yards against them in as many games. Olsen has 48 yards or a touchdown in each of his three appearances since returning from injury, and this will be his easiest matchup yet.

Boone's projection: 74 receiving yards, TD

Other TEs to start

• David Njoku vs. Chiefs
• O.J. Howard at Panthers
• Vance McDonald at Ravens

Sit

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers

at Ravens

The list of reasons to bench Roethlisberger this week seems to be growing by the day. Not only is he on the road against one of the best pass defenses in the league, but he's also dealing with a broken index finger on his non-throwing hand. That injury isn't the end of the world, but it will certainly increase the degree of difficulty this Sunday. Big Ben was also held to 274 yards, one touchdown, and one interception when the two teams faced off in Week 4.

Boone's projection: 258 passing yards, TD, 2 INTs

Other QBs to sit

• Matthew Stafford at Vikings
• Marcus Mariota at Cowboys
• Joe Flacco vs. Steelers

Tevin Coleman, RB, Falcons

at Redskins

Coleman hasn't shown an ability to overcome quality run defenses, averaging just 22 rushing yards per game against the Eagles, Saints, and Steelers. The strength of the Redskins' defense has been their stoutness against ground attacks, limiting opposing rushers to the fifth-fewest fantasy points. Coleman can still deliver borderline RB2 numbers, but he'll need to do it as a pass-catcher and that's a risky gamble since he's averaging just under 20 receiving yards per game this season.

Boone's projection: 35 rushing yards, 29 receiving yards

Other RBs to sit

• Alex Collins vs. Steelers
• LeSean McCoy vs. Bears
• Peyton Barber at Panthers

Doug Baldwin, WR, Seahawks

vs. Chargers

Baldwin's unpredictable performances this year can be linked back to the knee injury that has him playing at less than 100 percent, as well as the Seahawks' low-volume passing attack. Seattle ranks last in pass attempts and completions, and with Russell Wilson spreading the ball around, Baldwin's volatile target share makes him tough to trust in your lineups.

Boone's projection: 41 receiving yards

Other WRs to sit

• Corey Davis at Cowboys
• Demaryius Thomas at Broncos
• Mike Williams at Seahawks

Trey Burton, TE, Bears

at Bills

Burton has been salvaging his low-yardage days by scoring touchdowns, but we saw last week (3 catches, 18 yards) that when he doesn't find the end zone, his floor can be as low as anyone's. In another game the Bears should control, against a team that's been shutting down tight ends this season, it's worth considering other options over Burton this week.

Boone's projection: 37 receiving yards

Other TEs to sit

• Austin Hooper at Redskins
• Ed Dickson vs. Chargers
• Charles Clay vs. Bears

Stash

Elijah McGuire, RB, Jets

McGuire, who missed the first half of the season with a foot injury, was activated from injured reserve this week. With Bilal Powell out for the year, McGuire is an intriguing stash, capable of carving out a significant role alongside Crowell.

Josh Adams, RB, Eagles

The Eagles' backfield has struggled since Jay Ajayi was placed on injured reserve. Of all the backs on the roster, Adams is best suited to handle Ajayi's power-back role and after putting up season highs in carries (9) and rushing yards (61), he's earned more work moving forward.

Quit

Keelan Cole, WR, Jaguars

The Jaguars' receiving corps by committee has become difficult to predict, but Cole's production is definitely declining. He has just one game over 50 yards since Week 2, which isn't surprising given he's caught two passes in three of his last five appearances.

Jordy Nelson, WR, Raiders

The Raiders played on Thursday night, so we have the benefit of one extra game to make this decision. Nelson hasn't topped 20 yards in any of his last three outings and has oddly seen his targets drop after the Amari Cooper trade. Yet somehow he is still owned in 66 percent of leagues. With the Raiders disintegrating before our eyes, you can let Nelson go.