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

SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players to 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

Carson Wentz, Eagles

vs. Cowboys

Wentz has overcome a slow start and injuries to almost every position on the Eagles' offense to post top-15 fantasy finishes in each of the last five games, including QB3 and QB7 results the past two weeks.

Travis Fulgham has emerged as a reliable presence in the receiving corps, and now first-round rookie Jalen Reagor is set to make his return to the lineup. With Boston Scott and Richard Rodgers filling in admirably as injury replacements at running back and tight end, respectively, Wentz enters Week 8 in his best spot yet against a toothless Dallas defense.

The Cowboys have allowed multiple touchdowns to five of the last six quarterbacks they've faced, setting up Wentz for a third straight week in the top 10.

Boone's projection: 272 passing yards, 3 TDs, 21 rushing yards

Other QBs to start

• Justin Herbert at Broncos
• Derek Carr at Browns
• Jimmy Garoppolo at Seahawks

Le'Veon Bell, Chiefs

vs. Jets

We often overrate the revenge game narrative, since most players hold no ill will toward their former teams.

However, in Bell's case, feelings of resentment would be completely justified after the way he was treated by Jets head coach Adam Gase, who never seemed to be on the same page with his star running back. Whether Bell was a smart signing for the Jets or not, Gase was unable to get the most out of him in New York, and he'll now be forced to watch as Bell gashes through his defense as a member of the Chiefs on Sunday.

You can deploy Bell and teammate Clyde Edwards-Helaire as RB2 options against a defense allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to tailbacks.

Kansas City is also 19.5-point favorites, meaning the offense should be able to do whatever it wants against Gang Green. You can be sure the Chiefs' coaching staff will do their best to help Bell exorcise his Jets demons on Halloween weekend.

Boone's projection: 68 rushing yards, 24 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Other RBs to start

• Boston Scott vs. Cowboys
• Ronald Jones/Leonard Fournette at Giants
• Giovani Bernard vs. Titans

Travis Fulgham, Eagles

at Cowboys

Fulgham has quickly become the top option in the Eagles' injury-riddled passing attack, recording stat lines of 2-57-1, 10-152-1, 6-75-1, and 5-73-0 in his first four games in Philly.

He should have no problem filling the box score this week versus the Cowboys, who have given up at least 73 yards to nine different receivers this season.

As unlikely as it would have seemed a month ago, Fulgham is comfortably inside the top-24 receivers for Week 8.

Boone's projection: 86 receiving yards, TD

Other WRs to start

• Brandon Aiyuk at Seahawks
• Jarvis Landry vs. Raiders
• Marquise Brown vs. Steelers

Jimmy Graham, Bears

vs. Saints

With Allen Robinson in concussion protocol, it's possible the Bears will be without their No. 1 receiver this weekend.

That would open the door for rookie Darnell Mooney to step into a larger target share, but we'll talk more about him later. It would also improve the outlook for Graham, who's enjoying a resurgence in Chicago as the TE8 in fantasy on the year.

New Orleans is permitting the third-most fantasy points to tight ends, so the Bears would be wise to attack with Graham and rookie Cole Kmet.

It's been a while since Graham played for the Saints, but you can trust him as a TE1 this week in another revenge game.

Boone's projection: 63 receiving yards, TD

Other TEs to start

• Jonnu Smith at Bengals
• Richard Rodgers vs. Cowboys
• Harrison Bryant vs. Raiders

Sit

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers

at Ravens

Roethlisberger has been humming along this season with a healthy elbow and a talented group of pass-catchers. He's also been aided by an easy schedule, but that's about to change in Baltimore.

The Ravens' overall numbers don't reflect the fearsome nature of their pass defense. Outside of Patrick Mahomes' four-touchdown day, the unit has only allowed four other passing scores on the year. Baltimore also ranks top seven in Football Outsiders' pass defense DVOA, and the team has held its most recent two opponents - Wentz and Joe Burrow - under 215 yards each.

It's enough reason to fear using Roethlisberger as anything other than a QB2 in Week 8.

Boone's projection: 245 passing yards, TD, 2 INTs

Other QBs to sit

• Cam Newton at Bills
• Drew Brees at Bears
• Daniel Jones vs. Buccaneers

David Montgomery, Bears

vs. Saints

Though his receiving work has gone way up after the loss of Tarik Cohen, Montgomery continues to lack big plays on the ground.

While injuries to the offensive line haven't helped his cause, Montgomery appears to lack another gear needed to break free into the open field.

After some uncharacteristic early-season struggles, the normally stout Saints run defense stymied the Panthers' rushing attack in Week 7, holding lead back Mike Davis to just 12 rushing yards.

Though volume will keep Montgomery in the low-end RB2 conversation, hopefully you have a better option to pivot to this week.

Boone's projection: 27 rushing yards, 22 receiving yards

Other RBs to sit

• Devin Singletary vs. Patriots
• Justin Jackson at Broncos
• Adrian Peterson vs. Colts

Darius Slayton, Giants

vs. Buccaneers

Sterling Shepard's return from injured reserve is bad news for Slayton.

The sophomore wideout put up a season-low two catches for 23 yards on just four targets in Shepard's first game back, while the veteran led the receiving corps with six grabs, 59 yards, and a touchdown on eight targets.

Slayton will still have strong outings, they'll just be more inconsistent as long as all the Giants' pass-catchers are healthy, which has been rare over the last two seasons.

When you factor in an incredibly tough opponent in the Buccaneers, this is a situation to avoid in Week 8.

Boone's projection: 39 receiving yards

Other WRs to sit

• DeVante Parker vs. Rams
• JuJu Smith-Schuster at Ravens
• Michael Gallup at Eagles

Mike Gesicki, Dolphins

vs. Rams

The Rams aren't the most difficult matchup for tight ends, but Gesicki has been far too boom or bust to start with any confidence in fantasy.

Though the 25-year-old has put up stat lines of 8-103-1 and 5-91-0 this year, he's also accounted for four games with 30 yards or less.

Now there's even more uncertainty with rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa preparing to make his debut.

With so many quality streaming options, including many of the players listed above, you should steer clear of Gesicki this week.

Boone's projection: 32 receiving yards

Other TEs to sit

• Robert Tonyan vs. Vikings
• Evan Engram vs. Buccaneers
• Greg Olsen vs. 49ers

Stash

Darnell Mooney, Bears

Mooney (4% rostered) has watched his playing time continue to rise, culminating in Week 7 when he played on a season-high 81% of Chicago's snaps.

While he hasn't had a big game yet, the rookie has at least five targets in each of his last five outings, and Nick Foles has narrowly missed him on several deep connections recently.

With Robinson in concussion protocol, Mooney is set up for a potential breakout game in Week 8. This might be the last time to get him for free on the waiver wire.

Denzel Mims, Jets

Mims (5% rostered) made his NFL debut last week, playing on 79% of the Jets' snaps and catching four of his seven targets for 42 yards.

It was a solid start for the rookie and a clear sign the team wants to feature him in the passing attack.

Despite the Jets' anemic offense, a second-half breakout isn't out of the question for Mims.

Quit

Julian Edelman, Patriots

Even before Edelman (54% rostered) underwent knee surgery, the Patriots' top receiver was a major disappointment in fantasy.

Though some decline was expected for the 34-year-old, Edelman hadn't topped 35 yards in a game since Week 2.

Facing an indefinite absence, he can safely be let go in all leagues.

Zach Ertz, Eagles

It hasn't been a great year for veteran pass-catchers. Ertz (61% rostered) struggled in the early going with just one game over 45 yards and only one trip to the end zone, which came in the season opener.

Now sidelined four-to-six weeks with an ankle injury, it's surprising to see Ertz still rostered in so many leagues.

Unless you're stashing him with an IR spot, Ertz doesn't need to be on your fantasy squad. Dallas Goedert will be the more valuable Eagles tight end when both players are back on the field.