Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 11
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 11 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 11 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.
Start
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
vs. Jets
Tagovailoa's been an underrated fantasy performer this year, posting strong games in starts against weaker defenses like the Jacksonville Jaguars' (21.4 points) and Atlanta Falcons' (26.5), and average lines versus the much tougher New England Patriots (16.2) and Buffalo Bills (15.2).
He also put up 12.3 fantasy points on less than half the snaps in last week's win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Now he gets another friendly foe in the New York Jets, who have given up the ninth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, including multiple touchdowns to each of the last five passers they've faced.
Boone's projection: 279 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 21 rushing yards
Other QBs to start
- Ryan Tannehill vs. Texans
- Derek Carr vs. Bengals
- Cam Newton vs. Washington
A.J. Dillon, Packers
at Vikings
This one is obvious, but we'll still give Dillon his time in the spotlight before he erupts as a fantasy RB1 for however long Aaron Jones is sidelined.
Dillon carved out a sizeable role even before Jones' injury, with yardage totals of 97, 79, 59, 78, 90, and 128, respectively, in six of his past seven outings.
Now he'll be called on to lead the Green Bay Packers' backfield against a Minnesota Vikings defense that ranks bottom five in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA. Dillon is all the way up at RB6 overall in my Week 11 rankings.
Boone's projection: 87 rushing yards, 36 receiving yards, TD
Other RBs to start
- David Montgomery vs. Ravens
- Myles Gaskin at Jets
- D'Onta Foreman vs. Texans
Brandin Cooks, Texans
at Titans
What happens when you pair a defense that gives up the most fantasy points to receivers with a target hog who's the only real pass-catching threat on his offense?
We'll find out the answer on Sunday when the Tennessee Titans' defense tries to contain Cooks.
The 28-year-old has seen the ninth-most targets in the NFL this season and is coming off a 14-target game in Tyrod Taylor's return to the lineup prior to the Houston Texans' Week 10 bye.
Even if the efficiency isn't there, the volume alone should make Cooks a top-20 wideout in fantasy this week.
Boone's projection: 86 receiving yards, TD
Other WRs to start
- Tee Higgins at Raiders
- Christian Kirk at Seahawks
- Darnell Mooney vs. Ravens
Dawson Knox, Bills
vs. Colts
Though Knox was held to just one catch in his first game back after hand surgery, it's important to remember the Bills controlled that contest from start to finish.
This week's encounter with the Indianapolis Colts could be a much more competitive affair, and with slot receiver Cole Beasley dealing with a rib issue, it's possible Knox will be asked to do more.
Before Knox got hurt, he had the third-most fantasy points among tight ends over the first five weeks of the season - behind only Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews.
With Indy's defense being the sixth-easiest matchup for tight ends, Knox is set up for a ceiling game on Sunday.
Boone's projection: 61 receiving yards, TD
Other TEs to start
- Dalton Schultz at Chiefs
- Zach Ertz at Seahawks
- Cole Kmet vs. Ravens
Sit
Carson Wentz, Colts
at Bills
After overcoming some early season injuries, Wentz has settled in as the Colts' starting quarterback and delivered steady QB2 fantasy numbers.
Unfortunately, for him, the Bills' defense has allowed the fewest passing yards and passing touchdowns this season, while also leading the league in interceptions.
It's going to be a long day for Wentz, who should be on your bench for this one.
Boone's projection: 218 passing yards, TD, INT, 9 rushing yards
Other QBs to sit
- Jimmy Garoppolo at Jaguars
- Taylor Heinicke at Panthers
- Trevor Lawrence vs. 49ers
Zack Moss, Bills
vs. Colts
Even when the Bills' backfield was a two-man committee, Moss struggled to provide fantasy managers with consistent production.
In last week's win over the Jets, we saw Matt Breida add a speed element to the mix, which could turn this into a three-man split between Moss, Breida, and Devin Singletary.
Either way, you shouldn't test fate with Moss going up against the Colts, who permit the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs. And that's only the beginning, as Buffalo faces a gauntlet of top run defenses over the next month in the New Orleans Saints, Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, and Patriots again.
Boone's projection: 37 rushing yards, 14 receiving yards
Other RBs to sit
- Alex Collins vs. Cardinals
- Jordan Howard/Boston Scott vs. Saints
- J.D. McKissic at Panthers
Kenny Golladay, Giants
at Buccaneers
Golladay is finally healthy following the New York Giants' bye, but you should still treat this as a prove-it situation before confidently putting him in your starting lineup.
The Bucs' pass defense isn't as bad as some believe. They're middle of the pack in most categories and haven't allowed an individual receiver to top 60 yards since Week 4.
If you've been without Golladay for this long, you should have another option to use until he re-establishes himself as a full-time player who can offer WR3 numbers or better.
Boone's projection: 44 receiving yards
Other WRs to sit
- Marvin Jones vs. 49ers
- Tyler Boyd at Raiders
- T.Y. Hilton at Bills
Evan Engram, Giants
vs. Buccaneers
Someone has to catch passes for New York this week, and it's possible Golladay or Engram see enough volume to post respectable fantasy lines. However, with Saquon Barkley returning and Kadarius Toney, Darius Slayton, and even backup tight end Kyle Rudolph seeing targets, there are a lot of weapons for Daniel Jones to spread the ball around to.
They'll also be playing against a Tampa unit that's given up more than 45 yards to only one tight end on the year.
Consider Engram a touchdown-dependent TE2 this week, and hopefully you have a better option than that.
Boone's projection: 36 receiving yards
Other TEs to sit
- Jared Cook vs. Steelers
- Gerald Everett/Will Dissly vs. Cardinals
- Mo Alie-Cox/Jack Doyle at Bills
Stash
Josh Reynolds, Lions
Though Reynolds is pictured above in a Titans jersey, Tennessee actually released him, and he signed with the Detroit Lions.
Detroit's receiving corps has been an uninspiring group this season, led by Kalif Raymond and Amon-Ra St. Brown - neither of whom has been a consistent performer.
Reynolds is no guarantee to rise to the top of the depth chart, but it's rare to find a situation as wide-open as this one in the middle of the season.
After flashing at times during his previous stint with the Los Angeles Rams, especially around the red zone, Reynolds could become an intriguing option for a Lions offense desperate for a reliable playmaker at receiver.
Carlos Hyde, Jaguars
With James Robinson playing through heel and knee injuries, rostering his backup is a wise move.
A 31-year-old Hyde might not have much left in the tank, but he's been able to produce when given volume this year. In the three outings when he saw 10 touches or more, he provided usable fantasy stat lines.
- Week 1: 11 touches, 58 yards
- Week 8: 15 touches, 72 yards
- Week 9: 22 touches, 73 yards
And the most recent entry on that list came against a stout Bills defense.
If you're not convinced, take a look ahead to the Jaguars' schedule. Jacksonville gets the Falcons next Sunday and then the Texans and Jets in the first two weeks of the fantasy playoffs.
In a scenario in which Robinson isn't available down the stretch, Hyde could be a surprising difference-maker in fantasy lineups.
Quit
Marvin Jones, Jaguars
Though it's hard to drop a player who's technically the No. 1 receiver in his offense, it's become clear that Jones (69% rostered) isn't someone you can trust in your fantasy lineup.
He's been held to 35 yards or less in five of his last six games, and things are unlikely to shift in his favor this week against the San Francisco 49ers, who are allowing the eighth-fewest fantasy points to wideouts.
At this time of year, you need to trim the fat from your roster. Even if you needed to replace Jones, you could easily do so by picking up any number of one-week flex options.