Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 9
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.
Consult our Week 9 rankings for the rest of your lineup decisions. You can also listen to the Week 9 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.
Start
Dak Prescott, Cowboys
at Eagles
After a quiet start to the year, Prescott's fantasy production has returned with top-three weekly results in his last two outings - including a four-touchdown performance Sunday.
If you're worried about a matchup with the Eagles' defense slowing him down, don't be. Philadelphia's defense is a pass funnel that's allowing the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Prescott has also thrown at least three touchdowns in each of his last three games against the Eagles.
Boone's projection: 286 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 9 rushing yards
Other QBs to start
- Sam Howell at Patriots
- Derek Carr vs. Bears
Josh Jacobs, Raiders
vs. Giants
The Raiders players are acting like a weight has been lifted off them after Josh McDaniels' firing, and I'm expecting that positive energy to carry over into their game against the Giants.
New York is the ninth-easiest matchup for fantasy running backs, making Jacobs a solid start this week. He's also positioned for a massive workload as the offense leans on him to take pressure off newly-named starter Aidan O'Connell.
In the rookie QB's last start, Jacobs had a career day through the air with 11 targets, eight receptions, and 81 yards while adding 58 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
Boone's projection: 79 rushing yards, 62 receiving yards, 6 receptions, TD
Other RBs to start
- Jonathan Taylor/Zack Moss at Panthers
- Isiah Pacheco vs. Dolphins
- Chuba Hubbard vs. Colts
Garrett Wilson, Jets
vs. Chargers
Wilson has overcome losing Aaron Rodgers by commanding the 12th-most targets among NFL receivers this season. That's led to at least seven receptions in three of his last four outings.
He's also coming off his two most productive games of the campaign, recording 90 yards against the Eagles and 100 yards versus the Giants.
The Chargers are giving up the third-most fantasy points to receivers, including monster games to No. 1 wideouts like Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and Davante Adams. Wilson will be next on that list.
Boone's projection: 87 receiving yards, 7 receptions, TD
Other WRs to start
- Nico Collins vs. Buccaneers
- Amari Cooper vs. Cardinals
- Terry McLaurin at Patriots
Dalton Kincaid, Bills
at Bengals
Kincaid's breakout was already happening, but Dawson Knox's injury paved the way for the rookie to become a top-10 fantasy tight end moving forward.
He followed up his eight-catch, 75-yard effort versus the Patriots with a five-reception, 65-yard, one-touchdown performance over the Bucs last week. More importantly, he's showing a great understanding of the defenses he's facing and making adjustments to help Josh Allen.
The Bills' next opponent, the Bengals, is the best matchup for fantasy tight ends and just let George Kittle post a 9-149-0 line in Week 8.
Boone's projection: 74 receiving yards, 6 receptions, TD
Other TEs to start
- Taysom Hill vs. Bears
- Logan Thomas at Patriots
- Kyle Pitts vs. VIkings
Sit
Geno Smith, Seahawks
at Ravens
Smith hasn't recaptured the magic from last year's comeback campaign.
He's the QB22 in fantasy points per game this season and hasn't been a quality option most weeks.
That's unlikely to change against a Ravens defense permitting the fewest fantasy points to passers in 2023.
Boone's projection: 215 passing yards, TD, INT
Other QBs to sit
- Daniel Jones at Raiders
- Baker Mayfield at Texans
Alexander Mattison, Vikings
at Falcons
Mattison has been held under 45 rushing yards in each of his past four contests, and his receiving numbers have also dropped in recent weeks.
While Mattison is clearly maintaining the lead-back role over Cam Akers, neither player has shown the efficiency or touchdown scoring to be a fantasy difference-maker.
This doesn't seem like a boom week for them since the Falcons have been the third-hardest matchup for fantasy running backs.
Boone's projection: 38 rushing yards, 9 receiving yards, 2 receptions
Other RBs to sit
- D'Onta Foreman at Saints
- Miles Sanders vs. Colts
- Emari Demercado/Keaontay Ingram at Browns
Jakobi Meyers, Raiders
vs. Giants
Davante Adams' visible frustrations in last Monday's loss to the Lions likely contributed to the sweeping changes in the Raiders' organization this week. You can be sure the team plans to make its star wideout happy by peppering him with targets under the new regime.
That coincided with O'Connell taking over as starter. Adams had 13 targets in the rookie's lone start earlier this year. Unfortunately for Meyers, he was targeted only four times during that game.
Meyers is also fresh off his worst output as a Raider, with just one catch for 19 yards in Week 8. Hopefully, this isn't the end of Meyers being a reliable fantasy option, but his managers should be concerned.
Boone's projection: 39 receiving yards, 3 receptions
Other WRs to sit
- Marquise Brown at Browns
- Jordan Addison at Falcons
- Christian Watson vs. Rams
Dalton Schultz, Texans
vs. Buccaneers
Schultz popped up for a couple of decent fantasy games in October, but some of that production came when Tank Dell was out of the lineup.
With Dell back after the bye, Schultz had just two catches for five yards in Week 8.
Before last week, the Buccaneers held every tight end they faced under 50 yards. We're not expecting much from Schultz in this one.
Boone's projection: 28 receiving yards, 3 receptions
Other TEs to sit
- Michael Mayer vs. Giants
- Tyler Higbee at Packers
Stash
Past stashes that still qualify: Rico Dowdle, Zamir White, Kendre Miller, Jonathan Mingo, Jalin Hyatt
Khalil Shakir, Bills
Shakir (4% rostered) was highlighted as a top pickup in this week's waiver-wire column, but he remains available in most leagues.
Though it seems fantasy managers weren't impressed by his six catches for 92 yards versus the Bucs last week, they should look at it again.
The sophomore wideout emerged as the Bills' No. 3 receiver, playing a season-high 65% of the snaps.
He's a potential flex option moving forward and at least worth stashing for a week to see if he can continue producing.
Keaontay Ingram, Cardinals
By the time you read this, we might know more about the state of the Cardinals' backfield in Week 9, but Ingram (7% rostered) could end up starting.
Emari Demercado missed the first two practices of the week with a toe injury, and Arizona placed veteran Damien Williams on injured reserve. Right now, Ingram and Tony Jones are the only healthy options.
While the matchup with the Browns is bad, fantasy managers in desperate need of RB or flex help could get a cheap start out of Ingram - if Demercado is sidelined.
Quit
Quarterback (1QB): Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins
Running back: Antonio Gibson, Dalvin Cook
Wide receiver: Tutu Atwell, Josh Reynolds
Tight end: Pat Freiermuth, Chigoziem Okonkwo