Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 6

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 6 rankings for the rest of your lineup decisions. You can also listen to the Week 6 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.

Start

Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars

vs. Colts

The Jaguars' passing attack is still trying to find its rhythm, but Lawrence took a step in the right direction with his first 300-yard game of the season last week against a quality Bills defense.

He'll look to build on that in Week 6 versus a Colts team giving up the 10th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Indy has already allowed three top-12 weekly finishes to QBs through five outings, including one to Lawrence back in Week 1.

Boone's projection: 273 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 20 rushing yards

Other QBs to start

• Matthew Stafford vs. Cardinals
• Kirk Cousins at Bears

Kyren Williams, Rams

vs. Cardinals

Williams is the RB9 in fantasy points per game on the season and continues to dominate the Rams' backfield, averaging 18 touches a week.

There's no reason to think the Cardinals, who are the fourth-easiest opponent for fantasy RBs, will slow him down this Sunday.

Arizona has permitted at least 90 yards from scrimmage to a single back in each of its last four contests.

Boone's projection: 75 rushing yards, 26 receiving yards, 3 receptions, TD

Other RBs to start

• D'Andre Swift at Jets
• James Cook vs. Giants
• Alexander Mattison at Bears

Zay Flowers, Ravens

at Titans

Flowers is someone fantasy managers should be targeting in trades since a blow-up game is inevitable.

The rookie is 41st in fantasy points per game among wideouts because he hasn't found the end zone yet. However, he has the 10th-best target share among NFL receivers at 29%, and he's 20th in targets per game at his position.

It's also promising to see his average depth of target rise to a season-high 16.7 yards in Week 5.

Touchdowns will come on that volume, perhaps even this week against the Titans' pass-funnel defense that's been the eighth-softest matchup for receivers in 2023.

Boone's projection: 87 receiving yards, 6 receptions, TD

Other WRs to start

• Calvin Ridley vs. Colts
• Michael Pittman Jr. at Jaguars
• Jordan Addison at Bears

Cole Kmet, Bears

vs. Vikings

Kmet had a pair of spiked fantasy performances in the last two games thanks to his touchdown scoring, but he's been outproducing expectations this year.

After five weeks, The 24-year-old sits inside the top 10 at tight end for targets, receptions, yards, and TDs.

The Vikings aren't the friendliest matchup, but Kmet has a good history against them, with at least 45 yards in each of their last four meetings.

Boone's projection: 62 receiving yards, 5 receptions, TD

Other TEs to start

• Logan Thomas at Falcons
• Jake Ferguson at Chargers

Sit

C.J. Stroud, Texans

vs. Saints

Stroud made some noise with three straight outings of 20 fantasy points or more from Week 2 to Week 4, but it's important to note those performances came against average to below-average pass defenses.

The degree of difficulty will rise versus the Saints, who are allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to QBs. Stroud will also be without wideout Tank Dell, who remains in concussion protocol.

And while the rookie passer hasn't thrown an interception yet, that streak might be nearing its end. New Orleans is tied for third in the league with seven picks as a team.

Boone's projection: 224 passing yards, TD, INT

Other QBs to sit

• Brock Purdy at Browns
• Derek Carr at Texans

Rachaad White, Buccaneers

vs. Lions

White's only posted double-digit fantasy points (half PPR) in one game this season, and it occurred against a weak Bears defense.

Unfortunately for him, his next opponent - the Lions - has been stifling running backs this year en route to being the second-toughest fantasy matchup for the position.

Boone's projection: 39 rushing yards, 15 receiving yards, 2 receptions

Other RBs to sit

• Dameon Pierce vs. Saints
• Jerome Ford vs. 49ers
• Gus Edwards vs. Titans

Amari Cooper, Browns

vs. 49ers

Cooper had a hard time producing with Deshaun Watson sidelined in Week 4, resulting in just one reception on six targets.

Veteran backup P.J. Walker getting the nod over rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson should help this week, but Cooper now has to contend with the 49ers' defense.

There's also rain and wind in the forecast for this game, so consider removing all Browns from your lineup this week.

Boone's projection: 37 receiving yards, 3 receptions

Other WRs to sit

• Terry McLaurin at Falcons
• Marquise Brown at Rams
• Michael Thomas at Texans

Tyler Higbee, Rams

vs. Cardinals

Higbee has failed to find the end zone this season, but he did put up at least 49 yards in three of his first four contests.

His situation changed dramatically in Week 5, though, with the return of Cooper Kupp. The Rams now boast three competent receivers in Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Tutu Atwell.

That made Higbee the odd man out, and he only came away with two receptions for 20 yards in the game.

While Higbee will still have some usable fantasy weeks, this likely isn't one of them. The Cardinals are giving up the fifth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends.

Boone's projection: 37 receiving yards, 3 receptions

Other TEs to sit

• Hunter Henry at Raiders
• David Njoku vs. 49ers

Stash

Past stashes that still qualify: Ronnie Rivers, Rico Dowdle, Zamir White, Jonathan Mingo, Craig Reynolds

Salvon Ahmed/Chris Brooks, Dolphins

With De'Von Achane missing at least a few weeks, the Dolphins' backfield is being shaken up again. Raheem Mostert will lead the way, but who'll be the new No. 2 back?

Jeff Wilson would be the obvious man for the job if he hadn't spent the first five weeks on injured reserve. The veteran is practicing and trending toward being active for this game, but we just don't know how much the coaching staff will put on him right away.

That leaves the door open for Ahmed (13% rostered) and Brooks (1% rostered). Ahmed started the season ahead of Brooks on the depth chart, but the rookie played over him last week - possibly due to his special teams contributions.

Given Miami's success on the ground and its history of RB injuries, both Ahmed and Brooks should be rostered - in that order.

Michael Mayer, Raiders

Mayer (5% rostered) has had to watch while other rookie tight ends around the league got more playing time than him in the opening month.

However, Week 5 gave us some signs that the second-rounder's ascension is underway. He played a season-high 66% of the Raiders' offensive snaps and had his best fantasy outing so far with two catches for 39 yards.

While it might not seem like much, it coincides with his teammate Austin Hooper's usage declining in recent weeks.

Vegas also has one of the easiest upcoming schedules for fantasy tight ends, making Mayer intriguing as a deep bench stash.

Quit

Quarterback (1QB): Daniel Jones, Derek Carr

Running back: Dalvin Cook, Jamaal Williams

Wide receiver: Brandin Cooks, Skyy Moore

Tight end: Pat Freiermuth, Chigoziem Okonkwo