Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 10
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 10 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 10 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.
StartPhilip Rivers, QB, Chargersat Raiders
Jack Thomas / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Raiders are clearly struggling on all fronts, making them a defense to attack in fantasy. Oakland has allowed multiple touchdown passes in every game but one this season, including three passing scores to each of its last three opponents. Rivers hasn't had an outing with fewer than two touchdowns this season and, in theory, if Nick Mullens can come out of nowhere to throw for three touchdowns against the Raiders, should Rivers throw for six? Eight?
Boone's projection: 297 passing yards, 3 TDs
Other QBs to start
- Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Redskins
- Baker Mayfield vs. Falcons
- Alex Smith at Buccaneers
vs. Dolphins
Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / GettyJones is finally seeing his usage rise with totals of 14 and 16 touches in the last two weeks. He responded with at least 85 yards from scrimmage in those contests, though a late fumble in Week 9 hurt his fantasy result. The good news is Green Bay went right back to Jones after the fumble. The Packers would be wise to ride him in a matchup where they are double-digit favorites against a Dolphins defense allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs.
Boone's projection: 89 rushing yards, 7 receiving yards, TD
Other RBs to start
- David Johnson at Chiefs
- Mike Davis at Rams
- Mark Ingram at Bengals
vs. Saints
Jeff Hanisch / USA TODAY SportsIn the middle of a breakout season, Boyd's fantasy stock is about to get another boost with A.J. Green sidelined for at least a couple of games. Playing primarily out the slot, Boyd should avoid Marcus Lattimore's coverage in favor of weekly turnstile P.J. Williams. Outside of Joe Mixon, the Bengals will be lacking weapons in a game that features the highest projected point total of the week at 54, so expect plenty of volume for Boyd.
Boone's projection: 89 receiving yards, TD
Other WRs to start
- Josh Gordon at Titans
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. Dolphins
- Tyrell Williams at Raiders
vs. Redskins
Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Sport / GettyFew tight ends have been as consistent as Howard in 2018. The sophomore has topped 50 yards in every game except the one he left with an injury. Howard also has four touchdowns in four outings since the bye week. Keep rolling him out there with confidence as a top-five tight end.
Boone's projection: 69 receiving yards, TD
Other TEs to start
- Jimmy Graham vs. Dolphins
- David Njoku vs. Falcons
- Jack Doyle vs. Jaguars
at Bears
Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyStafford is coming off his worst performance of the year, as his offensive line's complete meltdown resulted in 10 sacks. He'll now try to regroup against an equally ferocious Bears front seven that is expected to get Khalil Mack back in the lineup after a two-game absence. Stafford is also trying to adapt to life without Golden Tate, his former security blanket in the receiving corps, who was traded at the deadline.
Boone's projection: 245 passing yards, TD, INT
Other QBs to sit
- Andy Dalton vs. Saints
- Marcus Mariota vs. Patriots
- Derek Carr vs. Chargers
at Jets
Brett Carlsen / Getty Images Sport / GettyShady's recent rushing lines of 12 carries for 13 yards and 10 carries for 10 yards tell you everything you need to know about his prospects in this Bills offense. Even in a matchup against another subpar team, McCoy can't be trusted. Buffalo is seven-point underdogs on the road against the 3-6 Jets and the game has one of the lowest totals of the year at 36.5, meaning scoring could be hard to come by, especially for the Bills.
Boone's projection: 38 rushing yards, 23 receiving yards
Other RBs to sit
- Kerryon Johnson at Bears
- Peyton Barber vs. Redskins
- Doug Martin vs. Chargers
vs. Patriots
Logan Bowles / Getty Images Sport / GettyOutside of his nine-catch, 161-yard, one-touchdown performance in Week 4, Davis has failed to reach 65 yards or score a touchdown in any other contest this year. Yet, he's one of the most puzzling fantasy players in Week 10. His volume should be as high as ever with wideouts Tajae Sharpe and Taywan Taylor dealing with injuries, but most of his targets will likely come in a tough matchup with Stephon Gilmore. That makes him a volatile WR3, and causes me to want to look elsewhere for production.
Boone's projection: 51 receiving yards
Other WRs to sit
- Doug Baldwin at Rams
- Allen Robinson vs. Lions
- Dez Bryant at Bengals
vs. Jaguars
Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyJack Doyle's return was a big problem for Ebron's fantasy value. Both players found the end zone, but Doyle out-gained Ebron 70-33 and out-snapped him 57-17. That turns Ebron into more of a TD-dependent option moving forward, especially versus the Jaguars, who have only allowed one tight end to eclipse 35 yards against them.
Boone's projection: 35 receiving yards
Other TEs to sit
- C.J. Uzomah vs. Saints
- Jonnu Smith vs. Patriots
- Antonio Gates at Raiders
Bernard is nearing his return to the lineup, so go stash him immediately. With Green sidelined, Bernard could see work in the receiving game. We also know he's one of the best handcuffs in the league, offering borderline RB1 upside if Mixon were to miss time down the stretch.
Jeff Heuerman, TE, BroncosIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyIn the Broncos' first game without Demaryius Thomas, it was Heuerman who stepped up with 10 catches, 83 yards, and a touchdown. He's currently on bye, but for owners looking for a one-week fill-in with six teams on bye in Week 11, Heuerman could emerge as the third weapon in Denver's passing attack.
QuitJavorius Allen, RB, RavensAndy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / GettyAllen's early-season run as a fantasy flex play was fun, but he hasn't hit 25 yards from scrimmage in the last month and the touchdowns have dried up as well. The Ravens trading for Ty Montgomery was a clear sign that they want more from their backup running back spot.
Carlos Hyde, RB, JaguarsTim Williams / Action Plus / GettyLeonard Fournette is practicing in full and expected to resume lead back duties this week. That slides Hyde and T.J. Yeldon into complementary roles. Even if Fournette goes down again, Yeldon is a more valuable fantasy handcuff than Hyde.
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