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.

For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 9 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 9 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.

StartJoe Burrow, Bengals

vs. Browns

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Despite a couple of slow weeks at the start of the year when the Bengals were easing him back from injury, Burrow has been the QB10 in fantasy points per game.

The sophomore passer has multiple touchdowns in every outing, including three scores in each of his last three appearances.

He also balled out in both meetings with the Browns a year ago, throwing for a combined 722 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for 53 yards and a score.

Cleveland has struggled to contain quality quarterbacks in 2021, with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Kyler Murray each logging top-five fantasy finishes against the Browns.

Boone's projection: 321 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, INT, 9 rushing yards

Other QBs to start

• Tua Tagovailoa vs. Texans
• Taysom Hill vs. Falcons
• Derek Carr at Giants

Josh Jacobs, Raiders

at Giants

Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Though the majority of the fantasy community looks for reasons to downgrade Jacobs, the 23-year-old keeps producing.

The former first-round pick posted back-to-back seasons with over 1,300 yards from scrimmage and scored 19 touchdowns over his first two NFL campaigns.

He's back at it this year, averaging 15.1 fantasy points per game in PPR leagues - tied for 17th among running backs league-wide. Jacobs is also on pace for a second straight season with double-digit touchdowns.

This week, he'll take on a Giants defense allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to running backs. New York has given up at least 100 yards from scrimmage to seven different ball carriers through eight weeks.

Boone's projection: 73 rushing yards, 22 receiving yards, TD

Other RBs to start

• Elijah Mitchell vs. Cardinals
• Zack Moss at Jaguars
• Myles Gaskin vs. Texans

Brandin Cooks, Texans

at Dolphins

Bob Levey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Dolphins' defense has fallen apart this season, to the point where they've become the second-easiest matchup for opposing receivers. It's a stunning development, but that's not even the main reason we're recommending Cooks this week.

The return of quarterback Tyrod Taylor under center lifts Cooks' fantasy floor and ceiling.

In the duo's lone full game together before Taylor got hurt, Cooks recorded five catches and 132 yards.

Cooks has had a few fantasy-relevant outings in Taylor's absence, but he'll be back to WR2 status now that they're reunited.

Boone's projection: 104 receiving yards, TD

Other WRs to start

• Jaylen Waddle/DeVante Parker vs. Texans
• Jarvis Landry at Bengals
• Hunter Renfrow at Giants

Dalton Schultz, Cowboys

vs. Broncos

Michael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

When it comes to starts and sits, it isn't always about the matchup.

Though the Broncos have been pretty good against tight ends this season, Schultz should see a boost due to what's happening around him in Dallas.

Dak Prescott is expected back after a one-game absence. Schultz was a top-10 tight end in each of their last four games together.

CeeDee Lamb is dealing with an ankle injury that caused him to miss practice Thursday, and Michael Gallup's status is still unknown as he tries to return from injured reserve. If either receiver is out or limited, Schultz would take on an even bigger role in the offense.

Boone's projection: 71 receiving yards, TD

Other TEs to start

• Zach Ertz at 49ers
• Albert Okwuegbunam at Cowboys
• Evan Engram vs. Raiders

SitMatt Ryan, Falcons

at Saints

Douglas P. DeFelice / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Ryan has generally performed above expectations this season, but he struggled in his two matchups against tougher pass defenses in the Eagles and last week versus the Panthers.

The Saints represent his hardest test yet as they rank in the top five in Football Outsiders' pass defense DVOA.

The 36-year-old underwhelmed in both encounters against New Orleans last season, averaging 252 passing yards with one touchdown and two picks.

With Calvin Ridley out indefinitely, Ryan shouldn't be in your lineup this week.

Boone's projection: 236 passing yards, TD, 2 INTs

Other QBs to sit

• Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Cardinals
• Justin Fields at Steelers
• Trevor Lawrence vs. Bills

Khalil Herbert, Bears

at Steelers

Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Herbert has been an outstanding fantasy option over the past four weeks while filling in for an injured David Montgomery.

Unfortunately for the rookie runner, there's a chance Montgomery returns for this week's Monday nighter in Pittsburgh.

Even if the veteran stays on the sidelines for another week - which would be smart, considering the Bears have a Week 10 bye - Herbert will still be forced into battle with a Steelers squad that's allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points per contest. Cam Heyward and Co. have only permitted two touchdowns to running backs all season.

Boone's projection: 47 rushing yards, 14 receiving yards

Other RBs to sit

• Chase Edmonds/James Conner at 49ers
• Mike Davis at Saints
• Devonta Freeman/Le'Veon Bell vs. Vikings

Marvin Jones, Jaguars

vs. Bills

Mark Brown / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Aside from a 100-yard performance against the Dolphins in Week 6, Jones has been held to 35 yards or fewer in three of his last four appearances.

Since D.J. Chark was placed on injured reserve three weeks ago, Jones has actually been out-targeted (17-13) by teammate Jamal Agnew, who plays primarily out of the slot.

That doesn't bode well for a matchup with Tre'Davious White and the rest of the Bills' secondary, who've given up the fewest passing yards overall this year.

Boone's projection: 38 receiving yards

Other WRs to sit

• DeVonta Smith vs. Chargers
• Jakobi Meyers at Panthers
• Allen Robinson at Steelers

Tyler Higbee, Rams

vs. Titans

Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Though the usage has been there all year for Higbee, the production hasn't followed.

He's been held under 50 yards in seven consecutive outings, and he's unlikely to break that streak against Kevin Byard and a Titans defense that's only given up more than 25 yards to two tight ends in 2021. Despite all of its flaws, Tennessee doesn't get beat by tight ends.

A splash game will come at some point for Higbee, but don't bet on this being the week for it.

Boone's projection: 27 receiving yards

Other TEs to sit

• Cole Kmet at Steelers
• Jonnu Smith at Panthers
• David Njoku/Austin Hooper at Bengals

StashDonovan Peoples-Jones, Browns Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With Odell Beckham being excused from the Browns until they resolve his situation, fantasy managers can turn their attention to the other members of Cleveland's receiver room.

Jarvis Landry will be the main beneficiary, but Peoples-Jones (6% rostered) should be a pre-emptive pickup.

Before he missed the last two games with injury, the 22-year-old put up stat lines of 5-70-0 in Week 5 and 4-101-2 in Week 6.

Peoples-Jones could be on the verge of a second-half breakout if OBJ stay aways permanently.

Tyrod Taylor, Texans Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

We mentioned Taylor (7% rostered) when going over Brandin Cooks' Week 9 outlook, but why not grab the quarterback himself in case he can recapture the magic he had through the year's first six quarters.

The 32-year-old kicked the season off with 23.6 fantasy points, including 291 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 40 rushing yards versus the Jaguars. And he was well on his way to another strong performance with 125 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and a 15-yard rushing score in the first half of Week 2 against the Browns.

He's been sidelined with a hamstring issue since then, but Taylor's returning at the right time. Houston's next six opponents are among some of the softest pass defenses in the league - the Dolphins, Titans, Jets, Colts, Seahawks, and Jaguars.

Taylor could be a sneaky fantasy option the rest of the way.

QuitDerrick Henry, Titans Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Dropping Henry might seem obvious to some, but the Titans' franchise back is still rostered in 88% of leagues even after he underwent foot surgery.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the recovery timetable is normally 6-10 weeks. But, as many injury analysts have pointed out, a ball carrier Henry's size with this injury will have trouble making a speedy return to the field. And that's assuming there are no setbacks.

It also requires the Titans to remain in the playoff hunt, be willing to rush their star player back, and risk his long-term health at the end of the regular season.

Henry playing in Week 16 or 17 would be surprising, and there are no guarantees he'd be ready for his normal workload.

As strange as it'll feel clicking the button to release Henry, dropping him is the right move unless you have an IR spot.

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