Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 9
SSSQ is a weekly look at underappreciated 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.
StartAaron Rodgers, Packersvs. Lions
John Fisher / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt's been a rough season for Rodgers, who hasn't topped 17 fantasy points in a game through the first eight weeks.
Fortunately for him - and the Packers - help is on the way in the form of the Lions' defense.
Detroit has been the second-easiest matchup for opposing passers. More specifically, in fives games with at least one of D'Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown healthy, the Lions found themselves in a shootout, surrendering weekly fantasy finishes of QB4, QB5, QB9, QB2, and most recently, QB1 overall.
Rodgers will get a boost if top receiver Allen Lazard can return from the shoulder injury that forced him to miss last week's contest, but either way, he's poised for his best performance of the year.
Boone's projection: 297 passing yards, 3 passing TDs
Other QBs to start
- Justin Fields vs. Dolphins
- Kirk Cousins at Commanders
at Bengals
Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / GettyForeman has topped 100 rushing yards in two straight contests since the Christian McCaffrey trade and is coming off a three-touchdown effort against the Falcons.
While backfield mate Chuba Hubbard missed last Sunday's game due to an ankle injury and is limited so far this week, Foreman has done enough to cement himself as Carolina's lead ball carrier moving forward.
The Bengals, meanwhile, have been much weaker against the run since placing defensive tackle D.J. Reader on injured reserve. Cincinnati has given up 99 rushing yards to Alvin Kamara, 50 yards and a touchdown to Tyler Allgeier, and 101 yards and two scores to Nick Chubb over the last three games.
The Panthers' offense should run through Foreman this week, making him a very intriguing high-end RB2 for fantasy.
Boone's projection: 93 rushing yards, 17 receiving yards, 2 receptions, TD
Other RBs to start
- Cordarrelle Patterson (if healthy)/Tyler Allgeier (if Patterson out) vs. Chargers
- Deon Jackson at Patriots (if Jonathan Taylor out)
- AJ Dillon at Lions
vs. Raiders
Don Juan Moore / Getty Images Sport / GettyKirk hasn't been as impressive lately as he was during an outstanding opening month, one that saw him average the eighth-most fantasy points among receivers through four games.
Despite cooling off somewhat, he's still reached 40 yards or scored a touchdown in each of his last three matchups. He's also dominating targets for Jacksonville, seeing 17 passes thrown his way over the Jaguars' past two outings.
With that kind of usage, more big stat lines are inevitable - especially against an average Raiders pass defense that lost cornerback Nate Hobbs to injury a few weeks back.
Don't hesitate to get Kirk in your fantasy lineup as a solid WR2.
Boone's projection: 79 receiving yards, 6 receptions, TD
Other WRs to start
- DJ Moore at Bengals
- Josh Palmer at Falcons
- Tyler Boyd vs. Panthers
at Falcons
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyEverett has some noticeable splits in his stat lines this season depending on whether backup tight end Donald Parham is active or sitting out.
But even if Parham suits up this week, it won't make a difference for Everett; the Chargers will be without their top two receivers in Mike Williams and Keenan Allen.
Wideout Josh Palmer is a recommended start as a low-end fantasy WR2, but it's possible Everett challenges for the team lead in targets. He had nine targets in L.A.'s last game and finished with five receptions and 63 yards.
The Falcons are also giving up the eighth-most fantasy points to tight ends, making Everett a top-five fantasy option at his position in Week 9.
Boone's projection: 72 receiving yards, 6 receptions, TD
Other TEs to start
- Robert Tonyan at Lions
- Tyler Higbee at Buccaneers
vs. Rams
Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Buccaneers' offense just hasn't found its rhythm this season, and this likely won't be the week things get back on track.
Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and the Rams' defense have been the 10th-toughest matchup for fantasy quarterbacks on the year. They've only permitted three passing touchdowns over their last five games.
Brady doesn't have the benefit of rushing stats to help lift his fantasy numbers, so he needs to excel through the air - which hasn't been happening very often over the past two months.
He should be viewed as a high-end QB2 for this game, not a top-12 fantasy option.
Boone's projection: 234 passing yards, TD, INT
Other QBs to sit
- Derek Carr at Jaguars
- Matthew Stafford at Buccaneers
at Buccaneers
Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images Sport / GettyThis may be a first, but it seems fitting given all the questions about how to approach the Rams' running backs.
Though Tampa Bay ranks as the sixth-hardest challenge for fantasy ball carriers, the Buccaneers have actually been weaker against the run in recent weeks. Unfortunately, that isn't enough reason to venture into an entirely unpredictable depth chart.
Darrell Henderson took a back seat to undrafted rookie Ronnie Rivers in Week 8, at least partly due to an illness Henderson dealt with during the week. Rivers failed to capitalize on the opportunity, and a committee developed between him, Henderson, and veteran red-zone vulture Malcolm Brown.
Former starter Cam Akers returned to the team this week after sitting out the last two games following a disagreement over his usage. His role in the offense moving forward is unclear. Though the Rams didn't trade him before the deadline, they could still release him.
First-year pass-catching specialist Kyren Williams, who's been on injured reserve, may also factor into the equation soon, but he doesn't profile as a workhorse lead back.
On top of what looks like a troubling RBBC, the real problem for L.A. might be an underperforming offensive line that's failed to give any of the backs room to operate.
Unless you're desperate, this isn't a place to go hunting for fantasy value. All five Rams backs can be dropped in most fantasy leagues.
Boone's projection: Good luck
Other RBs to sit
- Michael Carter/James Robinson vs. Bills
- Isiah Pacheco/Clyde Edwards-Helaire vs. Titans
- Brian Robinson Jr. vs. Vikings
at Chargers
Todd Kirkland / Getty Images Sport / GettySitting London might seem obvious, but on a week with six teams on bye, it's difficult to rule out any competent fantasy receiver.
Sadly, the Falcons' first-round wideout might not belong in that club anymore. After starting his career with stat lines of 5-74-0, 8-86-1, and 3-54-1, the rookie hasn't topped 40 yards or found the end zone in five consecutive appearances.
The talent is there, but his targets are heading in the wrong direction thanks to the low-volume passing attack Arthur Smith is deploying.
Get London on your bench until something changes in Atlanta.
Boone's projection: 39 receiving yards, 4 receptions
Other WRs to sit
- Robert Woods at Chiefs
- Hunter Renfrow at Jaguars
- Julio Jones vs. Rams
at Commanders
Nic Antaya / Getty Images Sport / GettyHockenson's long-term fantasy stock doesn't change much after the Lions traded him to the Vikings.
What is impacted, however, is his Week 9 projection. He'll be learning a new offense with Minnesota and facing a Commanders team that's given up the fewest fantasy points to tight ends in 2022.
Hockenson will return to mid-range TE1 production soon, but he's unlikely to deliver this week.
Boone's projection: 28 receiving yards, 3 receptions
Other TEs to sit
- Dawson Knox at Jets
- Cade Otton vs. Rams
Justin K. Aller / Getty Images Sport / GettyWarren (6% rostered) has been a consistent contributor in the Steelers' backfield this season and even graduated to part-time flex status with double-digit PPR fantasy points in two of his past four games.
The undrafted rookie also appears to have more juice than starter Najee Harris at times.
It's stunning that Warren remains available in 94% of fantasy leagues. If Harris were to miss time, the first-year back would step right in as a top-25 option at the position.
Terrace Marshall Jr., Panthers
Todd Kirkland / Getty Images Sport / GettyFantasy managers have waited a while to see Marshall (4% rostered) get his opportunity with Carolina. That time has arrived following the Robbie Anderson trade.
While we're still a long way from declaring Marshall a potential fantasy breakout, he's played over 85% of the Panthers' snaps each of the last two weeks and turned in a career-best four-catch, 87-yard performance on nine targets Sunday.
You shouldn't be starting him unless you're in bye-week trouble, but now is definitely the time to stash the sophomore pass-catcher in case he can keep this up.
Quit
Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / GettyQuarterbacks (1QB): Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson
Running backs: Rams' RBs, J.K. Dobbins
Wide receivers: Michael Thomas, Rashod Bateman
Tight ends: David Njoku, Mike Gesicki
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