Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 2
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 2 rankings for the rest of your lineup decisions. You can also listen to the Week 2 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.
StartDaniel Jones, Giantsat Cardinals
Rich Schultz / Getty Images Sport / GettyEverything that could have gone wrong in the Giants' opener absolutely did, coming away on the embarrassing side of a 40-0 loss to the division-rival Cowboys.
However, that result said more about Dallas than New York.
Fortunately, the Cowboys' defense isn't following the G-Men to Arizona this week - where the Giants are four-point favorites over the Cardinals.
Fantasy managers will need to show some faith to put Jones in their starting lineups after such a poor performance in Week 1. But head coach Brian Daboll will get his team back on track against this softer opponent.
Jones finished as a top-10 fantasy QB despite two subpar matchups versus the Cowboys last year, and we're still projecting him to be in that range this season.
Boone's projection: 248 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 41 rushing yards
Other QBs to start
- Anthony Richardson at Texans
- Jared Goff vs. Seahawks
vs. Seahawks
David Eulitt / Getty Images Sport / GettyFantasy managers overreacted to Gibbs' part-time role in Week 1, but the more important takeaway was how good the rookie looked when on the field.
After the win, Dan Campbell admitted the low snap count (27%) was by design and said Gibbs' usage will rise moving forward.
It would be shocking if it didn't, considering he racked up 60 yards from scrimmage on nine touches and forced a league-leading six missed tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.
Nothing has changed about Gibbs' outlook for 2023. David Montgomery will play an enhanced version of what Jamaal Williams was in this offense last year, and Gibbs will be the D'Andre Swift-style gamebreaker - earning more snaps and touches beginning this week. They're both strong RB2 fantasy plays against the Seahawks.
Boone's projection: 57 rushing yards, 32 receiving yards, 3 receptions, TD
Other RBs to start
- James Cook vs. Raiders
- Dameon Pierce vs. Colts
- James Conner vs. Giants
at Bengals
Rob Carr / Getty Images Sport / GettyWe entered Week 1 not knowing who would lead the Ravens' receiving corps in targets, but we got a definitive answer when Flowers was the focal point of the passing attack.
The rookie wasn't just limited to slot duty, and his 10 targets were well ahead of teammates Odell Beckham Jr. (three) and Rashod Bateman (three). Flowers also had two carries for nine yards, showing the team's desire to get the ball in his hands as often as possible.
Even with tight end Mark Andrews potentially returning from injury this week, Flowers is well worth a start as a fantasy WR3 with WR2 upside versus the Bengals.
Boone's projection: 84 receiving yards, 7 receptions, 6 rushing yards, TD
Other WRs to start
- Mike Williams at Titans
- Deebo Samuel at Rams
- Michael Pittman Jr. at Texans
vs. Dolphins
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyHenry was busy in last week's loss to the Eagles, turning in a 5-56-1 stat line and finishing as the top fantasy tight end overall.
With Kendrick Bourne being the only Patriots wideout Mac Jones seemed to be able to rely on, Henry will continue to be a big part of the team's passing game.
Next up for him is the Dolphins, who allowed the third-most fantasy points to tight ends in Week 1 and were one of the three easiest matchups for the position last year.
Hopefully, you scooped him off the waiver wire because he'll be a top-12 fantasy tight end until further notice.
Boone's projection: 65 receiving yards, 6 receptions, TD
Other TEs to start
- Sam LaPorta vs. Seahawks
- Pat Freiermuth vs. Browns
vs. Jets
Michael Owens / Getty Images Sport / GettyJosh Allen deserves a lot of blame for his four-turnover performance in Week 1, but the Jets' defense was a major factor.
With Zach Wilson now under center for New York, we're going to see some ugly games in which the Jets won't move the ball effectively on offense. However, opposing teams will struggle against Robert Saleh's defense.
The Cowboys barely needed Prescott in their lopsided win over the Giants last week, and we'll likely see a similar outcome here.
Boone's projection: 218 passing yards, TD, INT, 9 rushing yards
Other QBs to sit
- Deshaun Watson at Steelers
- Matthew Stafford vs. 49ers
at Broncos
Al Bello / Getty Images Sport / GettyRobinson dominated the Commanders' backfield work against the Cardinals but only managed 68 yards from scrimmage on 20 touches. A rare receiving touchdown saved his fantasy day.
He might not be so lucky against the Broncos, who held last year's rushing king, Josh Jacobs, to under 10 fantasy points with just 48 yards on 19 carries in Week 1.
The game in Denver also projects to be slower in pace and is tied for the lowest projected point total on the week at 38.5. This isn't the type of scenario where you feel good about starting Robinson in your lineup.
Boone's projection: 52 rushing yards, 8 receiving yards, 1 reception
Other RBs to sit
- Khalil Herbert at Buccaneers
- Kyren Williams/Cam Akers vs. 49ers
- Dalvin Cook at Cowboys
at Cowboys
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPlaying with Aaron Rodgers would have propelled Garrett Wilson into the upper echelon of NFL wide receivers. Sadly, with Rodgers out for the year, we're left daydreaming about what could have been.
Garrett's splits with Zach Wilson at the helm in 2022 paint a very concerning picture of what we can expect.
The NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year averaged 6.3 targets, 3.8 receptions, and 49.7 receiving yards with Zach Wilson in 2022. However, he posted 11.4 targets, 6.1 receptions, and 82 receiving yards with every other Jets' QB last year.
On Monday night, Garrett had to make an out-of-this-world grab to secure a touchdown and salvage his fantasy outing.
On the road against the Cowboys' pass rush, the Jets' passing attack could grind to a halt. If you have another top-30 WR option, you should strongly consider them instead of Wilson.
Boone's projection: 46 receiving yards, 4 receptions
Other WRs to sit
- Drake London vs. Packers
- Terry McLaurin at Broncos
- Christian Kirk vs. Chiefs
at Titans
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPreseason expectations for Everett never made sense to me given the target competition he'd be facing from a receiving corps featuring Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Josh Palmer, and first-rounder Quentin Johnston.
Now we have to worry about No. 2 tight end Donald Parham getting in on the action.
Parham played 49% of the Chargers' snaps in Week 1 and saw as many targets as Everett, catching all three for 22 yards and a score. Everett finished with just two receptions for 21 yards.
With so many hands calling for the ball in this offense, it's hard to view Everett as anything more than a touchdown-dependent streamer at the moment.
Boone's projection: 34 receiving yards, 3 receptions
Other TEs to sit
- Juwan Johnson at Panthers
- Hayden Hurst vs. Saints
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyFord (9% rostered) became a forgotten man in fantasy after a preseason hamstring injury sidelined him for most of August.
Prior to that, Ford was being billed as the new No. 2 back in Cleveland, and we saw that unfold in Week 1.
Heavy rain impacted play-calling, but the fact the Browns had Ford on the field for 41% of the snaps and gave him 15 touches is a clear sign he's the unquestioned team's backup to roster behind Nick Chubb. He could even provide flex production in better matchups.
Tank Dell, Texans
Omar Rawlings / Getty Images Sport / GettyVeteran wideout Noah Brown (groin) was placed on injured reserve, and John Metchie (hamstring) has been limited in practice. That could create more opportunities for the explosive rookie Dell (4% rostered).
While it's unlikely that someone his size (5-foot-8, 165 lbs) will become a consistent fantasy producer, Dell has already flashed his playmaking abilities in this offense, including three catches for 34 yards in a part-time role last week.
He can be a dangerous threat behind breakout candidate Nico Collins and veteran Robert Woods. And if Dell capitalizes on his increased usage this week, he'll be a coveted name on the waiver wire next Tuesday.
Quit
Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / GettyQuarterback (1QB): Kenny Pickett
Running back: Rashaad Penny
Wide receiver: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Skyy Moore
Tight end: Cole Kmet, Dalton Schultz
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