Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 11
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 11 rankings for the rest of your lineup decisions. You can also listen to the Week 11 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.
StartC.J. Stroud, Texansvs. Cardinals
Grant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / GettyStroud's managers likely don't need to be talked into starting him after back-to-back top-10 fantasy finishes the last two weeks.
However, he's once again positioned for success in a game that's tied for the most projected points on the week at 47.5.
On top of that, the Cardinals are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and Stroud is expected to get his top receiver Nico Collins back.
Boone's projection: 296 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 12 rushing yards
Other QBs to start
- Jared Goff vs. Bears
- Kyler Murray at Texans
vs. Raiders
Megan Briggs / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt's been five weeks since we've watched the Dolphins' rookie slice through NFL defenses, but he's expected to return from his knee injury this week.
Before getting hurt, Achane posted 233 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns against the Broncos, 120 yards and two scores versus the Bills, and 165 yards and a TD in a win over the Giants.
Now he's coming back against a Raiders defense giving up the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs. And with the Dolphins being 13.5-point favorites, Miami's rushing attack should be out in full force for this one.
Boone's projection: 107 rushing yards, 16 receiving yards, 2 receptions, TD
Other RBs to start
- Tony Pollard at Panthers
- Devin Singletary vs. Cardinals
- Ty Chandler at Broncos
at Lions
Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / GettyMoore has been held under 60 yards in five straight games since Justin Fields injured his thumb. But with Fields returning to the lineup this week, the duo is about to get back on track.
Before he lost his quarterback, Moore went over 100 yards in three of four outings, including a 230-yard, three-touchdown performance in their last full game together.
The matchup with the Lions is helping his cause since Detroit is the 10th-easiest opponent for fantasy receivers.
Boone's projection: 112 receiving yards, 7 receptions, TD
Other WRs to start
- Tank Dell/Nico Collins vs. Cardinals
- Terry McLaurin vs. Giants
- Marquise Brown at Texans
at Texans
Mike Christy / Getty Images Sport / GettyIn the three weeks since Zach Ertz was placed on injured reserve, McBride has emerged as one of the most exciting young tight ends in the league.
The 23-year-old smashed in two of those three contests with stat lines of 10-95-1 versus the Ravens and 8-131-0 against the Falcons. We can also give him a pass for the down game in Week 9 because Clayton Tune was at quarterback in a tough matchup with the Browns.
Fortunately for McBride, one of the best ways to attack the Texans' defense is with the tight end. Houston is permitting the sixth-most fantasy points to the position - making this his easiest opponent since taking over the starting role.
Boone's projection: 89 receiving yards, 7 receptions, TD
Other TEs to start
- Cole Kmet at Lions
- Logan Thomas vs. Giants
vs. Titans
Joe Sargent / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Jaguars' offense has looked out of sorts more often than not this season, and Lawrence hasn't topped 20 fantasy points in any of his games in 2023.
Meanwhile, the Titans have held five of the last six quarterbacks they've faced to one touchdown or less, which doesn't bode well for the Jags' passing game.
It's become so bad with Lawrence that I considered putting him in the quit section at the bottom of this column, especially with the Browns and Ravens on the schedule in Weeks 14 and 15. Don't be afraid to let him go if you have another decent option at QB.
Boone's projection: 209 passing yards, TD, INT, 14 rushing yards
Other QBs to sit
- Geno Smith at Rams
- Baker Mayfield at 49ers
vs. Eagles
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyIt's no surprise the Eagles are the worst matchup for fantasy backs, as they haven't let a single running back post over 60 rushing yards against them this year.
Pacheco was already held in check during the Chiefs' last two games before their bye, so it's hard to envision him breaking that trend against one of the best fronts in football.
Monday night will be a potential Super Bowl preview, but Pacheco managers should sit this one out.
Boone's projection: 52 rushing yards, 6 receiving yards, 1 reception
Other RBs to sit
- Chuba Hubbard/Miles Sanders vs. Cowboys
- Najee Harris at Browns
- Khalil Herbert/D'Onta Foreman at Lions
vs. Steelers
Todd Olszewski / Getty Images Sport / GettyCooper is having an excellent season, but the loss of Deshaun Watson and the subsequent move to rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson makes the veteran wideout a much riskier fantasy play.
In DTR's only start, Cooper caught just one of six passes thrown his way.
The Steelers have also done a better job against No. 1 receivers lately, so fantasy managers should treat Cooper as a boom-or-bust WR3 this week.
Boone's projection: 47 receiving yards, 5 receptions
Other WRs to sit
- George Pickens at Browns
- Gabe Davis vs Jets
- Christian Watson vs. Chargers
vs. Steelers
Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / GettyNjoku has been on fire lately with 50 yards and/or a touchdown in each of his past four outings.
Unfortunately, he's not immune to the quarterback change in Cleveland - though he might have a better chance of overcoming it than some of his teammates. In Thompson-Robinson's previous start, Njoku saw enough volume (seven targets) but was held to 46 scoreless yards.
As long as you have another competent tight end to start this week, it's best to put Njoku on the bench until we get a better feel for how the Browns' offense will look with the rookie under center.
Boone's projection: 38 receiving yards, 5 receptions
Other TEs to sit
- Cade Otton at 49ers
- Pat Freiermuth at Browns
Past stashes that still qualify: Rico Dowdle, Zamir White, Kendre Miller
Elijah Mitchell, 49ers
Michael Owens / Getty Images Sport / GettyWe normally stay below the 15% rostered mark for the stash section, but, this far into the season, there aren't many players with high fantasy ceilings in that range. That led me to Mitchell (16% rostered), who's the No. 2 running back in one of the NFL's best rushing attacks.
While we don't want to see Christian McCaffrey miss time, fantasy managers should be prepared in case that happens.
Mitchell has a history of producing as a starter in past years and would get some very favorable matchups against the Cardinals and Commanders during the fantasy playoffs.
Michael Wilson/Rondale Moore, Cardinals
Mike Christy / Getty Images Sport / GettyEven though I highlighted Wilson (13% rostered) and Moore (11% rostered) in Monday's waiver wire column, the duo remains available in most leagues. So let's revisit why they are smart pickups at the moment.
With Kyler Murray back, the Cardinals' offense has an exciting outlook for the second half of the season. And while Marquise Brown is likely rostered in your league, Wilson and Moore are worth adding since their values are likely to increase with Murray at the helm.
Moore had the better matchup in Week 10, which led to a bigger target share and increased production. But Wilson is a rookie who's posted at least 50 yards in over half of his games so far.
Both wideouts are WR4/flex options who share a friendly fantasy playoff schedule.
Quit
Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / GettyQuarterback (1QB): Deshaun Watson, Will Levis
Running back: Miles Sanders, Justice Hill
Wide receiver: Michael Thomas, Elijah Moore
Tight end: Darren Waller, Hunter Henry
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