Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 8

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 8 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 8 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.

StartMatthew Stafford, Lions

vs. Giants

Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Stafford is averaging the seventh-most fantasy points per game after throwing 364 yards and four touchdown passes against the Vikings. With Kerryon Johnson heading to injured reserve, it's possible the Lions will need to rely even more on Stafford's arm moving forward. That shouldn't be a problem against the Giants, who are a defense to target in fantasy. Excluding two matchups against rookie passers, New York is giving up 336 passing yards per contest, surrendering multiple touchdown passes to each of the five veteran quarterbacks it's faced in 2019. Stafford is a strong QB1 play this week.

Boone's projection: 312 passing yards, 3 passing TDs

Other QBs to start

• Josh Allen vs. Eagles
• Gardner Minshew vs. Jets
• Ryan Tannehill vs. Buccaneers

Sony Michel, Patriots

vs. Browns

Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With touchdowns in four of his last six appearances, Michel has rebounded as a top-15 fantasy back after a disappointing opener. He's a good bet to find the end zone again, as the Patriots project as 13.5-point home favorites over the Browns. In the two contests preceding its bye, Cleveland let three different running backs post at least 97 rushing yards and a score. Michel is a high-end RB2 with some added value if his recent usage trend in the passing game continues.

Boone's projection: 83 rushing yards, 12 receiving yards, TD

Other RBs to start

• Ty Johnson vs. Giants
• Austin Ekeler at Bears
• Carlos Hyde vs. Raiders

John Brown, Bills

vs. Eagles

Timothy T Ludwig / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Despite playing in the Bills' low-volume passing attack, Brown is quietly on pace for 88 receptions, 1,261 yards, and five touchdowns. Averaging 10 fantasy points per game in standard leagues and 15.5 in PPR formats, he's a trustworthy WR2 with a high ceiling in good matchups - like the one he'll have this Sunday. The Eagles have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing wideouts, including seven 100-yard performances through seven weeks.

Boone's projection: 104 receiving yards, TD

Other WRs to start

• Courtland Sutton at Colts
• Kenny Stills vs. Raiders
• DK Metcalf at Falcons

Gerald Everett, Rams

vs. Bengals

John McCoy / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Everett has officially become a regular contributor in the Rams' offense, seeing over 20% of the team's targets in each of the last three weeks, as noted by our recent podcast guest, Dwain McFarland. In the last month, Everett has stat lines of 5-44-1, 7-136-0, and 4-50-1. His only down game during that stretch came against a 49ers defense that held Jared Goff to just 78 passing yards. The Bengals haven't been bad versus tight ends, but they're just two weeks removed from giving up six catches and 99 yards to Mark Andrews. With fantasy managers desperate for tight end options outside the top eight, Everett is making a case as an every-week starter.

Boone's projection: 68 receiving yards, TD

Other TEs to start

• Jimmy Graham at Chiefs
• Vance McDonald vs. Dolphins
• Jonnu Smith vs. Buccaneers

SitCarson Wentz, Eagles

at Bills

Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Though Wentz has the talent to overcome any matchup, a road clash with the Bills' defense is enough to make you look for other options this week. Buffalo's pass defense ranks fifth in Football Outsiders' defense-adjusted value over average and has given up just four touchdowns through the air in 2019. Wentz also hasn't been running the ball as much as fantasy managers may have hoped, topping 20 rushing yards on only two occasions so far this season.

Boone's projection: 243 passing yards, TD, INT, 12 rushing yards

Other QBs to sit

• Jameis Winston at Titans
• Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Panthers
• Philip Rivers at Bears

Joe Mixon, Bengals

at Rams

Michael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Mixon doesn't have a rushing touchdown this year. With 10 touches for 39 yards in Week 6 and 11 touches for four yards - yes, four - in Week 7, his production is headed in the wrong direction. Perhaps most concerning is Mixon's playing time, which has fallen to around the 50% mark this season. Given the state of the Bengals' offense, Mixon should be viewed as an RB3/flex play the rest of the way.

Boone's projection: 32 rushing yards, 13 receiving yards

Other RBs to sit

• Melvin Gordon at Bears
• Frank Gore/Devin Singletary vs. Eagles
• Kenyan Drake at Steelers

DJ Moore, Panthers

at 49ers

Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Moore hasn't spent much time in the end zone this year, but he's on pace for 88 grabs and 1,133 yards. Cam Newton's eventual return and a softer second-half schedule make Moore a nice buy-low candidate - but not before what projects to be a tough outing against a dominant 49ers defense. San Francisco has held receivers to the second-fewest fantasy points this season and hasn't allowed a wideout to finish in the top 25 since before its Week4 bye. Moore and teammate Curtis Samuel should both be avoided this week, but keep them in mind as potential trade targets.

Boone's projection: 49 receiving yards

Other WRs to sit

• Tyler Boyd at Rams
• Alshon Jeffery at Bills
• Jarvis Landry at Patriots

TJ Hockenson, Lions

vs. Giants

Dave Reginek / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With the tight end position a wasteland beyond the top eight or nine options, it's hard to recommend sitting many players, especially with bye weeks in full swing. A good streamer at tight end is any player who falls into the end zone, so it's understandable if you're forced to start Hockenson. The real reason he warrants mention here is the perception around the Giants and their inability to defend tight ends in recent years. That trend has come to halt in 2019, with New York allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to the position. The Lions have one of this week's higher implied totals, so a Hockenson touchdown is possible. Just know this matchup isn't as easy as it used to be.

Boone's projection: 35 receiving yards

Other TEs to sit

• Noah Fant at Colts
• Trey Burton vs. Chargers
• Ricky Seals-Jones at Patriots

StashDaeSean Hamilton, BroncosIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

The Emmanuel Sanders trade opens the door for Hamilton to see an increased target share over the remainder of the season. Remember, in the final month of his rookie campaign, Hamilton had stat lines of 7-47-1, 7-46-0, 6-40-1, and 5-49-0.

DeAndre Washington, RaidersThearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

A shoulder injury could cause Josh Jacobs to miss Sunday's game, or at least see a reduced workload if active. Washington has been given more touches than teammate Jalen Richard, who was also added to this week's injury report with an ankle issue. As the only healthy back in Oakland, Washington is worth a speculative add.

QuitMecole Hardman, ChiefsPeter Aiken / Getty Images Sport / Getty

There isn't much reason to roster Hardman in redraft leagues now that Tyreek Hill is back and Sammy Watkins is practicing in full. Patrick Mahomes' injury also lowers the boom-or-bust touchdown appeal Hardman might offer when this offense is at full strength.

Teddy Bridgewater, SaintsChris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Bridgewater has not only gone undefeated since taking over for Drew Brees, but he's also posted the 12th-most fantasy points among quarterbacks during that five-game stretch. Unfortunately, his time as a fantasy option is coming to an end. If the Saints elect to play it safe and sit Brees through their Week 9 bye, Bridgewater could squeeze out one more week of value before returning to the bench.

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