Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 7

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 7 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 7 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.

StartRyan Tannehill, Titans

vs. Chiefs

Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Chiefs have a defense to target for fantasy quarterbacks since they're allowing the second-most points to the position.

In the last five weeks alone, they've given up 14 touchdowns to QBs.

Tannehill has struggled more often than not through the first month-and-a-half, but Kansas City will be his easiest matchup yet.

In a game with the highest projected point total on this week's slate at a massive 57.5, Tannehill is set to enjoy his best outing of the season.

Boone's projection: 273 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 34 rushing yards

Other QBs to start

• Derek Carr vs. Eagles
• Tua Tagovailoa vs. Falcons
• Jameis Winston at Seahawks

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers

at Giants

Chris Keane / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Hubbard's short-term stint as the Panthers' lead back has been extended with Christian McCaffrey now on injured reserve for at least the next three games.

In McCaffrey's absence, Hubbard has handled touch totals of 15, 29, and 17 - earning a spot among the top 20 fantasy backs during that stretch.

He should move further up that list after squaring off with the Giants, who are the seventh-softest opponents for running backs. Over the last three games, New York has been hit hard by Alvin Kamara (120 yards from scrimmage), Ezekiel Elliott (112 yards, 2 TDs), Tony Pollard (103 yards), and Darrell Henderson (107 yards, 2 TDs).

With bye weeks and injuries decimating the running back landscape, Hubbard is a surefire RB1 for Week 7.

Boone's projection: 84 rushing yards, 27 receiving yards, TD

Other RBs to start

• Darrel Williams at Titans
• Elijah Mitchell vs. Colts
• Chase Edmonds/James Conner vs. Texans

Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins

vs. Falcons

Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Waddle is coming off his best game as a pro - a 10-catch, 70-yard, two-touchdown outing against the Jaguars in London.

DeVante Parker and Preston Williams have returned to limited practices this week, but their statuses for Sunday are still unknown.

Whether they suit up or not, it's clear the Dolphins are making an effort to get their first-round pick the ball, and Tua Tagovailoa clearly likes that connection.

Expect it to continue in a meeting with the Falcons, who rank 30th in Football Outsiders' pass defense DVOA.

Waddle can be started as a low-end WR2 this week.

Boone's projection: 74 receiving yards, TD

Other WRs to start

• Devonta Smith at Raiders
• Michael Pittman at 49ers
• Darnell Mooney at Buccaneers

Tyler Higbee, Rams

vs. Lions

Lindsey Wasson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Higbee has yet to post a week-winning performance for his fantasy managers this season ... but it's coming.

With a motivated Matthew Stafford ready to go off against his former club, you should be trying to get as many of the Rams' stars in your lineup as possible.

And don't be deceived by the Lions' numbers versus tight ends recently. They haven't encountered a quality talent at the position since the first three weeks of the season when George Kittle, Robert Tonyan, and Mark Andrews all had above-average stat lines against them.

Boone's projection: 67 receiving yards, TD

Other TEs to start

• Dallas Goedert at Raiders
• Ricky Seals-Jones at Packers
• Hunter Henry vs. Jets

SitDaniel Jones, Giants

vs. Panthers

Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images Sport / Getty

As the injuries continue to mount around him, Jones' fantasy production has evaporated.

His splits with Saquon Barkley in and out of the lineup are well documented, but now he's expected to be without Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney as well. He could also be missing Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, and/or Darius Slayton - each of whom has been limited or held out of practice this week. And his left tackle, Andrew Thomas, was just placed on injured reserve.

Meanwhile, Jones is two weeks removed from a concussion and completely fell apart last Sunday against the Rams, turning the ball over four times.

This is not the time to invest in the Giants' passing attack.

Boone's projection: 236 passing yards, TD, 2 INTs, 21 rushing yards

Other QBs to sit

• Jared Goff at Rams
• Taylor Heinicke at Packers
• Zach Wilson at Patriots

Khalil Herbert, Bears

at Buccaneers

Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

It's still possible Damien Williams could be activated from the COVID-19 list in time to play this week, but you should be avoiding this backfield in Week 7 whether he returns to the lineup or not.

The Buccaneers boast a stifling run defense that ranks in the top five in Football Outsiders' rush defense DVOA.

They've only permitted two running backs to run for more than 40 yards, and no one has broken the 70-yard mark on them this season.

Herbert doesn't project to get many targets, and with yards on the ground tough to come by, it would be best to leave him on your bench.

Boone's projection: 38 rushing yards, 23 receiving yards

Other RBs to sit

• Mark Ingram at Cardinals
• Kenyan Drake vs. Eagles
• Nyheim Hines at SF

Corey Davis, Jets

at Patriots

Grant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Bill Belichick's defenses have a history of neutralizing opponents' top options, and unfortunately for the Jets, they don't have much in the way of consistent threats outside of Davis.

In their first battle back in Week 2, the Patriots confused Zach Wilson and held Davis to two catches and 8 yards on just five targets. There isn't much reason to bank on Davis overcoming the challenge this time around.

Prepare for another long day at the office for Gang Green's entire offense.

Boone's projection: 29 receiving yards

Other WRs to sit

• Robby Anderson at Giants
• Tyler Boyd at Ravens
• Brandon Aiyuk vs. Colts

Mo Alie-Cox, Colts

at 49ers

Bryan Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Alie-Cox has three touchdowns over his last three games, making it seem like he's a serviceable fantasy option.

Spoiler: He's not.

The 28-year-old tight end has played 50% or less of the Colts' snaps in four of their previous five contests, and this past week he ran just nine routes total.

You're living dangerously if you're starting the touchdown-dependent MAC against a 49ers unit allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the position.

Boone's projection: 25 receiving yards

Other TEs to sit

• Evan Engram vs. Panthers
• C.J. Uzomah at Ravens
• Gerald Everett vs. Saints

StashZach Pascal, Colts Justin Casterline / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Pascal (8% rostered) quietly posted WR3 fantasy numbers (35th among wideouts) over the first five weeks of the season.

T.Y. Hilton returned to the lineup last week but hasn't practiced since due to a quad injury and is believed to be a 50-50 bet to play in Week 7.

The Colts also lost Parris Campbell indefinitely to a foot injury, which locks Pascal into a starting role.

If Hilton can't suit up, Pascal would be a sneaky flex option during the bye-week gauntlet.

Quez Watkins, Eagles Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Watkins (2% rostered) has seen his role in the Eagles' passing attack increase since the start of the season.

Over his last five games, he's topped 40 yards five times, and Philly's coaching staff has rewarded him with more playing time (82% of snaps in Week 5, 77% in Week 6).

One reason for the uptick was the absence of Dallas Goedert, who was on the COVID-19 list. He's back, but Zach Ertz was traded away, which opens the door for more three-wide sets.

If you're digging deep for a receiver play, you could do a lot worse than Watkins at the moment.

QuitRobert Tonyan, Packers Quinn Harris / Getty Images Sport / Getty

We've hinted at Tonyan (52% rostered) being a player you could send to the waiver wire in recent weeks, and now we're making it official.

We knew touchdown regression was coming for him in 2021, but Tonyan has 10 yards or fewer in all but one outing this season.

He's also playing fewer snaps than teammate Marcedes Lewis.

Check out my latest rankings to see which tight ends you could be starting over him this week.

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