Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 6

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 6 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 6 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.

StartAaron Rodgers, Packers

vs. Jets

Julio Aguilar / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Rodgers hasn't had a week-winning fantasy performance through the first five games, but he has been extremely consistent with four straight top-12 finishes at his position.

The lack of big-time fantasy stats shouldn't be a surprise, as the Packers' offense is still finding its way in the post-Davante Adams era.

There have been signs of life, though, with Allen Lazard back healthy, rookie Romeo Doubs emerging as a playmaker, and veteran slot receiver Randall Cobb providing a reliable connection for Rodgers.

The Jets' defense, meanwhile, picked on a pair of rookie passers in New York's last two outings (Kenny Pickett and Skylar Thompson). When facing quality quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow, the Jets weren't up to the challenge, allowing top-eight fantasy results to both quarterbacks.

Rodgers should be a safe mid-to-low-end QB1 in lineups this week.

Boone's projection: 271 passing yards, 3 passing TDs

Other QBs to start

• Geno Smith vs. Cardinals
• Kirk Cousins at Dolphins

Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots

at Browns

Boston Globe / Boston Globe / Getty

After taking the field for just 25% of the Patriots' snaps in Week 1, Stevenson has seen his playing time and production rise significantly over the last month.

The 24-year-old has topped 90 yards from scrimmage in each of his last three appearances, and he totaled 175 yards against the Lions this past Sunday when a hamstring injury forced Damien Harris to exit the game.

With Harris expected to miss a few weeks, Stevenson's fantasy ceiling will be unlocked. That's especially true against a Browns defense that Austin Ekeler just torched for 199 total yards and two scores.

It's also worth noting Stevenson turned 24 touches into 114 yards and two touchdowns against the Browns last season.

Stevenson should be viewed as a top-10 fantasy back while Harris is sidelined, and he could flirt with the top five this week.

Boone's projection: 96 rushing yards, 19 receiving yards, 3 receptions, 2 TDs

Other RBs to start

• Jeff Wilson at Falcons
• Kenneth Walker vs. Cardinals
• Eno Benjamin at Seahawks

Christian Kirk, Jaguars

at Colts

Mike Carlson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Kirk is coming off his worst outing of the season after turning three targets into one catch for 11 yards in an all-around disappointing loss to the Texans.

It was a far cry from his stat lines in the opening month:

• 6-117-0 (12 targets) at Commanders
• 6-78-2 (6 targets) vs. Colts
• 6-72-1 (9 targets) at Chargers
• 2-60-0 (9 targets) at Eagles

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson told Jaguar Report's John Shipley this week that Kirk should be seeing 9-11 targets per game.

Expect a bounce-back effort from Kirk, restoring his fantasy value as a top-20 wide receiver.

Boone's projection: 79 receiving yards, 6 receptions, TD

Other WRs to start

• DeVonta Smith vs. Cowboys
• Allen Lazard/Romeo Doubs vs. Jets
• Jakobi Meyers at Browns

Zach Ertz, Cardinals

at Seahawks

Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Ertz is the TE6 in fantasy points per game this season, which isn't surprising; he's produced at least 45 yards and/or a touchdown in every contest so far.

While his numbers are well behind those of the leaders at his position, most fantasy managers would welcome that kind of consistency after likely struggling to find a strong option at tight end.

The 31-year-old could be on the verge of his best outing this year, with the Cardinals facing a Seahawks defense giving up the most fantasy points to tight ends through five weeks.

Ertz can be fired up as a mid-range TE1 with high-end upside in this matchup.

Boone's projection: 72 receiving yards, 7 receptions, TD

Other TEs to start

• Hayden Hurst at Saints
• Taysom Hill vs. Bengals

SitRussell Wilson, Broncos

at Chargers

AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images / Denver Post / Getty

Wilson's shoulder is feeling better after he received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection to help address a strained lat, and he's expected to play Monday against the Chargers.

But even if the treatment is effective, it won't solve all the problems plaguing Wilson and the Broncos' offense.

The 34-year-old has topped 240 passing yards just twice in five weeks and has only one multi-touchdown game since joining Denver. It doesn't help that he's now lost running back Javonte Williams, wide receiver Tim Patrick, and left tackle Garett Bolles to season-ending injuries.

To make matters worse, Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett has bungled several situations and isn't instilling much confidence about an imminent turnaround.

Fantasy managers should keep Wilson on the bench or consider cutting him completely.

Boone's projection: 243 passing yards, TD, INT, 19 rushing yards

Other QBs to sit

• Daniel Jones vs. Ravens
• Zach Wilson at Packers

Najee Harris, Steelers

vs. Buccaneers

Michael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Playing behind a subpar offense line, Harris has sadly become a regular in the sit section this season.

He's also seen Jaylen Warren earn more snaps and touches by flashing every time he gets on the field. Though Warren isn't a threat to replace Harris as the Steelers' lead back, the rookie's involvement is a problem for a volume-dependent fantasy back.

Harris managed just 36 scoreless yards against a Bills defense that's been the seventh-hardest matchup for fantasy running backs this season. The bad news for the former first-round pick is that the Buccaneers are the second-toughest team for opposing ball carriers.

The time to trade Harris for decent value has likely passed, but managers should still explore potential deals. Those who don't will be left holding him until Pittsburgh faces softer defenses.

Boone's projection: 47 rushing yards, 12 receiving yards, 2 receptions

Other RBs to sit

• Kareem Hunt vs. Patriots
• James Robinson at Colts
• Cam Akers vs. Panthers

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs

vs. Bills

Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Smith-Schuster is one of the strangest players to project for fantasy; the volume has been there, but the results have left fantasy managers unfulfilled.

With Patrick Mahomes targeting him 35 times through the Chiefs' first five contests - including four eight-target outings - one would assume Smith-Schuster is in an excellent position to return value. Unfortunately, he's scored double-digit fantasy points just twice - in part due to a zero in the touchdown category.

It seems Smith-Schuster won't realize the possibility of recapturing his early-career form in Kansas City's high-powered attack. Unless something changes, he'll be nothing more than a lackluster WR3/flex in fantasy.

Things aren't likely to improve in Week 6, either, as the Bills are allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to receivers.

Boone's projection: 46 receiving yards, 5 receptions

Other WRs to sit

• Jerry Jeudy at Chargers
• Elijah Moore/Corey Davis at Packers
• Allen Robinson vs. Panthers

Hunter Henry, Patriots

at Browns

Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Don't be fooled by Henry's production spike in Week 5. It was the result of a perfect storm, as the Patriots faced a porous Lions defense and were without Jonnu Smith.

Smith is back to limited practices, so it's possible he returns to the lineup for Week 6. Even if he remains out, Henry will go from one of fantasy's friendliest matchups in Detroit to one of the three hardest in Cleveland.

Considering Henry's output before last week - 20 yards or fewer in each of New England's first four contests - he can return to the waiver wire in favor of a better streamer.

Boone's projection: 21 receiving yards, 2 receptions

Other TEs to sit

• Tyler Conklin at Packers
• Mo Alie-Cox vs. Jaguars

StashJoshua Kelley, Chargers Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Kelley (13% rostered) and Sony Michel split backup duties behind Austin Ekeler during the first month of the season.

That changed drastically in Week 5, with Kelley posting 82 yards from scrimmage, two receptions, and a touchdown on a 25% snap share. Michel played just two snaps and gained zero yards on his lone carry.

Take this as an obvious sign that Kelley has won the backup job and pick him up immediately. He can provide weekly RB3/flex fantasy production and has massive upside if Ekeler gets hurt.

Myles Gaskin, Dolphins Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Managers in deeper leagues will find quality running back stashes hard to come by. Those managers should add Gaskin (1% rostered), who appeared to be challenging Chase Edmonds for the Dolphins' backup role last week.

Edmonds, who lost the starting job to Raheem Mostert, has seen his snaps dwindle each week:

• Week 1: 63%
• Week 2: 51%
• Week 3: 44%
• Week 4: 28%
• Week 5: 15%

His latest stat line featured just one carry for one yard. Gaskin, meanwhile, played 19% of the snaps last week, turning seven touches into 33 yards from scrimmage - including three receptions on five targets.

There are no guarantees Gaskin maintains more work than Edmonds, but he's currently the better backup bet behind the oft-injured Mostert.

Quit Justin Tafoya / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Quarterbacks (1QB): Russell Wilson, Matthew Stafford

Running backs: Kenneth Gainwell, Mark Ingram

Wide receivers: Allen Robinson, Hunter Renfrow

Tight ends: Dawson Knox, Tyler Conklin

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