Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 4
SSSQ is a weekly look at the under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting, and the 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 weekly rankings.
Start
Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions
at Bears
The Bears have one of the NFL's worst defenses and Stafford is red hot, averaging 328 yards passing and 2.3 touchdowns per game this season. He's an elite option this week and worthy of starting over passers like Ben Roethlisberger and Russell Wilson.
Fearless prediction: 366 yards passing, 3 TDs
Other QBs to start
- Kirk Cousins, Redskins
- Joe Flacco, Ravens
Jordan Howard, RB, Bears
vs. Lions
Can you really put a rookie fifth-round pick with only 12 career rushing attempts into your starting lineup? In this case, you should strongly consider it. The Lions' defense isn't very good to begin with, and faces another game without its two best players, DeAndre Levy and Ezekiel Ansah. Howard won't have much competition for touches, as both Jeremy Langford and Ka'Deem Carey are injured, meaning he should grind out a solid fantasy day.
Fearless prediction: 77 yards rushing, 26 yards receiving, TD
Other RBs to start
- Dwayne Washington, Lions
- Isaiah Crowell, Browns
Terrelle Pryor, WR, Browns
at Redskins
Pryor didn't just take snaps at quarterback in Cleveland's Week 3 game; he also saw 14 targets as a receiver. The Browns made him a focal point of their offense and the result was 24 points scored and a near-win. Josh Gordon will return from suspension soon, but Pryor should continue as a target vacuum for one more week.
Fearless prediction: 68 yards receiving, 49 yards rushing, TD
Other WRs to start
- Will Fuller, Texans
- DeSean Jackson, Redskins
- Travis Benjamin, Chargers
Coby Fleener, TE, Saints
at Chargers
Fleener finally put together positive momentum with 109 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' Week 3 shootout. The Chargers could surrender a similar line.
Fearless prediction: 92 yards receiving, TD
Other TEs to start
- Zach Miller, Bears
- Dennis Pitta, Ravens
Sit
Eli Manning, QB, Giants
at Vikings
Manning hasn't necessarily struggled this season, but he's been thoroughly mediocre. Against a terrible Saints defense (that he lit up for six touchdown passes last season) in Week 2, Manning didn't throw for a single score. Against an overmatched Redskins defense (that lost two secondary starters), he threw only one touchdown. The Vikings just made Cam Newton look as mortal as we've ever seen - it's frightening to think what they could do to Manning.
Other QBs to sit
- Russell Wilson, Seahawks
- Jameis Winston, Buccaneers
Jerick McKinnon, RB, Vikings
vs. Giants
McKinnon didn't start in the Vikings' first game since Adrian Peterson's injury, but he got most of the work. That didn't equate to a good fantasy day, however, as McKinnon produced only 47 total yards. The Giants have a stout defensive front that has limited opposing rushers to the second-fewest fantasy points among all teams this season.
Other RBs to sit
- Latavius Murray, Raiders
- Jay Ajayi, Dolphins
- T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars
Julian Edelman, WR, Patriots
vs. Bills
The Patriots still have questions at quarterback. Both Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett are battling injuries and uncertain to play in this game, but it doesn't appear the team is serious about giving Edelman snaps as a passer. Unfortunately, neither Garoppolo nor Brissett (nor whomever else the Patriots trot out there) is likely to feed Edelman the targets he needs to be a top fantasy producer. Tom Brady will return in a week, immediately boosting Edelman back to WR1 consideration, but he's probably best left on your bench in Week 4.
Other WRs to sit
- Brandon Marshall, Jets
- Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers
- Tajae Sharpe, Titans
Gary Barnidge, TE, Browns
at Redskins
You're not still starting Barnidge because of what he did last season, are you? It's well past time to move on.
Other TEs to sit
- Martellus Bennett, Patriots
- Jesse James, Steelers
Stash
Kenneth Dixon, RB, Ravens
The reasons for stashing Dixon have been thoroughly covered in this column in recent weeks. The rookie is expected to debut Week 5, so this is your last chance to get him.
Wendell Smallwood, RB, Eagles
The Eagles appear intent on using a four-man running back committee, but it's possible Smallwood - who rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in Week 3, while Ryan Mathews nursed an ankle injury and the Eagles protected a big lead - will eventually emerge as the best of the bunch. Smallwood is worth adding in deep leagues.
Quit
Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans
He didn't produce against the Raiders' 32nd-ranked defense. Send him packing.
Jeremy Langford, RB, Bears
Langford is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with an ankle injury, and it already appeared Howard was ready to steal his job. There's no reason to hold Langford, considering his ceiling now seems like a timeshare upon returning.