Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 9
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 Week 9 rankings.
Start
Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans
vs. Ravens
Mariota has produced just one 20-point fantasy week in standard-scoring leagues, throwing multiple touchdowns in only once - oddly, it came against the Seattle Seahawks. The return of wide receiver Corey Davis bodes well, as Mariota will finally have a receiver capable of piling up yards after the catch.
Fearless prediction: 297 yards passing, 3 TDs
Other QBs to start
- Jacoby Brissett at Texans
- Blake Bortles vs. Bengals
Adrian Peterson, RB, Cardinals
at 49ers
With Drew Stanton under center for the down-and-out Cardinals, expect Peterson to see a massive workload. He rushed 26 times in his debut with the Cardinals, but had that total dialed back to just 11 in his second game, a 33-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He's their best weapon in what will be a close game against the winless 49ers.
Fearless prediction: 112 yards rushing, 2 TDs
Other RBs to start
- Orleans Darkwa vs. Rams
- Alex Collins at Titans
- Marshawn Lynch at Dolphins
DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins
vs. Raiders
Parker and quarterback Jay Cutler will return for the Dolphins as they begin life without running back Jay Ajayi. The expected shift to Adam Gase's pass-happy offense should see the tandem connect often against a Raiders defense allowing 8.0 yards per attempt.
Fearless prediction: 126 yards receiving, 2 TDs
Other WRs to start
- Corey Davis vs. Ravens
- Larry Fitzgerald at 49ers
Tyler Higbee, TE, Rams
at Giants
In need of a tight end? Target the Giants. With tight end production around the league being so low and inconsistent, take the sure thing with this matchup against a team allowing more than one touchdown per game to opposing tight ends.
Fearless prediction: 84 yards receiving, TD
Other TEs to start
- Zach Ertz vs. Broncos
- Ben Watson at Titans
Sit
Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals
at Jaguars
Dalton has thrown multiple touchdowns in four of his past five contests and is coming off his second-best fantasy game of the season, as he didn't throw a single interception for the first in three outings. Expect the mistakes to creep up again against the one defense capable of shutting down wide receiver A.J. Green.
Other QBs to sit
- Jared Goff at Giants
- Jameis Winston at Saints
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers
vs. Falcons
Stewart finally found the end zone in Week 8, but he still averaged just three years per carry. Rookie Christian McCaffrey has control of the passing-down work, limiting Stewart's upside against a Falcons team with just two rushing touchdowns allowed this year.
Other RBs to sit
- C.J. Anderson at Eagles
- Rob Kelley at Seahawks
- Joe Mixon at Jaguars
DeSean Jackson, WR, Buccaneers
at Saints
Jackson's two touchdowns this season have come in games played in domes, but he caught just seven of 13 targets in those performances. His catch rate is below 50 percent on the season, and he has topped 70 on just three occasions. He can't be trusted against a Saints defense holding No. 2 receivers to 5.1 targets per game.
Other WRs to sit
- Marvin Jones at Packers
- Sterling Shepard vs. Rams
- Mohamed Sanu at Panthers
Austin Hooper, TE, Falcons
at Panthers
Hooper scored his second touchdown of the season in the Falcons' rain-soaked win over the New York Jets, but failed to hit 50 receiving yards for the third consecutive game. The Panthers have Football Outsiders' 12th-ranked DVOA against tight ends.
Other TEs to sit
- Eric Ebron at Packers
- Evan Engram vs. Rams
Stash
Curtis Samuel, WR, Panthers
The trade of Kelvin Benjamin opens up room in the Panthers' receiving corps, especially with tight end Greg Olsen still sidelined. A star in the preseason, monitor Samuel this week to see if his usage increases.
Dede Westbrook, WR, Jaguars
Expected to make his NFL debut following a return from the PUP list, Westbrook can provide the big-play ability that the Jaguars' passing game has lacked since Allen Robinson was placed on the IR.
Quit
Jordan Matthews, WR, Bills
Matthews hasn't topped five targets in a barren Bills' pass-catching group that just added a difference-maker in Benjamin. Any production Matthews is able to churn out the rest of the season will come unexpectedly.
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Eagles
Neither Blount nor newcomer Jay Ajayi is able to offer anything of significance in the passing game, leaving the two to share rushing duties. Blount has performed well this season, but Ajayi comes with a much higher upside. Blount's fantasy value hinges purely on his ability to find the end zone.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)