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

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

Start

Matt Ryan, Falcons

at Cardinals

Despite being one interception away from the league leader in that category, Ryan has posted the seventh-most fantasy points among quarterbacks thanks to five straight 300-yard games and multiple touchdowns in four of those outings. The Cardinals' defense is sure to help him continue that level of production, as they've given up 12 touchdown throws on the season and have yet to intercept a single pass. Tougher matchups loom for the Falcons, but Ryan is a top-five play this week.

Boone's projection: 364 passing yards, 3 passing TDs

Other QBs to start

• Kyler Murray vs. Falcons
• Gardner Minshew vs. Saints
• Kirk Cousins vs. Eagles

Adrian Peterson, Redskins

at Dolphins

Normally, Peterson would be the last running back we'd recommend using in fantasy due to the struggles of the Redskins' offense. However, Washington is actually favored this week against a Miami team that's consciously in the midst of a tanking project. Desperately in need of their own rebuild, the Redskins have handed the coaching controls over to old-school offensive mind Bill Callahan, who plans to implement a more run-heavy approach. Though it won't be a long-term solution, it should work well against the Dolphins considering they've allowed three different backs to eclipse 120 yards from scrimmage over their last two games.

Boone's projection: 98 rushing yards, 16 receiving yards, TD

Other RBs to start

• Matt Breida at Rams
• Damien Williams vs. Texans
• Kenyan Drake vs. Redskins

Stefon Diggs, Vikings

vs. Eagles

With just one 50-plus yard performance in 2019, Diggs has been a massive bust for fantasy managers who thought they were drafting a top-20 receiver. The Vikings' run-first offense has reduced their overall pass volume, and Diggs is undeniably second in the target pecking order behind Adam Thielen. Thankfully, the only way to attack their opponent this week is through the air. Philadelphia has permitted the fewest rushing yards per game across the league while giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to receivers, including five 100-yard games already. It's also possible Thielen will play at less than 100% after dealing with an illness this week, making Diggs a strong WR2.

Boone's projection: 107 receiving yards, TD

Other WRs to start

• Calvin Ridley at Cardinals
• D.J. Moore at Buccaneers
• Terry McLaurin at Dolphins

Austin Hooper, Falcons

at Cardinals

No defense has been as vulnerable to the tight end position as Arizona's, which has allowed stat lines of 6-131-1, 8-112-1, 6-75-2, and 7-57-1 this year. Hooper is more than capable of taking advantage. The 24-year-old has been remarkably consistent this season with at least six catches and 55 yards in four of his five outings. He should smash those numbers this week en route to a top-five fantasy finish.

Boone's projection: 81 receiving yards, TD

Other TEs to start

• Greg Olsen at Buccaneers
• Gerald Everett vs. 49ers
• Jared Cook at Jaguars

Sit

Carson Wentz, Eagles

at Vikings

Similar to his matchup with the Packers, in which he threw for just 160 yards but salvaged his day with three scores, Wentz will be entirely touchdown-dependent on Sunday against the Vikings. Through five contests, opposing passers have finished as the QB21, QB20, QB20, QB19, and QB14 when squaring off with Minnesota. Though Wentz has the talent to perform in any game, you should lower your expectations this week and consider some of the streaming options available.

Boone's projection: 237 passing yards, TD, INT

Other QBs to sit

• Baker Mayfield vs. Seahawks
• Matthew Stafford at Packers
• Sam Darnold vs. Cowboys

Jordan Howard, Eagles

at Vikings

Howard has come on over the last three games with 214 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns, prompting head coach Doug Pederson to suggest more carries are in order. However, that might not matter this week as Howard tries to find running lanes in Minnesota. The Vikings regularly stifle visiting rushing attacks and have only given up one rushing touchdown on the year. With a limited role in the passing game and his odds of crossing the goal line reduced, Howard is more of a risky flex play.

Boone's projection: 43 rushing yards, 6 receiving yards

Other RBs to sit

• LeSean McCoy vs. Texans
• Royce Freeman vs. Titans
• Peyton Barber vs. Panthers

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers

at Chargers

Smith-Schuster is doing his best to maintain fantasy value despite the wave of injuries in Pittsburgh's quarterback room. The Steelers will either have an undrafted rookie free agent under center in Devlin Hodges or a recently concussed Mason Rudolph. With the obstacles to his fantasy value mounting and a stout Chargers secondary up next, Smith-Schuster is a WR3 for Week 6. He's still usable, but he's well below the tier we've grown accustomed to seeing him in.

Boone's projection: 62 receiving yards

Other WRs to sit

• Alshon Jeffery at Vikings
• Emmanuel Sanders vs. Titans
• Robby Anderson vs. Cowboys

Tyler Eifert, Bengals

at Ravens

Eifert saw the field for a season-low 18 snaps last week and has yet to crack 30 yards in a game this season. He's now in a timeshare with fellow tight ends C.J. Uzomah and rookie Drew Sample, making all three worthless in fantasy unless they get lucky and find the end zone.

Boone's projection: 21 receiving yards

Other TEs to sit

• O.J. Howard vs. Panthers
• T.J. Hockenson at Packers
• Vance McDonald at Chargers

Stash

Reggie Bonnafon, Panthers

When Christian McCaffrey missed time in last week's game, it was Bonnafon who took his place and rattled off 80 yards and a score on five carries. McCaffrey isn't listed on the Week 6 injury report, so there are no concerns about his availability, but his massive workload could eventually catch up to him. If it does, Bonnafon is the next man up. He's worth stashing as a handcuff or a lottery ticket.

Mark Walton, Dolphins

Searching for value in the Dolphins' backfield might be a foolish endeavor, but coming off their bye, the coaching staff has expressed a desire to get Walton more involved in the offense. In a "winnable" game against the Redskins, we might see a bigger dose of Walton playing alongside Kenyan Drake. If you have a free bench spot, scoop him up to see if he can deliver.

Quit

Jaylen Samuels, Steelers

Samuels is one of my favorite backup running backs to own in fantasy since we know he can produce RB1 numbers when given a full complement of snaps. Unfortunately, his recent knee scope will keep him sidelined for at least a month. During that time, his roster spot would be better used on another high-upside handcuff.

Nelson Agholor, Eagles

After a couple of quality outings, Agholor has disappeared from the box score over the last two games. With DeSean Jackson getting close to returning, Agholor should be sent back to the waiver wire. The same can still be said for Corey Davis (44% owned) and Antonio Brown (35% owned), who we've previously mentioned in this section.