Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 11
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 11 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 11 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.
Start
Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys
at Falcons
After a slow start to the season, Prescott has turned into a reliable fantasy starter with top-12 performances in three of his last four outings. Prescott's increased production on the ground, including three rushing scores, has been a big part of his recent success. Some regression is likely coming in that area, but Amari Cooper's presence in the receiving corps combined with a much softer schedule going forward has Prescott positioned for a strong finish in 2018. In Week 11, he gets a Falcons defense that's given up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Boone's projection: 253 passing yards, 2 TDs, 34 rushing yards
Other QBs to start
- Ryan Fitzpatrick at Giants
- Marcus Mariota at Colts
- Eli Manning vs. Buccaneers
Alex Collins, RB, Ravens
vs. Bengals
Similar to Prescott, Collins has been boosting his fantasy numbers with an unsustainable amount of visits to the end zone. However, also like Prescott, Collins is about to hit his easiest stretch of matchups on this year's slate. Over the next five weeks, the Ravens battle the Bengals, Raiders, Falcons, Chiefs, and Bucs - five of the worst run defenses in the league. If Joe Flacco misses time with his hip injury, Baltimore's rushing attack could be aided by the presence of a dual-threat quarterback, whether it's Lamar Jackson or Robert Griffin. Collins is locked in as an RB2 this week and moving forward.
Boone's projection: 81 rushing yards, 25 receiving yards, TD
Other RBs to start
- Dion Lewis at Colts
- Doug Martin at Cardinals
- Theo Riddick vs. Panthers
Corey Davis, WR, Titans
at Colts
After a long-overdue big game came against the Patriots, hope has been restored for Davis as a trustworthy fantasy starter. The volume has been there all season, and with Mariota finally healthy, Davis is realizing his first-round potential. The Colts have struggled to contain opposing No. 1 receivers such as A.J. Green (6-92-1), DeAndre Hopkins (10-169-1), Kelvin Benjamin (4-71), and most recently Donte Moncrief (3-98-1). Davis will be the next name added to this list and is a quality WR2.
Boone's projection: 82 receiving yards, TD
Other WRs to start
- Amari Cooper at Falcons
- Larry Fitzgerald vs. Raiders
- Anthony Miller vs. Vikings
Evan Engram, TE, Giants
vs. Buccaneers
It's been a while since Engram was fantasy relevant, but don't be afraid to start him this week against the Buccaneers. Since returning to the lineup three weeks ago, Engram has seen at least four targets in every game and his yardage totals have increased each week. Now, he gets to face the team giving up the second-most fantasy points to his position.
Boone's projection: 72 receiving yards, TD
Other TEs to start
- Austin Hooper vs. Cowboys
- Vance McDonald at Jaguars
- Ricky Seals-Jones vs. Raiders
Sit
Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings
at Bears
Cousins is one of the better quarterbacks to make this section, but this is more about the opponent than an indictment on his skills. The Bears are only allowing 236 passing yards per game and rank fifth in sacks, including 10 over the last two games. A healthy Khalil Mack and a low projected point total raise the concern level for Cousins. Prescott and Mariota are safer options this week.
Boone's projection: 214 passing yards, TD, 2 INTs
Other QBs to sit
- Matthew Stafford vs. Panthers
- Andy Dalton at Ravens
- Blake Bortles vs. Steelers
Jordan Howard, RB, Bears
vs. Vikings
Howard is another player you should shy away from in the Sunday nighter. Todd Gurley is the only running back to rush for more than 63 yards against the Vikings this season, and Howard hasn't been much of a factor in the passing game since September. The Bears running back only has two catches since Week 3. Even with the success of their offense, Howard fell flat last Sunday in a positive game script. He's a touchdown-dependent flex play against a team which has only given up two rushing scores to running backs this year.
Boone's projection: 39 rushing yards, 8 receiving yards
Other RBs to sit
- Adrian Peterson vs. Texans
- Lamar Miller at Redskins
- Austin Ekeler vs. Broncos
Devin Funchess, WR, Panthers
at Lions
Funchess' numbers have dipped considerably as Greg Olsen has re-established his role in the Panthers' offense. After seeing an average of eight targets per game over his first six contests, Funchess hasn't received more than five in any of his last three outings. He's also been held under 45 yards in each those games and was kept out of the end zone. The Lions were torched through the air last week but should have Darius Slay back to square off with Funchess, who is a risky WR3 in this one.
Boone's projection: 48 receiving yards
Other WRs to sit
- Demaryius Thomas at Redskins
- Golden Tate at Saints
- John Ross at Ravens
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings
at Bears
The man formerly known as the Red-Zone Reindeer hasn't crossed the goal line since Week 3. If he's going to deliver for fantasy owners, he'll need to reach the end zone, because no tight end this season has eclipsed 50 yards versus the Bears. At this point, Rudolph belongs on the waiver wire.
Boone's projection: 33 receiving yards
Other TEs to sit
- Ben Watson vs. Eagles
- C.J. Uzomah at Ravens
- Cameron Brate at Giants
Stash
Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
With Flacco not practicing this week, it appears Jackson is in line to get his first NFL start. His rushing ability alone gives him a high fantasy ceiling and makes him worth stashing - if only to block other owners in your league. The Bengals, who have given up at least three touchdowns in each of their last three games, are a dream matchup for the 2018 first-round pick.
Cameron Artis-Payne, RB, Panthers
When C.J. Anderson was released earlier in the week, the Panthers expressed a desire to see what they have in Artis-Payne, citing several quality weeks of practice. CAP is now the handcuff to own in Carolina in the event Christian McCaffrey is sidelined down the stretch.
Quit
Randall Cobb, WR, Packers
It's turning into a lost year for the veteran receiver, who is out indefinitely after the latest setback with his hamstring injury. Even if he returns in the near future, it will be difficult to trust him in your lineup.
Mike Williams, WR, Chargers
While he's salvaged a few fantasy days with touchdowns, Williams has one catch or fewer in five of his last six outings. The talent is there, but the volume isn't. Unless injuries strike the Chargers' depth chart, Williams isn't worth rostering.