Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 12
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
Eli Manning, WR, Giants
at Redskins
The Giants are healthy and rested coming off a bye week. The Redskins are reeling after an embarrassing loss to the Panthers in which they surrendered five touchdown passes. Look for both Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. to get in the festive spirit and feast on one of the NFL's worst secondaries.
Fearless prediction: 367 yards passing, 3 TDs
Chris Johnson, RB, Cardinals
at 49ers
Undrafted rookie Thomas Rawls gashed the 49ers for 209 yards and two touchdowns last week. Johnson's production has dipped in recent weeks, but he's still a threat to break off a long touchdown run on any given play. Start him with confidence.
Fearless prediction: 122 yards rushing, 8 yards receiving, TD
Nate Washington, WR, Texans
vs. Saints
The Saints have by far the NFL's worst defense and could realistically give up 250-plus yards and three or more touchdowns to DeAndre Hopkins alone. Even if they do, there should be plenty of meat left on the bone for Washington too, who will see single coverage from Brandon Browner (maybe the NFL's worst corner), while Hopkins draws double teams.
Fearless prediction: 88 yards receiving, TD
Delanie Walker, TE, Titans
vs. Raiders
The Raiders still haven't figured out how to slow down opposing tight ends. Look for the Titans to exploit this weakness - especially because Walker is one of the team's only reliable and healthy receiving options left.
Fearless prediction: 81 yards receiving, TD
Others to start
- Brian Hoyer, QB, Texans
- T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jaguars
- Javorius Allen, RB, Ravens
- Stevie Johnson, WR, Chargers
- Travis Benjamin, WR, Browns
- Gary Barnidge, TE, Browns
Sit
Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals
vs. Rams
Dalton bounced back from his Week 10 dud with two touchdown tosses last week, but he should struggle to put up big numbers against a Rams defense that's allowing fewer than one touchdown pass per game on average to opposing passers.
Jeremy Hill, RB, Bengals
vs. Rams
Hill scored two short touchdowns last week, but Giovani Bernard did most of the heavy lifting, as he has all season. Hill's fantasy value is almost entirely touchdown-dependent, and this game projects as a low-scoring affair. Try to find a better option.
Brandon LaFell, WR, Patriots
at Broncos
The Patriots are running out of offensive weapons. With Julian Edelman not expected back until the playoffs and Danny Amendola highly questionable to play with a knee injury, LaFell is the team's de facto No. 1 receiver. The Broncos have one of the NFL's best secondaries and shouldn't have much difficulty erasing LaFell.
Jordan Cameron, TE, Dolphins
at Jets
Don't read too much into the touchdown Cameron scored last week. It was his first trip to the end zone since Week 6 and likely more of a fluke than a sign of things to come. Cameron isn't a big part of this offense, and there's no reason to expect him to be against a Jets defense that defends tight ends very well.
Others to sit
- Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons
- Latavius Murray, RB, Raiders
- Ronnie Hillman, RB, Broncos
- Stefon Diggs, WR, Vikings
- Anquan Boldin, WR, 49ers
- Charles Clay, TE, Bills
Stash
Jerick McKinnon, RB, Vikings
Injuries to Jamaal Charles, Le'Veon Bell, and Marshawn Lynch, among others, have highlighted how valuable it can be to stockpile backup running backs. Add players like McKinnon, Jay Ajayi, Charles Sims, Karlos Williams, and any other backup runners you feel confident would inherit a sizable workload in a good situation should the starter get hurt.
Quit
Davante Adams, WR, Packers
Adams is getting a high volume of targets in the Packers' passing attack, which should make him a viable fantasy starter by default, but he just isn't any good. Over the past three weeks, Aaron Rodgers is a mere 15-of-35 (42.9 percent) for 129 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception when throwing to Adams.
Kamar Aiken, WR, Ravens
There's no reason to expect any wideouts to have value with Matt Schaub under center for the Ravens.