Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 16

SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players to 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 16 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 16 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.

Start

Joe Burrow, Bengals

vs. Ravens

Burrow's best stat line of the season came back in Week 7 versus the Ravens when he threw for 416 yards and three touchdowns.

While he hasn't had many big fantasy days lately, the Bengals' passing attack should be poised for another ceiling game this week - Baltimore's defense is allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.

The Ravens' unit could also be significantly shorthanded after only having 13 defensive players at practice Thursday, mostly due to injuries and COVID cases.

If you don't have one of the top quarterbacks in your lineup, Burrow can be started as a low-end QB1 in the fantasy semifinals.

Boone's projection: 296 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 7 rushing yards

Other QBs to start

• Jalen Hurts vs. Giants
• Russell Wilson vs. Bears
• Matt Ryan vs. Lions

David Montgomery, Bears

at Seahawks

Montgomery has been a regular in the start section over the last month, and for good reason. The 24-year-old has at least 80 scrimmage yards in each of his last three appearances, as well as 19 catches over that stretch.

Now he'll face one of his easiest matchups of the season against a Seahawks defense permitting the second-most fantasy points to running backs.

With several high-end ball carriers potentially sidelined this week, Montgomery lands comfortably inside my top 10 at the position.

Boone's projection: 67 rushing yards, TD, 38 receiving yards

Other RBs to start

• James Robinson at Jets
• Ronald Jones at Panthers
• Justin Jackson at Texans

Antonio Brown, Buccaneers

at Panthers

The Buccaneers are getting Brown back at the right time with Chris Godwin suffering a season-ending ACL injury and Mike Evans dealing with a hamstring issue.

It's easy to forget how productive Brown was before sitting out the last eight games. With both Godwin and Evans in the lineup, AB averaged the seventh-most fantasy points among receivers over the first six contests. Now he'll be asked to step into a No. 1 target role with Rob Gronkowski being the only other healthy proven pass-catcher on the roster.

Despite being limited in practice this week, Bruce Arians said Brown looks like he did early in the season. So, get ready for some vintage AB performances over the next couple of weeks as he returns to WR1 status.

Boone's projection: 112 receiving yards, TD

Other WRs to start

• Jaylen Waddle at Saints
• Christian Kirk vs. Colts
• Russell Gage vs. Lions

Zach Ertz, Cardinals

vs. Colts

Ertz has taken on a bigger role in the Cardinals' passing attack in recent weeks, especially with DeAndre Hopkins out indefinitely.

The midseason acquisition has turned in back-to-back TE1 finishes in fantasy and should be poised to continue that trend against the Colts, who are the fourth-friendliest matchup for tight ends.

Since Week 10, Dan Arnold (5-67-0), Dawson Knox (6-80-0), Rob Gronkowski (7-123-0), and Hunter Henry have all hit Indy hard. Ertz will, too.

Boone's projection: 72 receiving yards, TD

Other TEs to start

• Mike Gesicki at Saints
• Cole Kmet at Seahawks
• C.J. Uzomah vs. Ravens

Sit

Kirk Cousins, Vikings

vs. Rams

Cousins is an easy fade. He's coming off a career-low 87 passing yards against the Bears and now has to take on one of the league's toughest pass defenses in the Rams.

Jalen Ramsey and Co. haven't given up a passing touchdown in three straight games.

Even if Adam Thielen returns this weekend, Cousins is far too risky to trust as your starter when things matter most in the fantasy playoffs.

Boone's projection: 224 passing yards, TD, INT, 6 rushing yards

Other QBs to sit

• Ben Roethlisberger at Chiefs
• Derek Carr vs. Broncos
• Carson Wentz at Cardinals

Myles Gaskin, Dolphins

at Saints

The Dolphins activated Gaskin off the COVID list in time for him to play last week, but they decided to roll with Duke Johnson as their lead back.

Johnson had the edge over Gaskin in snaps (41-26) and touches (23-10). He also delivered one of the best stat lines we've seen from a Miami back this season, recording 127 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns.

It's possible Gaskin - a week removed from the COVID list - is restored as a starter, but the coaching staff seemed to suggest a committee is in the plans.

To make matters worse, the Saints rank No. 1 in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA by a wide margin. That makes the Dolphins' backfield a stay away for me this week.

Boone's projection: 34 rushing yards, 12 receiving yards

Other RBs to sit

• Darrell Henderson at Vikings
• Chuba Hubbard/Ameer Abdullah vs. Buccaneers
• Devonta Freeman/Latavius Murray at Bengals

Terry McLaurin, Washington

at Cowboys

It's hard to feel confident about McLaurin's fantasy outlook for Week 16 when he hasn't posted double-digit fantasy points in over a month.

The 26-year-old had zero catches on three targets before he suffered a concussion halfway through his matchup with the Cowboys two weeks ago. It's a small sample size, but not exactly a promising start.

While McLaurin still might make it into your lineup due to a lack of better options, expectations need to be adjusted. He belongs in the WR3/flex range with a much lower floor than we expected early in the season.

Boone's projection: 48 receiving yards

Other WRs to sit

• Chase Claypool at Chiefs
• DeVante Parker at Saints
• Jerry Jeudy at Raiders

Evan Engram, Giants

at Eagles

Though he's averaging five targets a game over the last five outings, Engram has only cracked 40 yards once during that span.

It probably goes without saying that you're not starting him this week, but some people might be enticed by the matchup since the Eagles allow the most fantasy points to tight ends. Don't fall for it.

We saw this play out in Week 12 when Engram only came away with three catches and 37 yards. You should expect a similar stat line this time around.

Boone's projection: 39 receiving yards

Other TEs to sit

• Tyler Conklin vs. Rams
• Austin Hooper/David Njoku at Packers
• Foster Moreau vs. Broncos

Stash

Jaret Patterson, Washington

Antonio Gibson missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with a toe issue. Head coach Ron Rivera compared it to the injury that forced his lead back to miss time last season.

If Gibson can't answer the call this weekend and J.D. McKissic remains sidelined, the undrafted rookie Patterson (3% rostered) would be thrust into the starting role.

Patterson, who's flashed on the small number of snaps he's seen, would likely see the most touches in a committee with Jonathan Williams.

He's not a slam-dunk start like some other backup rushers, but Patterson would be an RB3/flex with touchdown upside for desperate fantasy managers looking for help late in the week.

Jordan Howard, Eagles

Miles Sanders has been sitting out of practice with a quad injury, putting his availability for Week 16 in doubt.

Over Howard's (12% rostered) five games with the Eagles this season, the veteran back has averaged 13.2 touches and 68.6 rushing yards per contest, with three total touchdowns during that time.

If Sanders can't go, Howard would be a low-end RB2 in a favorable spot against the Giants.

Even if Sanders does suit up, Howard would be playable as an RB3/flex option in fantasy.

Quit

Playoff roster cleaning

Since we're in the fantasy playoffs, instead of highlighting one player you can quit, we're going to list several players who are still rostered in over 50% of leagues but can be dropped.

• Derek Carr (60% rostered)
• Chuba Hubbard (69% rostered)
• Nyheim Hines (50% rostered)
• DeAndre Hopkins (68% rostered)
• Calvin Ridley (61% rostered)
• Cole Beasley (66% rostered)
• Allen Robinson (52% rostered)
• Jared Cook (58% rostered)