Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 17

SSSQ is a weekly look at underappreciated 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 17 rankings, or you can also listen to the Week 17 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.

Start

Jared Goff, Lions

vs. Bears

Goff has been red-hot of late, with three top-five weekly fantasy finishes in his last four contests.

Now, he returns home to the comfort of Ford Field where he's been at his best this year.

The Lions will also be facing a Bears defense that's been obliterated by fantasy quarterbacks in the second half of the season. Chicago is allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to the position, including five top-six performances since Week 8.

There's a reason why this game has the week's highest projected point total (52.5). The end result will see Goff deliver another strong fantasy outing.

Boone's projection: 297 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 7 rushing yards

Other QBs to start

• Kirk Cousins at Packers
• Brock Purdy at Raiders

Brian Robinson, Commanders

vs. Browns

Prior to a predicable downturn in last week's battle with a tough 49ers run defense, Robinson had gone over 100 yards from scrimmage in three straight games.

You should feel good about the rookie's chances of getting back to that mark against a Browns defense that's given up at least 95 yards from scrimmage to a single ball carrier in six consecutive outings.

Cleveland is the third-easiest matchup for fantasy running backs in 2022, and with Antonio Gibson missing practice due to ankle and knee sprains, Robinson is set up for a massive workload.

Boone's projection: 106 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 11 receiving yards, 2 receptions

Other RBs to start

• Cam Akers at Chargers
• Tyler Allgeier vs. Cardinals
• Jerick McKinnon vs. Broncos

Drake London, Falcons

vs. Cardinals

The Falcons' offense hasn't gotten many things right this year, but in the last three outings, it's made a concerted effort to get the ball to London.

And it's working.

The rookie has seen his targets skyrocket in the past month to the point where he's tied for fifth in average targets per game (12) during that stretch. His stat lines have been on the rise as well with 6-95-0, 7-70-0, and 7-96-0.

With that kind of volume, London can be trusted as a fantasy WR3 with significant upside since he's due for a trip to the end zone.

Boone's projection: 92 receiving yards, 7 receptions, TD

Other WRs to start

• DJ Moore at Buccaneers
• Brandon Aiyuk at Raiders
• DJ Chark vs. Bears

Cole Kmet, Bears

at Lions

As injuries took their toll on the Bears' receiving corps, Kmet emerged as a more consistent target around midseason.

The 23-year-old tight end had a couple standout performances during that span, including his best fantasy game of the season - a 74-yard, two-touchdown line against the Lions. And Detroit continues to cough up production to tight ends (fifth-most fantasy points allowed).

Don't let Kmet's recent string of difficult opponents fool you. With the Bears' WR depth chart still in flux, expect another quality fantasy outing for Kmet on Sunday.

Boone's projection: 76 receiving yards, 6 receptions, TD

Other TEs to start

• Evan Engram at Texans
• Tyler Higbee at Chargers

Sit

Geno Smith, Seahawks

vs. Jets

Smith's numbers have dropped off over the last couple weeks, and now he gets one of his stiffest tests of the season against the Jets' defense.

New York is permitting the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing passers and has given up just 13 passing touchdowns on the year (tied for the lowest in the league).

Even with Tyler Lockett seemingly available this week, Smith is still a risky QB2 for fantasy.

Boone's projection: 239 passing yards, TD, INT, 9 rushing yards

Other QBs to sit

• Tom Brady vs. Panthers
• Deshaun Watson at Commanders

Devin Singletary, Bills

at Bengals

You may be tempted to go back to Singletary after his 125-yard, one-touchdown day in Week 16, but we don't recommend it.

Singletary's four weekly fantasy finishes before that were RB35, RB38, RB24, and RB36. James Cook is also lurking and capable of getting the hot hand any given week.

Additionally, the Bengals' run defense tightened up when D.J. Reader returned from injury. Even with him missing part of the season, Cincy is still the eighth-toughest opponent for fantasy backs.

Consider Singletary an RB3/flex option whose spiked week isn't worth chasing this time around.

Boone's projection: 43 rushing yards, 8 receiving yards, 1 reception

Other RBs to sit

• Miles Sanders vs. Saints
• Najee Harris at Ravens
• D'Onta Foreman at Buccaneers

Darius Slayton, Giants

vs. Colts

Slayton has been the most consistent producer in a no-name Giants receiving corps this season.

Unfortunately, opposing coordinators have finally caught on, and he's struggled against high-end defenses.

The Colts' defense shouldn't be confused for a shutdown unit, but it is limiting wideouts to the fifth-fewest fantasy points on the year.

This is also the rare game where the Giants are heavily favored, meaning they might not need to force things through the air to get the win.

Boone's projection: 47 receiving yards, 4 receptions

Other WRs to sit

• Marquise Brown at Falcons
• Adam Thielen at Packers
• Donovan Peoples-Jones at Commanders

Good luck at tight end

It seems foolish to recommend sitting any tight end this week given all the injuries impacting a position that's thin to begin with.

While David Njoku and Darren Waller aren't in ideal spots, some fantasy managers will have no choice but to use them as streamers in Week 17.

Stash

Backup running backs

There's no time left to wait on stash plays, so we need to find options who can return immediate value.

Here are a handful of backup running backs worth stashing for the next few days because their starters have been limited or missed practice time this week.

• Joshua Kelley, Chargers (6% rostered)
• Keaontay Ingram, Cardinals (1% rostered)
• Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles (14% rostered)
• David Johnson/Eno Benjamin, Saints (0%/9% rostered)

Quit

Since it's the final week of the fantasy season, don't hesitate to drop any player you don't plan on starting - as long as your opponent doesn't need help at that position.