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

Justin Herbert, Chargers

vs. Broncos

With all the attention on latest breakout star Jalen Hurts, don't forget about another rookie quarterback who helped you advance to the fantasy championship.

Herbert is the QB10 in fantasy points per game this season and is coming off a 314-yard, three-touchdown performance last Thursday versus the Raiders.

Even with Keenan Allen banged up, Herbert should have no problem moving the ball against a Broncos defense that just got flamed by Josh Allen for 359 yards and two touchdowns through the air, with another 33 yards and two more scores on the ground.

In his first encounter with Denver back in Week 8, Herbert tossed three touchdowns. Don't be surprised if he hits that mark again.

Boone's projection: 317 passing yards, 3 TDs, 11 rushing yards

Other QBs to start

• Tom Brady at Lions
• Mitch Trubisky at Jaguars
• Baker Mayfield at Jets

David Johnson, Texans

vs. Bengals

Since this column is going up a day early this week, we don't have as much injury information as usual. But if Duke Johnson's neck injury keeps him sidelined for another game, David Johnson will be a must-start for Week 16.

With Duke out of the lineup, David dominated pass-catching work out of the backfield, resulting in a season-high 11 receptions for 106 yards - supplementing his work as a runner.

Now he returns home to Houston where the Texans are eight-point favorites over the Bengals, who just allowed Benny Snell to rush for 84 yards and a score against them on Monday.

David is a high-end RB2 with RB1 upside in an ideal spot for the fantasy championship.

Boone's projection: 87 rushing yards, TD, 26 receiving yards

Other RBs to start

• Melvin Gordon at Chargers
• Leonard Fournette at Lions
• Le'Veon Bell vs. Falcons

Jarvis Landry, Browns

at Jets

Though the Browns' offense is always at risk of reverting to a run-centric game plan, there's plenty of reason to invest in their pass-catching weapons in Week 16.

Since their unfortunate stretch of bad weather games in November that rendered the passing attack ineffective, the Browns have gotten back on course through the air. Landry has at least 50 yards and/or a touchdown in each of his last four games (three TDs total in that span), while teammate Rashard Higgins got in on the act with at least 75 yards and/or a score in three straight outings.

Both can be started with confidence against the Jets, who permit the seventh-most fantasy points to receivers and might be without slot corner Javelin Guidry as he deals with a knee injury.

Consider Landry a WR2 and Higgins a WR3, with both players offering extremely high fantasy ceilings if Cleveland continues to throw in this matchup.

Boone's projection: 89 receiving yards, TD

Other WRs to start

• Emmanuel Sanders vs. Vikings
• Cole Beasley at Patriots
• Marvin Jones vs. Buccaneers

Logan Thomas, Washington

vs. Panthers

Thomas' production has had peaks and valleys throughout the year, but his numbers are rising at the right time for fantasy managers.

While the 29-year-old ranks sixth in total targets at the tight end position this year, his opportunity has spiked lately, with 31 targets over his last three outings. Unsurprisingly, that's allowed him to post the fourth-most fantasy points per game at his position during that stretch.

With the Panthers being the 10th-easiest matchup for tight ends, Thomas is set to end the fantasy season with another TE1 performance.

Boone's projection: 71 receiving yards, TD

Other TEs to start

• Noah Fant at Chargers
• Hayden Hurst at Chiefs
• Austin Hooper at Jets

Sit

Russell Wilson, Seahawks

vs. Rams

As someone who played Wilson over Jalen Hurts in one semifinal loss last week, take it from me - Russ belongs on your bench.

After an MVP-caliber start to the season where Wilson averaged the second-most fantasy points over the first eight games, his numbers have declined dramatically. He's been the QB20 in the second half of the year, and that's propped up by a four-touchdown outing against the Jets.

This is the second straight season we've seen Wilson struggle to produce in November and December. In 2019, he was the QB3 over the first eight games and the QB14 over his final eight appearances.

A matchup with the defense giving up the fewest fantasy points to passers isn't going to help his cause either. The Rams are responsible for Wilson's worst game of 2020, which occurred in Week 10 and was the only time Wilson's been held under 10 fantasy points this year. In their last two dates, Aaron Donald and Co. limited Wilson to zero touchdowns and four turnovers.

It's tough to sit your stars, but you have to bench Wilson in favor of a streaming option this week.

Boone's projection: 233 passing yards, INT, 35 rushing yards, FUM

Other QBs to sit

• Jared Goff at Seahawks
• Philip Rivers at Steelers
• Ben Roethlisberger vs. Colts

Mike Davis, Panthers

at Washington

With Christian McCaffrey likely to miss another game, some fantasy managers might be excited about having Davis in their lineup for yet another start. You might want to think twice before you lock him in, though.

Davis' snap counts have varied lately as the Panthers work other backs into the mix. His touch totals have remained high with at least 16 attempts in four straight games, but a matchup with Washington's menacing front is concerning.

Washington is the third-toughest opponent for fantasy RBs and it hasn't allowed a single back to top 70 yards from scrimmage since Week 10. In fact, Carlos Hyde is the only rusher to crack 10 fantasy points against Washington during that time, and he did it on a fluky 50-yard touchdown last week.

Depending on your options, Davis can still be used as a touchdown-dependent RB3 - just temper your expectations.

Boone's projection: 39 rushing yards, 21 receiving yards

Other RBs to sit

• James Conner vs. Colts
• Wayne Gallman at Ravens
• Sony Michel vs. Bills

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers

vs. Colts

Smith-Schuster's three-catch, 15-yard, one-fumble stat line wasn't just disappointing - it cost some fantasy managers a win in tragic fashion on Monday night.

Playing on an offense that appears lost at the moment, there's simply no way you can trust JuJu in your lineup for the fantasy championship.

He's been held under 40 yards in four of his past five contests and his last date with the Colts in 2019 resulted in just 16 yards.

You should be looking for an option with more upside than Smith-Schuster.

Boone's projection: 36 receiving yards

Other WRs to sit

• Robby Anderson at Washington
• D.J. Chark vs. Bears
• Jerry Jeudy at Chargers

Jonnu Smith, Titans

at Packers

Talent has never been the issue with Smith, who is one of the best runners after the catch at his position. Injuries have limited him at times, and so has the three- and sometimes four-tight-end committee the Titans have deployed in 2020.

Prior to last Sunday's 52-yard effort, Smith hadn't broken the 40-yard barrier since Week 3. His odds of posting a second strong stat line are slim against a Packers defense that's been the fourth-most challenging opponent for fantasy tight ends.

Given the state of the fantasy tight end landscape, finding players to recommend as "sits" can sometimes be a foolish endeavor due to the lack of quality options. But you should take a long look at who else is available before choosing to roll with Smith.

Boone's projection: 34 receiving yards

Other TEs to sit

• Zach Ertz at Cowboys
• Jordan Reed at Cardinals
• Dalton Schultz vs. Eagles

Stash

Devine Ozigbo/Dare Ogunbowale, Jaguars

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

Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone is hoping James Robinson will be available despite suffering an ankle sprain in Week 15. Forward-thinking fantasy managers should prepare in case Robinson is unable to go.

Even if you don't need to start Robinson's backups Ozigbo (1% rostered) or Ogunbowale (2% rostered), you can prevent your opponent from scooping up a potential late-week starter by tossing them on your bench.

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.