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

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 17 rankings.

StartJalen Hurts, Eagles

at Washington

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Hurts has been a top-13 fantasy quarterback in 12 of his 14 outings this season, including a QB3 finish against Washington in Week 15.

Washington allows the most fantasy points to quarterbacks, locking Hurts in as one of the five best plays at his position in Week 17.

Boone's projection: 261 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 34 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Other QBs to start

• Matthew Stafford at Ravens
• Trey Lance vs. Texans
• Taysom Hill vs. Panthers

Ronald Jones, Buccaneers

at Jets

Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / Getty

In his first start since Leonard Fournette went down with a hamstring injury, Jones dominated the Buccaneers' backfield opportunities with 22 touches.

Though Ke'Shawn Vaughn produced the best rushing highlight - a 55-yard score - Jones led the way with 81 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown of his own versus a decent Panthers run defense.

The degree of difficulty will soften considerably against the Jets, who are by far the easiest matchup for fantasy running backs. New York gives up the most rushing attempts and rushing touchdowns, the second-most rushing yards, and the fourth-most rushing first downs.

With the Bucs as 13-point favorites, expect plenty of work for Jones once again.

Boone's projection: 109 rushing yards, TD, 12 receiving yards

Other RBs to start

• David Montgomery vs. Giants
• Damien Harris vs. Jaguars
• Darrel Williams at Bengals

D.J. Moore, Panthers

at Saints

Grant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Some people might be worried about what Sam Darnold's return means for the Panthers' passing attack. Though it might not solve Carolina's issues through the air, it shouldn't be a problem for Moore.

The team's alpha receiver has seen at least seven targets in each of Darnold's 12 starts this season and was the WR21 in fantasy points per game during that stretch.

This week, he gets a Saints squad he's excelled against over the last two years. In his previous three games versus New Orleans, Moore delivered stat lines of 4-93-2, 5-101-0, and most recently 8-79-1 earlier this season with Darnold at the helm.

You can confidently start Moore as a WR2 with upside in your fantasy championship.

Boone's projection: 87 receiving yards, TD

Other WRs to start

• Amon-Ra St. Brown at Seahawks
• Brandin Cooks at 49ers
• Odell Beckham/Van Jefferson at Ravens

Gerald Everett, Seahawks

vs. Lions

Chris Unger / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Since Russell Wilson returned to the lineup in Week 10, Everett has been a low-end TE1 in fantasy points per game.

The 27-year-old scored touchdowns in three of his past five appearances and has back-to-back 60-yard efforts.

Though the Lions initially held their own against tight ends, they've fallen apart in the second half of the season and now permit the 10th-most fantasy points to the position.

That makes Everett a top-12 fantasy option.

Boone's projection: 64 receiving yards, TD

Other TEs to start

• Tyler Higbee at Ravens
• Hunter Henry vs. Jaguars
• Cole Kmet vs. Giants

SitRyan Tannehill, Titans

vs. Dolphins

Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Tannehill's career took off after he left the Dolphins and landed in Tennessee. However, if you're looking for a revenge-game boost, this isn't the one to chase.

Miami's defense got its teeth back when the unit's health improved halfway through the season, and it's been on an absolute tear recently.

The Dolphins rank sixth in Football Outsiders' pass defense DVOA and have only allowed one quarterback to top 18 fantasy points in their last 10 contests.

Keep your expectations in check for Tannehill in what should be a low-scoring affair.

Boone's projection: 194 passing yards, TD, 2 INTs, 26 rushing yards

Other QBs to sit

• Derek Carr at Colts
• Ben Roethlisberger vs. Browns
• Matt Ryan at Bills

Saquon Barkley, Giants

at Bears

Elsa / Getty Images Sport / Getty

It's hard to bench a starting running back of Barkley's caliber, so this really comes down to your options.

The former first-round pick has fallen from the RB1 ranks and settled into low-end RB2 territory - and that might be generous. With Daniel Jones sidelined, Barkley's last two weekly finishes are RB28 and RB51.

He played less than 60% of the Giants' offensive snaps in the team's past three outings - a far cry from the 85% range he had earlier this season.

He's also dealing with an ankle injury that made him miss practice Wednesday and kept him limited Thursday.

It's hard to trust him as anything more than a borderline top-24 back. Hopefully, you have better options available.

Boone's projection: 53 rushing yards, 19 receiving yards

Other RBs to sit

• D'Onta Foreman vs. Dolphins
• Devonta Freeman/Latavius Murray vs. Rams
• Myles Gaskin/Duke Johnson/Phillip Lindsay at Titans

Terry McLaurin, Washington

vs. Eagles

Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty

McLaurin makes a second straight appearance as the receiver to sit after a disappointing performance against the Cowboys in Week 16.

The 26-year-old has only broken the 60-yard mark once since Week 7, and his dip in targets is even more concerning. He's had five, four, and six passes thrown his way over his last three healthy games. That's way down from the often double-digit target totals he saw earlier in the season.

Another matchup with Darius Slay doesn't inspire much confidence - McLaurin was held to two catches for 51 yards versus the Eagles a couple of weeks ago.

Boone's projection: 46 receiving yards

Other WRs to sit

• Russell Gage at Bills
• Marvin Jones at Patriots
• Kenny Golladay at Bears

Mike Gesicki, Dolphins

at Titans

Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Gesicki's best performances tend to come when some of the Dolphins' receivers are out of the lineup.

With Jaylen Waddle soaking up a ton of volume and DeVante Parker back playing a full complement of snaps, expect Gesicki's big days to be less frequent.

A matchup with star safety Kevin Byard and a Titans defense allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends should make you look elsewhere for your Week 17 starter.

Boone's projection: 37 receiving yards

Other TEs to sit

• Noah Fant at Chargers
• Jared Cook at Broncos
• Evan Engram at Bears

StashKe'Shawn Vaughn, Buccaneers Grant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

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

Vaughn (3% rostered) showed he can capitalize on opportunities when he broke loose for that 55-yard touchdown last week. He ended the day with seven carries for 70 yards and the score.

With the Bucs expected to dominate a weak Jets defense, Vaughn may break another long run or see increased touches in the second half if Tampa is up big.

Braxton Berrios, Jets Eric Espada / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With Jamison Crowder and Elijah Moore looking doubtful to play in Week 17, the Jets need to rely on Berrios (5% rostered) once again.

He's seen 17 targets and three rushing attempts over the last three games, providing 11.2, 10.6, and 9.0 PPR fantasy points in those matchups.

Those aren't week-winning numbers, but with a game script that will likely have the Jets throwing all afternoon, Berrios could be a last-minute flex option for desperate fantasy managers.

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.

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