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

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 16 rankings, or you can also listen to the Week 16 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.

StartKirk Cousins, Vikings

vs. Giants

David Berding / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Cousins is heating up at the right time.

The 34-year-old has thrown for 885 yards, six touchdowns, and two picks over the last two weeks. He's also finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback three times in the last month.

The Giants are a middle-of-the-pack matchup, but this is one of the few games on this slate that should avoid the elements. The result is one of the highest projected point totals of the week at 48.5.

Start Cousins with confidence as a top-six fantasy option.

Boone's projection: 293 passing yards, 3 passing TDs

Other QBs to start

• Tom Brady at Cardinals
• Daniel Jones at Vikings

Najee Harris, Steelers

vs. Raiders

Michael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Harris has been a workhorse since the Steelers' Week 9 bye, with 18 touches or more in four of his last six contests. He's delivered at least 86 yards from scrimmage and/or a touchdown in every appearance, making him the RB16 in fantasy points per game over that stretch.

Next up are the Raiders, who are the sixth-easiest matchup for fantasy running backs. Vegas just allowed Rhamondre Stevenson to carve it up for 172 rushing yards and a score in Week 15.

Expect Harris to flirt with top-12 fantasy numbers while helping you advance to the finals.

Boone's projection: 98 rushing yards, TD, 14 receiving yards, 2 receptions

Other RBs to start

• Jerick McKinnon/Isiah Pacheco vs. Seahawks
• J.K. Dobbins vs. Falcons
• Raheem Mostert vs. Packers

Michael Pittman Jr., Colts

vs. Chargers

Bob Levey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Pittman has been solid but unspectacular this year, with just one game over 75 yards.

While Nick Foles isn't going to save the Colts' season, the veteran will likely be more willing to take chances downfield - which is something Pittman desperately needs out of his quarterback.

And though the Chargers aren't a good matchup on paper (ninth-fewest fantasy points permitted to WRs), they have been susceptible to big games from No. 1 wideouts lately - like DeAndre Hopkins (4-87-1 in Week 12), Davante Adams (8-177-2 in Week 13), and Tyreek Hill (4-81-1 in Week 14).

Pittman will be the next Alpha receiver to tear up the Bolts - in another game worth targeting thanks to the reliable conditions inside the dome.

Boone's projection: 97 receiving yards, 8 receptions, TD

Other WRs to start

• DJ Moore vs. Lions
• George Pickens vs. Raiders
• Darius Slayton at Vikings

Darren Waller, Raiders

at Steelers

Michael Owens / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Waller finally returned to the lineup last week but surprisingly played fewer snaps than his normal backup, Foster Moreau.

This was likely a case of the Raiders' easing him back into action because even on fewer snaps, Waller still ran more routes (27-18), saw more targets (3-2), and had the better fantasy day with 48 yards and a touchdown.

While Waller might not consistently produce the kind of elite fantasy numbers we've come to expect from him over the last few seasons, the current state of the TE position makes him a strong TE1 play once again.

Boone's projection: 76 receiving yards, 5 receptions, TD

Other TEs to start

• Dawson Knox at Bears
• Taysom Hill at Browns

SitDerek Carr, Raiders

at Steelers

Jane Gershovich / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Despite our hope for Waller, we don't have the same faith that his quarterback will come away with a ceiling performance in Week 16.

Carr's play has been more erratic of late, leading to six interceptions over the past four weeks.

Now he'll be tested on a cold and windy day by a Steelers defense that's been much fiercer since getting the bulk of its starters back healthy. Pittsburgh has held seven of the last nine QBs it's faced to one touchdown pass or fewer.

This isn't the week to trust Carr in your fantasy lineup.

Boone's projection: 237 passing yards, TD, 2 INTs

Other QBs to sit

• Jared Goff at Panthers
• Deshaun Watson vs. Saints

Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders

at 49ers

Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Robinson has been one of the 2022 NFL season's best stories, especially when you factor in how well he's played recently. The rookie has gone over 100 yards from scrimmage in three straight contests.

Unfortunately for him, the degree of difficulty is about to go way up with a trip to San Francisco.

The 49ers are a scary front that's shut down almost every ball carrier they've encountered this year.

Since the Week 9 bye, Demeco Ryan's crew has only allowed one running back to top 50 yards on the ground. And the unit has let just one back reach the end zone during that span.

Given his limited involvement in the passing game, this has the makings of a long afternoon for Robinson.

Boone's projection: 46 rushing yards, 9 receiving yards, 1 reception

Other RBs to sit

• Jamaal Williams at Panthers
• Cordarrelle Patterson/Tyler Allgeier at Ravens
• D'Onta Foreman vs. Lions

Amari Cooper, Browns

vs. Saints

Diamond Images / Diamond Images / Getty

Several people questioned our ranking of Cooper this week given that he's sitting outside our top 36 at the position.

Hopefully, by now, everyone has caught up on the troubling weather scenarios impacting multiple games this week. If you haven't, you should go back and listen to our Week 16 preview show that covers the subject.

No contest will be more affected than the Saints-Browns, where the forecast calls for snow and sustained winds of 25 to 30 mph with gusts potentially reaching 40 to 50 mph.

This is a situation to avoid passing attacks. So, if you don't have a better option at receiver - just know that Cooper is more of a risky WR4/flex due to the weather.

Boone's projection: 43 receiving yards, 4 receptions

Other WRs to sit

• Drake London at Ravens
• Marquise Brown vs. Buccaneers
• Tyler Boyd at Patriots

Lack of quality options at tight end Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

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

While David Njoku and Juwan Johnson aren't in ideal spots, some fantasy managers will have no choice but to use them as streamers in Week 16.

StashBackup running backs Justin K. Aller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With the fantasy playoffs here, it's more important than ever to load your bench with high-upside backup running backs.

Here's a list of ball carriers rostered in 15% of leagues or less who are one injury away from having a significant fantasy impact down the stretch.

• Joshua Kelley (4% rostered)
• Jaylen Warren (13% rostered)
• Jordan Mason (11% rostered)
• Kenneth Gainwell (14% rostered)
• Marlon Mack (7% rostered)
• JaMycal Hasty (6% rostered)
• Keaontay Ingram (1% rostered)
• Zamir White (3% rostered)
• Boston Scott (1% rostered)

Quit Courtney Culbreath / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Quarterbacks (1QB): Deshaun Watson, Ryan Tannehill

Running backs: Jonathan Taylor, Dameon Pierce

Wide receivers: Deebo Samuel, Tyler Lockett

Tight ends: Tyler Higbee, Hunter Henry

Copyright (C) 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.