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.

Consult our Week 16 rankings for the rest of your lineup decisions. You can also listen to the Week 16 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.

StartBaker Mayfield, Buccaneers

vs. Jaguars

Perry Knotts / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Riding the hot hand in the fantasy playoffs is normally a wise decision, especially when they have an advantageous matchup.

Mayfield is coming off back-to-back top-12 fantasy weeks, including a QB2 overall finish in Week 15. He's also responsible for seven total touchdowns during that span.

Now he'll take on a Jags defense that's allowed the fifth-most passing yards, seventh-most passing TDs, and third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2023.

Boone's projection: 306 passing yards, 3 passing TDs

Other QBs to start

• Justin Fields vs. Cardinals
• Geno Smith at Titans

D'Andre Swift, Eagles

vs. Giants

Kyle Ross / Icon Sportswire / Getty Images

Swift's fantasy production dropped off after a solid opening month in which he posted multiple 100-yard games.

Fortunately, he showed signs of a bounce-back last week, getting 20 touches in the loss to the Seahawks. And Swift should have a more positive game script in Week 16, with the Eagles being 13.5-point favorites over the Giants.

New York has given up the fourth-most rushing yards this season and 10th-most fantasy points to running backs.

Boone's projection: 102 rushing yards, TD, 6 receiving yards, 1 reception

Other RBs to start

• Bijan Robinson vs. Colts
• Aaron Jones at Panthers
• De'Von Achane vs. Cowboys

Rashee Rice, Chiefs

vs. Raiders

Jeff Bottari / Getty Images Sport / Getty

It took longer than fantasy managers would have liked for Rice to emerge as the Chiefs' clear No. 1 receiver, but that time has finally arrived.

The post-bye rookie bump resulted in Rice amassing the seventh-most fantasy points per game among WRs over the last month. That coincided with the 23-year-old recently becoming a near full-time player in Kansas City's offense.

The Raiders aren't the easiest matchup for wideouts, but they've been hit hard by opposing top targets - including Rice, who put up an 8-107-1 stat line against them in Week 12.

Boone's projection: 95 receiving yards, 8 receptions, TD

Other WRs to start

• Tee Higgins at Steelers
• Amari Cooper at Texans
• DeAndre Hopkins vs. Seahawks

David Njoku, Browns

at Texans

Nick Cammett / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Njoku erupted with his biggest fantasy performances of the season coming over the last two weeks with Joe Flacco at the helm.

Njoku has been a top-two fantasy tight end in each of those games, delivering six catches for 91 yards and two scores versus the Jaguars and 10 grabs for 104 yards and a touchdown against the Bears.

Another friendly matchup awaits on the road in Houston. The Texans are the ninth-easiest opponent for fantasy tight ends in 2023.

Boone's projection: 81 receiving yards, 6 receptions, TD

Other TEs to start

• Isaiah Likely at 49ers
• Cole Kmet vs. Cardinals

SitSam Howell, Commanders

vs. Jets

Scott Taetsch / Getty Images

Howell has struggled lately, failing to throw for more than 127 yards in either of his past two contests. Veteran Jacoby Brissett replaced him last week, and Howell could be on a short leash again if things go south against the Jets.

New York is the toughest matchup for fantasy QBs, allowing the fewest points and the third-fewest passing yards and passing TDs. Don't get your hopes up for Howell in this one.

Boone's projection: 148 passing yards, TD, INT, 23 rushing yards

Other QBs to sit

• Russell Wilson vs. Patriots
• Jordan Love at Panthers

Austin Ekeler, Chargers

vs. Bills

Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images Sport / Getty

It's been a lost season for Ekeler, who suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 and struggled to get back to his usual elite level of play when he returned.

To make matters worse, the Chargers have dealt with various injuries to other offensive stars, including Justin Herbert, Mike Williams, and Keenan Allen. The first two are out for the year, and Allen could soon join them since there isn't much reason for him to return now.

Ekeler has only reached double-digit PPR fantasy points once in his last five outings. I won't be projecting him to hit that mark this week in what should be another lopsided loss.

Boone's projection: 33 rushing yards, 21 receiving yards, 3 receptions

Other RBs to sit

• Javonte Williams vs. Patriots
• Najee Harris vs. Bengals
• Antonio Gibson at Jets

Terry McLaurin, Commanders

at Jets

Scott Taetsch / Getty Images Sport / Getty

McLaurin is coming off his first 100-yard game of the season, but don't be lured into playing him against the Jets.

Most of his production came late in last week's contest when Brissett took over.

With Howell starting and the Jets allowing the fewest fantasy points to wideouts, McLaurin goes back to being a risky WR3.

Boone's projection: 49 receiving yards, 5 receptions

Other WRs to sit

• Adam Thielen vs. Packers
• Jerry Jeudy vs. Patriots
• Gabe Davis at Chargers

Dalton Schultz, Texans

vs. Browns

Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Injuries have hit the Texans hard, derailing a once-promising season that appeared to be heading toward a playoff appearance.

With C.J. Stroud ruled out and an extremely rough matchup with the Browns on tap, it's difficult to have faith in many players on this offense.

Schultz will have to overcome a defense that's the second-worst opponent for fantasy tight ends in 2023. You should be able to find a better TE option for your semifinal matchup.

Boone's projection: 36 receiving yards, 4 receptions

Other TEs to sit

• Kyle Pitts vs. Colts
• Michael Mayer at Chiefs

Stash

Past stashes that still qualify: Rico Dowdle, D'Ernest Johnson, Jeff Wilson Jr.

Dontayvion Wicks, Packers Patrick McDermott / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Christian Watson (hamstring) and Jayden Reed (toe) sat out the first two practices of the week, and their availability is up in the air.

Even as the fourth receiver in this offense, Wicks (9% rostered) has found ways to produce. He eclipsed 40 yards in five of his last six outings.

With injuries mounting, Wicks played a season-high 78% of the Packers' snaps in Week 15 and turned in 97 yards on six catches.

If Watson and Reed can't go, Wicks would be the favorite to lead Green Bay in receiving, making him a nice WR3 fantasy option.

Chris Rodriguez Jr., Commanders Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Brian Robinson seems to be heading toward another week on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.

In his absence last week, Rodriguez (2% rostered) recorded season highs in playing time (33%) and carries (10).

Consider the rookie a deep flex who could continue to earn more work alongside Antonio Gibson.

Quit

The criteria for dropping players have changed now that the fantasy playoffs are here. Don't hesitate to drop anyone who isn't helping you win this week in favor of someone who can. You should focus on having the best possible starting lineup and a bench full of players with extreme upside.

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