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.
Consult our Week 17 rankings for the rest of your lineup decisions. You can also listen to the Week 17 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.
StartC.J. Stroud, Texansvs. Titans
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAfter missing two games, Stroud has finally cleared concussion protocol and is expected to start this week.
Don't forget that, before his injury, Stroud was the QB5 in fantasy points per game over his first 13 contests.
His importance to the Texans' offense is undeniable, and with Houston sitting as 4.5-point favorites in a must-win matchup against the Titans, I'm projecting a strong performance from the rookie.
Boone's projection: 296 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 12 rushing yards
Other QBs to start
- Baker Mayfield vs. Saints
- Matthew Stafford at Giants
vs. Panthers
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyEtienne's production has declined since an impressive start to the 2023 campaign. The 24-year-old hasn't topped 60 rushing yards in a single game since the Jaguars' Week 9 bye and has just two touchdowns during that stretch.
Fortunately, the Carolina defense is an instant cure for struggling running backs. The Panthers are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to the position and just helped Aaron Jones get back on track with a season-high 127 rushing yards.
Whether Trevor Lawrence is active or not, the Jags, who are six-point favorites at home, will lean heavily on Etienne and the ground game this week.
Boone's projection: 78 rushing yards, TD, 33 receiving yards, 4 receptions
Other RBs to start
- D'Andre Swift vs. Cardinals
- Austin Ekeler at Broncos
- Ty Chandler vs. Packers
vs. Titans
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe return of C.J. Stroud vaults Collins back into the fantasy WR1 conversation.
Not only will the breakout receiver have his star quarterback throwing him passes again, but he's the unquestioned No. 1 target in the offense since Tank Dell is out for the season.
The Titans are the seventh-friendliest matchup for fantasy wideouts, and Collins will gladly take advantage en route to his fifth 100-yard game of the year.
Boone's projection: 103 receiving yards, 7 receptions, TD
Other WRs to start
- Davante Adams at Colts
- George Pickens at Seahawks
- Terry McLaurin vs. 49ers
vs. Dolphins
Scott Taetsch / Getty Images Sport / GettyLikely has been doing a fine job filling in for Mark Andrews, with stat lines of 4-40-0, 5-83-1, 5-70-1, and 3-56-0 over his past four outings. He was also tackled just short of the goal line in Week 16, narrowly missing out on an even bigger day.
The 23-year-old might see an uptick in targets against the Dolphins. Star wideout Zay Flowers is dealing with a calf injury that sidelined him for the first two practices of the week and could limit him if he plays.
Miami isn't an easy opponent for fantasy tight ends, but the way Likely is used in the Ravens' offense makes him almost matchup-proof.
Boone's projection: 79 receiving yards, 6 receptions, TD
Other TEs to start
- Gerald Everett at Broncos
- Darren Waller vs. Rams
at Ravens
Rich Schultz / Getty Images Sport / GettyThis is a tough week to put your faith in Tua given his recent production, the Dolphins' injuries, and the matchup.
In the six games since Miami's bye, Tua hasn't delivered a ceiling performance, finishing as the QB12, QB27, QB9, QB22, QB22, and QB21.
Jaylen Waddle has been ruled out for this game, but he's far from the only Dolphin who's banged up right now. Tyreek Hill, Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane, and all five starting offensive linemen were listed on the Week 17 injury report. Even Tua was limited in practice with thumb and quad injuries.
Meanwhile, the Ravens are giving up the second-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks, the ninth-fewest passing yards, and the fewest passing touchdowns.
Boone's projection: 251 passing yards, TD, 2 INTs
Other QBs to sit
- Jordan Love at Vikings
- Jake Browning at Chiefs
vs. Dolphins
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyWe know the deal with Edwards at this point. He's rarely going to provide huge yardage totals, and he's barely involved in the passing game.
That makes him a TD-dependent RB3/flex for fantasy.
The Dolphins are the seventh-hardest matchup for fantasy RBs and have only let one running back score a rushing touchdown on them over their last eight games.
Boone's projection: 46 rushing yards, 10 receiving yards, 1 reception
Other RBs to sit
- Antonio Gibson vs. 49ers
- Khalil Herbert/D'Onta Foreman vs. Falcons
- Tyler Allgeier at Bears
at Seahawks
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyJohnson is coming off his worst game of the season in which he tallied just two catches for 15 yards.
It's a small sample size, but perhaps Mason Rudolph's willingness to push the ball downfield fits more with George Pickens than Johnson.
There probably aren't many fantasy teams that made the finals with Johnson, but if you did, it's a risky proposition to put him in your starting lineup with Rudolph under center.
Boone's projection: 41 receiving yards, 4 receptions
Other WRs to sit
- Tyler Lockett vs. Steelers
- Gabe Davis vs. Patriots
- Tyler Boyd at Chiefs
vs. Patriots
Timothy T Ludwig / Getty Images Sport / GettyDawson Knox's return has cratered Kincaid's fantasy value and resulted in just six catches and 38 yards over the last three games combined.
The rookie has one catch for seven yards in his past two outings, making it impossible to trust him as your starting tight end in the fantasy championships.
To make matters worse, the Patriots are the second-most challenging matchup for fantasy tight ends.
Boone's projection: 27 receiving yards, 3 receptions
Other TEs to sit
- Pat Freiermuth at Seahawks
- Logan Thomas vs. 49ers
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThere's no time left to wait on stash plays, so we need to find options who can return immediate value.
The Vikings have turned the keys to their offense over to Hall (2% rostered) in a prime-time battle with a floundering Packers defense.
Green Bay was destroyed by Baker Mayfield (381 yards, four TDs) and Bryce Young (312 yards, two TDs) over the last two weeks. The team also just suspended its top cornerback Jaire Alexander, paving the way for Justin Jefferson to erupt.
It's a risky play at this stage of the fantasy season, but if you're searching for a QB streamer, Hall is definitely an option and has plenty of upside in this matchup.
Cedrick Wilson, Dolphins
Megan Briggs / Getty Images Sport / GettyWith Jaylen Waddle ruled out due to a high-ankle sprain, Wilson (1% rostered) moves onto the fantasy flex radar.
The veteran backup put up 42 yards on three catches last week while taking on a more sizeable role in the offense and could be close to a full-time player in this game.
Hopefully you don't have to venture this deep to find a starter in Week 17, but if you do, Wilson has potential to deliver next to Tyreek Hill, who's playing at less than 100%.
QuitThe criteria for dropping players changes even more now that the fantasy championships are here. Don't hesitate to cut anyone who isn't helping you win this week in favor of someone who can. You can also consider using bench spots to block your opponent from getting players they might start this week.
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