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

SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players you should 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

Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys

vs. Buccaneers

We've reached the fantasy championships, which means every decision takes on heightened importance. If you start the wrong player this week, you'll be regretting it all offseason. That won't be the case with Prescott, who's coming off a down week, but is poised to rebound against the Bucs. Not only has Amari Cooper helped the Cowboys' passing attack find its groove, but Prescott has also been lifting his fantasy stats on the ground - something he lamented not doing enough last week when he had zero rushing attempts. Tampa Bay has allowed several quarterbacks to gash them in the run game this year, including Mitch Trubisky (53 yards), Baker Mayfield (43 yards), Cam Newton (33 yards twice), and Lamar Jackson (95 yards). Prescott is comfortably among the top-10 QB plays in Week 16.

Boone's projection: 267 passing yards, 2 TDs, 41 rushing yards

Other QBs to start

• Mitch Trubisky at 49ers
• Baker Mayfield vs. Bengals
• Matt Ryan at Panthers

Marlon Mack, RB, Colts

vs. Giants

One of my biggest misses in the semifinals was underestimating the impact that center Ryan Kelly's return would have on the Colts' offensive line. When their line has been healthy, Indy's blockers have dominated opponents. That was the case last week when Mack put together a 28-touch, 149-yard, two-touchdown performance. The Giants just gave up 170 yards to Derrick Henry and have allowed eight running backs to reach at least 75 yards against them since Week 8. With the Colts being nine-point home favorites, Mack could be the player that carries you to a fantasy title this week.

Boone's projection: 112 rushing yards, 9 receiving yards, TD

Other RBs to start

• Jamaal Williams at Jets
• Tevin Coleman at Panthers
• Elijah McGuire vs. Packers

Robby Anderson, WR, Jets

vs. Packers

Anderson's big game in the semifinals was forecasted in this space last week. The Jets' top receiver put up 96 yards and a score - just 2 yards off my projection. But the signs continue to be there for Anderson to end the season strong. His targets are way up the last few weeks and Quincy Enunwa has been ruled out once again. Facing a Packers team that's permitted the fourth-most fantasy points to receivers, Anderson is set up to be a WR2 with upside and should be in your lineup for the fantasy championships.

Boone's projection: 101 receiving yards, TD

Other WRs to start

• Robert Foster at Patriots
• Calvin Ridley at Panthers
• Tre'Quan Smith vs. Steelers

Jared Cook, TE, Raiders

vs. Broncos

Prior to last week's dud, Cook had scored a touchdown or cracked 100 yards in four straight games. He's an excellent bounce-back target against the Broncos, who own one of two defenses that have given up over 1,000 yards to tight ends in 2018. With options at the position dwindling, Cook can be confidently started as a TE1 and a potential Monday night fantasy hammer.

Boone's projection: 73 receiving yards, TD

Other TEs to start

• Evan Engram at Colts
• David Njoku vs. Bengals
• Chris Herndon vs. Packers

Sit

Jameis Winston, QB, Buccaneers

at Cowboys

Our concerns about Winston's Week 15 outlook were warranted as he flopped with 157 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception versus the Ravens. His matchup doesn't get any easier this Sunday on the road against the Cowboys. In the last three weeks, Dallas has held both Drew Brees and Andrew Luck to 127 and 198 passing yards, respectively, with the duo combining for one touchdown. If you still want to play Winston this week, you're on your own.

Boone's projection: 176 passing yards, TD, 2 INTs, FUM

Other QBs to sit

• Philip Rivers vs. Ravens
• Kirk Cousins at Lions
• Matthew Stafford vs. Vikings

Kenyan Drake, RB, Dolphins

vs. Jaguars

Drake could very easily qualify for the "Quit" section after he saw just four touches in a game where Frank Gore left with an injury. Kalen Ballage was the biggest beneficiary, rushing 12 times for 123 yards and a touchdown, though most of that came on a 75-yard run. Head coach Adam Gase said Drake's limited usage hasn't been caused by an injury, leaving fantasy owners to throw their hands in the air in dismay. Regardless of the matchup, you can't trust Drake in your lineup at this point.

Boone's projection: 26 rushing yards, 27 receiving yards

Other RBs to sit

• Adrian Peterson at Titans
• LeSean McCoy at Patriots
• Matt Breida vs. Bears

Golden Tate, WR, Eagles

vs. Texans

The Eagles have life, with Nick Foles surprisingly kickstarting the offense last week, but part of that newfound success might be due to Tate's decreased role. Tate's playing time has dropped every game since Week 11, with the veteran taking the field on less than 40 percent of the snaps in each of Philly's last two contests. He also has just one 50-yard showing since arriving via trade. That isn't likely to change anytime soon.

Boone's projection: 42 receiving yards

Other WRs to sit

• Larry Fitzgerald vs. Rams
• Sterling Shepard at Colts
• Chris Godwin at Cowboys

Jimmy Graham, TE, Packers

at Jets

We can add Graham's name to the list of veteran tight ends that have gone to Green Bay to watch their careers die. In the Packers' eight games since their bye, Graham has been held under 35 yards in six of them. That should be enough to make you look elsewhere, but if not, the Jets are one of the 10 hardest fantasy matchups for tight ends this season.

Boone's projection: 29 receiving yards

Other TEs to sit

• Kyle Rudolph at Lions
• Vernon Davis at Titans
• Antonio Gates vs. Ravens

Stash

John Kelly, RB, Rams

There's no time left to wait on stash plays, so we need to find options who might return value immediately. Todd Gurley is dealing with knee inflammation that caused him to miss practice this week. The injury could lead to him sitting out or at least being limited in Sunday's game, where the Rams are 14.5-point favorites over the Cardinals. Kelly is owned in just 21 percent of leagues, but could end up being a week-winner, either as the starter or as a second-half workhorse once the Rams are up big. He should be owned everywhere.

Brian Hill, RB, Falcons

With Ito Smith on injured reserve, Tevin Coleman is expected to carry the load for the final two games, but don't rule out the possibility that the Falcons give extra work to Hill. The coaching staff seems to prefer splitting their backfield touches and may want to get a look at some younger players with Coleman heading into free agency. Hill is a very deep flex play.

Quit

Since we've reached the finals, there's no point offering you a couple players to quit this week. Any player that you aren't planning on starting can be dropped, as long as your opponent won't have a chance to scoop them up.

Good luck in the fantasy championships.