Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 12

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 12 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 12 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.

Start

Cam Newton, Panthers

at Dolphins

In his first start since returning to the Panthers, Newton made his presence felt by throwing for 189 yards and two touchdowns while adding another 46 yards and a score on the ground.

It made Newton the QB4 overall on the week and gave fantasy managers hope that he can be a potential starting option the rest of the season.

Next up is a Dolphins defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.

Boone's projection: 228 passing yards, passing TD, 37 rushing yards, rushing TD

Other QBs to start

• Russell Wilson at Washington
• Carson Wentz vs. Buccaneers
• Taylor Heinicke vs. Seahawks

Miles Sanders, Eagles

at Giants

Sanders quietly tallied 94 rushing yards on 16 carries last week in his first game back off injured reserve. The reason his fantasy stat line didn't jump off the page was because he failed to reach the end zone and fumbled once.

However, with teammate Jordan Howard dealing with a knee injury that will sideline him for Week 12 and perhaps longer, Sanders is in a position to see plenty of volume in the Eagles' revived rushing attack.

Philadelphia's schedule is excellent the rest of the way, starting with a matchup against the Giants who are the seventh-easiest opponent for fantasy running backs.

Boone's projection: 77 rushing yards, TD, 16 receiving yards

Other RBs to start

• James Robinson vs. Falcons
• Antonio Gibson vs. Seahawks
• Javonte Williams/Melvin Gordon vs. Chargers

Elijah Moore, Jets

at Texans

Rookies often get off to a slow start in their debut campaign before taking on a larger role in the second half of the season.

Moore has been on that track, and the days of him being underutilized appear to be over.

Over the last few weeks, he's emerged as a dangerous weapon in the Jets' offense, with stat lines of 6-67-0, 7-84-2, 3-44-1, and most recently 8-141-1. He's also done it with a revolving door at quarterback.

Zach Wilson is slated to return under center this week and there's nothing to fear about the Texans' pass defense. With teammate Corey Davis nursing a groin injury, this should be another chance for Moore to showcase his skills.

Boone's projection: 89 receiving yards, TD

Other WRs to start

• Brandin Cooks vs. Jets
• Brandon Aiyuk vs. Vikings
• Marvin Jones vs. Falcons

Pat Freiermuth, Steelers

at Bengals

Freiermuth has averaged the fifth-most fantasy points among tight ends since Week 6.

His breakout coincided with Eric Ebron missing time a few weeks back. In the two games Ebron was sidelined, Freiermuth finished as the TE3 overall (Week 8) and TE1 overall (Week 9).

When the veteran returned to the lineup, Freiermuth's playing time and production took a hit.

Now, with Ebron expected to miss time with a knee injury, the rookie will be unleashed as a true top-10 fantasy option.

Boone's projection: 63 receiving yards, TD

Other TEs to start

• Rob Gronkowski at Colts
• Dallas Goedert at Giants
• Dan Arnold vs. Falcons

Sit

Ryan Tannehill, Titans

at Patriots

Don't start fantasy quarterbacks against the Patriots. Just don't do it.

Here's a list of recent QBs and where they've finished after taking on Bill Belichick's defense.

Tannehill is already without Derrick Henry and big offseason acquisition Julio Jones.

To make matters worse, A.J. Brown's status is in doubt after he left last week's game with a chest injury and didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday.

You should be avoiding Tannehill at all costs this week.

Boone's projection: 194 passing yards, TD, INT, 21 rushing yards

Other QBs to sit

• Tua Tagovailoa vs. Panthers
• Ben Roethlisberger at Bengals
• Baker Mayfield at Ravens

Myles Gaskin, Dolphins

vs. Panthers

Gaskin has been an extremely boom or bust fantasy back with most of the booms coming against easier opponents and most of the busts happening versus tough run defenses.

Some recent bust examples include the Ravens in Week 10 (RB42) and Bills in Week 8 (RB34).

The Panthers are permitting the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs, which should make you question using Gaskin this week.

There's also the addition of Phillip Lindsay to consider, though that's more of an issue for Gaskin's value the rest of the season.

Boone's projection: 37 rushing yards, 14 receiving yards

Other RBs to sit

• Devonta Freeman/Latavius Murray vs. Browns
• Alex Collins at Washington
• D'Onta Foreman at Patriots

Courtland Sutton, Broncos

vs. Chargers

Despite the new contract extension he signed this week, Sutton has been underperforming ever since Jerry Jeudy returned to the field. He's caught just five passes over the last three outings.

A player of his caliber is destined to bounce back eventually, but this isn't the game to bet on Sutton escaping his slump.

The Chargers rank ninth in Football Outsiders' pass defense DVOA and are giving up the second-fewest fantasy points to receivers.

Boone's projection: 48 receiving yards

Other WRs to sit

• Kenny Golladay vs. Eagles
• Jarvis Landry at Ravens
• Tyler Boyd vs. Steelers

Hunter Henry, Patriots

vs. Titans

Henry has only topped 42 yards once this season, but his touchdown scoring has kept him fantasy relevant.

With seven trips to the end zone over the last eight games, Henry is the definition of a touchdown-dependent play.

Unfortunately for him, the Titans - who are a bottom-five matchup for fantasy tight ends - have only allowed three touchdowns to the position this season.

Boone's projection: 37 receiving yards

Other TEs to sit

• Tyler Higbee at Packers
• Tyler Conklin at 49ers
• Jared Cook at Broncos

Stash

DeeJay Dallas, Seahawks

Chris Carson is officially done for the year and former first-round pick Rashaad Penny is once again dealing with an injury that will likely keep him on the sidelines.

Alex Collins has taken the lead in Seattle's backfield, but the coaching staff seems reluctant to use him as a pass-catcher - capping his upside.

Meanwhile, Dallas (3% rostered) saw his largest snap share of the season in Week 11 and began to carve out a role. He even scored a rushing touchdown in the game.

Though waiver wires tend to be picked apart at this point in the season, Dallas has a shot to earn significant touches on a depth chart desperate for someone to create a spark.

Curtis Samuel, Washington

It's been a long and disappointing season for Samuel (12% rostered) in Washington. Injuries have kept the versatile receiver out of all but two contests, and he was limited to just 30 combined snaps in those appearances.

However, Samuel is finally back at practice and may actually suit up for a Monday night matchup with the Seahawks.

While there's still a long way to go before we can trust him in our fantasy lineups, now is the time to scoop Samuel up and get him on your bench.

Quit

Mike Davis, Falcons

Davis was outplayed by Cordarrelle Patterson early in the season, but at least he was getting volume over the first five weeks.

Since the Falcons' Week 6 bye, the 28-year-old has fallen off the fantasy map. Davis has just one game with more than 21 yards from scrimmage in the past five outings and hasn't found the end zone during that span.

With Patterson sidelined in Week 11, Davis managed just three carries for one yard while gaining 20 yards on three receptions.

Unlike other backup runners around the league, Davis doesn't come with upside ... regardless of how many injuries strike Atlanta's running back room.

The roster spot he's occupying is being wasted. Drop him and find someone who at least has a path to more production.