Streaming in fantasy football has been a little difficult so far for those who planned to stream tight end or quarterback. Week 1 options like Matthew Stafford and Dak Prescott really worked out, and hopefully, you held on. The same goes for Week 1 options like Darren Waller and Mark Andrews who have turned into top-six tight ends.
The injuries have really piled up for both of these positions since then, and the lack of depth at tight end is becoming more obvious by the week. The quarterback depth ended up being a fallacy, and the injuries have compiled the issue. You may be forced to stream this week, whether it is due to the bye week, bad matchup, or injury.
We have our top streaming options for quarterback, tight end, and D/ST. We no longer do kickers, but the best kicker advice I can give you is to pick a kicker that is playing indoors in a high scoring matchup.
Reminder: These four teams are on bye this week (Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Oakland Raiders, and Chicago Bears)
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins – Minnesota Vikings Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Kirk Cousins is my stream of the week this week. Cousins had a top 10 fantasy football performance last week and he still has two of the top wide receivers in the league. Adam Thielen voiced his concern, and the coaching staff made a concerted effort to keep their best players happy.
Another reason why I love Cousins this week is the matchup. A lot of people will point to the New York Giants and give them the credit for his performance last week. The Philadelphia Eagles are not much better against the pass. The Eagles can stop the run very well and may cause some problems for the Minnesota Vikings running game. On the other hand, Philadelphia is currently allowing the 27th most passing yards and the 24th most passing touchdowns according to teamrankings.com.
Jameis Winston – Tampa Bay Buccaneers Vs. Carolina Panthers
I don’t know if there will ever be a time where we feel fully confident in starting Jameis Winston for fantasy football. He has let us all down on multiple occasions, but hear me out. Trust Bruce Arians and trust the fact that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have gotten better each week this season.
This really is one of the premier offenses in the league, ranking fifth overall in points per game. Their defense has been much improved, but they are still allowing the 29th most points in the league. This team has been very reliant on the pass, and Winston has been able to keep the turnovers down since Week 1. Even against a stout pass rush, I am willing to put Winston out there if my starter is on a bye or in a bad matchup.
Jimmy Garoppolo – San Francisco 49ers @ L.A. Rams
Jimmy Garoppolo was one of our preseason comeback player candidates, and he has gotten off to a great start. The team has used great defense and a strong running game so far which should continue to open things up for Garoppolo. The San Francisco 49ers’ front office has surrounded him with weapons, and they are starting to get healthier at the skill positions.
Tevin Coleman and Dante Pettis have been injured for the majority of the season but both returned last week. Coleman looked fantastic last week while Pettis looked rusty, but he has the potential to be a perennial player in this offense that many had predicted he would be in the preseason.
Luckily, Pettis isn’t even the top option as Garoppolo can rely on George Kittle, Marquise Goodwin, and rookie Deebo Samuel as well. Garoppolo should also benefit from the running backs who not only keep the defense honest but are all great pass catchers. Look for Garoppolo to spread it out to a solid fantasy football finish this week.
Tight Ends
Gerald Everett – L.A. Rams Vs. S.F. 49ers
I usually just target the Arizona Cardinals for my stream of the week, but Austin Hooper doesn’t really fit the definition. My stream of the week this week is Gerald Everett. You paid all of the that FAAB to get him, you need to play him. The NBA Jam rule is in effect and he is heating up.
All jokes aside, Everett has really emerged as a weapon in this offense. The team is likely to be without running back Todd Gurley this week and possibly without wide receiver Brandin Cooks too, who left the game last week due to a concussion.
Geoff Swaim – Jacksonville Jaguars Vs. New Orleans
This is a deep one, but Geoff Swaim is now back into the starting lineup. The Jacksonville Jaguars lost tight end James O’Shaughnessy for the season to a torn ACL this week. He was one of Gardner Minshew‘s favorite targets, and Swaim should see enough targets to be a viable option this week.
Wide receiver DJ Chark has been the team’s top option, but he has a tough matchup against shutdown cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Look for Minshew to involve Dede Westbrook and Swaim more if Chark has trouble getting open.
Delanie Walker – Tennessee Titans @ Denver Broncos
Delanie Walker has struggled the last few games and could very well have found himself on to your waiver wire. I would pick him up if you are in a pinch and get him into your lineup. He has a history of providing a safe floor and has shown to be a reliable target for Marcus Mariota who doesn’t really push the ball down the field.
Defenses
Seattle Seahawks D/ST Vs Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns offensive line in the words of Bart Scott “Can’t stop a nosebleed.” Baker Mayfield has been running for his life, and the offense has struggled because of it. Jadeveon Clowney should dominate his matchup against Browns’ left tackle Greg Robinson, and the team should get points via sack production. Mayfield has also been turnover prone this season due to the issues of the offensive line, and this has caused him to make some poor decisions. The Seattle Seahawks are my stream of the week.
Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST Vs. New Orleans Saints
The Jaguars have really struggled without Jalen Ramsey, but Jacksonville’s owner has come out and guaranteed that he will play this weekend. If Ramsey is in, this is an entirely different defense.
The New Orleans Saints’ offense looked fantastic last week against Tampa Bay, and Teddy Bridgewater had his best game of the year. I don’t expect this to continue, and I would look for the Jaguars on your waiver wire if you are having trouble making a start or sit decision for your D/ST.
Kansas City Chiefs D/ST Vs. Houston Texans
This should be a shootout, and it may be contrarian to pick a D/ST in a shootout. However, there should be a lot of passing and this leaves a lot of opportunity on both sides for sack production, interceptions, and the hope for a D/ST touchdown.
I picked the Kansas City Chiefs because of the sack production. The Chiefs have the better defensive line in this matchup, and the Houston Texans have the weaker offensive line. The Chiefs D/ST is most likely on your waiver wire due to the matchup and is definitely worth a shot this week if you are struggling for options.
David Heilman is a writer and Fantasy Football co-director for Pro Football Network. You can follow him at @DynastyDorks on Twitter.