Redraft: Week 17 Streamers

In most fantasy leagues, this is CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK! You’ve made it this far, and you have one last matchup to take care of. When you never know when, or who, COVID attacks next, it’s very important to look at all of your options. The streaming options below could help punch your ticket(s) to a fantasy title this week. As always, we will provide the best weekly options to stream at quarterback, tight end, and D/ST. Keep in mind, each streaming option will be below 50% owned, according to ESPN leagues. 

QUARTERBACK

 Streamer #1: Taysom Hill vs CAR, 47.5% owned

If Hill can clear protocol in time for the Saints’ Week 17 matchup, he should return his duties as the team’s starting quarterback. At this point, I wish I could guarantee that Hill will be on the field, but COVID-19 has had other plans this season. We need to monitor his status leading up to Sunday, and if he isn’t able to go, pivot to the player listed below. Let’s assume, for now, that Hill will be in line for the start. His matchup against the Panthers isn’t the sexiest. But any time you can stream a mobile quarterback, who is “able” to top 100 rushing yards on any given week, should be one of the top streaming options to target.

In the three games Hill has lined up under center for New Orleans, he has carried the ball 33 total times for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Although his passing statistics have been below average during those three games, he served as the QB7 during Weeks 13-15. Although Carolina allows the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the quarterback position, they’ve surrendered 20-plus points five times this season. Although players like Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, and Ryan Tannehill are bigger names, you should start Hill over them this week, as you look to secure your fantasy crown. 

Streamer #2: Trey Lance vs HOU, 12.4% owned

With a torn UCL and a fractured bone in his right thumb, Jimmy Garoppolo looks like he’s going to have to sit Week 17 out. He hasn’t been ruled out yet, but it would be hard to imagine Kyle Shanahan starting him over the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. This is kind of how Lamar Jackson came onto the scene isn’t it? Joe Flacco suffered a hip injury before the playoffs that led to Jackson starting and never giving back his crown. This may be in line for Lance at this point. We’ve been waiting all season, and he will likely make his second career start against Houston this week.

In his only start this season, he went 15 for 29 for 192 yards, one interception, 16 carries, and 89 rushing yards. That was against a really good Cardinals team, who had been undefeated at the time. This week may be a little easier for Lance. Although Houston had their ways against Justin Herbert and the Chargers this past week, stopping Lance and San Francisco’s run-game will be tough for them here in Week 17. They’ve surrendered more than 15 fantasy points to the opposing team’s quarterbacks nine times this season. Expect Lance to become the 10th. Although Lance could show some rust, being inexperienced and all, there isn’t a streaming option that brings more upside going into your championship matchup. 

TIGHT END

Streamer #1: Cole Kmet vs NYG, 38.5% owned

I say it almost every time Kmet makes the streaming list, HE IS BOUND TO FIND THE END ZONE AT SOME POINT! Jimmy “Grandpa” Graham keeps taking away his red zone opportunities. Maybe this is the week Kmet crosses the pylon for the first time? Who knows. But what we do know is that no matter who plays quarterback for Chicago, he’s always involved. His fantasy numbers aren’t going to win you championships on their own, but if you need someone to stream at tight end, who is consistent and scores enough to fill a hole in your lineup, you can rely on Kmet.

Since Week 11, Kmet has served as the TE13 in standard leagues and the TE10 in both half and full PPR scoring formats. And yet, you can find him in about 61 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues. This week, he takes on a Giants team that seems to always have their defense on the field. New York has given up an average of about 12 PPR points per game to the TE position this season. If you can get that out of Kmet this week, I’d say it was worth streaming him. 

Streamer #2: Gerald Everett vs DET, 18.5% owned

Besides Kmet above, you won’t find a more consistent tight end to stream right now. Since Week 9, Everett is serving as the TE9 in half PPR leagues, the TE8 in standard leagues, and the TE7 in full PPR leagues. During that same span, he has topped double-digit PPR points in five of those seven games played. What more could you ask for from a streaming option this late into the season? He’s coming off of his highest point total of the season (16.8), as he hauled in four of his five targets for 68 yards and one touchdown against Chicago last Sunday.

Now he will line up across one of the worst defenses in football. Detroit has allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to tight ends this season, and they are coming off a performance where they allowed 26.3 combined PPR points to Atlanta’s tight ends. We might see the Seahawks firing on all cylinders after their embarrassing defeat to the Bears this past week. If so, Everett should have a huge impact. 

D/ST

Streamer #1: Carolina Panthers at NO, 36.2% owned

There are a decent amount of good defenses to stream this week. The Browns taking on the Steelers is an enticing matchup. Seattle taking on Detroit is another solid one to take a look at, but the two listed here show the most potential upside this week. What would you rather have? A safe couple of points or the potential for 10 or more? The Panthers have one of the best defenses in the league this year, but it’s their offense that’s held them back. They currently stand as the D/ST19 on the season, but they take on a Saints team that hasn’t scored a touchdown in two weeks.

Taysom Hill and Trevor Semien may or may not be ready for this Sunday. If not, Ian Book will likely start his second career game at quarterback. We all saw what happened on Monday night in his first start. His second pass led to a touchdown…for the other team. Miami finished with 25 fantasy points at the end of the night. Here’s my advice for you: start the defense below if Hill or Semien is back, but if Book is the Saints’ starting quarterback this week, streaming Carolina should be your top priority. 

Streamer #2: Chicago Bears vs NYG, 18.5% owned

This isn’t the same Bears defense we’ve been accustomed to seeing throughout our years of watching football. At times, they have been the reason why Chicago suffered defeat. Here’s the silver lining…they take on the New York Giants this week. I don’t care if it’s Jake Fromm starting at quarterback, or if we see a Mike Glennon reunion, the Giants can’t score, and they can’t generate any sort of offense without Daniel Jones.

Since Week 12, when Jones played his last game of the season, the Giants have given up an average of 11.75 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. During that same span, they have given up a combined eight sacks, seven interceptions, two fumbles, one defensive touchdown, while only scoring a total of 46 points of their own (11.5 points per game). Like I said above, if Ian Book isn’t starting for the Saints, you NEED to stream Chicago’s defense this week. It’s a no-brainer. 

BONUS

Deep Stream: Zach Wilson vs TB, 4.8% owned

In a deeper league, where you may need to start two quarterbacks, Wilson could find himself starting in your lineup with the fantasy championship on the line. He’s been solid since returning from injury back in Week 12. In his last five games, he’s topped 20 fantasy points twice, while topping at least 10 in all five. He’s coming off the best game of his young career (in terms of fantasy), where he threw for 102 yards, ran for 91 yards, and scored twice.

Although the Buccaneers seem scary on paper, they have surrendered the 12th-most fantasy points to the quarterback position this season. Nine different quarterbacks have scored 15 or more fantasy points against them this season. Wilson is certainly capable of becoming the 10th. If you need to dig deep for a streaming option at quarterback, Wilson is someone to keep an eye on for this week. 

PLEASE monitor your players every day, and make sure to look at all of your options in free agency. It’s win or go home. Here at DFF, we’re in this together, and if you have any questions about your lineup this week, reach out to us on social media. For those of you playing for a title next week, we will have one final “streamers” article just for you next week. Did you enjoy this article and want more Dynasty, Devy, IDP, and Redraft content? Click here for a 12-month DFF Membership. You can also follow me @dirrim23 where I love talking about all things fantasy football!