Methodology
In this streaming article, I will provide you the best weekly options to stream quarterback, tight end, and D/ST. In each section, I’ll break down two streamers in detail, both of which will be under 50% owned, according to ESPN’s ownership percentage at the time of writing. Playing the matchups is a crucial feature of redraft fantasy football, and especially in a crazy 2020 season, active fantasy owners will have a massive advantage.
I also want to provide added value for each type of streamer this season. I’ll highlight any players from 50-60% owned in each section if they’re superior options to both of my streaming candidates at that specific position. Those players are “probably owned,” but they could be out there in 10-team or shallower formats. I won’t offer analysis on these players, just the names and matchups.
If neither of my two suggested streamers is under 25% ownership percentage, I will give a “super-deep” option. That feature should help those owners playing in deeper leagues with few waiver-wire options. Like the “probably owned” players, I’ll list the players without analysis. I realize that all leagues are different, and I want to accommodate all of my readers.
Quarterback
Probably Owned, But Ahead of These Options: Joe Burrow (CIN) vs. JAX, 52.9% owned
Streamer #1: Jared Goff (LAR) vs. Giants, 37.5% owned
I highlighted Goff as an in advance streamer in my look ahead article for Week 4. I expected Goff to struggle in Week 3 against the Bills, but he performed better than I thought he would. Goff completed 71.9% of his passes for 321 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in a 35-32 loss. He also added a rushing score, bringing his fantasy total to 27.24 on the week.
For the 2020 season, Goff has averaged 20.6 fantasy points in four-point touchdown scoring, ninth among fantasy quarterbacks. Now, Goff draws an excellent matchup against the hapless Giants. In Week 3, the 49ers’ depleted offense decimated the Giants’ defense. Backup quarterback Nick Mullens threw for 343 yards and a touchdown, despite missing multiple offensive weapons.
Goff is a far superior quarterback to Mullens, and he has a full complement of healthy pass-catchers. He’s an easy QB1 in Week 4.
Streamer #2: Nick Mullens or Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Eagles, 0.8/29.9% owned
Streaming is relatively brutal in Week 4. Many of the low-owned quarterbacks have terrible matchups. However, I believe that the 49ers’ quarterback will be a solid streamer, whether it’s Mullens or Garoppolo. The Eagles’ defense has played poorly in all of its games, especially versus the pass. Each opposing quarterback has thrown at least 267 yards, and their team has scored 23 points or more against the Eagles.
The 49ers should have star tight end George Kittle back for this contest, allowing either Mullens or Garoppolo to use their best offensive weapon. I believe Mullens will start one more game, as the 49ers are 2-1 and might want to play it safe with Garoppolo’s high ankle sprain. Either way, the 49ers’ starter is a high-end QB2 in this game, assuming Kittle returns to the lineup. If Kittle remains out, I will pivot to another option.
Super Deep Option: Nick Foles (CHI) vs. Colts, 0.9% owned
Tight End
Streamer #1: Eric Ebron (PIT) at Titans, 24.5% owned
Ebron saw more opportunities in Week 3 as Diontae Johnson suffered a concussion in the middle of the Steelers’ game against the Texans. He caught five of seven targets for 52 yards and a touchdown, becoming more involved in the gameplan. If Johnson remains out for Week 4, Ebron should continue to see more targets. He’s the definite top tight end for the Steelers, as he’s played on at least 63% of offensive snaps in each of the Steelers’ three games so far.
The tight end streaming landscape is pretty ugly this week, so Ebron presents a safe option. He probably won’t win you your matchup, but he’ll get you some points. He’s only a mid-range TE2, but there’s no one better out there. The Steelers play a relatively strong defense in the Titans, although the Titans’ offense is potent. Therefore, the Steelers might need to throw, which gives Ebron a nice floor.
Streamer #2: Logan Thomas (WAS) vs. Ravens, 18.2% owned
Thomas is one of the most bizarre tight ends in fantasy football right now. He’s played 74, 91, and 85% of offensive snaps through three weeks, so he’s a three-down player for Washington. He’s also seen 24 total targets through three weeks, averaging a stellar eight targets per game. Those usage numbers are precisely what you want to see from a fantasy tight end, on par with the top options in the NFL.
However, Thomas has only converted his 24 targets into 12 receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown on the season. His 50% catch rate and 3.9 yards/target are horrific numbers, especially for a pass-catching tight end. It’s hard to say whether the problem centers on Thomas or Washington’s quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who has performed poorly in 2020.
Even though Thomas hasn’t performed efficiently so far, his targets make him a decent streaming candidate. Even against the Ravens’ tough defense, Thomas remains a TE2 option, only because Washington has no other receiving weapons outside of Thomas and Terry McLaurin. I’d try to look elsewhere, but you can play Thomas if you must.
D/ST
Streamer #1: Broncos at Jets, 41.9% owned
The Jets are a certified dumpster fire. They have no healthy receivers or running backs at the moment. Denzel Mims, Breshad Perriman, Jamison Crowder, and Le’Veon Bell all missed their Week 3 game against the Colts, where the Jets lost 36-7. Sam Darnold threw three interceptions, including two pick-sixes, and he looked awful in this game.
I don’t expect any of the Jets’ missing offensive weapons to return for Week 4. Bell and Mims are on injured reserve, and neither can return until Week 5. Perriman and Crowder didn’t appear close to returning in Week 3, so they’re likely out for Week 4 also. At this point, I’ll stream any D/ST against the Jets as a top-five option. The Broncos might even represent my #1 D/ST this week; that’s how bad the Jets are right now.
Streamer #2: Rams vs. Giants, 20.5% owned
Like the Jets, the Giants are in total disarray. They lost Saquon Barkley to a torn ACL in Week 2, and Sterling Shepard also went on injured reserve with turf toe. The Giants lack any star offensive weapons, with Darius Slayton, Golden Tate, and Evan Engram now the featured pieces of their offense.
Their makeshift offense was a disaster in Week 3 against the 49ers, scoring nine points. Daniel Jones completed 17/32 passes for 179 yards and an interception, and he lost a fumble. Running backs Devonta Freeman, Dion Lewis, and Wayne Gallman combined for a whopping 10 carries for 17 yards. This Giants team is a nightmare, and the Rams have a solid real-life defense. The Rams are a clear top-five fantasy D/ST option in Week 4.
Thanks for reading this article. You can find me on Twitter at @DFF_Karp. I love to interact with anyone in the community, so reach out at any time! I take fantasy questions and help with all formats, so keep sending those questions my way.
