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
Streamer #1: Justin Herbert vs. Jaguars, 45.6% owned
Herbert has been nothing short of spectacular, averaging 21.8 fantasy points/game as the Chargers’ starting quarterback. In Week 5 against the Saints, Herbert threw for 264 yards and four touchdowns, finishing with 27.4 fantasy points on the week. Herbert also adds a bit of value with his legs, although he only averages 13.8 rushing yards/game. However, even a few rushing yards can make the difference at the quarterback positions, as QB scoring is tight outside of the top options.
In Week 7, Herbert draws a dream matchup against the Jaguars’ porous defense. They’ve given up 30 or more points in every game since Week 1 in five straight losses. Opposing quarterbacks average two touchdowns, 274 passing yards, and a 106.8 passer rating versus the Jaguars. I expect Herbert to carve up the Jaguars in this game, and I have Herbert ranked as a borderline QB1 for the week.
Streamer #2: Derek Carr vs. Buccaneers, 22.5% owned
There isn’t an excellent second streamer this week. Most of the quarterbacks with good matchups are already mostly owned, so I have to lean on Carr as the second option. Carr torched a relatively strong Chiefs’ defense in Week 5 before his bye, going for 347 yards and three touchdowns.
The Buccaneers just held Aaron Rodgers and the Packers to only 10 points in Week 6, but perhaps Carr can find his Week 5 success in this game. Carr only represents a mid-QB2 at best, although there isn’t anyone else. Luckily, Carr likely won’t tank your entire lineup, as his worst game is 13.6 fantasy points on the season. At least he provides a high floor, even if the ceiling isn’t there.
Tight End
Streamer #1: Dalton Schultz at Washington, 42.3% owned
At the time of this writing, I haven’t yet seen the Cowboys play their Week 6 game against the Cardinals. Unfortunately, that means I don’t know how Andy Dalton will run the offense in place of Dak Prescott. Specifically, I’d like to see who he prefers to target, whether that’s Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, or Schultz.
However, given the rough fantasy tight end landscape, Schultz will likely be a borderline TE1 anyway, assuming he gets through Monday night’s game healthy. There are no other options right now. The Cowboys’ offense should remain a top offense, and Schultz provides touchdown upside. They have also proven that they would like to target the tight end position as an offensive philosophy, which shouldn’t necessarily change with Dalton at quarterback.
Streamer #2: Greg Olsen vs. Cardinals, 18.8% owned
As you can see, the tight end options must be slim if I’m recommending Olsen as a streamer. Olsen only has 15 receptions on 19 targets for 140 yards and a touchdown on the season, not excellent numbers. However, there are no alternatives. The Cardinals are a beatable defense against the tight end position, and Russell Wilson is on fire. Olsen is a desperation TE2, and you’re hoping he falls into the end zone instead of teammate Will Dissly this week.
D/ST
Streamer #1: Chargers vs. Jaguars, 20.2% owned
The Chargers are an excellent real-life defense, and the Jaguars are in shambles right now. I want to target the Jaguars in this matchup on both sides of the ball, as Herbert was my top QB streamer for the week. Gardner Minshew has taken 17 sacks and thrown five interceptions this season, providing ample opportunities for the opposing fantasy D/ST.
At this point, I might have the Chargers as my #1 fantasy D/ST for Week 7. Considering that they’re only 20.2% owned, they should be out there in your fantasy league. Fire them up with full confidence.
Streamer #2: Eagles vs. Giants, 14.2% owned
As always, I have to go after the turnover-machine Daniel Jones and the Giants. Although they played better than I expected in Week 6 against the Ravens, the Eagles are nothing special as a real-life defense. They sacked Lamar Jackson three times, and they limited him to only 186 passing yards. Even though Jackson carved them up on the ground, I found the Eagles’ performance to be adequate.
Luckily, the Giants’ offense is not even in the same realm as the Ravens’. Jones did manage to lead the Giants to a win in Week 6 over Washington, but he threw another interception, making six total on the season. The Giants are a turnover factory, and they have no running game without star running back Saquon Barkley. Play the Eagles as a top-five D/ST in Week 7.
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.
Previous Streaming Articles: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6
