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.
This is my final real week of streaming coverage. I’ve loved bringing you this article each week for two straight seasons, and it’s sad that the 2020 version will end soon. I’ll probably throw something together for Week 17 as bonus coverage, but we should all move to Week 16 championships. Deciding your fantasy title in Week 17 is silly. With that said, let’s jump into the streamers!
Quarterback
Streamer #1: Jalen Hurts at Cowboys, 31.9% owned
Well, Hurts torched the Cardinals in Week 15, exactly like I predicted in my Week 15 streamers article. He threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns while adding 11 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Before Monday night football, Hurts finished as the QB1 in ESPN’s regular quarterback scoring with 37.82 fantasy points, just ahead of Josh Allen and Ryan Tannehill.
Yes, the Eagles lost 44-24 to the Cardinals. However, we should know better in 2020 than to evaluate a quarterback based on wins and losses. Eagles’ head coach Doug Pederson will not make the silly decision to send Hurts to the bench in favor of Wentz. The Eagles’ offense finally looked lively under Hurts, whereas it was an utter dumpster fire with Wentz.
Therefore, Hurts is a top-five quarterback moving forward, based on his rushing floor and passing upside. Considering that he faces the Cowboys in Week 16, I can’t imagine leaving Hurts out of my fantasy lineup. I might not rank Hurts as my top overall fantasy quarterback, but he’ll be a candidate for the top-three spots. He’s a league-winning streaming option if he’s somehow still on your waiver wire.
Streamer #2: Mitch Trubisky at Jaguars, 20.7% owned
Trubisky played well in Week 15 versus the Vikings, leading the Bears to a 33-27 victory. Unfortunately, Trubisky did little through the air, with only 202 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception. David Montgomery monopolized the fantasy points, as he had 32 carries, 146 rushing yards, and two touchdowns.
However, I cannot deny that Trubisky provides a rushing floor, and he saved his fantasy day with 34 rushing yards. The Bears’ offense looks far better with Trubisky than it did with Nick Foles, raising the tide of all fantasy options on the team. I’m a bit surprised that Trubisky has given the Bears a shot at a playoff berth, but that’s where we are right now.
Now, the Bears face the Jaguars in Week 16. In Week 15, the Jaguars gave up 243 yards and three touchdowns to Lamar Jackson in a putrid defensive performance. While Trubisky isn’t the same runner as Jackson, the Bears have superior receiving weapons to the Ravens, and Trubisky is likely somewhat equal as a passer to Jackson. I’ll have Trubisky as a borderline QB1 in fantasy championship week.
Tight End
Streamer #1: Tyler Higbee at Seahawks, 44.7% owned
Over the past few games, Higbee’s role in the Rams’ offense has significantly increased, resulting in four catches on five targets for 67 yards and a touchdown in Week 15. The Rams also finally stopped using Higbee on special teams, and they focused on involving him as their featured tight end. Higbee has seen around an 85% snap share in each of the past three games, fluctuating between 82-88%. In contrast, he had multiple games earlier in the season where he had 75% or fewer of the offensive snaps, splitting time with Gerald Everett.
I expect the Seahawks to put up many points on the Rams, forcing the Rams to throw the ball. The Rams always throw to Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, but they’ve given up on Josh Reynolds and Van Jefferson. Reynolds and Jefferson have totaled five targets and two receptions over the past two games, and their total snap share has severely declined.
Everett also may have suffered a concussion in Week 15, opening up more targets and playing time for Higbee. If Everett misses Week 16, Higbee will be a low-end TE1 in my Week 16 rankings. Even if Everett plays, I’ll likely still rank Higbee as a high-end TE2.
Streamer #2: Jordan Akins vs. Bengals, 3.5% owned
It isn’t easy to truly trust Akins in Week 16. He has received six targets in each of the previous two weeks, and he finally came through in Week 15 with five catches for 50 yards. But, Akins hasn’t caught a touchdown since Week 1, and he only averages 2.9 receptions/game in 2020.
However, the tight end streaming landscape is so bad right now, making Akins the best option. The Texans have few reliable, healthy receiving weapons behind Brandin Cooks, and the Bengals are a terrible defense. Therefore, you can throw Akins in as a mid-TE2 and hope for the best. There are many options like Akins, although he barely tops the list for me.
D/ST
Streamer #1: Chargers vs. Broncos, 25.9% owned
At this point, I’m always fine targeting Drew Lock and the Broncos’ offense when choosing my opposing fantasy D/ST. Lock threw for 132 yards and a touchdown against the Bills in Week 15 while taking three sacks and losing a fumble. I don’t think Lock is a good quarterback, and the Broncos don’t have any reliable receiving or rushing weapons to bail him out.
The Chargers’ defense struggled a bit on Thursday night versus the Raiders. They gave up 27 points, and they mostly had trouble guarding Darren Waller in the passing game. But, the Broncos don’t have a tight end like Waller, and the Raiders are a superior offense. I’m not entirely confident with the Chargers this week, but they’re the best streaming option. They’re likely just outside my top-five D/STs in Week 16.
Streamer #2: Chiefs vs. Falcons, 49.6% owned
I’m a bit concerned recommending the Chiefs this week, as they just gave up 29 points to the Saints. But, they did force Drew Brees into an interception and sacked him once. The Chiefs have a strong pass rush, and they’ve had other good performances as a fantasy D/ST this season.
The Falcons also played decently well in Week 15, even though they lost 31-27 to the Buccaneers. However, I don’t expect Matt Ryan to play exceptionally well without Julio Jones, and I think his Week 15 performance was an anomaly. The Falcons couldn’t run the ball whatsoever, and the Chiefs can key in on Ryan in Week 16. The Chiefs are only a borderline top-10 D/ST option, but they’re the second-best streamer out there.
Super-Deep Option: Panthers at Washington, 12.5% owned
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, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12, Week 13, Week 14, Week 15
