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.
Even though it’s Week 1, many fantasy drafts happened a while ago, and now fantasy owners are looking for streamers. Let’s jump into it!
Quarterback
Streamer #1: Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Cardinals, 37.2% owned
Garoppolo torched the Cardinals in two starts against them in 2019, throwing four touchdowns in each matchup. I even identified Garoppolo as a streaming candidate back in May when writing my schedule release article. The Cardinals haven’t done much to improve their defense going into 2020, and I expect them to struggle again.
The Cardinals’ offense should also take a leap with Kyler Murray in Year 2 and the addition of DeAndre Hopkins. Therefore, this should be a high-scoring contest with plenty of offensive output on both sides. It’s a perfect matchup to target Garoppolo as a streamer, and I’m comfortable with him as a high-end QB2 in Week 1.
Streamer #2: Jared Goff at Cowboys, 39.7% owned
Like the 49ers vs. the Cardinals, I expect the Rams and Cowboys to play a shootout in Week 1. The Cowboys are one of the league’s best offenses, and they led the league in yards/game in 2019. I expect the Cowboys to jump out to an early lead, forcing the Rams to play catch-up.
The Rams lost running back Todd Gurley during the offseason and replaced him with rookie Cam Akers. While Akers is a great prospect, I can’t imagine that the Rams plan to lean on him early. Therefore, I expect them to run their offense through their dynamic passing weapons, including Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, and Tyler Higbee.
Even though Goff wasn’t great for fantasy purposes in 2019, he threw for 4,638 yards, an almost identical total to his 2018 output. The only difference was that his touchdown rate declined from 5.7% in 2018 to a miserable 3.5% in 2019. I believe that Goff will bounce back in head coach Sean McVay’s offense, and he will begin strong in Week 1. Fire up Goff as a high-end QB2, just a hair behind Garoppolo.
Super Deep Option: Derek Carr at Panthers, 12.1% owned
Tight End
Streamer #1: Dallas Goedert at Washington, 25.9% owned
Simply enough, I believe that the Eagles will rely on Goedert out of necessity in Week 1. Last season, Goedert and fellow tight end Zach Ertz led the team in targets, with 87 and 135. While that happened because the Eagles lost most of their receiving weapons to injury, the same situation has arisen in 2020.
First-round rookie receiver Jalen Reagor will miss Week 1 with a shoulder injury, and Alshon Jeffery also won’t be ready. Therefore, the Eagles will enter the season with Goedert, Ertz, and DeSean Jackson as their top receiving options, alongside running backs Miles Sanders and Boston Scott. I think the Eagles will need to run a majority of their plays out of 12 personnel, with both Goedert and Ertz on the field at the same time.
I don’t even see Washington as a great matchup for tight ends or as a weak defense, as they’ve majorly overhauled their defensive front, most notably with second overall pick Chase Young. However, the Eagles are a high-powered offense, and quarterback Carson Wentz will find a way to produce through the air. I rank Goedert as a borderline TE1 this week.
Streamer #2: Blake Jarwin at Rams, 20.5% owned
As I mentioned above in my write-up for Jared Goff, I project the Rams and Cowboys to have a shootout in this contest. While the Cowboys have many receiving options, including receivers Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb, Jarwin is an integral part of their offense. They signed him to a 3-year, $24.25 million contract extension during the offseason, demonstrating that he must have a role in the offense.
The Cowboys lost veteran tight end Jason Witten to free agency, freeing up 83 targets for tight ends. Cooper is currently nursing a minor injury, while Lamb will take a bit of time to adjust to the NFL as a rookie. Therefore, I see room for Jarwin to get off to a hot start in Week 1. He’s a high-end TE2 for me.
D/ST
Streamer #1: Eagles at Washington, 38.7% owned
There’s very little to say about the Eagles as a D/ST unit in Week 1. They play against Washington, who is starting Dwayne Haskins at quarterback. I don’t think Haskins is a very talented quarterback and, even if he is, he’ll need to adjust to a new system under new head coach Ron Rivera.
Also, Washington lacks proven receiving weapons outside of Terry McLaurin. They also recently released their top two projected running backs in Derrius Guice and Adrian Peterson, leaving them with unproven rookie Antonio Gibson atop their depth chart. While I think Washington has some nice long-term pieces, I expect major growing pains. The Eagles are a definite top-five D/ST this week.
Streamer #2: Chargers at Bengals, 39.5% owned
I love Bengals’ rookie quarterback Joe Burrow, but I’m not expecting him to light the world on fire in Week 1. The Chargers are an excellent real-life defense and should present a significant challenge for Burrow in his first NFL game. I also expect the Chargers to slow the game down and control the clock, limiting the Bengals’ scoring and yards. The Chargers are only a borderline top-10 option, but they’re a safe play if you don’t have a better D/ST.
Super Deep Option: Lions vs. Bears, 4.6% 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.
