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: Jared Goff vs. Seahawks, 33.7% owned
I mentioned Goff in my look ahead to Week 10 article, as he draws the best matchup in football for quarterbacks against the Seahawks. Going into Week 9, quarterbacks averaged a ridiculous 366 passing yards/game against the Seahawks. In Week 9, Josh Allen and the Bills managed to improve on that number, as Allen eviscerated the Seahawks’ defense for 415 yards and three touchdowns.
Goff seriously struggled in his Week 8 matchup versus the Dolphins, accounting for two interceptions and two fumbles. However, Goff has generally played well in 2020, completing 65.5% of his passes with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. Rams’ head coach Sean McVay should use the bye week to fix the offense, which can only help Goff. Therefore, I’ll have Goff as a low-end QB1 in Week 10.
Streamer #2: Tua Tagovailoa vs. Chargers, 20.3% owned
Unfortunately, the streaming options are pretty tough after Goff. But, I think I’ll give Tagovailoa a shot as my second streamer. He played way better in his second start, leading the Dolphins to a 34-31 victory over the Cardinals. Tagovailoa completed 20/28 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns. Most notably, he added seven carries for 35 yards, providing a decent rushing floor.
The Chargers played well this week against Derek Carr, holding him to only 165 yards. However, the Chargers are typically an easy matchup for opposing quarterbacks, averaging 263.57 yards and two touchdowns against them per game going into Week 9. I think Tagovailoa has upside as he continues to grow in the NFL, and I would feel comfortable rolling him out as a mid-QB2 in his third start. Unfortunately, there isn’t a better option.
Tight End
Streamer #1: Dallas Goedert at Giants, 40.3% owned
Neither of my “streaming” tight ends this week are truly streamers as they’re both low-owned for other reasons. However, these low ownership percentages likely mean that some fantasy owners may have lost interest, allowing active owners to take advantage. Beginning with Goedert, there is no reason why he should be anywhere near 40% owned.
Goedert returned from his ankle injury in Week 8, and he played a full complement of 84% of the offensive snaps. He caught his only target for 15 yards, but all tight ends can disappear from time to time. The Eagles don’t have Zach Ertz in their offense, and they’re relying on Jalen Reagor and Travis Fulgham to produce receiving yards. While I believe Reagor and Fulgham are both talented players, they don’t have the same track record as Goedert in this offense.
During draft season, most fantasy analysts said that Goedert was a borderline TE1 if Ertz were healthy, but he possessed top-five upside if Ertz ever went down. Well, now Ertz is out of the lineup. The Giants are an easy matchup, so Goedert ranks as a reliable top-five option for me in Week 10. I’d spend most of my remaining FAAB to acquire Goedert if that’s what it would take.
Streamer #2: Austin Hooper vs. Texans, 40.7% owned
Like Goedert, Hooper is not a streamer. Hooper had an appendectomy after Week 6, forcing him to miss Weeks 7 and 8 before the Browns’ Week 9 bye. However, Hooper recently returned to practice, and he will be ready to play in Week 10.
In Weeks 4-6, Hooper finally became integrated into the Browns’ offense, catching five balls in every game. He totaled 23 targets and 143 yards during those three games, not monster numbers, but respectable. But, the Browns had Odell Beckham Jr. in the offense during that period. Now, without Beckham Jr., Hooper will become the clear second target in the passing game behind Jarvis Landry.
Hooper should only build on his solid floor and find an additional upside in an excellent matchup versus the Texans. I have no hesitation in ranking Hooper around TE8 or TE9 in Week 10. He’s a must-start this week, and I believe he provides TE1 value for the rest of 2020. If you need a tight end, feel free to spend significant FAAB on Hooper.
Super-Deep Option: Logan Thomas at Lions, 15.7% owned
D/ST
Streamer #1: Packers vs. Jaguars, 18.1% owned
The Packers might not have scored well as a D/ST in Week 9, but they shut down the 49ers’ offense for most of the game. They were incredibly unlucky to only score six points in ESPN standard D/ST scoring. I believe the Packers are a reasonably good real-life defense, probably somewhere in the middle of the NFL.
However, their opponent is why I want to stream the Packers in Week 10. I understand that Jaguars’ quarterback Jake Luton exceeded expectations in Week 9 against the Texans. Luton completed 26/38 passes for 304 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in a 27-25 loss to the Texans. But, we’ve seen quarterbacks have a good game or two before imploding many times. Luton is a sixth-round rookie, and I have no confidence that he will keep the ball safe. Therefore, the Packers are a top-three D/ST option for the week.
Streamer #2: Saints vs. 49ers, 40.2% owned
As I just mentioned, the 49ers’ offense was abysmal in Week 9. They managed to score 17 points versus the Packers, but that score doesn’t explain the full story. The 49ers scored 14 points when the game was already over, making the score slightly more respectable. Considering that the 49ers won’t have Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle, and potentially multiple other offensive weapons, I don’t expect them to perform any better in Week 10.
The Saints should find a way to pressure Nick Mullens into mistakes, and they could get more sacks than the Packers did. I also have zero confidence that the 49ers can move the ball at all, giving the Saints’ D/ST a high floor. The vaunted Buccaneers’ offense only managed three points against the Saints, so the 49ers are in for a world of hurt. The Saints will likely also end up in my top-three D/STs, although I slightly prefer the Packers over them.
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
