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: Ryan Tannehill vs. Browns, 56.6% owned
Streamer #1: Kirk Cousins vs. Jaguars, 20.4% owned
Cousins is my top streamer for the week. He played an excellent game in Week 12 against the Panthers, despite Adam Thielen missing the game on the COVID-19 list. Cousins completed an excellent 34/45 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns, including two to star rookie Justin Jefferson. Outside of Week 2 against the Colts and Week 8 against the Packers, Cousins has scored 14 or more fantasy points in four-point TD scoring, so he provides a safe floor.
The Jaguars are in complete disarray, coming into the game with a 1-10 record. While opposing offenses can beat the Jaguars on the ground, they also give up an average of 284 passing yards/game to opposing quarterbacks. The Vikings remain a run-first offense, so I can’t rank Cousins as a QB1, but he’s a high-end QB2 in Week 13.
Streamer #2: Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Bengals, 21.5% owned
If Fitzpatrick gets the start this week, he’s also a solid streamer. In Week 12, Fitzpatrick stepped in for the injured Tua Tagovailoa, and he played well in a 20-3 victory over the Jets. Even though the Jets aren’t a great defense, Fitzpatrick didn’t commit any turnovers, and he threw two passing touchdowns.
Unfortunately, we likely won’t know whether Fitzpatrick will get the start until later on in the week. I have zero interest in playing Tagovailoa if he starts, as he’s done little to nothing for fantasy owners in his starts. But, the matchup is so good for Fitzpatrick, and there aren’t many streaming options beyond Fitzpatrick and Cousins. Fitzpatrick is also a high-end QB2 for the week if he’s the starter.
Author’s Note: Robert Griffin III, 1.3% owned
I’m not sure if Lamar Jackson will clear COVID-19 protocols in time for Week 13, and we haven’t seen Robert Griffin III play on Tuesday night. However, if Jackson can’t play, Griffin would be a solid QB1 against the Cowboys in Week 13. There’s simply no way to honestly recommend that pickup at this time, though, with so much uncertainty.
Tight End
Streamer #1: Robert Tonyan vs. Eagles, 46.1% owned
Tonyan is the clear top streamer at tight end this week. He’s had five receptions and a touchdown in each of the last two weeks, despite tough matchups against the Colts and Bears. Since becoming involved in the offense in Week 2, Tonyan has caught 37 of 42 targets for 458 yards and seven touchdowns, representing an excellent line for a streaming tight end.
The Eagles are a decent matchup for tight ends, allowing 5.5 receptions and 53.5 yards/game to the position. However, the Eagles are generally a mess right now, and I expect their defense to perform exceptionally poorly in this game. The Packers should score lots of points, especially considering that they just scored 41 points against the Bears. Tonyan is a borderline TE1 in Week 13.
Streamer #2: Trey Burton at Texans, 6.0% owned
It’s always hard to trust Burton as a streamer, as the Colts also use Mo Alie-Cox and Jack Doyle in their offense. Oddly, Burton has seen a low snap share in the last two weeks, but he’s saved his fantasy day with a touchdown in each game. Even though he hasn’t gotten many snaps, at least the Colts gave Burton 11 targets over the previous two games, compared to eight total for Alie-Cox and Doyle.
At this point, tight ends are just a dart throw, hoping for a touchdown. The Texans are a potent offense, and they should score some points on the Colts, forcing the Colts to throw the ball. In turn, the Texans are a horrible defense, allowing 269 passing yards and 27 points/game. Therefore, you can play Burton as a desperation TE2.
D/ST
Streamer #1: Vikings vs. Jaguars, 42.5% owned
This week is pretty tough for streaming D/STs. However, it’s hard to argue with playing the Vikings against the Jaguars. The Vikings are not a strong real-life defense, as fantasy owners often pick on their secondary when choosing opposing quarterbacks or receiving weapons. They’ve performed decently in two of the last three weeks, allowing 13 points to the Bears and 15 to the Panthers.
Luckily, the Jaguars are a completely inept offensive unit. Surprisingly, they scored 25 points against the Browns in Week 12, and Mike Glennon managed to commit no turnovers and take no sacks. I don’t think that performance was indicative of the Jaguars’ offense as a whole, as Glennon is not an effective NFL quarterback.
I expect the Jaguars to begin to meltdown soon, especially as they recently fired general manager Dave Caldwell. They’re obviously tanking to achieve a high 2021 draft pick, so who knows what they’ll do in this game? Play the Vikings D/ST as a top-five option.
Streamer #2: Chiefs vs. Broncos, 42.6% owned
The Chiefs D/ST scored 21 points in their last game against the Broncos in Week 7, although they did score two touchdowns in that game. However, the Broncos’ offense is a mess right now. They will likely have Drew Lock back at quarterback for Week 13, but Lock has played extremely poorly this season. Lock has managed to throw only seven touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions, and he’s completed a miserable 55.6% of his passes.
Therefore, I expect Lock to commit multiple turnovers throwing the ball, especially since the Broncos might not have Phillip Lindsay due to a knee injury. Jerry Jeudy and Noah Fant could always break a long play, but it’s hard to imagine any other way the Broncos score many points. I’ll have the Chiefs in my top-10 D/STs for Week 13.
Super Deep Option: Raiders at Jets, 3.4% 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
