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.
For Week 17, this is purely bonus content. I genuinely hope that none of you are playing championships in Week 17. However, I’ll give some quick streamers if you haven’t fixed that setting in your leagues yet.
Quarterback
Streamer #1: Kirk Cousins at Lions, 35.2% owned
Cousins is a solid streamer versus the Lions. In Week 16, Cousins completed 27/41 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns in a strong performance. In contrast, the Lions’ defense gave up 34 points to Tom Brady in the first half of their Week 16 contest. Therefore, I have zero hesitation in playing Cousins as a low-end QB1 in Week 17.
Streamer #2: Andy Dalton at Giants, 5.1% owned
If you’re desperate, you can fire up Dalton against the Giants. Dalton threw for a whopping 377 yards in Week 16 versus the Eagles, connecting on big plays with Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup. I’m completely fine throwing Dalton out there in Week 17 as a mid-range QB2. The Cowboys are still alive in the NFC East division race, so they will play the starters for the full contest.
Tight End
Streamer #1: Irv Smith Jr. at Lions, 6.1% owned
Smith Jr. finally had his breakout game in Week 16, catching six of nine targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns. If I love Kirk Cousins as a streamer versus the Lions, I feel like I can use Smith Jr. as a streaming tight end. The Vikings should want to see their younger players in Week 17, so Smith Jr. will rank as a high-end TE2 for me.
Streamer #2: Tyler Higbee vs. Cardinals, 47.3% owned
I’ve noticed Higbee’s increased role in recent weeks. In Week 16, he caught three of six targets for 34 yards against the Seahawks, and he draws a strong matchup versus the Cardinals in Week 17. Unfortunately, Higbee is my second choice tight end streamer due to concerns surrounding Jared Goff’s thumb. I’m not sure that Goff will play in Week 17, and his backup John Wolford has never played in an NFL game. Therefore, Higbee comes with some risk, making him a middling TE2 for the week.
D/ST
Streamer #1: Patriots vs. Jets, 47.4% owned
Even though the Jets have won two games in a row, I don’t believe they’ve suddenly become a competent NFL offense. Similarly, I think that the Patriots are a capable defense. Therefore, I will likely rank the Patriots as a top-five fantasy D/ST play in Week 17.
Streamer #2: Vikings at Lions, 34.4% owned
The Lions put up a putrid performance against the Buccaneers in Week 16, losing 47-7. Matthew Stafford suffered another injury in that game, and I can’t imagine that the Lions play him in a meaningless Week 17 game. Even though the Vikings aren’t the best real-life defense, I’ll fire up any defense against Chase Daniel. The Vikings are a borderline top-five play in Week 17.
Super Deep Option: Eagles vs. Washington, 24.4% 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, Week 13, Week 14, Week 15, Week 16
