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: Drew Lock at Falcons, 5.1% owned
Yes, the streaming options are indeed this bad this week. Most of the good streamers are either on byes or have terrible matchups. The Falcons finally held a quarterback under 300 yards, as Teddy Bridgewater only threw for 179 yards against them on Thursday night. However, I don’t believe that the Falcons magically became a good defense. Thursday night games can be weird, and it was a divisional contest.
Lock had a terrible start in Week 8, but he turned it around late in a 31-30 win over the Chargers. He threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns, although he did throw a bad interception. At this point in the season, not every stream will be ideal. Lock has started to develop chemistry with rookie tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, and he also involved Jerry Jeudy and DaeSean Hamilton in Week 8. Unfortunately, Lock will only be a mid-QB2, but he’s the best streaming option under 50% owned.
Streamer #2: Teddy Bridgewater at Chiefs, 39.9% owned
As I said, the streaming options aren’t pleasant this week. Bridgewater didn’t perform well on Thursday night, but it was a Thursday night game. He also didn’t have Christian McCaffrey, who will almost certainly return for this matchup. The Chiefs aren’t an easy matchup, but they will torch the Panthers’ defense, forcing Bridgewater to play from behind.
Even in Week 8, Bridgewater somewhat saved his day with five carries for 30 yards. When McCaffrey returns, defenses will lose focus on Bridgewater’s running ability, allowing him potentially to gain more yards with his legs. Bridgewater is also a mid-QB2 for the week, although he comes with a higher floor and lower ceiling than Lock. Keep that difference in mind when making your waiver decisions.
Tight End
Streamer #1: Robert Tonyan at 49ers, 47.4% owned
Tonyan is a reliable streaming candidate at tight end this week and for the rest of the season. He plays with a strong quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, and Rodgers definitely trusts Tonyan as a part of the Packers’ passing game. In Week 8, Tonyan caught five of seven targets for 79 yards, although he hasn’t reached the end zone since his Week 4 eruption versus the Falcons.
The 49ers are a tough defensive matchup, although the Seahawks picked them to shreds in Week 8. However, the Seahawks’ tight ends did little to nothing in their victory, with Greg Olsen and Will Dissly combining for one reception for 17 yards. Even so, the tight end landscape is barren, and Tonyan will therefore represent a low-end TE1 play. He has guaranteed target volume, which is rare among any tight ends outside of the top-tier.
Streamer #2: Trey Burton vs. Ravens, 9.2% owned
Burton had a bizarre game in Week 8. The Colts had their bye in Week 7, and I expected them to come out and feature Burton as their primary tight end. However, all three tight ends played in the game. Jack Doyle had two receptions on three targets for 18 yards and a touchdown, while Mo Alie-Cox had three receptions on four targets for 37 yards. Burton actually had the least receiving production with only nine yards on three catches, but he added a rushing touchdown.
I still believe that Burton is the tight end to play in this offense, but it’s tough to pick between the three players. There are literally just no other options, so I’ll throw Burton out there and hope he finds another touchdown. The Ravens are a miserable matchup, even though Eric Ebron scored against them this week. Burton is a desperation, middling TE2 play if you need to use him.
D/ST
Streamer #1: Washington vs. Giants, 18.3% owned
As usual, I’m picking on the Giants when selecting my D/ST streamer. The Giants have no run game, no passing offense, and no other bright spots on offense. The Giants may have traded both Evan Engram and Golden Tate by the time they play this game, but even if they don’t, I’m extremely unimpressed by their offense.
Washington stomped the Cowboys in Week 7 before their Week 8 bye, scoring 17 points in ESPN standard D/ST settings. They have an excellent pass rush, led by star rookie Chase Young. Washington sacked the combination of Andy Dalton and Ben DiNucci six times, and they held the Cowboys to three points. Therefore, Washington is a top-five fantasy D/ST in Week 9, based on their strong defensive play and the pristine matchup.
Streamer #2: Cardinals vs. Dolphins, 15.9% owned
Tua Tagovailoa might have won his first NFL start against the Rams, but he benefited from 14 points from the Dolphins defense and special teams. He only threw for 93 passing yards, and he completed just 12/22 passes. The Dolphins also only managed 55 rushing yards, so it’s not like they had a strong ground game. Even though I think Tagovailoa will provide long-term stability to the Dolphins’ offense, he’s a short-term downgrade from Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Therefore, you can stream the Cardinals against the Dolphins this week. It’s not like the Cardinals are an excellent real-life defense, but they have averaged 5.3 fantasy points/game. They’ve only given you a negative output once all season, and they played well against the Jets, Cowboys, and Washington. I’m not saying that the Cardinals are a top-five play, but they’re going to rank in my top-10 D/STs in Week 9.
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
