If you ever needed confirmation of the importance of streaming and stashing, check out the top performers from last week. Sam Darnold was QB2, Rico Dowdle, Rachaad White, Kareem Hunt, David Montgomery and Michael Carter were Top 10 RBs, Jaylen Waddle was the WR4, we had two Top 7 DSTs and our tight end starter and stash popped off. And yes, every one of them was in last week’s article. Let’s go again! Every week, I’ll be bringing you an article answering two simple questions: who should I stream this week and who should I stash for the future?
To keep things simple, we’ll define a streamer as any player you wouldn’t usually start who is a viable option for this week. They may be on your bench or they may be on waivers, depending on your league. We’ll define a stash as any player you can potentially find on waivers that you should stash for the future, either because they have a favorable match-up coming up, or because they could become a future fantasy starter.
Be sure to check out Razzball Football’s updated rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF
Be sure to check out the latest tools on Razzball.com: Slot vs. Wide PPG Allowed | WR Slot vs. Wide| DEF Targets Allowed | Home vs. Away | Wins vs. Losses | TD Tool | RB Zone vs. Gap Rushing | DEF Zone vs. Gap Rushing |
Want more data-driven stats and tools to help you win your fantasy league? Check out the Razzball Fantasy Football premium subscriptions for $0.00 upfront with our 3-day free trial!
QB Streamers:
Matthew Stafford (LAR): Last week I suggested stashing Matthew Stafford in preparation for his matchup against the struggling Ravens. Now is the time to use him. Stafford is the QB6 on the year and faces a Baltimore defense that has conceded the second most points to quarterbacks this season. This is an easy one. Start Stafford.
Mac Jones (SF): On the season, Mac Jones has two top ten finishes and a worst finish of QB15. This week he gets a Top 6 matchup against the Buccaneers in a likely shootout. With the possibility of Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall returning, Jones is a solid start again in Week 6. If you’re lacking a traditional weekly starter, the former Patriot is a great deep stream.
QB Stash:
Bryce Young (CAR): Bryce Young is one of my favorite streamers for this week, as he faces the league’s most susceptible defense to passing in the Cowboys. But if you need a stash, he could be good next week too against the Saints. He’s a worthwhile pickup if you’re struggling at the position or need cover for Josh Allen (who has a Week 7 bye) in a deeper league.
RB Streamers:
Rico Dowdle (CAR): With Chuba Hubbard likely out for Week 6, this is an obvious one. Unfortunately, Hubbard’s injury announcement happened too late for me to mention Dowdle (my most owned player oddly) in last week’s article so just a note that he’s a weekly start until Hubbard returns. And that’s particularly true in a revenge game against the Cowboys.
Rachaad White (TB): As with Hubbard, this happened too late for me to include it last week, but Rachaad White is a weekly start until Bucky Irving returns. Note that he’s a riskier start this week in a tough matchup against the 49ers though.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS): Bill finally has the starting job in Washington, with Chris Rodriguez back to a change of pace role. In a great running matchup against the Bears, JCM is a solid start in Week 6.
Zach Charbonnet (SEA): The Seahawks have consistently used Zach Charbonnet as a goal line and receiving back this season. Those are the two most valuable roles (from an efficiency perspective) in fantasy football, especially in PPR leagues. In games where the Seahawks are likely to trail (as is the case this week, according to Vegas), Charbonnet is a high-upside, high-risk streaming option.
Hassan Haskins (LAC): It’s all streamers in RB-land this week. The Chargers take on the Dolphins (who are weak against running backs) in Week 6. Though Kimani Vidal is a popular name (as Emari Demercado was last week), I expect Hassan Haskins to get the first opportunities. He was the first back into the game after the Omarion Hampton injury, made the roster out of training camp, and came off the field with the rest of the starters late against the Commanders. He’s a risky but available streaming option this week.
RB Stashes:
Running backs get injured more than any other player in fantasy, with the average Top 36 running back missing two games per season in fantasy. For that reason, your best bet in fantasy is to roster running backs who are an injury away from an every down role. Each week, I’ll be listing my favorite RB stashes, only including players you won’t be starting most weeks.
Top Handcuffs: Zach Charbonnet, Blake Corum, Kendre Miller, Kareem Hunt, Brian Robinson, Ollie Gordon, DJ Giddens, Will Shipley, RJ Harvey, Isaiah Davis, Bhayshul Tuten, Emanuel Wilson, Kyle Monangai, Keaton Mitchell, Raheem Mostert, Ty Johnson, Zonovan Knight
WR Streamers:
Calvin Ridley (TEN): This has nothing to do with Calvin Ridley’s Week 5 breakout and everything to do with his opponent. The Raiders are a Top 5 matchup for receivers meaning Ridley and his rookie teammate Elic Ayomanor could be in for big days. I wouldn’t play them above your regular starters but they’re upside streamers with low floors.
Terry McLaurin (WAS): It’s been hard to trust Scary Terry this season, but if he plays against the Bears, I’m starting him for his upside in what should be a high scoring matchup.
Marquise Brown (KC): If you’re going to have success against the Lions, it needs to be through the air. This is the highest scoring over/under line I’ve seen all season so Vegas is expecting a real shootout here and I am too. That brings all Chiefs and Lions receivers into play. It’s hard to trust the likes of Isaac TeSlaa and Tyquan Thornton (though they clear have upside) but Hollywood Brown has 40 targets so far this season and another big night could be in the offing, especially if the Lions cornerbacks remain banged up.
WR Stashes:
Jalen Coker (CAR): The Panthers have struggled to find a consistent number two receiver behind Tetairoa McMillan all season, leaving an opening for Jalen Coker to come in and make an impact. Their trading away Adam Thielen signals they believe they have the position sufficiently covered but given how they’ve used everyone else, you have to think Coker is a big part of their plans. He’s a great stash if someone doesn’t already have him on IR in your league.
Pat Bryant (DEN): This is for deep leagues only. It seems rookie Pat Bryant is slowly making his way up the depth chart, as he finally out snapped Marvin Mims last week. The two of them have three targets combined over the last fortnight so as things stand, this is hardly exciting. But situations like this can change quickly and it would only take one injury or a change in usage to make Bryant a sudden waiver wire darling. So, if your league was recently rostering the likes of Marvin Mims, it’s now time to swoop on his rookie replacement.
TE Streamers:
Kyle Pitts (ATL): The Falcons are expected to engage in a high-scoring matchup against the Bills this week, and high-scoring games where the Falcons are trailing tend to be the domain of Kyle Pitts. The former fantasy star has seen his route count spike this season and he could be in for a big week if things go his way.
David Njoku and Harold Fannin (CLE): Dillon Gabriel passed for 13 tight end targets last week (compared to 11 wide receiver targets). This week brings the Steelers who are a top five tight end matchup. Given the Browns’ 2TE set usage, I’m thinking another nice week could be on the cards for Cleveland’s tight end pair.
TE Stash:
Mason Taylor (NYJ): A lot of people are already throwing Mason Taylor into their lineups but I’m not there yet, as a lot of his usage has come in garbage time. He’s well worth the stash though, to see if his momentum can continue.
K Streamers:
Brandon McManus (GB): The Packers get a juicy matchup against the Bengals and Brandon McManus is a good kicker. He’s a safe start this week given his extra point floor.
Matt Prater (BUF): The Bills are projected to be a top three scorer against the Falcons, who are already a top five kicking matchup. While Matt Prater isn’t as accurate or long as he used to be, he’s still a great option this week.
DST Streamers:
Packers DST (GB): Nobody has conceded more points to DSTs this season than the Bengals this season. I can see the Green Bay pass rushers teeing off on Joe Flacco or Jake Browning this weekend.
Rams DST (LAR): The Ravens were dismal with Cooper Rush under center against the Texans last weekend. I imagine the Rams should have similar success.
Please note: I won’t be listing kicker or DST stashes. You should never put kickers or DSTs on your bench in redraft leagues. There are practically no exceptions. Just please, don’t do it.
If you have questions on your leagues, make sure you hit me up on Instagram @TheFantasyFirstDown or on Twitter @FantasyFirstDwn. Also make sure you check out my dynasty and weekly rankings plus my Youtube. Lastly, make sure you check out all the amazing tools available on the Razzball website. They’re great for making start/sit decisions.
