It’s amazing how quickly three weeks can change things. If you read my pre-season/pre-Week 1 articles, when I suggested adding Caleb Williams, Jaylen Warren, Javonte Williams, Trey Benson, Travis Etienne and Quentin Johnston, you’re probably pretty set. But if not, never fear! With the right additions and start/sit decisions, every team can be turned around. 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.
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QB Streamers:
Daniel Jones (IND): He was a sit last game against the difficult Titans secondary but this week, I’m going back to the Daniel Jones streaming well. The Rams/Colts battle is expected to be the highest scoring matchup of the week (according to Vegas) and the Rams have conceded the fewest RB points this season. This will need to be an aerial attack from Jones and the Indy offense, so expect good fantasy production from the quarterback.
Justin Fields (NYJ): For me, Justin Fields is a must-start most weeks, but I can understand some concern coming off an injury. Against a Dolphins defense that has conceded the second-most QB points this season though, I’m starting Fields regardless. If he’s out though, still hold onto him. He gets the Cowboys next week in another fantastic matchup. Tyrod Taylor would also be a viable low-low-end streamer if Fields is out too.
Jordan Love (GB): I admit it. This one was a swing and miss last week. But against the Cowboys, the team that has conceded the most quarterback points this season, I can’t stay away from Jordan Love if you’re in need of a QB streamer who’s available in most leagues. Yes, the loss of Jayden Reed is a problem, but Green Bay has plenty of backup options which should put their passing game in good stead against an awful Cowboys defense. This may very well be your best streaming option as Love is available in many leagues after last week.
Deeper Streamers: Geno Smith vs CHI, Matthew Stafford vs IND, Sam Darnold @ ARI
QB Stash:
Jaxson Dart (NYG): There’s a lot of buzz regarding Russell Wilson being dropped for Week 4. I wouldn’t be crazy and start rookie Jaxson Dart in his debut against the Chargers, but I would stash the youngster in deeper leagues just to see what happens. After all, he has a juicy Week 5 matchup against the Saints and that will be useful if you’re rostering Caleb Williams, Jordan Love, Michael Penix or Aaron Rodgers, who are on byes then.
Bryce Young (CAR): I wouldn’t consider starting Bryce Young this week, despite a strong performance by the Panthers in blanking the Falcons in Week 3. But I’m thinking ahead to bye weeks again. The Panthers face the struggling Dolphins who have been very generous to opposing quarterbacks. If your league stashes passers like a QB apocalypse is on the horizon, I suggest picking up Young just in case.
RB Streamers:
Trey Benson (ARI): With James Conner out for the season, Trey Benson becomes a weekly top 20 option. That starts this week when the Cardinals face a Seahawks defense that is far more susceptible to the run than the pass.
TreVeyon Henderson (NE): I’m not sure what to make of the Rhamondre Stevenson benching. It could be a one-week deal or a permanent demotion. I’m taking the risk though, and starting rookie TreVeyon Henderson against a middling Panthers run defense.
Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt (KC): The Ravens have conceded by far the most points to running backs this season. If I’m desperate for a running back starter, I’d consider either KC back. It’s possible both are amazing, both totally bust, or one has a good week and the other doesn’t. Hence why I recommend this with a significant amount of caution.
RB Stashes:
Kyle Monangai (CHI): The return of Roschon Johnson had no impact on the Bears depth chart. D’Andre Swift is the lead back and Kyle Monangai is his backup. Johnson hasn’t had a touch. While Monangai doesn’t have the upside of many backups, I still think he’d be a borderline top 20 option with a Swift injury. But the key factor here is the possibility that he could take over the lead role. Teams generally make these changes coming out of their bye weeks, meaning Monangai could be the starter by Week 6. He’s a worthwhile stash.
Tahj Brooks (CIN): Samaje Perine went down with an injury last week making Tahj Brooks the clear Chase Brown backup. If Brown’s play continues to crater, we may even see Brooks get some opportunities on merit. He’s a worthwhile stash in deeper leagues where every backup must be rostered.
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, Brian Robinson, DJ Giddens, Rachaad White, Ollie Gordon, Braelon Allen, Kendre Miller, Rico Dowdle, Kareem Hunt, Ty Johnson, Kaleb Johnson, Hassan Haskins
WR Streamers:
Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston (LAC): I don’t really trust any Chargers receiver not called Ladd McConkey, but there’s clearly a heap of upside in this offense. LA faces a Giants defense that has conceded the second most points to opposing receivers this season. That makes Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston much stronger starts this week than most.
Jakobi Meyers (LV): Tre Tucker was the star for the Raiders in Week 3, but Jakobi Meyers is the clear WR1 for Geno Smith. Meyers has 26 targets and is top ten in receiving yards across all positions this season. His lack of touchdowns has hidden his fantasy effectiveness but he’s a great start most weeks given his safe floor and yardage upside. His lack of TDs shouldn’t scare you away from starting him against the generous Bears secondary.
Tyquan Thornton (KC): I don’t love this option, but in a deeper league, I’m willing to risk Tyquan Thornton as a streamer, regardless of Xavier Worthy’s status. Thornton seems to have surpassed Juju Smith-Schuster as the WR3 (assuming Worthy’s return) and has some upside in a possible shootout against the Ravens.
WR Stashes:
Troy Franklin (DEN): Don’t let last week’s disappointment dissuade you, Troy Franklin is a strong fantasy option this season and is well worth stashing. He has a heap of upside if the Broncos passing attack can finally get its act together.
Luther Burden (CHI): This is around the time of the season when rookie receivers start to emerge. In this case, I think Luther Burden could easily become the starter coming out of Chicago’s Week 5 bye. But I also think it’s possible Ben Johnson pulls the change early after a big Week 3 performance. So, in a deeper league, I’d get in early and stash him just in case.
TE Streamers:
Jake Ferguson (DAL): Jake Ferguson is not typically a starter for me, but the injury to CeeDee Lamb changes things considerably. This offense will run through Ferguson, George Pickens and the running backs. As a bonus, the Packers are oddly susceptible to tight ends. So, Ferguson is a strong start for me this week.
Brenton Strange (JAC): The 49ers are best attacked underneath and Brenton Strange already has 16 targets this season. He’s not an exciting name but he’s had a number of 60ish yard games and gives you more TD upside than Evan Engram ever did. In a deeper league, he’s a solid option.
TE Stash:
Jonnu Smith (PIT): The Steelers have moved towards a 2TE-heavy approach of late, meaning Jonnu Smith essentially becomes the third wide receiver. That hasn’t meant much so far, but I still think we could see that change through the Steelers’ bye week given, as I keep saying, that’s when the main changes get made.
K Streamers:
Spencer Shrader (IND): The top kicker on the year so far is Spencer Shrader and he faces a Rams defense who gives up a heap of field goals. This feels like a slam dunk. Though if you follow kickers, you would know there’s no such thing.
Matt Prater (BUF): The Bills are projected to be the league’s highest scoring team by a whopping 5.5 points. That makes Matt Prater a fantastic floor-start this week.
DST Streamers:
Lions DST (DET): The Cleveland Browns keep on getting into grindfests and are projected to score just 18 points this week. Given the Lions can shut down Joe Flacco’s old team, I’m backing them to shut down his new team.
Texans DST (HOU): Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter against a rookie quarterback with limited weapons? That sounds like fun! The Titans are projected to be the league’s lowest scoring team this week, so naturally I’m taking the Texans DST against them.
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.
