It was a bounce-back week for a lot of players, with Trevor Lawrence, Saquon Barkley, Calvin Ridley and George Kittle topping their respective positions after frustrating fantasy managers in previous outings. That provides an important reminder not to overreact to an off week or two. There are no bye weeks this weekend for only the second time since Week 4, so you’ll likely have less need to look deep into waivers for starters, but those stashes become even more valuable as we approach the all-important playoffs. Also, a sneaky reminder to stash upside running backs. Don’t you wish you had my top running back stash, Zach Charbonnet, on your roster?
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. We’ll define a stash as any player you can probably 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 starter.
I’ll also be reporting my streamer record from the season to date above each section to give you an idea of what to expect. Strong finishes mean the top third of starters at the position, moderate means the top half of starters, and bust is everyone else.
Please also check out my rankings at ffdfantasyfootball.com, and I answer all start-sit questions on Instagram @thefantasyfirstdown and Twitter @FantasyFirstDwn.
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QB Streamer (Week 1: 13 strong, 4 moderate, 9 bust):
Jordan Love (GB): I could easily go back to the Purdy and Goff well this week, and they are viable starters, but I’m going deeper to give you other options. The Packers face the Lions this week, and Detroit has a top-five run defense while conceding a lot of points to the passing game. With Aaron Jones unlikely to be ready for TNF, it’s unlikely Green Bay can lean on the run game, so this could be a very productive outing for their quarterback. He’s a high-risk/high-reward option in Week 12.
Honorable Mention: Joshua Dobbs (MIN)
QB Stash:
Jake Browning (CIN): I don’t really believe Browning is going to be even remotely productive for fantasy, but there’s little reason to stash quarterbacks at this point in the season unless you’re in deep or Superflex leagues. In that case, the Bengals passer is likely the highest upside option available.
Honorable Mention: Tim Boyle (NYJ) – For Superflex only.
RB Streamers (Week 2: 26 strong, 9 moderate, 9 bust):
Jerome Ford (CLE): The Browns have been an excellent running back matchup all season, and it’s possible that continues this week. Ford got some goal line opportunities in Week 11, and that bodes well for his fantasy value moving forward, so this week, he’s a viable low-end start in Denver.
Zach Charbonnet (SEA): It’s hard to feel great about any player against the 49ers, but San Fran isn’t the brutal RB matchup they may seem. Assuming Kenneth Walker is out next week, Charbonnet will likely get enough volume to make him a viable starting option.
Honorable mentions: Alexander Mattison (MIN) and Kareem Hunt (CLE) – in deeper leagues
RB Stashes:
Keaton Mitchell (BAL): The Ravens back has snatched a significant number of snaps from Justice Hill and Gus Edwards, but he’s still not a clear starter without the goal line work. He’s worth stashing to see what happens, though.
Running backs get injured more than any other position 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. While I can’t predict who will get injured, I can say who’ll be most effective when given the opportunity. Each week, I’ll be listing my favorite RB backups, only including players you won’t be starting most weeks.
Handcuffs: Rico Dowdle (DAL), Tyler Allgeier (ATL), Joshua Kelley (LAC), Ty Chandler (MIN), Tyjae Spears (TEN), Ezekiel Elliott (NE), Elijah Mitchell (SF), Chase Edmonds (TB), Kenneth Gainwell (PHI) and Dalvin Cook (NYJ).
Honorable Mention: Khalil Herbert (CHI) and AJ Dillon (GB)
WR Streamers (15 strong, 18 moderate, 13 bust):
Khalil Shakir (BUF): The Bills youngster has had some lucky production over the last few weeks, but Week 12’s matchup against the Eagles is your best chance to start him. After all, if you’re not starting him against the league’s most generous secondary, why are you even rostering him?
Zay Flowers (BAL): It’s been hard to trust the Ravens rookie of late, but with Mark Andrews likely out for the season and the Chargers conceding 34.8 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers each week, Flowers will have his best opportunity to bounce back in Week 12.
Honorable Mentions: Josh Downs (IND) and Brandin Cooks (DAL)
WR Stash:
Odell Beckham Jr (BAL): The veteran receiver has played only 41 snaps in the last two weeks combined! But he’s received nine targets for 156 yards and a touchdown. What efficiency! If his snap count can rise, there’s no reason he can’t become an every-week starter again.
Honorable mentions: Tutu Atwell (LAR) and Jameson Williams (DET)
TE Streamer (10 strong, 3 moderate, 10 bust):
David Njoku (CLE): Dorian Thompson-Robinson peppered his lead tight end with an extraordinary 15 targets in Week 11, and the Browns now face the Broncos, the team who have conceded the most points to tight ends this season. It’s a glorious recipe for success, now let’s see the serial disappointment machine mess it up.
Honorable mention: Evan Engram (JAC)
TE Stash:
Isaiah Likely (BAL): With Mark Andrews out for the foreseeable future, his main backup Likely becomes a worthwhile roster. He’s not been getting the targets you’d get from Andrews when filling in in the past, but when a tight end is running routes on the majority of snaps, he needs to at least be rostered.
Honorable mention: Tyler Higbee (LAR)
K/DST Streamers (18 strong, 9 moderate, 11 bust):
Brandon Aubrey (DAL), Matt Prater (ARI), Pittsburgh Steelers DST and New England Patriots DST.
Please note I won’t be listing any kicker or DST stashes, as you should never roster more than one of either of these positions.
