If you’re reading this, congratulations! You’re in the playoffs! Or you’re in a league with a very funky playoff structure. Or maybe you’re just trying to avoid last place. Either way, because it’s playoff time, our streamers will be focused on Week 15, and our stashes will be focused on Weeks 16 and 17. I recommend at this stage, your bench should contain one viable backup running back, one viable backup wide receiver, and potentially a DST with a good Week 16/17 matchup, and the rest should include players who, if circumstances hit, will be viable starters for you. Please don’t roster bench fillers who are solid but will never overtake your starters. If you’ll never start a player, there are better options available. Please comment below if you want tips on getting your bench right.
I’ve been 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 fantasy 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.
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 three-day free trial!
QB Streamer (Week 1: 16 strong, 6 moderate, 10 bust):
Matthew Stafford (LAR): This is the matchup we’ve been waiting for! Stafford has been on my stash list for weeks for just this purpose, and he hits the fantasy playoffs in form, with 10 TDs and 800 yards across the last three weeks. He now faces one of the best quarterback matchups in football with the Washington Commanders, his opponent in Week 15. He’s a great start if you have any concerns at all with your current starter.
Honorable Mention: Jordan Love (GB)
QB Stash:
Baker Mayfield (TB): Please don’t stash quarterbacks. But if your current starter has a brutal Week 16 matchup, here’s an alternative. Baker faces the Jaguars in the fantasy semi-finals and has been solid most weeks. But ideally, don’t stash a QB.
Derek Carr (NO): There aren’t many good Week 17 quarterback stashes, but if you’re desperate, here’s at least a viable option. But again, please don’t stash quarterbacks unless your starter has a very rough Week 17 matchup.
RB Streamers (Week 2: 31 strong, 12 moderate, 13 bust):
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC): I doubt he’s available, but he’s one of the few viable starters who may be on waivers in your league. He’s got a solid matchup, and even though Jerick McKinnon lucked into the touchdown last week, Clyde is the guy until Isiah Pacheco is back.
D’Onta Foreman (CHI): Honestly, I don’t like any streaming options that aren’t usual starters this week; but if you’re really desperate, you can do worse than Foreman. The Browns are best attacked on the ground and Foreman carried the majority of the load in Week 14. I don’t like it, but it is what it is.
Honorable mentions: Rico Dowdle (DAL) and Kareem Hunt (CLE) – again, only if you’re desperate for both.
RB Stashes:
Ty Chandler (MIN) and Zamir White (LV): I mention Chandler and White only because, at the time of writing, we don’t know how Alexander Mattison’s and Josh Jacobs’s injuries are going. If either is out, they become possible desperation starters as well, though it’s hard to love either situation.
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), Elijah Mitchell (SF), Zach Charbonnet (SEA), Chase Edmonds (TB), Kenneth Gainwell (PHI), Antonio Gibson (WAS), Latavius Murray (BUF), Dameon Pierce (HOU), Miles Sanders (CAR) and Dalvin Cook (NYJ).
Honorable Mention: Tyjae Spears (TEN)
WR Streamers (19 strong, 19 moderate, 19 bust):
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA): I’m not usually a fan of getting cute in the playoffs, but if you need a desperation play, you can do a lot worse than JSN. The rookie receiver has received the most Seahawks targets in each of the last two weeks and gets a great matchup against the Eagles. He’s a viable flex play if you need one.
Demarcus Robinson (LAR): Let’s be clear: Robinson likely won’t be in my Top 50 receivers, but you’re not reading this section if you don’t need a hope and a prayer. Robinson has emerged ahead of Tutu Atwell as the third receiver in LA, benefitting particularly from Atwell’s concussion last week though he was already starting to take over the role before that. With Stafford now cooking and the Commanders on the menu for Week 15, the former Chief is a great desperation play.
Honorable Mentions: Jakobi Meyers (LV) and Dontayvion Wicks (GB) – Both are also desperation options.
WR Stash:
Cedrick Wilson (MIA): When Tyreek Hill went down injured against the Titans, it was Wilson who started taking over his routes. If Tyreek (or Jaylen Waddle) goes down again, it’s fair to assume Wilson will be the main beneficiary. That makes him worth picking up, just in case.
Xavier Gipson (NYJ): The Hard Knocks star has finally started to emerge as a starting receiver for Robert Saleh, and with the Commanders up in Week 16, Gipson is a viable stash just in case Garrett Wilson goes down, or if you desperately need an upside play.
Honorable mentions: Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG) and Michael Wilson (ARI)
TE Streamer (13 strong, 4 moderate, 13 bust):
Taysom Hill (NO): There’s no great tight end streamers this week but if Taysom is healthy, he could be busy in Week 15. The Saints tend to use him more when they’re winning, and the Giants are a very winnable matchup unless you’re the Packers on MNF.
Honorable mention: Tucker Kraft (GB) – You’d have to be very desperate, though.
TE Stash:
Noah Gray (KC): If Travis Kelce goes down with an injury, you’d have to think his backup, Gray, will become a top-10 option. He’s worth the stash if you’re a little weak at tight end.
Honorable mentions: Darren Waller (NYG)
K/DST Streamers (25 strong, 13 moderate, 12 bust):
Jason Sanders (MIA), Evan McPherson (CIN), Miami Dolphins DST and Atlanta Falcons DST.
DST Stashes:
I still wouldn’t recommend stashing a kicker, but if you want to stash a DST, that’s fine at this stage. Here are a few good options:
Week 16: The Green Bay Packers DST faces the tanking Carolina Panthers, and the Denver Broncos DST faces the awful New England Patriots.
Week 17: The Cleveland Browns DST faces the New York Jets, the LA Rams DST faces the suddenly-hot New York Giants (that won’t last), and the Buffalo Bills DST versus the Patriots.
