Every season, Week 1 brings some surprises, with breakouts, busts and injuries changing the ways we view players. The challenge for us as fantasy managers is to know when to react and when to remain patient. If you’re looking to make changes though, you’ve come to the right place as I bring you my Week 2 streamers and stashes.
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 on Twitter @FantasyFirstDwn.
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QB Streamer (Week 1: 2 moderate, 1 bust):
Mac Jones (NE): The Patriots have shown what they can do when falling behind as they spent all day chasing the Eagles. This led to an overall QB2 finish for Mac Jones. The Dolphins were leaky against the pass last year, and that continued in Week 1. In Superflex, in particular, Jones becomes a solid play, while he’s an option for desperate Aaron Rodgers owners.
Honorable Mentions: Geno Smith (SEA) and Deshaun Watson (CLE)
QB Stash:
Jimmy Garoppolo (LV): Jimmy G had a top-12 finish in one of the league’s tougher passing matchups. Unfortunately, this week he faces an even tougher one against the Bills. He does, however, have some fantastic scoring opportunities later in the season, and he’s available in most leagues, so he a solid desperation stash.
Honorable Mentions: Zach Wilson (NYJ) and Matthew Stafford (LAR)
RB Streamers (Week 2: 3 strong, 1 moderate):
AJ Dillon (GB): With Aaron Jones suffering a hamstring strain, AJ Dillon becomes a viable starting option. He’s a must-start if Jones is out, but if Jones is even limited, Dillon becomes a flex option, especially in half-PPR.
Rachaad White (TB): While White’s fantasy total in Week 1 was disappointing, his usage was better than expected. The second-year back played 80% of snaps and should get another heavy workload in Week 2 against one of the league’s worst rushing defenses in Chicago. Aaron Jones finished as the RB1 on only 11 touches against them. Imagine what White can do with double that?
Honorable mentions: Zack Moss (IND) and David Montgomery (DET)
RB Stashes:
Kenneth Gainwell (PHI): If you follow me on Instagram, you’d have seen this coming, but Gainwell is the lead back in Philadelphia. The matchup against the Vikings is tougher than it looks, so he’s only an average start, but every starter becomes viable at some stage during the season, so he’s a great waiver pick up and hold.
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 backups, only including players you won’t be starting most weeks.
Handcuffs: Jaylen Warren (PIT), Joshua Kelley (LAC), Tyler Allgeier (ATL), Tyjae Spears (TEN), Dalvin Cook (NYJ), Ezekiel Elliott (NE), Jerome Ford (CLE), Chuba Hubbard (CAR), Zach Charbonnet (SEA), Elijah Mitchell (SF), Antonio Gibson (WAS), Samaje Perine (DEN), Roschon Johnson (CHI), Tank Bigsby (JAC), D’Andre Swift (PHI), Zamir White (LV), Ty Chandler (MIN) and Keaontay Ingram (ARI)
Honorable Non-Handcuff Mentions: Justice Hill (BAL) and Kyren Williams (LAR)
WR Streamers (1 strong, 3 moderate, 1 bust):
Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell (LAR): While Cooper Kupp is injured, the Rams youngsters remain solid weekly options in good matchups, and this one is juicy. The 49ers’ secondary is their greatest weakness, with Atwell particularly tempting after Allen Robinson earned 8 targets from the slot against Deommodore Lenoir last weekend.
Mike Williams (LAC): While Keenan Allen is an obvious start, Week 1 may have you a little wary of his teammate. Mike Williams is a must-start though, against an awful Titans secondary.
Honorable mentions: Treylon Burks (TEN) and Tyler Lockett (SEA)
WR Stash:
Zay Flowers (BAL): The Ravens made a real effort to feature their rookie pass catcher, feeding him a number of designed plays for two carries on top of 10 targets. He faces three tricky secondaries in a row before things get easier from Week 5 onwards, so, for now, don’t play him. Just hold him.
Honorable mentions: Jordan Addison (MIN) and Marvin Mims (DEN)
TE Streamer (2 strong):
Sam LaPorta (DET): One of my pre-season favorites, Sam LaPorta was the first rookie tight end since 2019 to have five receptions on debut. He’s got the best tight end matchup in football this week against the Seahawks.
Honorable mentions: Hunter Henry (NE), Luke Musgrave (GB) and Chig Okonkwo (TEN)
TE Stash:
Hayden Hurst (CAR): This was a huge surprise for me, with Bryce Young peppering Hayden Hurst with 7 targets. He has an awful week 2 matchup and was only on the field for a little over half the snaps, but it’s worth just sitting him on your roster for a week if you’re struggling at tight end (hello, Kyle Pitts owners).
Honorable mentions: Zach Ertz (ARI), Isaiah Likely (BAL), Dalton Kincaid (BUF), Cole Kmet (CHI), Irv Smith Jr (CIN), Dalton Schultz (HOU), Durham Smythe (MIA) and Cade Otton (TB).
K/DST Streamers (1 moderate, 1 bust):
Jake Elliott (PHI), Jake Moody (SF), Denver Broncos DST and Tampa Bay Buccaneers 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.
