So you drafted Nick Chubb and Saquon Barkley in the first two rounds. Nailed it, right? Hmmm. Another week means another rash of injuries and changes of role. If you’re been struck by the injury bug or just want to improve your lineup, you’ve come to the right place, as I bring you my Week 3 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 Twitter @FantasyFirstDwn.
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QB Streamer (Week 1: 1 strong, 2 moderate, 3 bust):
Baker Mayfield (TB): The Buccaneers face the Eagles this week, a team that has conceded 54 points to opposing fantasy quarterbacks in the first two weeks of this season. If Mac Jones and Kirk Cousins can have success against Philadelphia, there’s no reason Baker Mayfield, the QB14 so far this year, can’t do the same.
Honorable Mentions: Deshaun Watson (CLE) and Kenny Pickett (PIT)
QB Stash:
Jordan Love (GB): The new hotness in Green Bay has looked good in limited action, but the Saints will provide a far greater challenge. He’s a risky start in Week 3, but he’s one to keep on your bench for the better days to come.
Honorable Mentions: Matthew Stafford (LAR) and Anthony Richardson (IND)
RB Streamers (Week 2: 6 strong, 2 moderate):
Raheem Mostert (MIA): I wouldn’t ordinarily recommend starting a Dolphins running back, but Miami is quickly running out of healthy options, and that should mean a heavy workload again for Raheem Mostert against the Broncos.
Isaih Pacheco (KC): It’s hard to trust any Chiefs players outside Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, but the Bears have a putrid run defense, and the Chiefs should be ahead by the end of the first half, meaning a lot of action for their backs. Pacheco should be the main beneficiary though I wouldn’t be surprised if even Jerrick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire find a sneaky touchdown or two.
Honorable mentions: Miles Sanders (CAR) and Najee Harris (PIT)
RB Stashes:
Jerome Ford (CLE): With Nick Chubb’s awful injury, his backup Jerome Ford moves from my handcuff list to a must-roster. Unfortunately, he has an awful matchup against the Titans this week, so you can’t start him, but he’s an excellent stash.
Handcuffs: Don’t you wish you had Joshua Kelley and Jerome Ford on your roster without having to burn all your FAAB or Waiver Priority? You would have if you’d paid attention to last week’s 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. 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.
Jaylen Warren (PIT), Joshua Kelley (LAC), Tyler Allgeier (ATL), Roschon Johnson (CHI), Tyjae Spears (TEN), Ezekiel Elliott (NE), Chuba Hubbard (CAR), Zach Charbonnet (SEA), Elijah Mitchell (SF), Antonio Gibson (WAS), Samaje Perine (DEN), Tank Bigsby (JAC), Dalvin Cook (NYJ), Zamir White (LV), Ty Chandler (MIN) and Keaontay Ingram (ARI)
Honorable Mentions: Matt Breida (NYG), Breece Hall (NYJ) and Zack Moss (IND)
WR Streamers (3 strong, 5 moderate, 2 bust):
Elijah Moore (CLE): Although he’s had a poor start to the season, Elijah Moore is still 24th in targets despite being the WR86 in fantasy. If Deshaun Watson and this passing offense is going to bounce back, it will be this week against the atrocious Titans’ secondary. Moore becomes a viable flex option.
Michael Pittman Jr (IND): Despite an unstable and inexperienced quarterback situation, Michael Pittman is the fantasy WR10 and 4th in targets among all receivers. It doesn’t matter who starts at quarterback next week against Baltimore. Pittman needs to be in your lineup.
Honorable Mentions: Zay Flowers (BAL) and Tank Dell (HOU)
WR Stash:
Marvin Mims Jr (DEN): Although he had a fantastic game in Week 2, Marvin Mims only played 16 snaps, a decrease from Week 1. Next, he faces the Dolphins, who have looked better against the passing game of late. Nevertheless, Mims showed his talent, and it would be worth stashing him to see if he can grasp the WR3 role in Denver.
Honorable mentions: Rashod Bateman (BAL) and Devante Parker (NE)
TE Streamer (4 strong, 2 bust):
David Njoku (CLE): While David Njoku hasn’t set the world on fire so far this season, he’s got a great matchup this week, and he ran the most routes of all tight ends in Week 2. Opportunity + Talent + Matchup = Points. Well, that’s the plan anyway.
Honorable mentions (all are desperation options): Dalton Schultz (HOU), Durham Smythe (MIA), Irv Smith Jr. (CIN) and Adam Trautman (DEN)
TE Stash:
Dawson Knox (BUF): The Bills seem intent on playing a lot of 12 personnel in order to feature their rookie Dalton Kincaid, but it’s Dawson Knox who remains the top option. If he can hold this role, he could become a viable weekly option. Unfortunately, he has a tough matchup in Week 3 so far. Now he’s just a stash.
Honorable mentions: Zach Ertz (ARI) and Chig Okonkwo (TEN)
K/DST Streamers (3 strong, 1 moderate, 2 bust):
Cameron Dicker (LAC), Jason Sanders (MIA), Jacksonville Jaguars DST and Kansas City Chiefs 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.
