The injuries came rolling in this week, and for some reason, it’s all quarterbacks. Hopefully you picked up Javonte Williams, Juwan Johnson and Troy Franklin from my previous articles but if not, there’s a heap of great streaming and stashing opportunities still 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:
Dak Prescott (DAL): The Bears back seven has caught the injury bug, leading to them conceding the most point to quarterbacks to far this season. Dak Prescott was dropped off many rosters after Week 1’s catastrophe, but he bounced back in an overtime win against the Giants. He’s a must-start this week with all the QB injuries around.
Caleb Williams (CHI): The Chicago/Dallas game has a line of 50.5 points according to Vegas, meaning I’m happy to take either side of this coin. The Cowboys conceded the most points to quarterbacks last season and are ranked third this year, though that is skewed by the overtime game. Caleb Williams is a top 10 quarterback after much tougher matchups in the opening fortnight. He’s a must-start in Week 3.
Jordan Love (GB): I don’t usually name three QB streamers, but with Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels, Brock Purdy, JJ McCarthy and Justin Fields all potentially out this week, I’m adding some options. Jordan Love is the QB13 on the year and faces the terrible Browns this week. The Packers are 8.5 point favorites with Green Bay expected to be the fourth highest scoring team. That will have to come through the air, as Cleveland have been sneakily good against the run, ranking top four the last two seasons. Love is risky with Jayden Reed injured, but there’s enough depth of receivers that he’s likely your best option available in many leagues.
Other options: Drake Maye, Jared Goff, Sam Darnold (in very deep leagues).
QB Stash:
Jake Browning (CIN): With Joe Burrow expected to miss most of the season, Jake Browning is the man to add. He isn’t Burrow and will likely make a lot of errors thanks to the appalling Bengals O-line, but unless your league heavily punishes interceptions, he’s a solid option at quarterback if you’re a little desperate. I wouldn’t particularly want to start him against a Vikings team that has suffocated opposing quarterbacks this season, but he’s well worth stashing for his upside.
RB Streamers:
Jordan Mason (MIN): With Aaron Jones landing on IR with a hamstring injury, Jordan Mason will get a heavy load for the Vikings this week. That’s something he’s shown he can handle with the 49ers and it’s just as well, because JJ McCarthy’s injury means Minnesota will need to run a lot to take the burden off backup Carson Wentz. To add to the fun, Mason’s opponent, the Bengals, have conceded the third most points to running backs this season. This is a real boom spot for the new Vikings every-down back.
D’Andre Swift (CHI): With the Bears expected to score the third most points this week and the Cowboys conceding touchdowns like it’s going out of season, I want D’Andre Swift in as many lineups as possible. Don’t be distracted by last week’s garbage time usage, Swift is the every down back and is well worth trusting in a high-scoring matchup.
RB Stashes:
Quinshon Judkins (CLE): It’s clear that Quinshon Judkins will be the Browns’s lead back this season, but I’m still not starting him this week. The Packers are a very tough matchup and I anticipate plenty of passing situations and hence a heap of receiving back Jerome Ford. But there will be better opportunities to come, so stick the rookie on your bench and remain patient.
Blake Corum (LAR): We started to see a potential changing of the guard in Week 2 in LA, with the Rams going away from their every-down usage of Kyren Williams and cycling their starter with Blake Corum. Corum looked the better of the two, suggesting he might just win this job on merit at some stage. I’m picking him up in literally all of my leagues where I didn’t already have him in case of injury or a run at the top spot.
Woody Marks (HOU): The Texans started giving their rookie runner Woody Marks some opportunities and he looked pretty good. Marks was one of my pre-season favorites, as I had him in college dynasty last year. He’s got the potential to be a great every down player, but he lacks upside in an offense with a middling O-line and Nick Chubb, Joe Mixon and Dare Ogunbowale hanging around getting in the way. He’s a solid stash if you’re weak at RB but droppable if you’re not.
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, Trey Benson, Najee Harris, Braelon Allen, Ray Davis, Kendre Miller, Rico Dowdle, Kareem Hunt, Kaleb Johnson, Ollie Gordon
WR Streamers:
Rome Odunze and DJ Moore (CHI): Former top 10 draft pick Rome Odunze seems to be the new number one in Chicago. This season he’s played more snaps, received more targets and generally been more effective that DJ Moore. But this week, in the likely shootout, I’m playing both receivers. Plus, I’ll even throw in Olamide Zaccheaus as a deep streamer if you’re desperate.
Marquise Brown (KC): Hollywood Brown was disappointing last week, but in Week 3 he faces a Giants secondary that has conceded the most WR points so far this season. Don’t expect a 40-37 shootout like last weekend, but I still think Brown is a solid starter as the likely Chiefs top receiver. Meanwhile, if Xavier Worthy is still out, Tyquan Thornton is a deeper streaming option if you need someone off waivers for whatever reason.
WR Stashes:
Troy Franklin (DEN): Hopefully you listened last week when I listed Troy Franklin as my top WR stash. If you didn’t you probably had to pay a fortune to get him off waivers this week. Regardless, Franklin is someone you need on your bench if he’s available. Not only has he surpassed Devaughn Vele as the WR3 then Marvin Mims as the WR2, he now has more targets than Courtland Sutton and last game also played the most snaps. I’m wary of starting him away against the Chargers, but there’s upside to come this season for the youngster in his second year.
Chimere Dike (TEN): I don’t often do this, but here’s a stash for your dynasty and super deep redraft leagues. Chimere Dike has started to take snaps away from slot receiver Tyler Lockett and could well emerge as the starter sooner rather than later. Until this offense gets their act together, that won’t mean much. But he’s a name to watch if Cam Ward catches fire.
TE Streamers:
Zach Ertz (WAS): Veteran Commander Zach Ertz is the TE2 on the season yet he remains available or on benches in a surprising amount of leagues. Unless you’re starting a stud tight end (or Tucker Kraft), Ertz is someone you need in your lineup.
Juwan Johnson (NO): I called this last week and I’ll say it again. Juwan Johnson has to be in your lineup every single week. He’s playing almost every snap and has 20 targets through two weeks. He will slow down once Foster Moreau returns but for now, he’s an absolute must start.
TE Stash:
Ja’Tavion Sanders (CAR): Ja’Tavion Sanders was one of my favorite dynasty tight ends last year as a Day 3 pick out of Texas in 2024. A strong receiver but mediocre blocker, he struggled to move ahead of the mediocre Tommy Tremble on the depth chart, but that’s started to change. He’s playing close to 70% of snaps and if his plays continues to improve, that number will rise. If that occurs and Bryce Young continues to target him over half a dozen times a game, he’ll be a starting tight end for fantasy. But for now, stash him away and wait.
K Streamers:
Tyler Loop (BAL): For many years, the Ravens kicker has been someone to target. With Justin Tucker moving on, it’s now Tyler Loop who has become the fantasy asset. The implied total for Baltimore this week is 28.5 points, meaning a lot of opportunities for the rookie. Plus, if you don’t love streaming kickers (because you hate winning I guess), Loop is likely someone you can rely on for solid points most weeks.
John Parker Romo (ATL): John Parker Romo, John Parker, Parker Romo, John Romo, JP Romo, Rom Money, The Romo Romper, John Kickz. I’ve heard him called a lot of things (and made a few up), but this week I just call on him to win me my week. He was great in a kick-off against the Vikings last week and this week he gets the Panthers which, if you’ve read the last two weeks, is my favorite kicker matchup. Romo’s a great option in Week 3.
DST Streamers:
Packers DST (GB): This should come as no shock. The Packers defense have been consistently good for a while now, but the addition of Micah Parsons adds a lot for fantasy. After stifling playoff contenders in the first two weeks and gaining eight sacks, the Browns in Week 3 should be a walk in the park.
Falcons DST (ATL): The Falcons are bizarrely the DST1 on the season so far (based on Fantasypros scoring settings). That’s despite a poor Week 1. It’s amazing what happens when you improve your D-line. This week they face my favorite DST opponent, the Panthers. Atlanta’s DST is a strong start for me this week.
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.
If you have questions on your leagues, make sure you hit me up on Instagram @TheFantasyFirstDown or on Twitter @FantasyFirstDwn. Also make sure you check out my dynasty and weekly rankings plus my Youtube. Lastly, make sure you check out all the amazing tools available on the Razzball website. They’re great for making start/sit decisions.
