We’re a month into the season and just in case injuries haven’t caused enough mayhem, bye weeks have arrived. The Lions, Chargers, Eagles and Titans all get a rest week making picking the right streamers and stashing for the future even more important. Can we once again predict the QB1?
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 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 fantasy starter.
Please also check out my rankings at ffdfantasyfootball.com and you can find my long-form videos on the Fantasy First Down Youtube channel and my Slot/Wide analysis on the Razzball Fantasy Youtube channel. If you have any questions, throw them in the comments below.
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 top third of starters at the position, moderate means the top half of starters and a bust is anyone else.
QB Streamers (Week 1: 5 strong, 1 moderate, 3 bust):
Jordan Love (GB @ LAR): Jordan Love was on our stash list several times over the last month and now is the time to pull the trigger and start him. The Rams have conceded the fifth most points to quarterbacks this season making Love a good start this week.
Brock Purdy (SF vs ARI): The 49ers have copped some difficult matchups this season but when the opportunity arrived, Brock Purdy put the Rams to the sword. He now gets another top five matchup against a Cardinals side who consistently allow a lot of points to opposing quarterbacks. With Deebo Samuel back, Purdy has major upside in Week 5.
QB Stash:
Sam Darnold (MIN vs NYJ): The Jets have been the toughest quarterback matchup this season, but you can’t leave Sam Darnold sitting out there on waivers. If you lack a top-end quarterback, Darnold is a strong floor option as he has at least two touchdowns every game this season and he faces some very easy matchups in the coming weeks.
RB Streamers (5 strong, 4 moderate, 5 bust):
Chuba Hubbard (CAR @ CHI): Who knew that Andy Dalton was the key to unlocking Chuba Hubbard? The Panthers running back has back-to-back 100+ yard outings with a touchdown each week. He faces a generous Bears run defense this week and doesn’t have to worry about talented rookie Jonathon Brooks just yet. If you have him, you can continue to start him confidently, for now.
D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson (CHI vs CAR): The Bears enter Week 5 as favorites and that’s good news for D’Andre Swift. While Roschon Johnson has been the main receiving back in Chicago, Swift is the main early down runner and should get plenty of volume against a terrible Panthers run defense. Johnson is also a viable deeper streamer given he looks like he may have become the goal-line back.
Trey Sermon (IND @ JAC): Jonathan Taylor has an ankle sprain meaning it is likely to be Trey Sermon’s backfield in Week 5. The Jaguars are a good matchup for the Colts backup, who took 17 carries for 88 yards when deputising for Taylor in Week 15 last season.
RB Stashes:
Kareem Hunt (KC vs NO): I mentioned this two weeks ago but it bears repeating. The Chiefs backfield is, and will remain, a mess. But Kareem Hunt made a real statement in Week 4 by taking over from Carson Steele as the early down back. I wouldn’t trust him in a tough matchup when so much is still up in the air, but he’s a great stash.
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: Braelon Allen, Bucky Irving, Zach Charbonnet, Tyler Allgeier, Chase Brown, Tank Bigsby, Ty Chandler, Ray Davis, Antonio Gibson, Emanuel Wilson
WR Streamers (3 strong, 7 moderate, 3 bust):
Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs (GB @ LAR): Dontayvion Wicks is the only true wide receiver handcuff in the league at the moment and, what do you know, Christian Watson is injured! Wicks gets a great matchup against the Colts and is now the clear every-down outside receiver opposite Romeo Doubs. This is because Jayden Reed only plays in 11 personnel, even when his outside receivers are off the field. Start Wicks and Doubs this week.
Jerry Jeudy (CLE @ WAS): Jerry Jeudy has become an every down player for the Browns, averaging 7.5 targets a game. Against the awful Commanders secondary, he could prove to be very valuable. Jeudy is a particularly good PPR start but he’s a solid choice in half-PPR too.
WR Stashes:
Xavier Legette (CAR @ CHI): Talented first rounder Xavier Legette finally broke out against the Bengals but he gets a far tougher matchup this week against the Bears. For me he’s too risky to start right now but I definitely want him on my bench for his upside and talent.
Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG @ SEA): The Seahawks are supposed to be a tough receiver matchup, though nobody told the Lions. The Giants don’t have the sort of quality passing game to rely on though, so I’m not willing to start Robinson this week. But he’s had 37 targets through four weeks so he’s a must-stash in PPR leagues.
TE Streamers (2 strong, 1 moderate, 5 bust):
Taysom Hill (NO @ KC): There are few players who exemplify boom-bust more than Taysom Hill. In this sparse tight end landscape, he’s one of the better streamers available.
Cade Otton (TB @ ATL): The Buccaneers are facing a number of depth wide receiver injuries, coinciding with two 8-target performances from Cade Otton. In a world of risky tight end plays, Otton at least guarantees you 30 routes and a few targets. You can do worse in this matchup against the Falcons.
TE Stash:
Tucker Kraft (GB @ LAR): I have no idea what’s going on with the Packers’ tight end room. Tucker Kraft broke out in Week 1 before splitting routes almost evenly with Luke Musgrave for the next fortnight. He then jumped back to the top of the pecking order against the Vikings in Week 4. I think it’s possible he’s getting more usage when the Packers are trailing, which is bad news for this week as they’re 3.5-point favorites. Hence for me, he’s a stash and see.
K Streamers (4 strong, 3 moderate, 1 bust):
Chase McLaughlin (TB @ ATL): The Falcons remain a great kicker matchup and Chase McLaughlin has three double-digit point kicking weeks. A match made in heaven?
Cairo Santos (CHI vs CAR): Start kickers against the Panthers. That is all.
DST Streamers (4 strong and 4 bust):
Broncos DST (DEN vs LV): The Broncos’ strength is their defense and they have proven they can shut down mediocre offenses. This week, they get the definition of a mediocre offense in a Raiders team that may be without Davante Adams. Yes, please!
Packers DST (GB @ LAR): The Packers feasted against the Titans and they now face a beat-up Rams offense. The upside is huge if the offense can do its job and get an early lead.
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.