The hits just keep on coming, with more big names added to the injury list this week. Luckily we’ve got the best streamers and stashes to fill those holes for you heading into Week 7.
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: 7 strong, 3 moderate, 6 bust):
Jordan Love (GB): After a poor performance leading into his bye week, Love will be available in a lot of leagues. He’s amazingly still the QB8 in points per game, though, and he has a number of fantastic matchups coming up, starting off with a Broncos team that has been very generous most weeks.
Honorable Mention: Geno Smith (SEA)
QB Stash:
Jared Goff (DET): The Lions’ passing game has started the season off strongly, meaning Goff is the QB5 a third of the way through the season. The emergence of Sam LaPorta, the reliability of Amon-Ra St Brown and the return of Jameson Williams are all helping Goff to weekly success. Unfortunately, the Lions have the frugal Ravens next. Goff’s a stash for the second half of the season.
Honorable Mention: Dak Prescott (DAL)
RB Streamers (Week 2: 16 strong, 4 moderate, 4 bust):
Roschon Johnson (LV): The Raiders have been open on their feelings about D’Onta Foreman, leaving him inactive from Weeks 2-5. With Khalil Herbert out for the near future, this is Johnson’s backfield. He won’t be a workhorse, but in Week 7, he’s a low-end RB2 in our first 6-team bye week.
Zach Evans (LAR): It’s hard to feel good about either Rams running back in Week 7, but with so many running backs injured and 6 teams on a bye, Evans becomes a viable play this week. It’s unclear how much Royce Freeman (or someone else) will be involved, but at least Evans has upside.
Honorable mentions: Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) and Javonte Williams (DEN)
RB Stashes:
Latavius Murray (BUF): The Bills have leaned on their veterans in close games, but a Week 7 matchup against the awful Patriots doesn’t profile that way. That means Murray can be stashed but not started. He can also be dropped if Leonard Fournette or another veteran signs on to replace Damien Harris.
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.
Handcuffs: Craig Reynolds (DET), Zack Moss (IND), Tyler Allgeier (ATL), Zach Charbonnet (SEA), Joshua Kelley (LAC), Tyjae Spears (TEN), Cam Akers (MIN), Rico Dowdle (DAL), Kenneth Gainwell (PHI), Kendre Miller (NO), Antonio Gibson (WAS), and Tank Bigsby (JAC).
Honorable Mention: Justice Hill (BAL)
WR Streamers (9 strong, 11 moderate, 6 bust):
Rashee Rice (KC): The Chiefs have slowly increased Rice’s role. He and Kadarius Toney are clearly the preferred options when on the field, but they’ve seemed to spend most of their time on the bench. Luckily for Rice, that’s starting to change. With Justin Watson injured in Week 6, it seems Rice could be the beneficiary against a generous Chargers secondary that allowed success for all Cowboys receivers on MNF.
Rondale Moore (ARI): This is a deeper option, but with James Conner on IR, the Cardinals have given Moore a number of carries each week. Adding that to his improving receiving role makes him a viable flex option in Week 7 against a generous Seahawks secondary that has conceded the most points to slot receivers so far this season.
Honorable Mentions: Curtis Samuel (WAS) and Romeo Doubs (GB)
WR Stash:
Diontae Johnson (PIT): The Steelers receiver is eligible to come off IR, but I’m a little nervous about starting him straight out of the gate. He’s a hold-and-see for me.
Honorable mentions: Â Tank Dell (HOU) and Marvin Mims (DEN)
TE Streamer (5 strong, 1 moderate, 7 bust):
Taysom Hill (NO): With Juwan Johnson out, the Saints moved Hill into more of a traditional tight end role while still giving him his usual slate of utility snaps as well. If that usage continues, he’ll be a solid every-week option. He’s a big gamble, but given how most low-TE1s are performing, he’s the choice I’d take.
Honorable mention: Luke Musgrave (GB)
TE Stash:
Pat Freiermuth (PIT): The Steelers tight end said himself he expects to be back for Week 7, but with how spotty his production has been so far this season, I’d rather see something from him before placing him back in my lineup.
Honorable mentions: Michael Mayer (LV) and Trey McBride (ARI)
K/DST Streamers (9 strong, 5 moderate, 8 bust):
Dustin Hopkins (CLE), Riley Patterson (DET), Washington Commanders DST and Las Vegas Raiders 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.
