Week 7 Streamers and Stashes: I’m starting THAT guy?!

I will be the first to admit that Kimani Vidal, Kameron Johnson and Dillon Gabriel weren’t on my Bingo card for Week 7 pickups at the start of the season, but here we are! If you’re not continually updating and improving your fantasy team, you’re going to miss out on some fantastic opportunities. So, 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.

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.

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QB Streamers:

CJ Stroud (HOU): The Texans spanked the Ravens heading into their bye week with CJ Stroud banking four tuddies in a QB1 performance. He now gets the Seahawks, who are best attacked through the air. This is a risky but upside streaming opportunity.

Matthew Stafford (LAR): I’m getting back on the Matthew Stafford train. After two good weeks, he badly disappointed in a grindfest against the Ravens. But despite the possible absence of Puka Nacua, I believe in Stafford in what could be a pass-a-thon against the Jaguars, a Top 10 QB matchup.

Dillon Gabriel (CLE): We’re going deep this week, but the Dolphins are one of the league’s best QB matchups. While Dillon Gabriel isn’t the greatest quarterback in the league, he enters the game as a three point favorite and is a good deep-league or superflex option in Week 7.

QB Stash:

Michael Penix (ATL): Week 8 brings six bye teams, though no big-name quarterbacks will be unavailable. So, if you’re needing to stash a quarterback for next week, you must be looking pretty deep. In that case, I’d recommend Michael Penix. The Falcons face the struggling Dolphins meaning Penix will likely be a top streaming option for Week 8.

RB Streamers:

Jaylen Warren (PIT): Last week’s usage was far from promising but against the Bengals, the league’s best RB matchup, Jaylen Warren’s a great streaming option. In fact, I’d even consider using Kenny Gainwell this week given the current split in touches and the likelihood of plenty of check downs to the receiving back.

Kimani Vidal (LAC): Against all expectations, Kimani Vidal was the main man in Week 6 for the Chargers. That vaults him into the tier of every-week starting options until Omarion Hampton returns, the team trades for a new back or we see a change in Vidal’s role.

Isiah Pacheco (KC): The Chiefs made some major changes to their running back usage against the Lions, giving Isiah Pacheco back the valuable goal line opportunities that have been going to Kareem Hunt so far this season. That makes Pacheco a viable starter in Week 7 against the Raiders and a great buy-low opportunity.

RB Stashes:

Isaiah Davis (NYJ): The Jets are having an awful season and should be considering a proper rebuild. That would involve trading away Breece Hall before his remaining value expires. While this isn’t likely, it’s more possible than an injury to the average starter, making Isaiah Davis one of the most likely backups to get a starting job.

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, Kendre Miller, Brian Robinson, Ollie Gordon, Isaiah Davis, Kareem Hunt, RJ Harvey, Bhayshul Tuten, DJ Giddens, Emanuel Wilson, Kyle Monangai, Raheem Mostert, Keaton Mitchell, Ty Johnson

WR Streamers:

Rashid Shaheed (NO): Last week, the Bears allowed big plays to Chris Moore, Jaylin Lane and Luke McCaffrey. Meanwhile, Jameson Williams, Kavontae Turpin and George Pickens all made some big plays against them earlier in the season. That brings Rashid Shaheed well into the conversation as a high upside streamer this week against Chicago.

Sterling Shepard, Tez Johnson and Kameron Johnson (TB): It’s impossible to know which Buccaneers receivers will go off against the Lions, a top 5 WR matchup. Sterling Shepard is likely the safest prospect but the two Johnsons are also deep options if you’re struggling with bye weeks or injuries.

Jordan Whittington (LAR): With Puka Nacua likely out for Week 7, Jordan Whittington becomes a viable streamer in a top 10 matchup against Jacksonville. There’s plenty of upside here but if you’re struggling for viable options, he’s a feasible deep-league choice.

WR Stashes:

Christian Watson (GB): Christian Watson has begun practising again and is nearing a return. He was less productive than his owners hoped last season when he was sharing with Dontayvion Wicks, but with Wicks becoming less involved and currently injured, Watson returns to being a possible fantasy option again. Especially while Jayden Reed is out.

TE Streamers:

Cade Otton (TB): Last season, when the Buccaneers wide receivers were struck by the injury bug, Cade Otton popped off for 258 yards on 31 targets with three scores. Tampa Bay is once again battling a rash of receiver injuries, bringing Otton into play as a top 10 option in Week 7.

Harold Fannin Jr (CLE): With David Njoku at risk of missing Week 7, his rookie teammate comes back into play as a fantasy starter. Harold Fannin turned Njoku’s mid-game injury into 10 targets and 81 yards. The Dolphins are an upside matchup, making Fannin a great streaming option for those who have been rocking Dalton Kincaid or Mark Andrews this year.

TE Stash:

Michael Mayer (LV): Brock Bowers is at risk of being shut down for the long term, making Michael Mayer a great stash or even a Week 7 streamer. Mayer was the TE5 last week and will be a regular low-end starter as long as Bowers is out.

K Streamers:

Michael Badgley (IND): Spencer Shrader was the K1 this season before his injury lead to Michael Badgley replacing him. He looked solid in Week 6 and now faces a top 10 matchup against the Chargers.

Eddy Pineiro (SF): Eddy Pineiro took over the 49ers kicking job in Week 2, yet he’s already got the second most kicking points this season. The Falcons are a top 5 matchup making this an obviously excellent option.

DST Streamers:

Patriots DST (NE): The Titans have been awful all season while the Patriots defense has been the DST8. This feels like a streaming option made in heaven.

Browns DST (CLE): I’ll admit I’m less confident about this streaming choice. But the Browns DST is available in most leagues and their brutal D-line takes on the leaky Dolphins O-line. This should be a lowish-scoring, sack-ridden game.

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.