"Streaming" quarterbacks, defenses and kickers has been a fantasy football strategy I've successfully used for years.
I've parlayed that success into a series of weekly recommendations for the top streaming options at those three positions, as well as tight end, which can be of assistance in a pinch.
The concept behind streaming is that you add someone for a given week based on the matchup, rather than putting the emphasis behind a player's long-term projection.
I’m only highlighting players who are available in at least 40% of Yahoo! leagues. Please refer to my player rankings based on your league settings to see who is the best available player in your league.
QB Gardner Minshew
vs. Saints
It’s a wide-open week for QB streamers since no one inside my top 13 is available in 40% of leagues. Only one point separates my QB14 to QB21, so we could see my rankings change a bit in this range before Sunday.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Minshew currently tops my list as the QB14.
Minshew is coming off back-to-back games of at least 300 passing yards against two solid defenses in the Jaguars and Browns. He has another tougher test this week against the Saints, but they have had a very easy schedule of opposing QBs and could be a bit overrated.
I wouldn’t bid much, if anything at all, to scoop Minshew up. Someone may be more aggressive with their FAAB coming off his big Week 7, and I would let them. If he’s the highest-ranked QB available in your league this week he’s worth a stream.
To access my Week 8 fantasy rankings, click here.
This might be the best streaming week in TE history. I wouldn’t be doing it justice if I just dropped one TE and moved on.
It’s important to realize there are a few great options, and here is how I view them.
Best Week 8 Option
TE Dalton Kincaid
vs. Buccaneers (43%)
Kincaid is coming off a great game in Week 7 against the Patriots, and Dawson Knox has been ruled out after suffering a wrist injury. Kincaid jumps up to TE8 to open the week and will likely be a top-10 option as long as Knox is out.
If Kincaid thrives when Knox is out, he could still have a much bigger role even once the veteran TE returns. Kincaid is a rookie TE who's still on the rise, and now is the time to get him if you can.
Good Medium-Term Option
TE Trey McBride
vs. Ravens (2%)
McBride was already emerging and could have potentially leapfrogged Zach Ertz as the Cardinals' lead TE. Now, with Ertz on injured reserve, he should see a significant jump in playing time.
McBride has a tougher matchup against the Ravens this week, but he's still a high-end TE2 and could push TE1 value in easier matchups. When Ertz returns, he could return to being more of a solid TE2 option
Long-Term Option
TE Jake Ferguson
vs. Rams (47%)
Ferguson has seen an increase in playing time with Peyton Hendershot on injured reserve. In Week 6, he recorded a season-high 84% routes run rate but only saw one target.
If Ferguson can see his typical target rate combined with that playing time, he has top-10 upside.
Weapon To Use If You're a Big Underdog
TE Taysom Hill
at Colts (11%)
Hill has the widest range of outcomes of all TEs due to his unique skill set. This is useful for managers who are a bigger underdog and need to shoot more for a higher-ceiling play, which Hill provides.
K Brandon Aubrey
vs. Rams (26%)
Aubrey was dropped in a ton of leagues due to the Cowboys' Week 7 bye week.
The rookie has made all 16 of his field-goal attempts this season, including two from 50+ yards out. The Cowboys have the sixth-highest implied team total and should provide Aubrey with plenty of scoring opportunities.
Falcons D/ST
at Titans (13%)
Ryan Tannehill has been ruled out, so the Titans are going to go with some sort of committee between rookie Will Levis and Malik Willis. Tennessee has the lowest implied team total to open the week as a result.
This situation is a mess, and the Falcons defense should benefit from it.
