Streaming quarterback, kicker and defense has been a strategy I've used successfully for years.
I've parlayed that success into a series of weekly recommendations of the top streaming options at those three positions as well as tight end — a position I don't recommend streaming week-to-week, though still offer recommendations for fantasy players who may need a short-term rental.
Here are this season's results through Week 11:
- Defense: DEF3
- Quarterback: QB11
- Kicker: K6
- Tight end: TE19
Now without further ado, let's go streaming!
Note: Availability as of Tuesday and via Yahoo Fantasy. Rankings also as of Tuesday.
Week 12 Defense Streamer
Giants vs. Bengals
- Rank: DEF3 [Go To My Full Rankings]
- Available in: 84% of leagues
Fading the Bengals with Ryan Finley under center is going to be a significant boost for fantasy defenses. The Giants are the first team up and are available in most leagues.
Week 12 QB Streamer
Raiders QB Derek Carr @ Falcons
- Rank: QB11 [Go To My Full Rankings]
- Available in: 64% of leagues
For weeks where the waiver wire is pretty thin, Derek Carr always makes a solid high-floor play.
Yes, he had a rough three-week stretch from Weeks 8-10. When you factor in the 30+ wind game at Cleveland and the 37-12 blowout win against Denver (where the Raiders scored four rushing TDs), it's a bit easier to forgive him. He should be a good bet for 250 yards and two TDs against the Falcons defense. When you are streaming QB, usually that will be enough.
If you are in a tough spot where you want to shoot for a higher ceiling, you can roll the dice with Daniel Jones. He rushed for 9/64/1 in Week 9 before the Giants' bye. If the Giants are planning on making him a true dual-threat QB, it will elevate his floor/ceiling combo. He's worth a flier against the Bengals if you want to roll the dice.
Week 12 Kicker Streamer
Raiders K Daniel Carlson at Falcons
- Rank: K1 [Go To My Full Rankings]
- Available in: 50% of leagues
If you have been following me for a while, you know that I take my kicker projections seriously. However, they are always tricky to forecast, since much of a kicker's opportunity is outside of their control.
It was back in 2018 I made a major overhaul to my kicker projections process, and I finished as the No. 1 ranker for the FantasyPros in-season ranking contest. I have made some significant changes to my kicking model heading into this week.
I made some changes that will better adapt my model to in-season data and be more predictive in field goal attempts. In my updated model's debut, it has Daniel Carlson as my No. 1 kicker.
This makes sense as the Raiders have the second-highest team total for Week 12. They should be able to move the ball against the Falcons but could stall a couple of times in field goal territory.
Week 12 TE Streamer
Editor's note:Jordan Reed (illness) is uncertain to play on Sunday, elevating Kyle Rudolph my recommended streamer at tight end. Vikings teammate Irv Smith Jr. is also unlikely to play, meaning Rudolph could see more work against the Panthers. He's available in 93% of Yahoo! leagues as of Saturday night.
49ers TE Jordan Reed @ Rams
- Rank: TE16 [Go To My Full Rankings]
- Available in: 85% of leagues
If both Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk can suit up this week, we can re-evaluate the TE streamer come Saturday.
However, Jordan Reed is worth an early week add if both end up being ruled out. He would have enough projected volume to be a low-end TE1 in that event.
