"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 of the top streaming options at those three positions as well as tight end — a position I don't recommend streaming week-to-week — 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.
Note that these players are rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo! leagues, but that these recommendations do not mean that they are the best streamer play for your league — be sure to check my up-to-the-minute rankings to see who the best available player is in your league.
Read on for my Week 11 streaming analysis.
Falcons QB Marcus Mariota vs. CHI (33% rostered)
There aren’t many streaming options this week at QB as a lot of our typical choices are now rostered in 50% or more of all leagues.
Mariota stands out as the best option as he opens the week as my QB12. The Bears vs Falcons game has the highest total of the week at 50.5, and the Falcons have the third-highest implied team total at 26.5.
He could lose his job to Desmond Ridder, but I think it's unlikely to happen. Mariota may carry a low weekly floor later in the season when they are underdogs in a spot where a benching is more likely, but I think this is a spot for us to tap into his upside. Mariota is going up against a weak Bears defense that lost a couple of key players before the trade deadline.
Bengals TE Hayden Hurst @ PIT (48%)
Hurst was dropped in many leagues since the Bengals were on a bye last week, but he's my top streaming option this week at tight end as he could provide TE1 value throughout the rest of the season.
The South Carolina product should continue to see an increased target share with Ja’Marr Chase out. He opens the week as my TE10. If Hurst is unavailable in your league, Foster Moreau would be the next-best option as he'll fill in for Darren Waller, who is currently on IR.
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Bears K Cairo Santos @ ATL (7%)
As I mentioned above, the Bears vs. Falcons matchup has the highest total of the week at 50.5. There should be plenty of scoring opportunities for Santos, and he gets an additional boost based on the game being in a dome.
Commanders DEF @ HOU (7%)
The Commanders have generated the sixth-highest pressure rate this season and are expected to get EDGE rusher Chase Young back this week.
It comes at the perfect time, as the Commanders get to face the Texans. This defensive unit opens the week as my DEF6 and it is my top streaming option.
