"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 you add someone for a given week based on the matchup, rather than putting emphasis on a player's long-term projection.
Note most of these players are rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo! leagues, but that these recommendations do not mean 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 16 streaming analysis.
49ers QB Brock Purdy vs. Commanders (20% rostered)
Purdy has impressed in his limited time as the starter. His success is a good callback to when Nick Mullens managed to look like a functional NFL quarterback and offered QB2 value when he was pressed into action a couple years ago. It’s a testament to just how good Kyle Shanahan’s system is for quarterbacks.
The Iowa State product possesses sneaky rushing upside he has yet to flash at the pro level, so his ceiling could be much higher if he starts to tap into that. I view him as a high end QB2 option against a pass-funnel defense in the Commanders
Note: If Daniel Jones is available (59% rostered), I would go with him as he opens the week as my QB10.
Titans TE Chigoziem Okonkwo vs. Texans (29%)
Chigoziem Okonkwo continues to produce in limited playing time – 56% routes run rate in Week 15 – as he posted a 4/54/0 line against the Chargers.
He has an easy matchup this week against the Texans and he has a higher ceiling than most TE2/streaming options, so I like tapping into his upside here. He opens the week as my TE18, but there's a ceiling for much more.
Buccaneers K Ryan Succop at Cardinals (30%)
The Buccaneers have the seventh-highest implied team total of the week, which means Ryan Succop could see plenty of scoring opportunities.
We also won’t have to worry about any potential inclement weather in Arizona. Succop opens the week as my K5.
Titans Defense vs. Texans (48%)
This is the no-brainer streaming option of the week. The Titans are my No. 1 defense for Week 16 as they take on the worst team in the league.
It's worth unloading some FAAB to secure this defense considering it’s a must-win week (and you might not even need your FAAB the rest of the way).
