Don't underestimate the value of streaming in fantasy.
Streaming quarterbacks, kickers and defenses each week allows you to take advantage of the best available options. And if you missed out on a high-caliber tight end in drafts, you can even stream that position with some success.
Each week I highlight the best streaming options at all four of those positions. Here’s how those recommendations would rank with each position through three weeks:
- Quarterback: QB6 (240.92)
- Tight End: TE15 (75.4)
- Kicker: K3 (121)
- Defense: DEF4 (139)
Now let's dig into my top fantasy streaming options at quarterback, tight end, kicker and defense for Week 14.
Note: All ownership data via Yahoo Fantasy and as of early Tuesday.
Week 14 Fantasy Football Streaming Targets
QB: Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
Matchup: at Oakland Raiders
Ownership: 39%
Nick Foles was a complete bust as a QB streamer last week, dropping the to-date rank of my streaming QBs to QB6. It's worth pointing out he ended up falling to QB17 in my rankings after a week of updating projections, then factoring in the weather once we had a better idea that windy conditions could impact the passing game.
It's a good reminder to consult my most recent rankings later in the week before making streaming decisions.
Tannehill appears to be the top streaming option to open the week. He’s my QB15. which means that the position is pretty weak in terms of streaming options this week.
The Titans currently have the 11th-highest team total of the week, so Tannehill's touchdown projection is elevated in my model as a result. He only ran for five yards last week, which wasn't too surprising given the Colts' zone defense can limit a QB's scrambling ability. Look for him to bounce back with 15-30 rushing yards against the Raiders to elevate his floor/ceiling combo.
Tannehill is a fairly safe option if you're desperate for one-week rental.
TE: Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins
Matchup: at New York Jets
Ownership: 19%
As long as Gesicki is widely available in 81% of Yahoo leagues, he'll continue to be featured as my TE streamer.
He dropped a 5/79/1 line on the Eagles last week. But more importantly, he once again ran a route on at least 80% of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s dropbacks. That was the eighth-highest mark of Week 13 and he should continue to be Fitzpatrick’s second-favorite target.
The Dolphins face another pass funnel defense this week, so look for his hot streak to continue.
Kicker: Dan Bailey, Minnesota Vikings
Matchup: vs. Detroit Lions
Ownership: 15%
The Vikings have the highest team total of the week. They're also huge 14.5-point favorites, so this all lends to increased chances of field goal and extra point opportunities.
It's also an added bonus that Bailey will be kicking indoors. With weather becoming a huge factor for kickers this time of year, we don’t have to worry about that developing later in the week. Bailey is hands down the top streaming option at K this week.
Defense: Green Bay Packers
Matchup: vs. Washington Redskins
Ownership: 49%
The most predictive stats for defenses are sacks and points allowed. Turnovers and touchdowns, meanwhile, as less predictive as they're mostly luck-driven.
As a result, the Panthers were my No. 1 ranked defense last week as they were the top of my model in sacks and points allowed. They ended up posting five sacks and nothing else. Washington also ended up dropping 29 points on them for a stunning Week 13 upset. Now we're faced with a nearly identical scenario this week.
The Packers top my model this week as the No. 1 DEF and it's mostly driven by having the fewest points allowed projection and being in the top-10 in sacks. It’s highly unlikely Dwayne Haskins goes another week with no turnovers, so this could be a big bounce back spot for the top ranked defense this week.
