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.
Now let's dig into my top fantasy streaming options at quarterback, tight end, kicker and defense for Week 9.
Note: All ownership data via Yahoo Fantasy and as of Monday.
Week 9 Fantasy Football Streaming Targets
QB: Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders
Matchup: vs. Detroit Lions
Ownership: 26%
Don't look now, but Carr has strung together back-to-back solid performances by putting up 285 or more passing yards and two or more touchdowns in two straight games. Now he gets a Lions defense that's allowed 320-plus yards and four TD passes in two straight opposing QBs (Kirk Cousins and Daniel Jones).
This matchup has a total of 51, which is the second-highest of the week. The Raiders' team total of 26.5 ranks fourth on the week and is nearly three points higher than the Patriots.
My initial rank for Carr pegs him as a low-end QB1 as my QB11.
With Matt Ryan, Jared Goff and Drew Brees on bye, and Patrick Mahomes expected to miss another game, Carr makes the perfect streamer play for those in need of a one-week rental.
TE: Darren Fells, Houston Texans
Matchup: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (in London)
Ownership: 19%
It's time to take Fells seriously. Yes, he's in a bit of TE battle with Jordan Akins, but Deshawn Watson has been targeting the position heavily this season. With Will Fuller out and Keke Coutee being benched in favor of DeAndre Carter, Fells has essentially taken the role as Watson's No. 3 target and acts as his security blanket.
Fells' beefy 6-foot-5, 255-pounds frame makes him a potential force in the red zone. We've now seen him score two touchdowns in two games this season, so he makes an intriguing safe(r)-floor, high(er)-ceiling option than most TE streaming options.
Fells is currently my TE9, which makes him worth a flier.
Kicker: Daniel Carlson, Oakland Raiders
Matchup: vs. Detroit Lions
Ownership: 1%
The Raiders should see plenty of scoring chances in the second-highest total game of the week.
I currently have Carlson as my K3. It's important to note that ranking a kicker in the top-three does NOT mean I am giving him, say, 50/50 odds of a top-three finish. The position is very volatile, and we stream it to avoid spending high draft capital since we can typically add a top-10 kicker in a given week.
This strategy also has the added benefit of putting up a solid end-of-year score at the position.
Defense: New York Jets
Matchup: at Miami Dolphins
Ownership: 12%
The Jets will be a popular waiver wire defense as they draw the Dolphins. They'll be without C.J. Mosley for five to six weeks, which is a devastating blow. And while the Jets defense should not be confused with the Patriots, we have to remember that the 2019 Dolphins could very well go down as the worst NFL team in history.
Don't overthink this situation: You’ll want to add the Jets this week if you can.
We aren't expecting No. 1 overall DEF results this week — though it is certainly in the range of outcomes — so the reason to play them is they should provide a solid score.
By spending zero draft capital on a defense, I've still managed to stream to an overall No. 2 rank at the position with my recommendations in this piece so far.
