"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 they face, 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.
In Week 2, streaming recommendations took a slight dip from the prior week, but generally they performed in solid fashion.
QB Carson Wentz was the 11th-best scoring quarterback while Gerald Everett matched that number in half-PPR leagues for tight ends. Kicker Brandon McManus was tied for fourth in production at the position, while the Browns defense was the one recommendation that did not find success.
Read on for my Week 3 streaming analysis.
Falcons QB Marcus Mariota @ SEA (11% Rostered)
Mariota is the QB13 on the season despite opening with tough matchups against the Saints and the Rams. Now, things get easier for him with a mouth-watering matchup against a Seahawks defense that lost Jamal Adams.
The Falcons QB has sneaky QB1 upside thanks to his ability to run the football in a big way. With Cordarrelle Patterson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts at his disposal, Mariota is an excellent streaming option this week.
Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. vs. DET (41% Rostered)
Smith Jr. didn't grab a catch in Week 1 as he was being eased back from a thumb injury, but the production already climbed in Week 2 as his routes run rate increased to 60%.
He caught five passes for 36 yards and a touchdown, and I believe he'll be in a good spot against a struggling Lions defense this week.
Chiefs K Matt Ammendola @ IND (3% Rostered)
It's hard to know exactly when Harrison Butker will return from injury for the Chiefs, but it's worth taking a flier on Ammendola in the event that he's the starter once again.
The Chiefs have the third-highest implied team total on the week, giving Ammendola plenty of options to score. Additionally, playing indoors should assist his expected field goal percentage.
Chargers K Dustin Hopkins vs. JAX (45% Rostered)
In the event that we find out Butker will be a go, Hopkins is a nice fall back option. As always, make sure you're checking my updated rankings on Sunday morning to ensure you're playing the highest rated kicker available to you.
Bears DEF vs. HOU (6% Rostered)
The Bears open the week as my fifth-ranked defense ahead of their matchup with the Texans.
Think of the Bears defense as a high-floor option given it projects for a high number of sacks, turnovers and a low number of points allowed. However, actual defense rankings come down to a lot of luck (turnover/return TDs), so don't be surprised if the Bears don't actually finish as a top five defense.
Nonetheless, the widely available option is a great one.
