Fantasy Football Streaming Picks Week 1

Fantasy Football Streaming

Football season is here, meaning fantasy football is upon us, and it’s time to look at week one streaming quarterbacks, tight ends, and defenses. First, let’s define the term streamers. Typically streamers include players found on the waiver wire and then used as a starter in a given week. Often the streamer recommendations are based on matchups more than skill. Occasionally we find a streamer that hits and sticks for a few additional weeks. For roster percentage, we are looking at quarterbacks, tight ends, and defenses rostered in less than 40% of leagues. 

What is Fantasy Football Streaming?

Streaming is a fantasy football strategy that starts as early as your fantasy draft. Instead of drafting two quarterbacks, two kickers, and two defenses, you draft one of each very late and “stream” them all season based on the best possible matchups. By using your waiver wire, you can mix and match the best possible starters all season to maximize output. If you’re in a league where you have a small bench for players to stash, streaming really is a great way to save bench spots for talented RB and WR depth. 

Quarterback Streamers

Philip Rivers at JAC – 31% Rostered

With Philip Rivers on the Colts, he tops the list of quarterback streamers with his matchup against the Jaguars. Last season, the Jaguars defense allowed 19 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. In the offseason, the Jaguars parted ways with several top defensive players in A.J. Bouye, Calais Campbell, and Yannick Ngakoue. The Colts offensive line ranked 7th in pass protection according to Football Outsiders offensive line ratings. Plug Rivers into your lineup with confidence. 

Gardner Minshew II vs. IND – 26% Rostered 

With the Jaguars releasing Leonard Fournette and parting ways with several key defensive players, they are in for a rough season. However, for fantasy purposes, negative game scripts mean the potential for more passing and garbage time production. Gardner Minshew II also provides the rushing ability with 344 rushing yards last season that adds to his fantasy production. With the potential negative game script, Minshew should be a solid streaming quarterback in week one. 

Teddy Bridgewater vs. LV – 24% Rostered

Last year the Raiders allowed the 4th most fantasy points to quarterbacks with 21.3. Teddy Bridgewater ranked 4th with a 76.4% True Completion percentage and 2nd in play-action completion percentage. As an accurate passer with offensive weapons in Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore, and Curtis Samuel, Bridgewater should easily take advantage of his juicy week one matchup. 

Tyrod Taylor at CIN – 8% Rostered

With Tyrod Taylor’s rushing ability and the Bengals weak defense, he’s a decent streaming quarterback in week one. Last season, the Bengals defense allowed 20.8 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks (No. 7). During his time in Buffalo (2015-2017), Taylor averaged over 500 rushing yards per season. In deeper leagues, Taylor is a lower end streaming quarterback option.

Tight End Streamers

Greg Olsen at ATL – 30% Rostered

Greg Olsen sits atop the Seahawks tight end depth chart, and they face the Falcons in week one. The Falcons ranked middle of the pack with 7.7 fantasy points per game allowed to tight ends (No. 15). Last year, Jacob Hollister received the third-most targets on the Seahawks. During the first five weeks of 2019, tight end Will Dissly also performed well before suffering a season-ending injury. Russell Wilson involves and targets tight ends, and Olsen is the top streaming tight end option.

Irv Smith Jr. vs. GB – 16% Rostered

Although the season-long line may not look great for Irv Smith Jr., he received seven red zone receptions (No. 11) that tied him with Darren Waller and Travis Kelce. The Packers allowed 7.8 fantasy points per game to tight ends (No. 12) last season, and Smith is a streamer tight end option in deeper leagues. If you waited on tight ends, then he is also worth a speculative add. 

Ian Thomas vs. LV – 14% Rostered

With Greg Olsen now on the Seahawks, the athletic and explosive Ian Thomas plans to step up in 2020. Last season, the Raiders allowed 9.3 fantasy points per game to tight ends (No. 2). The streamer pairing of Bridgewater and Thomas projects for a fantasy-friendly week one matchup. 

Defense Streamers

Tennessee Titans at DEN, 35% Rostered

It is slim pickings when looking for streaming defenses under 40% rostered. The Titans play at the Broncos on Monday Night Football in week one. Typically, streaming a defense on the road may not be a smart option, but with no fans this year, it means less home-field advantage. Last year, the Titans allowed the 11th fewest points per game on defense. Opposing defenses also sacked Lock five times in five games. The Titans defense projects as a decent streaming option in week one. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NO, 31% Rostered

Add the Buccaneers defense a week early since they face the Panthers and Broncos the following two weeks. Last season, linebacker Shaquil Barrett led the NFL with 19.5 sacks. Their defense includes several top players in their front seven with Ndamukong Suh, Vita Vea, Lavonte David, and Devin White. Although the week one matchup against the Saints is worrisome, their defense should improve coming into 2020. Will the Saints have the same home-field advantage without fans?

Detroit Lions vs. CHI – 5% Rostered 

The Lions defense ranks as more of a deeper league streamer in week one since they allowed the 7th most points on defense last year while also losing Darius Slay to the Eagles. They face a Bears offense led by Mitchell Trubisky and without David Montgomery. Last season, defenses sacked Trubisky 38 times, tied for the 11th most. Again, more of a deeper league streaming defense this week.