Here are players to consider stashing ahead of this weekend’s slate of games.
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QUARTERBACKS
Tua Tagovailoa vs. Falcons in Week 7
With six teams on bye in Week 7, it’s going to be a tough week to find viable streaming options, and beating the crowds to the waiver wire might save you a few FAAB dollars. Tua will face a Falcons defense that has allowed 11 TD passes through five games and has the league’s fifth-worst opponent passer rating (109.5). It’s also likely that by Week 7 the Dolphins will have WRs DeVante Parker and Will Fuller back, giving Tua a full arsenal of pass-catchers.
RUNNING BACKS
Rhamondre Stevenson at Jets in Week 7
Stevenson fell out of favor for fumbling the ball away in Week 1 on his second NFL touch, but fumbling has been contagious among the Patriots’ running backs, with Damien Harris and J.J. Taylor both catching the bug. After being a healthy scratch in Weeks 2-4, Stevenson was finally activated in Week 5 and got 11 carries. He only turned them into 23 yards, but he had a TD run called back by an illegal shift. Don’t forget: Stevenson ran for five touchdowns in three preseason games. Yes, it was only the preseason, but Stevenson is a potentially valuable asset and well worth stashing if you have the roster space.
Jerick McKinnon at Titans in Week 7
We think Darrel Williams will be the main man in the Chiefs’ backfield while Clyde Edwards-Helaire is out with a sprained MCL. But what if we’re wrong? What if McKinnon is the main man? Or what if it’s a 50-50 split? As potent as the Chiefs’ offense is, having a running back in the offense who gets touches and has a versatile run-catch skill set could be lucrative. If McKinnon has only a small role in Week 6, or if we get reports that Edwards-Helaire could be back earlier than expected, fine. Drop McKinnon. But there are certainly worse ways to spend $1 or $2 worth of FAAB.
WIDE RECEIVERS
T.Y. Hilton at 49ers in Week 7
Hilton is expected to return from a neck injury in Week 6, but he’s still widely available in fantasy leagues. Michael Pittman seems to have established himself as the Colts’ lead receiver, but Hilton could still play a useful role. He looked good down the stretch last season, producing 27-435-5 over Indy’s final six games,
Amon-Ra St. Brown at Rams in Week 7
With Quintez Cephus on IR with a broken collarbone, St. Brown could inherit extra targets. Over his last two games, the rookie from USC has caught 13 of 16 targets for 135 yards. The Rams aren’t a particularly good matchup in Week 7, but there’s a better matchup on tap against the Eagles in Week 8.
Rashod Bateman vs. Bengals in Week 7
Bateman is expected to return from a core injury and make his NFL debut in Week 6. If the first-round rookie from Minnesota makes a good impression, there’s going to be a waiver wire stampede for him. Why not beat the rush and grab him now for a buck or two?
Elijah Moore at Patriots in Week 7
The buzz that encircled Moore all summer has dissipated. He’s a free agent in most fantasy leagues. Do we really think the buzz was all idle noise? Moore is a talented dude, and it seems only a matter of time before he starts producing for the Jets. He’s worth stashing if you have a roster spot for him.
TIGHT ENDS
David Njoku vs. Broncos in Week 7
Njoku exploded for 7-149-1 against the Chargers in Week 5. It wasn’t his first good game of the season – he also had 3-76-0 against the Chiefs in Week 1. It’s worth remembering how good a prospect Njoku was when he entered the league in 2017. He was a first-round pick with a freaky catch radius, 4.6 speed, and exceptional leaping ability. This spring, the Browns liked him enough to pick up his fifth-year option, even though Njoku hasn’t done much to date. But sometimes, it takes young tight ends a while to find their way, and Njoku is finally showing signs of life. If he has another good game in Week 6, there’s going to be a lot of interest. This is a chance to beat everyone to the punch.
Ricky Seals-Jones at Packers in Week 7
Logan Thomas is eligible to come off IR in Week 8, but Seals-Jones will still be an appealing TE streamer for Week 7, when there are six teams on bye. He was targeted nine times last week and had five receptions for 41 yards.
DEFENSES
Philadelphia Eagles at Raiders in Week 7
There aren’t many great streaming-D options for Week 7, and the Eagles are probably the best choice among the defenses available in at least 60% of leagues. The Philly defense is currently tied for 12th in fantasy scoring, and the Raiders have allowed the 10th-highest point total to opposing defenses.
New York Giants vs. Panthers in Week 7
I’ll say it again: Week 7 isn’t a great week for streaming defenses. The Giants aren’t completely terrible – how’s that for faint praise? – and they face a Panthers defense that has allowed the 12th-highest point total to opposing defenses.
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