The 2024 NFL regular season is finally here. Hopefully, fantasy players hit a home run with their drafts, landing every sleeper pick they desired. However, the draft was only the first part of the fantasy season. Now, it’s time to get into the gritty week-to-week part of the game, including finding streamer options off the waiver wire. So, let’s look at the top streaming quarterback options for Week 1.

All the quarterbacks in this article are rostered in under 50% of ESPN 1QB leagues and under 25% in superflex leagues.

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Fantasy Football Quarterback Streamers: Week 1

Streaming Targets in 1QB Leagues

Matthew Stafford (LAR) vs. Detroit Lions (16.2% Rostered)

Stafford was a league winner late last season, especially for those dealing with injuries at the quarterback position. The veteran averaged 16 fantasy points per game in 2023, posting a 24-11 touchdown to interception ratio. However, he was outstanding at the end of last year, with Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp and Kyren Williams healthy. Stafford was the QB2 from Week 12 through Week 16, averaging 277.6 passing yards, 2.8 touchdowns, and 21.8 fantasy points per game, scoring 20.7 in all but one contest.

While the Lions have one of the top offenses in the NFL, their defense severely struggled last season. They surrendered 19.5 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the third-most in the NFL. Furthermore, they gave up the sixth-most passing touchdowns (28). Detroit made some improvements on defense in the offseason. However, they aren’t enough to keep fantasy players from streaming quarterbacks against them in 2024. Stafford had 22.7 fantasy points in the playoff matchup against the former team. Don’t be surprised if he has a similar performance on Sunday night.

Baker Mayfield (TB) vs. Washington Commanders (17.4% Rostered)

The Buccaneers had a productive fantasy offense in 2023 despite losing Tom Brady to retirement. Baker Mayfield had a breakout season, averaging 16.1 fantasy points per game. The veteran had his second-highest fantasy points per game average but set career-bests in passing yards (4,044), touchdowns (28), and rushing attempts (62). More importantly, Tampa Bay improved their offensive line in the offseason, re-signed Mike Evans, and added two mid-round pass-catchers during the NFL Draft, giving Mayfield a better supporting cast than last year.

It’s a new day for the Commanders after hiring Dan Quinn in the offseason. While Quinn and the free agent additions will improve the worst defense in the NFL from a year ago, fantasy players should still target Washington when picking out streaming quarterbacks this year. The Commanders surrendered the second-most fantasy points per game (20.1) and the most passing touchdowns (39) to quarterbacks last season. Furthermore, the team has an inexperienced secondary. Don’t be surprised if Mayfield starts the year with a three-touchdown performance.

Streaming Targets in Superflex Leagues

Derek Carr (NO) vs. Carolina Panthers (4.2% Rostered)

Fantasy players might have to hold their nose to put Carr in their starting lineup in Week 1. However, the veteran should be a popular streaming option throughout the season. Carr averaged a solid 14.2 fantasy points per game in 2023 despite playing through several injuries during the year. While the Saints lack a plethora of weapons, they have Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara and Rashid Shaheed, giving new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak enough firepower to build a productive around Carr.

Carolina surrendered only 12.9 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks in 2023, the fourth-fewest in the NFL. However, fantasy players shouldn’t expect that to repeat this season. The Panthers traded away Brian Burns and Donte Jackson, severely weakening their pass defense. More importantly, Carolina played Cover-3 on over half of their defensive snaps last year. Carr was at his best facing Cover-3, averaging 0.4 fantasy points per dropback against it in 2023 (per Fantasy Points Data). The veteran should have a solid performance in Week 1.

Gardner Minshew (LV) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (2.9% Rostered)

While he might not hold onto the starting role for the entire season, Minshew will start Sunday against the Chargers. The veteran was a popular streaming option last year with the Indianapolis Colts, ending the season as the QB21, averaging 12.3 fantasy points per game despite totaling only 15 passing touchdowns. However, he averaged 13.8 fantasy points per game in his 13 starts. More importantly, Minshew will have better weapons in Las Vegas with Davante Adams, Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers at his disposal.

The entire conversation about the Chargers in the offseason has been about Jim Harbaugh’s run-heavy offense. However, that might not happen if the defense struggles to get opposing offenses off the field. Last year, Los Angeles surrendered 16.7 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, slightly above the league average. Meanwhile, they gave up 25 passing touchdowns to quarterbacks, the ninth-most in the NFL. Aidan O’Connell averaged 17.9 fantasy points in the two matchups against the Chargers last season. Minshew could have a similar performance on Sunday.

Streamer to Avoid

Sam Darnold (MIN) vs. New York Giants (3.7% Rostered)

Typically, streaming articles provide which players to target off the waiver wire. However, I will give one quarterback that fantasy players should avoid streaming each week.

Unfortunately, Darnold has been a bust as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. However, he has played for two historically dysfunctional franchises – the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers. Last year, the veteran was the San Francisco 49ers’ backup quarterback, playing sparingly until a meaningless Week 18 matchup, totaling two touchdowns and 17.5 fantasy points in his only start. More importantly, Darnold has been the clear-cut starter in Minnesota since J.J. McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason.

Darnold will be a streaming option throughout the 2024 season because of his receiving core of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and, eventually, T.J. Hockenson. However, Week 1 isn’t the time to stream the former USC star. The Giants surrendered 15.3 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks last year, slightly below the league average. New York made several additions in the offseason on defense, trading for Brian Burns, drafting Tyler Nubin and recently re-signing Adoree’ Jackson. This game might be the lowest-scoring Week 1 matchup.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.