As we begin the new NFL season, there has not been a better time to stream. Both the quarterback and the tight end landscape seem to be thick and lush with talent. A lot has to do with the fact that both positions seem much deeper and less predictable. Many question marks linger leaving a seemingly infinite amount of possibility. We are also starry-eyed with the idea of a new start.
As the year progresses, choices will dwindle as players emerge and prove worthy of every-week roster spots. In many ways, this is the best time to stream due to a wealth of choices but with that choice comes the ambiguity of choosing incorrectly. There might be a better pool of talent to choose from but in the end, one must take into account the defensive matchups that present themselves.
In order to qualify as a streaming option, a player needs to be owned in less than 50 percent of leagues. To put this into perspective, there are 10 starting quarterbacks that fall into this category. The choice is not a problem. What is difficult is choosing the right one. So let’s try to get the year off in the most positive way as we navigate our way through 16 weeks.
We will sift through the dark jungle like Charles Marlow did in Joseph Conrad’s “The Heart of Darkness.” His journey through Africa was full of adventure and pitfalls. In the end, he took many detours and often deviated from his original plan but he never lost sight of his endgame; to find his nemesis, Colonel Kurtz. It’s a similar tale we streamers find ourselves engrossed in. A 16-week trip, full of trials and tribulations, weeks of elation and heartbreak. In the end, we hope to achieve victory as we set sail in the murky wilderness that is as fertile as it is unforgiving.
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Quarterback
QB Streamer of the Week: Josh Allen (BUF) vs. New York Jets
One of the hottest quarterbacks to finish off last season was Josh Allen. What makes him enticing is not his arm per se, though it is pretty strong and potentially potent. Allen’s accuracy has often been ridiculed. Many equate him to Charlie Sheen’s character, Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn, from the 1989 comedy movie “Major League.” Allen has the raw talent but has not harnessed his throwing potential yet, and many believe he will never be able to tame his talent.
Luckily for him, he also has quick feet that often get him out of trouble, thus producing in fantasy. The coveted Konami Code is etched in his arsenal. What’s intriguing for Allen is Buffalo upgrading their wide receiving corps from last year. They still have youth in both Zay Jones and Robert Foster, but now have some wily veterans added to the mix, in John Brown and Cole Beasley. Brown might be in the twilight of his career, but is still fast and gives Allen that potential field stretcher to enable him to extend his arm for a big play or two. Beasley is more of a safety net and will allow Allen to appear more accurate.
The receiving group may not be stellar but compared to 2018, it is an upgrade. And if all else fails, the 34%-owned Allen will be able to scramble, hoping that his feet “don’t fail him now!” Whatever he cannot score through the air, he should be able to make up for on the ground. The New York Jets defense is not a pushover by any stretch but it is entrenched in youth and this might be a good time to exploit that youth before they gel and become formidable by mid-season.
Nick Foles (JAC) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Nick Foles is now a bonafide starter. Well, 18% of Yahoo fantasy players think so. It is safe to say that he won’t be as good as that Eagles’ quarterback who handed Tom Brady a Super Bowl loss a few years ago. However, he most likely won’t be as bad as the quarterback who played for the often GIF’ed head coach, Jeff Fisher, a few years earlier when the Rams were not calling Los Angeles home.
Foles is on a team with one of the best defenses and a receiving corps that is as talented as it has been underwhelming. Dede Westbrook leads the way. Many believe he will break out this year. There is also Chief’s reject Chris Conley, second-year speedster D.J. Chark, and one-hit-wonder Keelan Cole. All have potential with Foles, who is an upgrade over the Jags’ former quarterback, Blake Bortles. Fournette is also poised to be the running back everyone has been expecting to see, thus providing a potentially spectacular rushing attack that will open up the passing game for Foles.
If my arguments thus far have not helped you buy into Foles for the season, know that he is playing against a poor Kansas Chiefs defense in Week 1. This should give you enough confidence that he will be fantasy relevant at least for this week. The Chiefs were the worst against the pass last year, giving up the second-most attempts (406), the most yards (4,721) and almost two passing touchdowns per game. Look for the Chiefs to score early causing the Jaguars to play catch up all day long, making Foles’ arm busy for the entire game. Even if they lose, he could help you win your week.
The Dark Horse: Matthew Stafford (DET) vs. Arizona Cardinals
Once upon a time, Matthew Stafford was an elite quarterback, throwing for over 5,000 yards earning himself a gunslinger moniker. Those days have passed Stafford by but now he is considered by many to be a fantasy football underdog. He’s still talented but most likely won’t be a QB1 again. However, if he were to finish as one, no one should be surprised despite being only 26% owned.
The Lions are not an offensive juggernaut boasting elite talent across the board. However, they are better than many people think. Stafford has sufficient options. Kenny Golladay is now the “Lion King” and is ready to improve upon his 2018 breakout season. Marvin Jones is no spring chicken but is healthy and is still fast and productive. Detroit drafted one of the best tight end prospects in T.J. Hockenson, who looks ready to hit the ground running. Speaking of ground running, that is what is supposedly Detroit’s modus operandi this year. Their offense might be centered around Kerryon Johnson but this week Detroit might have to deviate.
They are playing the newly constructed Arizona Cardinals team that exudes youth, beginning with their 40-year-old head coach, Kliff Kingsbury. And the offense will flow through their rookie quarterback, Kyler Murray. This should be a fun, high-scoring game. Detroit may not win but Stafford will have to sling the pigskin often to keep the game close. This can only equate to fantasy goodness for Senior Stafford.
Tight End
TE Stream of the Week: Jack Doyle (IND) vs. Los Angeles Chargers
It appears that Jack Doyle is healthy. When he’s on the field, he is a target magnet. The Indianapolis Colts suffered their worst defeat before the season started by losing one of the best quarterbacks in the past decade, Andrew Luck. He decided to follow the “Trainspotting” mantra “Choose Life” over football.
Despite having a downgrade at quarterback with Jacoby Brissett, all hope is not lost. Two years ago Brissett was placed in the category “not very good” but he was a rookie then and was forced to learn the ropes on the fly. He’s better now and although he may never be elite, he is average at worst. One of the positive takeaways from his inconsistent rookie campaign was his “connection” with Jack Doyle. That year, Doyle was healthy, had 80 receptions on 107 targets, achieving almost 700 yards. Look for this duo to rekindle the spark from 2017.
Eric Ebron might be tight end most are excited about since he finally had a year worthy of his first-round pedigree, but Ebron’s breakout was more dependent on his impressive 13 touchdowns rather than his reception total. Doyle is not athletic like Ebron but has always been more productive. Look for him to be a streamer for this week only as many will finally realize that he is the better tight end to roster for consistency.
Even though the Chargers have an elite defense on paper, often times tight ends are oblivious of this. As good defenses shut down the running game and stymie wide receiver production, tight ends often prosper because they represent the short game that ends up being the only option. Doyle should put up a good showing this week and he might even lead the team in targets, receptions, and yards. Not bad considering he is only 33% owned in Yahoo leagues.
Jason Witten (DAL) vs. New York Giants
Jason Witten is back! It only took Witten one year as a television commentator to realize he was much more effective on the field than off of it. I would have had him as the streamer of the week because he often symbolizes “safety.” I didn’t go with him because I am not too sure how much he will play, to be honest. Many playing in Yahoo leagues feel the same, as he is only 11% owned. I do expect him to get the lion’s share of tight end action and he demonstrated in the preseason that he still remains solid if not exciting. If you are streaming tight ends, you aim for stability rather than hoping for glitz. Witten personifies this goal.
There are so many question marks looming in Dallas at the moment. Amari Cooper has a lingering foot issue and Ezekiel Elliot has not signed (as I write this). Dallas is the stronger team compared to the Giants and will only have to play smart to win. By getting Witten involved during this time of uncertainty seems like the smartest move for them as they hope to start the year off with a winning mentality. Witten should put up a good stat line even if he is not on the field as much as we hope. He might even surprise everyone and find the end zone.
The Dark Horse: Noah Fant (DEN) vs. Oakland Raiders
Noah Fant is this week’s Dark Horse because we really don’t know how much this rookie will be involved initially. Fant is an athletic beast and was productive alongside T.J. Hockenson when both played for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Both were first-round picks. While Hockenson is over 50% owned in Yahoo leagues, Fant is only 15% owned. Fant did not take the football world by storm during the preseason but did enough to convince me he is the tight end to go with in Denver.
Fant could be this year’s rookie Evan Engram. He’s fast, he’s on an average-to-below-average offense and he could be used early and often. His floor is much lower than Doyle’s or Witten’s this week but he has a ceiling that the other two cannot reach. Best of all he’s got a great matchup. The Raiders have done a lot to improve their offense this Summer by bringing in many proven veterans. They have also drafted potential stars in Clelin Ferrell and Johnathan Abram to help solidify their defense. However, these rookies often take time to find their feet. It’s Week 1, so don’t expect the seventh-worst ranked defense in 2018 to all of a sudden become impenetrable. Oakland has also earned a reputation for allowing tight ends to dominate all over the field. This bodes well for Noah Fant, who most likely will be running crisp, quick routes all over Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum this Sunday. He will be catching passes from Denver’s new quarterback, Joe Flacco, who just so happens to have a history of targeting his tight ends.
Conclusion
As we penetrate deeper into the streaming “Heart of Darkness” we hope to make as many good choices along the way in order to conquer the impossible and to avoid “The horror! The horror!” Good luck this week. The beginning is now upon us. The excitement is here, as we ride the stream together, having victory in our sight.
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Marc Mathyk is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Marc, check out his archive and follow him @Masterjune70.
