Streaming quarterbacks can be a great way to build a potential championship roster in fantasy football. Since you’d have minimal investment at quarterback in this build, the rest of your roster would likely be stacked at running back and wide receiver.
On this page, we’ll break down a guide to streaming quarterbacks, featuring a few tips on what to look for and a week-by-week streamer recommendation. The focus here is on quarterbacks who are available late in drafts using FantasyPros’ best ball average draft position (ADP). Each quarterback recommendation is available outside of the top 15 signal-callers.
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Guide to Streaming Quarterbacks
Tips for Streaming Quarterbacks
Follow these tips when deciding whether or not to stream a quarterback:
- Fantasy Production: Check how your potential streamer has produced so far. What do their fantasy points-per-game look like?
- Head-to-Head Matchup: Consider the opposing matchup. Do they have a weak pass defense that can be exploited?
- Home/Away Splits: Some quarterbacks produce at a higher rate at home, such as Jared Goff.
- Game Environment: Look at the game total. If it’s 47 or higher, this is a favorable game environment for your quarterback.
- Game Script: Think about whether your quarterback will be playing from behind late in the game or if they’ll have a large enough lead to just run out the clock.
Streaming Quarterback Targets
- Week 1 vs. Buccaneers
- Week 4 vs. Commanders
- Week 10 at Colts
- Week 15 at Buccaneers
Michael Penix Jr. flashed some upside in his brief stint as Falcons’ starter last season, highlighted by a 312-yard game against the Panthers in Week 18. The former first-round pick could be involved in some shootouts this season, particularly in Week 1 and Week 15 against the Bucs.
Baker Mayfield and company have one of the best offenses in the NFL, which should force Penix to the air. While Penix doesn’t offer much in terms of rushing production, the supporting cast is good enough to help him become a viable streamer all year long.
- Week 2 at Bengals
- Week 13 at Titans
- Week 18 vs. Titans
The time is now for Trevor Lawrence to have his long-awaited breakout season. New head coach Liam Coen did a terrific job as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator last season. The hope is that Coen can unlock another level in Lawrence’s game, just like he did with Baker Mayfield in Tampa.
Add in a potential stud wide receiver in Travis Hunter to form an imposing duo with Brian Thomas Jr., and you have to be excited about Lawrence this year. Week 2 looks like a smash spot in a game that should feature a ton of points against a high-octane Bengals offense.
- Week 3 vs. Colts
- Week 8 at Colts
Cam Ward doesn’t have the best supporting cast, highlighted by a thin wide receiver room led by Calvin Ridley. However, Ward is a first-overall pick who can evolve into a high-volume passer, so firing up Ward in his two matchups against a vulnerable Colts defense makes a lot of sense.
Let’s remember that when C.J. Stroud broke out as a rookie, the Texans offense wasn’t exactly highly thought of, either. Don’t underestimate the impact a franchise quarterback can have on elevating the players around him. There’s a legit chance Ward can provide major profit at his fantasy football ADP.
- Week 9 at Lions
- Week 14 vs. Commanders
J.J. McCarthy is walking into the best situation for a first-year starting quarterback since Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes had an elite play-caller in Andy Reid and an alpha No. 1 wideout in Tyreek Hill that year. McCarthy also has that in Kevin O’Connell and Justin Jefferson.
We just saw Sam Darnold have a career year in this offense. Don’t be surprised if McCarthy hits the ground running. I like the former Michigan standout to have season-long value, but he’s priced as a streamer, so he’s included on this list. Matchups in Week 9 against the Lions and Week 14 versus the Commanders look like potential shootouts.
- Week 5 at Colts
- Week 12 vs. Browns
Geno Smith heads over to Vegas for a chance to play with generational tight end Brock Bowers and a potential star running back in Ashton Jeanty. New play-caller Chip Kelly likes to play uptempo, which also bodes well for Smith’s fantasy value.
While you’re unlikely to get a season-long starter here, Smith should be able to provide a couple of spike weeks, especially in Week 5 against the Colts and Week 12 versus the Browns, two games that will each be played indoors. The beauty about Smith is that he’s unlikely to be drafted in redraft leagues, so you should be able to secure him for these matchups.
- Week 11 at Falcons
- Week 16 vs. Buccaneers
Bryce Young was fantastic down the stretch for the Panthers, highlighted by an overtime thriller against the Falcons in Week 18. With another year in Dave Canales’ system, we should continue to see improvement from Young.
Not to mention that he’s got a new target in Tetairoa McMillan, a top-10 pick who has drawn comparisons to Mike Evans and Drake London. There’s upside for season-long value from Young, but especially in these two exploitable matchups in Week 11 against the Falcons and Week 16 versus the Buccaneers.
- Week 6 at Jaguars
- Week 17 at Panthers
Sam Darnold gets a downgrade in team context in leaving the Vikings for the Seahawks, but this should still be a good offense with Klint Kubiak calling the plays. While it’s likely that they’ll be a bit more run-heavy, Darnold could provide solid production in the right matchup, such as Week 6 at the Jaguars and Week 17 at the Panthers.
Each of those games has a chance to turn into shootouts. The best part about Darnold is that he’s virtually free in fantasy drafts, so you’ll be able to easily stream him for these matchups.
- Week 7 at Bengals
Aaron Rodgers should provide some strong fantasy production in Week 7 at the Bengals, as that game can easily turn into a shootout with Joe Burrow airing it out and the Bengals’ defense giving up big plays.
While I’m skeptical of a full resurgence for Rodgers, we’ve seen Arthur Smith help out Ryan Tannehill in the past, so perhaps he can do the same for the former Packers great. It will be interesting to see if Rodgers will pepper new top wideout DK Metcalf with targets, just like he did with Davante Adams.
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