The bye weeks are such an interesting time in the streaming world. The player pool shrinks by four starters most weeks, and more managers are joining the fray because their starters are on bye. What could possibly go wrong with more managers competing for fewer players? It has already been a weird season, and things can get even stranger when you’re picking from the bottom of the barrel (Shout out to Chris Robin). If you’re only streaming because your starters are on bye, the goal is survival. If you are streaming because you punted on QB, TE, and D/ST in your draft, then it’s survival of the fittest. You need to get the good players before the others. Let’s see who that might be in our Week 7 QB, TE, and Defense Stream rankings.
A Quick Note: You may have noticed that I do not cover Kicker streams. We leave that to the experts, so check out Linda’s rankings.
Accountability
It was another rough week in fantasy TE land, which sounds like a theme park but is more of a haunted house where your wildest streams and worst nightmares collide. We were correct on just one TE for the 2nd consecutive week, but at least it was our Stream of the Week, Irv Smith. On a positive note, we did hit on three QBs and DEFs, though the Cleveland defense was mightily disappointing as the Stream of the Week. All in all, our three top picks scored just 27 fantasy points. The QB12, TE12, and DEF12 are averaging 34 fantasy points per week so far, so 27 is heading in the right direction, but not good enough.
For the season, we’ve built the QB13, TE14, and DEF27. Oof. To make matters worse, my Best of the Bunch continues to laugh in my face. Best of the Bunch represents the best of my five picks, but I wasn’t smart enough to make them the Stream of the Week. Last week, we could have scored 43 points if we had gone with my 2nd option at QB and DEF. On the season, my Best of the Bunch is the QB2, TE4, and DEF1. Once I get this right, we’ll be living the stream!
Streams of the Week Recap
| QB | TE | DEF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last Week Wins | 4 of 5 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Season Wins | 36 of 80 | 28 of 80 | 47 of 80 |
| SotW - Last Week Rank/Score | QB7 / 26 fantasy pts | TE47 / 2 fantasy pts | DEF26 / 3 fantasy pts |
| SotW - Season Rank/Score | QB8 / 317 fantasy pts | TE19 / 101 fantasy pts | DEF29 / 81 fantasy pts |
| Best of the Bunch - Season Rank/Score | QB1 / 478 fantasy pts | TE2 / 221 fantasy pts | DEF1 / 243 fantasy pts |
*Best of the Bunch is my best pick each week, regardless if they were SOTW or not*
* Updated thru Week 15*
Week 7 Streams of the Week
Reminder: All picks were available in more than 50% of ESPN leagues on Wednesday after waivers had run.
2nd Reminder: You can find all of our Consensus Rankings here!
Quarterback
Stream of the Week – Trevor Lawrence vs NYG
It was a solid Week 6 for Lawrence and the Jags. While they lost to the Colts, Lawrence scored 27 fantasy points and was the QB5 on the week. It was a little surprising to see him available in the requisite 50% of leagues, but that’s a win for streamers. While the Giants give up the 11th-fewest fantasy points to QBs, they still allow 17 per game on average. They’ve also given up 20+ to Ryan Tannehill and Aaron Rodgers, and Lawrence is playing better than both. Tannehill and Rodgers went for 220+ and two TDs in their games, and I think 250/2 is Lawrence’s floor, and three TDs would make this a great week.
Other Options
- Matt Ryan @ TEN
- Jared Goff @ DAL
- Jimmy Garoppolo vs KC
- Jacoby Brissett @ BAL
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Tight Ends
Stream of the Week – Hayden Hurst vs ATL
With Evan Engram playing the Giants and Hurst facing Atlanta, it’s a revenge game kind of week at TE. I’m going with Hurst because of the volume the Falcons allow to the TE, but he still has TD upside. Atlanta gives up seven catches for 73 yards on average to the TE position. So far this season, they allow the 4th-most points to TEs and have let five players score 10+ fantasy points. Hurst has scored a TD in two of his last three games and averages almost four catches and 30 yards per game. There is a good chance we will see him hit 10 fantasy points on receptions and yards alone. A touchdown would be the icing on the cake.
A quick note about Taysom Hill: As long as he meets the criteria, Hill will be my permanent #2 on this list. He offers an upside that no streaming TE can match, but his floor is still very bad. That floor is why I would never consider starting him at QB, but he is worth the gamble at TE. My fundamental issue with calling him a TE will likely prevent me from ever calling him my Stream of the Week.
Other Options
- Taysom Hill @ ARZ (Thurs)
- Evan Engram vs NYG
- Noah Fant @ LAC
- O.J. Howard @ LV
Wondering how I made some of my decisions? Check out our DFS Matchup report. It’s great for Start/Sit decisions, too!
Defense
Stream of the Week – Denver Broncos vs NYJ
I’m not quite sure how the No. 7 fantasy defense is available in 50% of leagues, but take the money and run. While Russell Wilson and his wolverine blood have been a nightmare, the Broncos’ defense has played well. They are in the Top 5 of QB sacks and points allowed, plus they have seven takeaways in six games. The Jets have been solid against fantasy defenses this season, allowing the 13th-fewest points to the position, but it’s Zach Wilson’s first trip to Mile High that concerns me. Wilson has been sacked twice in each of the last two games but has not turned the ball over. That tells me he’s due, and I think the Broncos beat this team up in Week 7.
Other Options
- Dolphins vs PIT
- Jaguars @ NYG
- Jets @ DEN
- Raiders vs HOU
My Streams of the Week debut every Wednesday night on No Punt Intended. If you want to get ahead of the competition, join us live!