Stream of the Week: QB, TE, and Defense Rankings | Week 3

Well, after two weeks, just about everyone you drafted, loved, or ever cared about is dealing with an injury. Then, to make matters even worse, kickers are outscoring tight ends in fantasy football. It’s been a rough season, and we still have 16 weeks to go. The good news in all of this turmoil is that the streaming options have been top-notch. We have built the QB1, TE5, and DEF3 by picking guys up off waivers. This week, one of the top QBs in fantasy was still available in over 50% of fantasy leagues. Everyone is too worried about signing RBs and WRs. So, let’s get into the best streaming options from our Week 3 QB, TE, and Defense rankings.

A Quick Note: You will notice that I do not cover Kicker streams. We leave that to the experts, so check out Linda’s rankings.

Accountability

Am I any good at this? I’ll let the numbers tell you. In this section, you’ll see how my Stream of the Week (SOTW) and Best Pick finish every week. Since I always give five options, my Best Pick is the one that scores the most points, even if I didn’t call it the Stream of the Week. Basically, Best Pick shows you what streaming is capable of. Scores and rankings are based on PPR scoring and 4-point passing TDs. I know the world uses 6-point passing TDs, but data providers love 4-point, and I am trying to keep this simple.

Week 3 Streams of the Week

Note: All of these players were available in around 50% of ESPN leagues as of Wednesday morning after waivers had run.

Quarterback

Derek Carr vs. PHI

This feels like a smash play. Carr is the #2 QB in fantasy football and should not be available in this many leagues. After he faces the Eagles this week, he probably won’t be eligible for this list again. In two games, Carr is completing 77% of his passes, averages 221 yards per game, and already has five passing TDs. He even stole a rushing TD from Alvin Kamara last week. He has great weapons around him and is utilizing them perfectly. On the other end, Philadelphia gives up the 10th-most points to fantasy QBs. Over the first two weeks, both Jordan Love and Kirk Cousins dropped two TDs on them while registering at least 240 yards. That stat line is good enough for over 20 fantasy points, and Carr should easily match or even beat those performances in Week 3 with the way he is tossing the ball around so far.

Other Options

• Kirk Cousins vs. KC
• Jared Goff @ ARZ
• Gardner Minshew vs. CAR
• Deshaun Watson vs. NYG

Tight End

Hunter Henry @ NYJ (Thurs)

Full Disclosure: I kind of hate the streaming options at TE this week. While I will make a case for Henry, if it is announced that Jake Ferguson or Evan Engram are Out, I prefer their backups in Week 3. However, Hunter Henry is the leading receiver for New England and is averaging five catches and 63 yards per game. Those numbers alone would earn him 11 fantasy points, which is good for a top-10, maybe even a top-5 performance in fantasy so far this season. Last year, we also saw that Henry is good for a multi-TD game here and there. If he scores one or two on the Jets, we’ll all be smiling!

Other Options

• Luke Schoonmaker / Brenton Strange, if their starter is ruled Out
• Zach Ertz @ CIN
• Chigoziem Okonkwo vs. GB
• Jonnu Smith @ SEA

Defense

Las Vegas Raiders vs. CAR

Yes, we are still picking on the Panthers. Even with the QB change, this team is still in bad shape. Andy Dalton did not play a snap of the preseason, and I find it hard to believe that this 37-year-old is just going to come out here and magically fix everything. The Raiders have an excellent pass rush but only have three sacks on the season. We should see that number greatly improve this week. Vegas just sacked Lamar Jackson twice and forced one turnover in their upset win over Baltimore. They could…should…will double those numbers against Carolina. Throw in the fact that the Panthers just benched the only person who has scored a TD for them this season, and we might see a DEF/ST masterpiece on Sunday. Or Andy Dalton will do his best Joe Flacco impression and make me look silly.

Other Options

• Bills vs. JAX
• Seahawks vs. MIA
• Bears @ IND
• Packers @ TEN

Be sure you’re following Ryan on Twitter! Also, you can find Club Fantasy’s Week 3 rankings here and the rest of our Week 3 content here!