Streaming QBs: Week 4

Welcome to our quarterback streaming articles for 2021! Every week we will bring you our advice on which signal-callers have the potential to help your fantasy teams win. We will look at the previous weeks’ performances, the supporting cast, the matchup, and statistical insights to offer you the clearest picture of which QB to pick up from your waiver wire.

For the second week in a row, our primary recommendation for a streamer at the quarterback position put up a phenomenal score, and for the second week in a row that player was Minnesota Vikings gunslinger Kirk Cousins (25.12 fantasy points on Yahoo!). Cousins led the Vikings to an impressive 30-17 win over the Seahawks after losing the first two games of the season in unlucky fashion. Cousins was brilliant in the pocket as he delivered passing touchdowns to Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson, and emerging tight-end Tyler Conklin. Unfortunately, Cousins is now 72% rostered in Yahoo! leagues and does not qualify for our recommended streamers for this coming week.

With the Raiders now 3-0, Derek Carr (22.24 fantasy points) also exceeded expectations in his performance in Las Vegas’ 31-28 overtime win over the Dolphins. Carr threw for 386 yards with a couple of touchdowns to continue his bright start to the season. Without a clear No.1 receiver, Carr spread the love with receptions to nine different players. His ability to progress through his reads and take the best option available to him makes him a useful fantasy asset. Daniel Jones also performed admirably, finishing as the QB20 and above more established choices such as Matt Ryan, Ben Roethlisberger, and Jimmy Garoppolo. What makes him attractive is his ability to run with the ball and be relevant near the goalline. With Saquon Barkley returning to full fitness, that appeal dwindles somewhat.

The only bust in our options from last week was Broncos signal-caller Teddy Bridgewater (11.80 fantasy points) – the Broncos made light work of the Jets, prevailing 26-0. Thus, Teddy didn’t need to air the ball out at all. This was a disappointing result coming off the back of two 20+ fantasy point outings, however, the game script really affected the fantasy production on this occasion. Bridgewater still remains a solid streaming option in this first half of the season.

 

 

Now, let’s look at the lay of the land for Week 3. Remember, the caveat is that our recommended players for streaming are less than 70% owned in Yahoo! leagues.

 

 

“Panther Pride Soaring Like a Jet”

 

Sam Darnold, Panthers at Cowboys

 

Matt Rhule and Joe Brady are turning Sam Darnold into the top quarterback we all hoped he would become when he was selected in the first round out of USC in 2018. He put in a top 5 fantasy quarterback finish in Week 3 and so far this year he is the 11th highest-scoring player in fantasy at the position. Darnold has three rushing scores and three passing touchdowns on the season to go with his 888 yards with just one turnover. His excellent chemistry with D.J. Moore and his ability to read the defense in the red zone is serving the former Jets quarterback well. We’ve come a long way from, “I’m just seeing ghosts out there.” The coaching team in Carolina also deserves a lot of the credit.

The schedule also looks promising for Darnold. He faces the Cowboys are next followed by the Eagles, Vikings, Giants, and Falcons, whose defenses all look to be shedding points to quarterbacks. The Cowboys have given up the ninth-most fantasy points to the position in the three games so far, with their secondary allowing an explosive pass play on 17.9% of coverage snaps according to PFF, which is ranked as the eighth-highest. Moore and Robby Anderson could take advantage of the deep ball throughout this contest. The Cowboys’ defensive line is also banged up, so we could see more designed runs for Darnold in the red zone.

Sam Darnold with the KEEPER. @Panthers take the lead!

📺: #CARvsHOU on @NFLNetwork
📱: https://t.co/12dXbqaBVJ pic.twitter.com/8QFoT6pFlN

— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2021

 

“A Tale Of Two Teddies”

 

Teddy Bridgewater, Broncos vs. Ravens

 

The loveable Teddy Bridgewater let us down a bit last week in the stat line, however, the Broncos are 3-0 and Teddy is playing some of the best football since that devastating injury when playing as the Vikings’ franchise quarterback. What has really set him apart this season has been his ability to push the ball further down the field. He currently boasts a remarkable 9.5-yard average depth of target so far on the season according to PFF, which makes his current QB14 fantasy rank more understandable. A burgeoning relationship with Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick also bodes well for an offense that has lost some key parts to injuries, notably Jerry Jeudy.

Up next are the Baltimore Ravens and a porous defense that has given up the second-most passing yards (995) this season. If Teddy continues to look deeper downfield even when up by 23 late in the fourth quarter, then he will be a fantasy darling in the coming weeks.

Teddy Bridgewater throws it up for Tim Patrick and the Broncos are back in the redzone pic.twitter.com/YNf2Iszgv0

— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) September 26, 2021

 

“Matty Can Still Ice”

 

Matt Ryan, Falcons vs. WFT

 

Ok, hear me out! After Week 1, I said to myself I will most likely not feature veteran Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan in this article this year, however, you must give credit where it is due. Ryan is a battler and over the past two weeks has shown flashes of the brilliance that made him a popular fantasy option in recent years. After a turnover-free performance in the narrow win over the Giants, in which Ryan connected with eight different receivers, he now comes up against a beleaguered Washington defense that is tied with the Falcons as the two teams that have given up the most fantasy points to the quarterback position so far this campaign. So, the matchup alone is worth the risk.

Ryan still has Calvin Ridley to go to, and he is due a big performance. First-round selection Kyle Pitts is starting to find his groove in Arthur Smith‘s offense too. It might not be as bad as it looks in Atlanta.

Pitts hasn't been separating much in his routes, and Matt Ryan's been checking down enough to make Alex Smith jealous. But here's an example of Pitts finding space/Ryan having time to throw. This was on the GW drive. pic.twitter.com/pIpFPGqNun

— #AskFFT (@daverichard) September 27, 2021

 

“All Heart Heinicke”

 

Taylor Heinicke, WFT at Falcons

 

What is there not to love about Taylor Heinicke. The diamond in the rough has put everything on the table in Washington over the past few weeks since Ryan Fitzpatrick went down with an injury. Despite an ugly loss against the Bills in Week 3, in which he threw two costly interceptions, Heinicke also brought Washington back from the dead in the contest with a fantasy QB9 finish on the week. Heinicke threw for two touchdowns and took the rock in himself in a gutsy performance that wasn’t helped by drops from his receivers and a terrible defensive showing. Terry McLaurin and Logan Thomas are two excellent options in the passing game, and if Antonio Gibson can take another check-down 73 yards to the house, Heinicke will be a solid contributor in Week 4.

As mentioned above, this is a battle of the two worst defenses in the league for giving up fantasy points to the opposing quarterback. It’s a no-brainer to give Heinicke a shot if our other options aren’t available in your league.

The legend of Taylor Heinicke grows pic.twitter.com/FXUjGPwfx9

— NBC Sports Washington (@NBCSWashington) September 26, 2021

 

Don’t hesitate to give me your thoughts and hit me up for questions at @benjaminhaller1.

 

Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire