Streaming QBs: Week 5

We provide you with the best options at the quarterback position to stream in Week 5 for your fantasy team.

Benjamin Haller
Streaming Quarterbacks 3 Years Ago

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.

Stick with us, folks! We are going places. Three of our four quarterback streamers for Week 4 finished in the top five fantasy performers, that is elite! Our number one recommended streaming option turned in the top fantasy performance at the position – Sam Darnold (33.54 fantasy points on Yahoo!) added two passing touchdowns in garbage time to go alongside two early rushing touchdowns to finish atop the QB rankings and establish himself as the league’s leader in rushing touchdowns. Darnold has been terrific in Joe Brady‘s up-tempo offense and he continues to produce week-to-week. Two interceptions cost his team the game, but two hurls to DJ Moore in the fourth quarter made his fantasy day a stellar one.

You’ll have to give us a pass on our second recommendation after Teddy Bridgewater (6.80 fantasy points) did not return for the second half against the Ravens after being evaluated for a concussion after taking a big hit midway through the first quarter. It wasn’t looking like a big day from the Broncos quarterback in a tight affair, but he did connect with Noah Fant for a touchdown before the half to keep his team in touch. He is not a recommended option for next week.

Last week, we highlighted that the Atlanta and Washington game would likely be a shootout and both quarterbacks should be firmly on your radar to start. It didn’t let us down, finishing 34-30 in favor of the Football Team. Matt Ryan (29.02 fantasy points) rolled back the years, pulling off the third-best performance by a quarterback in the week by throwing for four passing touchdowns, three to utility man Cordarrelle Patterson. The veteran now has three multiple touchdown games under his belt. And, who knew that Washington already had their fantasy version of “Fitzmagic” in the building with Taylor Heinicke (27.90 fantasy points)?! The unsung hero of the first four weeks of the season was sensational in clawing his team back into the lead three times in the game, the final time thanks to a cross-field fifth-read pass to J.D. McKissic. Heinicke was the fifth-best fantasy quarterback score of Week 4.

We now take a bow and accept all praise.

 

Week 4 Performance

 

Now, let’s look at the lay of the land for Week 5. Remember, the caveat is that our recommended players for streaming are less than 70% owned in Yahoo! leagues.

 

QB Streamers

 

“Leading The Rush”

 

Sam Darnold, Panthers vs. Eagles

 

Sam Darnold not only put up the best fantasy performance at the position in Week 4, but he is also the fifth-best fantasy quarterback so far in 2021. Yet, he is still only 38% rostered in Yahoo! leagues. That’s criminal. With the bye weeks approaching, he is a must-add for all leagues where he hasn’t been picked up, even if you already have a bye week quarterback on your roster. Think again, and get that waiver claim in. Darnold has been excelling in the air and on the ground, adding another two scores to lead the league in rushing touchdowns. With Christian McCaffrey still absent, he will continue to be given designed runs in the red zone by Joe Brady. In the passing game, DJ Moore is an elite talent who will add tens of yards onto the stats sheet on a weekly basis with his route running and ability to break tackles and fight for yards after contact. He is the perfect receiver for Darnold to pepper with the ball. I am all in!

This week, the Panthers get a visit from the reeling Philadelphia Eagles’ defense, which has been cruelly exposed in successive weeks, giving up an average of 41.5 points over those two contests. Let Sam loose!

 

“Two-Headed Running Machine”

 

Daniel Jones, Giants at Cowboys

 

One spot behind Darnold (in sixth) in the most productive fantasy performances so far this season is Daniel Jones. Whereas previously the Giants much-maligned quarterback has done the damage on the ground, this week he dominated in the air, throwing for 402 yards and two touchdowns against a tough Saints defense. Saquon Barkley is now fully fit and his usage in the passing game was highly encouraging in both football terms and fantasy outlook. Two of his top receivers, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton missed the win due to hamstring issues and it would be nice to have at least one of them back in Week 5. Still, Kenny Golladay is starting to build some rapport with Jones, and rookie wide receiver Kadarius Toney acquitted himself well in an increased role. Jones loves to throw deep, it is a strength of his, and forgotten 2017 first-round receiver John Ross stepped up big time last week. Can he do it again? Why not!

Dallas’ defense has given up the ninth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers. The passing game is the key once again for the Giants to pull off another surprise win. But both Jones and Barkley are set to add big yards on the ground, especially around the goal line.

 

“Believe”

 

Zach Wilson, Jets at Falcons (in London)

 

The New York Jets travel to London this week and could do well to visit Coach Lasso at Richmond FC for some underdog inspiration. Robert Saleh brought the goods for the first time in his Head Coach role last week against Tennessee, allowing Mike LaFleur to unleash the talents of Zach Wilson outside the pocket to down the Titans. A huge factor in the win was the return of Jamison Crowder, who excelled in his season debut catching seven balls for 61 yards and a touchdown, but more importantly, provided a veteran safety blanket for Wilson to manoeuver his way out of trouble and then settle into a rhythm with better field position. Alongside Corey Davis, who went over 100 yards and scored the 53-yard touchdown that gave the Jets the lead, Wilson suddenly has a passing game worthy of his arm talent.

Wilson faces a dreadful secondary in Week 5 in the matchup against the Falcons in London. You feel it is the type of game and type of trip that could make the young quarterback. Believe.

 

“Heart Over Head”

 

Taylor Heinicke, WFT vs. Saints

 

Rooting for Taylor Heinicke is just the right thing to do. After the remarkable comeback win over the Falcons in Atlanta, the Washington quarterback became emotional when talking about how he was living on his sister’s couch outside of Atlanta just a year ago as he tried his hand at the XFL to try and earn another shot in the NFL. His sister was present at the game to witness his miraculous performance to drag his team over the line. Not only did Heinicke hurl three touchdown passes without turning the ball over, but he also carried five times for 43 yards and showed an incredible burst of speed at the next level. Two of those passing touchdowns were to Terry McLaurin, the elite wideout out of Ohio State, who has 34 targets, 21 catches, 292 yards, and three scores over the last three games. This chemistry is for real.

Up next are the New Orleans Saints defense, who are giving up the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. However, another dual-threat QB, Daniel Jones threw for over 400 passing yards and added yards on the ground against them in  Week 4. Heinicke is a decent bet to pull off a 20+ points fantasy day once again.

 

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

 

Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire

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