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 quarterbacks’ supporting cast, the matchup, and smart statistical insights to offer you the clearest picture of which QB to pick up from your waiver wire.
Remember, we will only consider QBs who are less than 70% rostered in Yahoo! leagues so as to give you an honest chance at picking one up for your team’s matchup.
We hit on our recommended streamer last week as Russell Wilson led a second half comeback against the Bears to rack up 22.22 fantasy points in Yahoo! leagues. Wilson saw rookie Jaleel McLaughlin take a screen pass to the house before the offense stuttered as the Bears took control. But two second half touchdown passes, the final an impressive 13-yard throw to Courtland Sutton gave the Broncos hope of their first win of the season. Wilson played turnover-free football and did his part.
The less we say about the other two recommendations, the better. Daniel Jones (10.72 fantasy points) and Kenny Pickett (4.46 fantasy points) both struggled mightily despite favorable matchups. Jones put up another “deer in the headlights” performance on Monday Night Football against the Seahawks who had a plan for the short passing game – attack the Giants with blitzes from the secondary to annihilated the offensive line. It worked and Jones was sacked 10 times. Yikes! Pickett left the game late in the third quarter after taking a sack on fourth down that ended up twisting his knee badly. He suffered a bone bruise and was in a knee brace post-game. Up to that point, however he had looked shackled in Matt Canada‘s system with very little opportunity to throw beyond 10 yards. Until we see a system or coordinator change in Pittsburgh, Pickett is off the list.
| QB | Matchup | % Rostered (Yahoo!) | Fantasy Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Wilson, Broncos | DEN at CHI | 54% | 22.22 |
| Daniel Jones, Giants | NYG vs. SEA | 69% | 10.72 |
| Kenny Pickett, Steelers | PIT at HOU | 27% | 4.46 |
Going into Week 5 we encounter byes for the first time. The following quarterbacks will not play this weekend – Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers) Deshaun Watson (Browns), Justin Herbert (Chargers), and Geno Smith (Seahawks).
With that knowledge in mind, let’s look at our recommendations for Week 5.
| QB | Matchup | % Rostered (Yahoo!) | Projected Fantasy Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| C.J. Stroud, Texans | HOU at ATL | 66% | 16.57 |
| Matthew Stafford, Rams | LAR vs. PHI | 52% | 16.59 |
| Sam, Howell, Commanders | WAS vs. CHI | 30% | 16.16 |
“That’s How It’s Done, Rook”
C.J. Stroud, Texans at Falcons
It’s been a sensational past few weeks for the most promising rookie quarterback in this year’s draft class – C.J. Stroud has put up three consecutive 20+ fantasy points performances to lead the Texans to a 2-2 record. The impressive young quarterback should have made last week’s recommended list but a prospective tough matchup against the Steelers made us ere of the side of caution. However, a fourth quarter shot to Nico Collins made the whole NFL world sit up and say, that’s how it is done!
The Falcons are currently ranked 18th in the NFL against quarterbacks and the confidence oozing from Stroud should allow him to build upon his blossoming start to life as a professional. We are all in. It is likely the final week he will be available to stream as he is already 66% rostered across Yahoo! leagues.
NICO COLLINS IS JUST LIKE THAT pic.twitter.com/biTd2NYRKg
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 1, 2023
“Slinging Stafford”
Matthew Stafford, Rams vs. Eagles
Veteran Matthew Stafford is another that should have been on last weeks list and the number of improbable throws that the 2021 Super Bowl Champion delivered in last week’s contest against the Colts was absurd. He found his receivers at will in even the most difficult of situations. Stafford is balling and has trust in this receiving corps behind an improving offensive line.
The Eagles are not the powerhouse defense in the secondary that they were and with the Rams unlikely to commit heavily to a ground game, Stafford should have license to pepper his receivers through the air. He has 166 passing attempts over four weeks, we like that a lot.
Stafford with some pinpoint accuracy. 😮💨
(h/t @Nate_Tice) pic.twitter.com/GjT1JK9ukW
— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2023
“Howell At The Ready”
Sam Howell, Commanders vs. Bears
A determined, professional response from Commanders second-year quarterback Sam Howell to take his team to the brink of an overtime victory over the NFC-favorite Eagles last week was impressive on the eye. Howell had been outmatched the week prior against the Bills, turning the ball over four times but his accuracy and big-play ability was at show against Philadelphia. He led two fourth quarter touchdown drives with aplomb, mixing up his intermediate throws with his rushing ability. This concoction proved to work and Offensive Coordinator Eric Bienemy will unleash him against the hapless Bears defense.
Chicago gave up a fourth quarter lead last week and their spirit looks broken – they are currently giving up the second most points to quarterbacks in fantasy. Howell is a confident streamer this week.
I keep coming back to this throw by Sam Howell … pic.twitter.com/1NMNvVKwlH
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 5, 2023
Don’t hesitate to give me your thoughts and hit me up for questions on X at @benjaminhaller1.
Feature image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter) / Photography by Randy Litzinger/ Icon Sportswire