RADIO
RotoBallers,
Welcome back. As always this column will aim to highlight Week 17 waiver wire adds and streamers for quarterbacks, players that you should consider targeting on your league's waiver wire.
In recent years, the concept of streaming has become a popular one within fantasy football circles. Particularly with quarterbacks and defense/special teams, the idea of swapping players out every week based on attractive matchups has led numerous owners to victory (or to the basement, if such owners didn’t stream correctly). It’s not a bad idea – why invest a high draft pick on a player you may not want to use every week when you can use the upcoming week’s tilts to your advantage and play the projections?
Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 17 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF
Strategy for Streaming Quarterbacks
The problem, as mentioned above, is that if you’re going to go this route then you need to stream right - or you’re going to find yourself in a lot of trouble. Fortunately, the purpose of this weekly article will help you do exactly that with the quarterback position. Every week, we’ll take a look at six streaming QB options: three for one-quarterback leagues, and three for two-quarterback leagues. The focus will be on streaming for the upcoming week, but if that particular player has a positive outlook beyond that point it will be noted for your benefit.
Options for one-quarterback leagues could be just about anyone – if a decent QB really has that tasty of a matchup, then who are we to not take advantage of that? Of course, the obvious names aren’t “streamers” – your Newtons, Rodgers, and Wilsons of the world are plugged into the starting QB spot for their owners week in and week out. Other than the head honchos at the position though, anyone is eligible. Two-quarterback leagues, however, work a little differently. In these leagues, most of, if not all quarterbacks are already owned. Thus, to be a streamer option in a two-quarterback league, the QB needs to be close to the bottom of the barrel. For example, you aren’t streaming Eli Manning in a two-quarterback league because under that setting, Eli should be starting every week anyway.
RotoBallers, stream away to your heart’s desire. If you have any questions or comments feel free to send me an email (Andrew.bua@gmail.com), tweet (@Andrew_Bua), or reach out on Reddit (/u/CitiStrikeouts).
One-QB Leagues - Week 17 Waiver Wire Streamers
Blake Bortles, JAC (79% owned)
Well everyone, we’ve made it to Week 17. Chances are your fantasy season is over and this article will mainly be for DFS purposes - but if you’re in your league’s championship game this week and still streaming QB’s, then major props to you. If you’re in need this week (and given the injuries we saw this past weekend, you might be), Blake Bortles should be your No. 1 priority.
At the beginning of the season, one wouldn't have thought Bortles would fall to a mere streaming option, but here we are. While he’s been a disappointment pretty much all year, the last few weeks we’ve seen a turnaround of sorts. He’s put up a minimum of 15.58 fantasy points in standard leagues in two out of the last three weeks, including 25.70 against Houston’s vaunted defense in Week 16. He has the advantage of taking on the Colts, who surrendered 21.92 fantasy points to Derek Carr before the quarterback suffered a broken fibula, in the regular season’s final week. The Colts’ defense has been one to target all year, and that’s no different this week.
Tyrod Taylor, BUF (72% owned)
After a few subpar weeks, Tyrod Taylor rebounded big time (for fantasy purposes) against the Dolphins in Week 16. Against that hot defense, he finished 26-of-39 for 329 yards and three touchdowns, while adding another 60 yards on the ground. Taylor has the gift of getting to play the New York Jets in Week 17.
If you’ve been watching any football at all this year, then you know the Jets' defense has been absolutely abysmal. In three of the last four weeks, the Jets have given up a minimum of 20.56 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, including Matt Moore in his first start for the Dolphins. This is a no-brainer start and would be our No. 1 option if Blake Bortles didn’t fall to streamer status.
Alex Smith, KC (49% owned)
Alex Smith has had an up-and-down season. Week 16 was one of his up weeks-- he finished with 18.26 points against the Broncos’ defense. While you probably weren’t bold enough to start Smith this week, you might want to take the plunge in Week 17 when the Chiefs head to San Diego.
The Chargers have actually picked things up against opposing quarterbacks in recent weeks, but when one of them is Robert Griffin III and a struggling Cam Newton, you need to take that improvement with a grain of salt. After Week 13, San Diego had given up at least 15.30 fantasy points to opposing signal-callers in two of their last three games, with the other totals being 19.20 and 25.92. Given that Smith excelled against the best defense in the NFL in Week 16, he’s worth taking a shot on in Week 17.
Two-QB Leagues - Week 17 Waiver Wire Streamers
Carson Wentz, PHI (42% owned)
Carson Wentz may not be lighting the world on fire, but what he has been doing is acting as the model of consistency for QB2 purposes. After putting up 10.78 points against the Giants in Week 16, Wentz has now scored in in the double digits for six consecutive weeks, and in 13 of the 15 games Philadelphia has played this year.
The Eagles close out their disappointing season at home against the Cowboys this Sunday. Philadelphia will likely allow Wentz to air it out in hopes of furthering his development in an otherwise meaningless game. As good as Dallas has been overall, they’ve been a nice defense to play against for QB2 purposes. They’ve allowed at least 11.78 fantasy points in every single game but one this season (that 11.78 total was against Wentz in Week 8) and have allowed 14.88 points in four of their last six games. If you’re only in need of a QB2 for the regular season’s final week, Wentz is a fine choice.
Trevor Siemian, DEN (24% owned)
While Trevor Siemian also isn’t setting the fantasy world ablaze, when looking for a QB2 you have to consider the matchup. Playing the Raiders' defense is certainly one of those matchups you should look to target.
Oakland's defense has allowed 12.48 and 16.04 fantasy points in the last two games, one of which was against Matt Barkley. Overall, they’ve allowed double-digit fantasy points in 12 of the 15 games they’ve played, and rank 11th overall in total fantasy points surrendered to opposing quarterbacks. Siemian is likely a safe bet to finish in the top 24 quarterbacks in fantasy points in Week 17.
Tom Savage, HOU (5% owned)
Tom Savage now has two games under his belt in 2016, and neither one has been pretty. While he reached QB2 status in Week 15, finishing as the No. 22 QB, his Week 16 showing fell well outside that range. However, given his extremely low ownership rate and attractive matchup at Tennessee in Week 17, he’s at least worth QB2 consideration.
The Titans' defense has been sneaky bad all season long. Tennessee has yielded at least 20.64 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in six of its last 10 games. With this string of complete ineptitude, the Titans have risen to fourth overall in total fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks this season. Given that Houston has clinched the AFC South, they will likely want Savage to get as many live game repetitions as possible before things get serious in the postseason.
