RADIO
RotoBallers,
Welcome back. As always this column will aim to highlight Week 5 waiver wire adds 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 more Week 5 waiver wire recommendations, for all other positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS
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 not to 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 ([email protected]), tweet (@Andrew_Bua), or reach out on Reddit (/u/CitiStrikeouts).
One-QB Leagues - Week 5 Waiver Wire Streamers
Derek Carr, OAK (87% owned)
So far in 2016, Derek Carr has more than lived up to his preseason billing with a 68% completion rate, nine touchdowns and one interception - good enough for QB8 in standard scoring. Despite that success, however, Carr is only owned in 87% of leagues, which ranks 15th among QBs. A juicy matchup in Week 5 has Carr atop our Week 5 QB1 Streamer/Waiver Wire rankings.
On Sunday, Carr and the Raiders do battle with the Chargers in Oakland. San Diego is currently trotting out the 27th ranked pass defense, surrendering 289.5 yards through the air per-game. Jason Verrett is obviously a fantastic cornerback, so Amari Cooper may not have his best game. Based on what we’ve seen recently, however, Carr should have no problem putting up big numbers when Michael Crabtree is his most reliable option for 60 minutes. Carr should eclipse the 19.94 fantasy points per game that San Diego is currently giving up to opposing QBs.
Tyrod Taylor, BUF (67% owned)
Tyrod Taylor is one of those guys who no one truly knows what to expect from, but at the very least, is solid more often than not. That’s been the case in 2016 as well, where he’s put up point totals of 5.54, 31.38, 15.36, and 18.64 in Weeks 1-4, respectively. Taking on the Rams in Week 5, he has a good chance to turn in his second consecutive 18+ points outing.
On paper, the Rams defense looks to be one that you’d normally stay away from. A deeper look, however, indicates there are some holes to exploit. First of all, they currently rank 23rd in the NFL by allowing 275 passing yards per game. Second, and what really plays to Taylor’s advantage, is how the Rams defend against scrambling QBs. Los Angeles is currently allowing six rushing attempts per-game to opposing QBs, good enough for second-most in the NFL. Additionally, the 23.3 yards per game they’re giving up to QBs on the ground ranks as fourth-highest in the league. All things considered, that works out well for Taylor who is averaging 5.25 rushing attempts per game. He’s going to have a few ways to put up numbers for fantasy owners this week.
Joe Flacco, BAL (49% owned)
When a QB is making their third appearance in the first five weeks of the season on this list, you’d think they’re no longer a streamer and more of a long-term hold. Owned in only 49% of leagues, however, Joe Flacco is once again an excellent streaming option as the Ravens take on the Washington Redskins at home.
Coming off an outing against the league’s worst passing defense (Oakland) that saw him complete 32 passes on 52(!) attempts for 298 yards and a score, Flacco needs your consideration for Week 5. The Redskins passing defense isn’t much better than Oakland’s, ranking 25th in the NFL with an average of 280.5 yards per game. The ‘Skins have only given up five scores through the air this year, but Flacco should have plenty of opportunity as Washington is tied for 11th in the league with 145 pass attempts allowed. There is a better than average chance that Flacco returns top-12 value for the second straight week.
Two-QB Leagues - Week 5 Waiver Wire Streamers
Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ (54% owned)
I know, I know. Three interceptions in Week 4. Six interceptions in Week 3. Four touchdowns and ten interceptions on the year. Ryan Fitzpatrick’s recent play is certainly not a ringing endorsement for him as a QB2 pickup in Week 5. However, he wasn’t as bad as his numbers suggest against the Seahawks in Week Three, and has a pretty solid matchup that makes him worth QB2 consideration this week.
Fitzpatrick and the Jets head to Pittsburgh this week, formerly a death trap for QBs, but now an open invitation for them by ranking 30th in passing defense (316.5 yards-per-game). The odd thing is, they’re giving up a ton of yards but not a lot of scores as their five passing TD’s allowed are tied with six other teams for 16th in the league. However, and fortunately for Fitzpatrick, the Steelers only have three interceptions this year, also tied with six teams for 17th in the league. The Jets will likely be missing Eric Decker again, but considering how the Steelers have shut down the run this year (78.2 yards-per-game, good for fifth place), Fitzpatrick is going to see volume. If the bad luck that plagued many of his passes in Week 4 subsides, Fitzpatrick should do more than enough to return QB2 value.
Trevor Siemian, DEN (40% owned)
For the second consecutive week, Trevor Siemian joins this list as a Week 5 QB2 streamer. This one comes with a caveat in the event Siemian doesn’t play, but even in that case Paxton Lynch may still be a recommended QB2 option. As of now, however (Monday evening), it sounds as though Siemian will be playing Sunday. After looking solid before his injury in Week 4, and an ownership rate of only 40%, Siemian should be a popular name on the most added list this week.
Outside of playing Oakland, Siemian has possibly the best matchup any QB could have as the Broncos are home to take on the Falcons. Atlanta currently ranks 31st against the pass with 317 yards allowed per-game. You want more? Here’s more. The Falcons rank second in QB points allowed with an average of 25.48 points per-game, and that includes 3.3 touchdowns per-game as well. Siemian looks like he’s progressing more and more each week, and this is the perfect defense to take some shots against. If he ends up sitting this one out, it’s hard to advise against Paxton Lych despite never having made a NFL start.
Brian Hoyer, CHI (11% owned)
Another guy on this list for the second straight week, but we can only deal with the cards the QBs and schedule-makers deal us. In two starts for the Bears, Hoyer has been better than what anyone could have hoped for, completing 68.23% of his passes for a combined 619 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. With an ownership figure of 11%, there’s a great chance he’s available in your league and maybe even a better chance he once again produces at a high level.
For his next act, Hoyer and the Bears get to take on the Colts in the friendly confines of Lucas Oil Stadium. Given all the injuries the Colts defense has sustained, they’re probably playing better than expected (but are still bad nonetheless). Indianapolis is surrendering 277 passing yards per-game, “good enough” for 24th in the league. This includes 25.88 points to Blake Bortles this past weekend in London. The Chicago offense under Hoyer has been an interesting one with targets being spread out much more than they were with Jay Cutler under center. This bodes well against a Colts defense that has had the injury bug hit it all over the place. Start Hoyer with confidence as a QB2 this week.
Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
