RADIO
RotoBallers,
Welcome back. As always this column will aim to highlight Week 8 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 even more Week 8 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant 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 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 ([email protected]), tweet (@Andrew_Bua), or reach out on Reddit (/u/CitiStrikeouts).
One-QB Leagues - Week 8 Waiver Wire Streamers
Alex Smith, KC (57% owned)
Another week, another appearance on the quarterback streaming list for Alex Smith. This guy is the quintessential example of a streamer year-in and year-out, but hey, that has its value, right? Coming off a strong performance against the Saints in Week 7 that saw Smith throw for two scores, odds are his favorable schedule will once again lead to a solid performance at Indianapolis in Week 8.
At this point, everyone knows the Colts defense is the perfect opponent to stream against and thus this one should be no secret. Let’s start with the basics: Indianapolis’ defense is surrendering an average of 293.5 passing yards for game, which ranks 29th overall. Playing within the offensive-friendly confines of Lucas Oil Stadium, that number jumps up to 348 yards. Kansas City’s potent rushing attack should open things up for Smith even more just as DeMarco Murray did for the Titans in Week 7, allowing Marcus Mariota to toss 232 yards and two touchdowns while gaining 14 more yards on the ground. The Chiefs’ schedule will toughen up a bit soon, but for now keep throwing Smith out there if you need a QB1 streamer.
Carson Wentz, PHI (54% owned)
Okay, I get it – Carson Wentz has not been good lately. After starting his career with four straight games of efficient quarterback play, the past two have not been great as he’s thrown for a combined 307 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions with a 54% completion rate. It may be a case of Wentz hitting the rookie wall; it may also be a case of Wentz playing one pretty good and one absolutely elite defense (the Redskins and Vikings, respectively). Either way, he has an easier matchup with the Eagles traveling to Dallas in Week 8.
Dallas may be rested coming off a bye in Week 8, but that doesn’t change the fact that their passing defense hasn’t exactly looked great throughout their first six games. The Cowboys have given up at least 249 passing yards in five out of those six games, with 294 or more in three of them (including 350 to Kirk Cousins and 312 to Brian Hoyer). The fantasy point totals for opposing QB’s may not be there due to a lack of touchdown passes against this defense, but make no mistake, for the most part this defense has been torn apart through the air. Plus, in a week with six starting quarterbacks on bye, Wentz finds himself as a very attractive QB1 streaming option.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ (40% owned)
Well, well, well, look whose back. When originally writing this article, Geno Smith was pegged to be a QB2 streaming option (and still will be if he ends up getting the nod) in Week 8. However, with Ryan Fitzpatrick seemingly back in the driver's seat under center for the Jets and his 40% ownership rate, he’s a very nice QB1 streaming option for the week.
You can pretty much guarantee that whoever is playing Cleveland will be on our streamer list, and this week Ryan Fitzpatrick is the lucky man. Relieving the injured Geno Smith against Baltimore’s formidable pass defense in Week 7, Fitzpatrick looked much like the "Fitzmagic" of 2015 by completing 9 of 14 passes (64.2% completion rate) for 120 yards, one touchdown, and perhaps most importantly, zero turnovers. Cleveland, meanwhile, are allowing 285.3 passing yards-per-game (26th in the league) and have allowed at least 270 in their last three games (including a minimum of 308 in two of the last three). If temporarily sending Fitzpatrick to the bench was what it took to wake him up, he’ll be a popular streaming option down the fantasy stretch.
Two-QB Leagues - Week 8 Waiver Wire Streamers
Brock Osweiler, HOU (30% owned)
Let’s get this out of the way first: Brock Osweiler has not been a great quarterback. He’s the kind of player who sounds at least decent from a distance, but when you’re actually in a situation where you’re forced to start him you involuntarily groan aloud. However, with his ownership rate sinking by the week, Osweiler’s value grows as i) he becomes easier to acquire, and ii) gasp – he’s actually been better lately.
In two of the last three weeks, Osweiler has completed at least 64% of his passes for a minimum of 254 yards and two touchdowns (this is being written before he likely does not match those figures on Monday night in Denver). In Week 8, the Texans get to play the Lions in Houston where both of the two games mentioned in the paragraph above took place. Detroit is allowing 271.3 passing yards-per game (23rd overall) including at least 301 in their last two games (to Kirk Cousins and Case Keenum). Furthermore, in Detroit’s last road game they surrendered 302 yards and two scores to Brian Hoyer. This defense is one to take advantage of, and Osweiler should be able to get things going with DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller.
Trevor Siemian, DEN (26% owned)
Trevor Siemian had a solid return from injury in Week 6 at San Diego, not exactly a return with a bang, but a solid return nonetheless. Against the weak Chargers defense, he completed 60% of his passes for 230 yards and a touchdown on 50 attempts. Again, not amazing, but certainly good enough to be in the QB2 streamer range. Barring injury and/or extreme ineffectiveness against Houston on Monday night, Siemian finds himself on the Week 8 QB2 streamer radar as he takes on the Chargers again (this time in Denver).
We know the Chargers defense hasn’t been good all year, surrendering 279.7 passing yards per game. In an even more negative note for that unit, most of those games came before elite cornerback Jason Verrett went down for the year. San Diego actually performed better than expected at Atlanta in Week 7, only allowing Matt Ryan to throw for 273 yards and a touchdown. However, that doesn’t mean they are suddenly having an awakening - prior to Week 6 they allowed a 300+ yard passer in four out of five games. Siemian may not be lighting the world on fire – but in a week where QB options are limited, he’s a perfectly suitable streaming option in leagues requiring two starters at the position.
Cody Kessler, CLE (9% owned)/Kevin Hogan, CLE (0% Owned)
This is really a bottom of the barrel option (especially if Kevin Hogan is starting for Cleveland in Week 8), but again, QB streamer options are limited this week. Especially in two-quarterback leagues, this is an especially difficult week to find a valid option. Given how bad the Jets pass defense has been, you could do worse than whoever is under center for the Browns this Sunday.
Cody Kessler has been far from bad for the Browns, and would be an ideal QB2 streamer if he’s cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol after leaving Week 7’s game early. He had completed 9 of 11 passes for 82 yards prior to his early exit. In relief, Kevin Hogan was….not good (12-for-24 for 100 yards and two interceptions). Thus, it remains a mystery who the guy is on Sunday, and heck, it might even be Josh McCown. Either way, it’s a favorable matchup, and that’s what counts when it comes to finding a fast fill-in as a QB2. The Jets’ passing defense ranks 28th in the NFL, surrendering an average of 290 yards-per-game. Prior to Week 7 when they picked off Joe Flacco twice, the Jets defensive unit managed a total of one takeaway over the last three games combined. We know this matchup is far from perfect, and not exactly one to be excited about – but the potential is there.
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