The Stream Option is a weekly article where The Undroppables explore the best options at Quarterback, Defense, and Tight End that should be available in most leagues.
*Note: ESPN rostership rates were gathered on 10/27/2020 and are subject to change.
Quarterbacks
Teddy Bridgewater – CAR vs ATL
Teddy Bridgewater, the current QB18, will get his second shot at the Falcons of the 2020 season in Week 8. In his first game against Atlanta, (who are the best fantasy matchup for QBs so far this season) Bridgewater ended with 20.82 fantasy points. Meanwhile, Bridgewater is coming off a 19.16 fantasy point output last week. In addition, the Panthers’ most dangerous weapon, Christian McCaffrey, may once again be in the fold in this Thursday Night Football matchup. Bridgewater is only rostered in 38.8% of ESPN leagues, but be mindful that he has to be in your lineup before 8:20PM EST on Thursday.
Baker Mayfield – CLE vs LV
Baker is coming off one of the best games of his young career after completing 22 of 23 passes and throwing five touchdowns after an 0 for 5 start against Cincinnati. The Las Vegas defense is probably even worse than the Bengals, as they are currently ranked as the 3rd best matchup for fantasy quarterbacks. I expect Baker to hold onto last week’s form going into this game and show out again in fantasy. Mayfield is only rostered in 17.5% of ESPN leagues, so expect him to be around for you to play.
Tight Ends
Richard Rodgers – PHI vs DAL
With Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert both on the injured reserve, Richard Rodgers has seen his role in the Eagles offense greatly increase. He saw eight targets in last week’s game versus the Giants and hauled in six of them for 85 yards. The opportunity is there against a Dallas defense that allowed 16.9 fantasy points to Washington’s Logan Thomas last week. Rodgers is only rostered in 6.5% of ESPN leagues, so he should be widely available. Rodgers is a great spot start for managers with starting tight ends facing tough defenses in Week 8, like T.J. Hockenson and Rob Gronkowski.
Mike Gesicki – MIA vs LAR
Not really a stream, but Gesicki’s rostership went down 17.3% over Miami’s bye last week. The young, athletic tight end has the opportunity to grow alongside rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa over the rest of the season, and he should see ample opportunity to showcase his abilities. Gesicki is only rostered in 61.3% of ESPN leagues and faces the 10th best defensive matchup for fantasy tight ends in the Rams next week.
Defenses
Kansas City Chiefs D/ST – KC vs NYJ
I recommended the Chiefs last week, and Week 8 offers another opportunity to start the Chiefs in a juicy matchup after they turned out an astounding 21 points last week. The Chiefs’ rostership increased by a large amount with last week’s matchup, now at 78.5% on ESPN. However, if you picked them up due to my recommendation last week just keep them plugged into your lineup. Just to wrap up: the Chiefs Defense is currently the fifth ranked defense in fantasy football while the Jets are the best matchup for fantasy defenses. Adam Gase and Sam Darnold just can not get anything going on the offensive side of the football, and while that is bad for offensive fantasy assets in New York, it is great for the opposing defenses.
Los Angeles Chargers D/ST – LAC @ DEN
The Denver Broncos allowed 21 fantasy points last week to the aforementioned Chiefs Defense, and the Chargers are coming off an eight point performance of their own against Jacksonville last week. They should be in line for another solid outing as one of the top defenses in fantasy. Currently, the Chargers are rostered in 46.5% of ESPN leagues, so they may be rostered in your leagues, but they are a great option if not.
Lower quality, lower rostership options: Saints D/ST @ CHI (42.5% rostership), Titans D/ST @ CIN (16.2% rostership)
For more options for additions to your lineup, check out Mike Reedy’s Waiver Wire article for Week 8, and feel free to reach out to me with questions on Twitter, @KL_Fantasy, or on my FF_Chat Discord AMA on 10/27 at 8:30 PM EST.
