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 12/1/2020 and are subject to change.
Welcome to the final game of the regular season for most folks. Hopefully, you’re already locked into the playoffs, but if not, hopefully, we can get you a W this week.
Quarterbacks
Ryan Tannehill – TEN vs CLE
Ryan Tannehill is the QB9 on the season, and only rostered in 56.6% of ESPN leagues. He has been a very solid play all season, and gets a solid matchup in Week 13 against a Browns defense which just surrendered 18 fantasy points to Jag’s backup QB, Mike Glennon. Tannehill has yet to score under 10 fantasy points in a single contest this season and could be a strong option for the fantasy playoffs as well, with matchups against the Jaguars and Lions in Weeks 14 and 15, respectively.
Ryan Fitzpatrick/Tua Tagovailoa – MIA vs CIN
With Tagovailoa’s status heading into next week questionable, this situation will be one to watch for streaming teams. Either Quarterback should be a solid play in fantasy against the poor Bengals defense. However, I would prefer if Fitzpatrick got the start over Tagovailoa for fantasy purposes as Fitzpatrick tends to score more fantasy points than the rookie QB. Fitz has averaged 19.88 fantasy points per game over seven starts, while Tua has only averaged 12.28 ppg in his four starts. Fitzpatrick is currently rostered in 21.5% of ESPN leagues while Tagovailoa is rostered in 29% of ESPN leagues.
EXTRA QB: Gardner Minshew – JAX @ MIN
Minshew has missed the past five weeks with a thumb injury, but if he is healthy enough to start next week he should be a solid fantasy option. Prior to his injury, Minshew was the QB12 and averaged 18.8 fantasy points per contest. He is a very good fantasy option at the quarterback position, but has seen his rostership plummet while out with injury. Minshew is currently rostered in just 10.3% of ESPN leagues.
Tight Ends
Robert Tonyan – GB vs PHI
Tonyan is the TE4 on the season despite a very inconsistent season. He seems to either score in the double digits or less than five points every week. While Tonyan is a risky play, the Philadelphia defense, which he is playing against in Week 13, is currently allowing the 6th most fantasy points to the tight end position. Meanwhile, Tonyan has been more involved as of late, seeing 5 targets in each of the past two games. Even better, he also caught all 5 targets in each of the past two games. Tonyan is only rostered in 46.1% of ESPN leagues and is a great option, especially if you are swinging for the fences in Week 13.
Dalton Schultz – DAL @ BAL
The TE landscape is, once again, incredibly infuriating if you don’t have a locked-in starter at the position. However, Schultz is another guy who has been able to put up some points, albeit not very consistently. Schultz has surpassed 4 receptions and 7 fantasy points in each of his last four games, and should have around a 7 point floor. I don’t think Schultz will burn you against Baltimore, but I also don’t think he’s going to explode. Schultz offers a safe play while only being rostered in 30.3% of ESPN leagues.
Defenses
Kansas City Chiefs D/ST – KC vs DEN
Yes, the Denver Broncos will have a real quarterback under center next week. However, the Chiefs defense can still handle Drew Lock. The Chiefs showed this in week 7, when their defense scored 21 fantasy points in Denver against Lock and the Broncos. Overall, the Chiefs have been a solid defense this season, even with a few ups and downs, as they currently rank as the 13th best defense for fantasy. The KC Defense is only rostered in 42.6% of ESPN leagues.
Green Bay Packers D/ST – GB vs PHI
The Packers haven’t been near the top of fantasy defenses this season. However, their Week 13 opponent, the Eagles, have been near the top of best defensive matchups this season. The Eagles are coming off a MNF game in which they allowed the Seattle defense to score 11 fantasy points despite being one of the worst fantasy defenses this season. If the Packers can capitalize similarly to how the Seahawks did, they should be able to finish with a good number of points. The Pack are only rostered in 46.6% of ESPN leagues.
For more options for additions to your lineup, check out Mike Reedy’s Waiver Wire article for Week 13, and feel free to reach out to me with questions on Twitter, @KL_Fantasy.
