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 12/22/2020 and are subject to change.
Quarterbacks
Jalen Hurts – PHI @ DAL
After taking over for the struggling Carson Wentz, Hurts has looked the part of a starting-caliber NFL quarterback. He has scored a combined 57.1 fantasy points over his two starts and provides a solid rushing floor for fantasy managers. In Week 16, Hurts will face a struggling Cowboys defense that is currently allowing the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing QBs. Hurts is only rostered in 46.7% of ESPN leagues and was the QB1 for fantasy last week.
Baker Mayfield – CLE @ NYJ
Mayfield has scored 80.46 fantasy points over the past three weeks while playing some of the best football of his career. Mayfield and the Browns face the hapless Jets in Week 16, and while the Jets are one of the worst pass defenses in the league, this might be more of a hindrance to Baker’s fantasy production than it helps him. There is a possible game-script where Chubb and Hunt completely take over the Browns offense this week, but if Darnold and the Jets’ offense play like they did last week, then Mayfield should be fine. I think this is the most likely outcome and Baker will see at least 20 fantasy points next week. If you’re interested, Mayfield is available in 64.9% of ESPN leagues.
Tight Ends
**George Kittle is “pushing to play” the final two games of the season. Some managers may have dropped him when it looked like he wouldn’t play this year, resulting in Kittle being available in almost a quarter of ESPN leagues. If he plays and is available in your league, he is likely the best pickup available at the TE position.
Logan Thomas – WAS vs SEA
I’m going to keep putting Logan Thomas in this article until his rostership is above 70%. He is currently a top-5 TE and is averaging almost 18 points per game over the last four weeks. Thomas is easily one of Alex Smith’s top targets, and he even produced huge numbers with Dwayne Haskins playing last week. I would expect the same amount of looks from Taylor Heinicke if he gets the start as well. Logan Thomas is still available in a ridiculous 30.6% of ESPN leagues.
Jordan Akins – HOU vs CIN
Akins seemed to be building a strong rapport with Deshaun Watson at the beginning of the season, but suffered a concussion in Week 4 against the Vikings. Now, Akins seems to be fully healthy once again on a Texans team that desperately needs pass-catching help. With Fuller suspended, Stills off the team, and Cooks suffering from some injury concerns, Akins can see a large number of targets in this offense. Just last week, Akins caught 5 passes on 6 targets. Expect Akins to continue to get that kind of volume and be able to produce a solid amount of fantasy points for a TE that is available in 95% of ESPN leagues.
Defenses
Arizona Cardinals D/ST – ARI vs SF
While the Cardinals’ defense was very poor for most of last season, they’ve become an above-average unit in 2020 as they consistently perform well against bad offenses and play well enough to keep the team in games against better teams. This week, the Cardinals get an opportunity to play one of those bad offenses in the San Francisco 49ers. While the 49ers should have a good offense, they have been riddled with injuries this year, losing star TE George Kittle and starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo. Currently, the 49ers give up the 6th most points to opposing fantasy defenses. Arizona is available for pickup in just over 60% of ESPN leagues.
Buffalo Bills D/ST – BUF @ NE
While this is an inter-division matchup and anything could happen, the Patriots have struggled offensively for most of 2020, while the Bills defense has come to play, especially over the past two weeks where they locked up the Steelers and the Broncos. The Patriots currently allow the 11th most points to opposing fantasy defenses. Overall, this looks like a strong matchup for a talented defense that is playing well. Buffalo is currently available in 31.6% of ESPN leagues.
For more options for additions to your lineup, check out Mike Reedy’s Waiver Wire article for Week 16, and feel free to reach out to me with questions on Twitter, @KL_Fantasy.
