We Know Fantasy QB Streamers - Week 1

Here is a review of your options to start at quarterback that you may be able to find available in your leagues. For this article, I am looking at options that are rostered in less than 50-percent of either ESPN and Yahoo leagues. I’ll be looking for games with high implied point totals, ideally for a team that is supposed to win, but also looking at past trends to see if there are any matchup specific notes worth taking into consideration. As the season progresses, we’ll compare our points-per-game (combining the stats of our ‘Weekly QB of Record) to that of other QBs to see where you could stack up by just punting the position on draft day!

** Ownership and odds gathered 9/7/2021

2021 Points-Per-Game: TBD

Stream of the Week (Weekly QB of record)

Kirk Cousins @ CIN (ESPN 24.1%; Yahoo 68% and Sleeper 54.8%)

-3 // 48 (Implied totals: W 25.5 – 22.5)

Cousins is somehow only being drafted and rostered in 24-percent of ESPN leagues and he is the obvious choice for any team looking to stream the position in Week 1. He faces a Cincinnati team that will struggle against the pass this year, and they have also ruled out Trae Waynes, which will force Eli Apple into a starting role, matching up with either Justin Jefferson or Adam Thielen. Either wide reciever will be able to take full advantage of the matchup and don’t forget that Dalvin Cook can catch passes as well. While Minnesota’s offense struggled in the preseason, I have zero concerns starting the year off with Cousins at the helm.

Alternative Options

Matt Ryan vs. PHI (ESPN 46.0%; Yahoo 76% and Sleeper 60.2%)

-3.5 // 48 (Implied totals: W 25.75 – 22.25)

Matt Ryan has been a reliable fantasy quarterback for years. The Falcons don’t have much depth at runningback, so I’d expect them to be pretty pass happy (which is also where the Eagles struggled defensively last year.) Ryan’s lack of rushing will cap his true upside, but this is a solid matchup with a decent implied team total for a team that will likely score disproportionately through the air.

Sam Darnold vs. NYJ (ESPN 6.0%; Yahoo 14% and Sleeper 26.6%)

-5.5 // 44.5 (Implied totals: W 25 – 19.5)

REVENGE GAME! Ok, I don’t fully buy the revenge game narrative, especially since Darnold doesn’t get to play against his former coach, but it’s still fun to see in Week 1. With D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, Terrace Marshall and Christian McCaffrey at his disposal; Darnold should look much improved against a bad New York Jets' team.

Other Options for Deeper Leagues

Carson Wentz vs. SEA (ESPN 7.0%, Yahoo 15% & Sleeper 24.8%)

Jameis Winston vs. DAL (ESPN 26.5%; Yahoo 43% & Sleeper 50.1%)

Derek Carr vs. BAL (ESPN 13.9%; Yahoo 23% & Sleeper 26.0%)