For some of you, it feels like do-or-die time at 0-3 or 1-2 in your fantasy football leagues. That is understandable, as falling even further behind in the standings makes it harder to reach the fantasy playoffs.
It isn’t impossible, but starting 0-4 or 1-3 does make the climb more difficult.
If you are in one of those spots, you’re likely dealing with struggling players and looking for other options to give your roster a boost until they figure it out.
This week’s streamers offer 10 players who can provide that boost in a pinch and help get you moving back in the right direction.
*Streamers are players who are rostered in 50% or less of Yahoo! leagues.
Fantasy Football Streamers for Week 4
Quarterbacks
A few quarterbacks should be returning this week, which is welcome news given the lack of strong streaming options.
Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders
Smith has finished as a QB1 in two of three weeks this season, and he has a strong chance to do it again.
He gets the Chicago Bears, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. With the Raiders likely playing from behind as usual, Smith should be forced to throw plenty.
Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings
Wentz didn’t light up the scoreboard last week even though the offense put up 34 points. Jordan Mason scored twice on the ground, and the defense scored twice, which capped Wentz’s need to throw and his fantasy output.
Still, 15 fantasy points on only 20 pass attempts is respectable. The return of Jordan Addison should give a boost to an underwhelming passing attack, and the matchup is favorable against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that has allowed the fourth-most points to quarterbacks.
Running backs
Fantasy managers lost James Conner and Najee Harris last week, just adding to the growing list of injured running backs.
Ollie Gordon II, Miami Dolphins
Gordon is a touchdown-or-bust player, but given the usage last week, there is a good chance of that happening.
Gordon has all the rushing attempts for the team inside the five this season and took all the short yardage snaps last week for the Dolphins.
Woody Marks, Houston Texans
The Texans’ running game and overall offense have struggled this season. Marks, however, looks on the verge of taking over as the team’s RB1.
In the last game, he logged just one fewer snap and three fewer carries than Nick Chubb. That didn’t amount to much against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who allow the fifth-fewest points to running backs this season.
This week should be easier for both Marks and Chubb, as they face the Tennessee Titans, who allow the third-most points to running backs.
Chris Rodriguez, Washington Commanders
With the Commanders using all three running backs – Rodriguez, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols – it is hard to recommend streaming any of them. However, Croskey-Merritt is questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the Falcons.
If he does miss the game, then Rodriguez and McNichols are in for a boost in usage, with most of it going to Rodriguez.
Wide receivers
It is getting increasingly difficult to start some “stud” receivers – Brian Thomas Jr. and Calvin Ridley, for example. Injuries this week include CeeDee Lamb and Mike Evans, which are requiring managers to pivot.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
It is becoming hard to trust any Packer receiver as they spread the ball around. This was mentioned last week as well when Doubs was suggested, too.
Last week was a much tougher matchup than most expected for the Packers, and it led to a very disappointing performance for Doubs and all the Packers players.
This week should be much easier facing the Dallas Cowboys, who allow the most fantasy points to opposing receivers.
Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos
Quite the tale of two weeks for Franklin. Two weeks ago, he put up a monster game with nine targets, eight receptions, and a touchdown for 20 fantasy points. Then last week, he saw just four targets, catching two for eight yards.
The Los Angeles Chargers defense is legit and played a major role in shutting everybody down for the Broncos passing game, except Courtland Sutton.
This week, Franklin should have a lot more success against the Cincinnati Bengals secondary, who rank in the bottom third in passing defense DVOA.
Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans
Not a ton of targets or yardage so far on the season for Ayomanor, which is probably why he is not rostered more.
On the positive side, he is second on the team in targets and leads the receiving room in receptions. He is also the only player to catch a touchdown from Cam Ward – two games in a row in fact.
Chasing touchdowns is risky, but such is life when you are streaming players.
Tight ends
Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars
It has not been a great start to the season for most of the Jaguars’ pass catchers, with Trevor Lawrence and company struggling to produce in Liam Cohen’s offense.
Strange, although not great, has not been terrible by tight end standards. He is tied for second on the team with 16 targets and actually leads them with 13 receptions. Right now, he is TE15 with just those numbers. If he had been able to find the end zone even once, he would be TE10.
Defense
Streaming a defense is a fantastic strategy as even the best defenses will struggle with they play the likes of the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, etc. Here is the top streaming defense for the week.
New England Patriots
The Patriots defense already has two above-average fantasy performances this season: Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders and Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins.
This week they get the Carolina Panthers, who are allowing the 10th-most points to opposing defenses on the season.
Better yet, per the Defense Stream-O-Matic on Fantasy Six Pack, they are the top option that is rostered in 50% or fewer of leagues. This is thanks to a low implied point total for the Panthers and their third-worst offensive DVOA.
