There are four positions in fantasy football at which managers can get by without a weekly startable option on their regular roster. QB, TE, Kicker, and Defense all lend themselves to streaming. Here are our top streaming options for Week 17.
All streamers are rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues, unless otherwise stated. In-depth stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons (vs. LAR)
As you can probably tell from the names on this list, options are limited on the waiver wire this week. However, with fresh quarterback injuries occurring each week and fantasy championships on the line, there are still some options for those in need.
Chief among them this week is Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. Over his last two games, Cousins has thrown five touchdowns and only one interception, averaging 22.75 fantasy points per game.
This week, he faces the Los Angeles Rams, who have been a far friendlier matchup than one might expect for opposing quarterbacks recently. Over their last four games, the Rams have allowed an average of 23.18 fantasy points per game to the position, which would rank second among all quarterbacks over that stretch.
Tyler Shough, QB, New Orleans Saints (at TEN)
Elsewhere, rookie New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough has been showing remarkable consistency in recent weeks. Shough was unfairly labelled a statue-like pocket passer coming out of college, but has been able to demonstrate his rushing ability in the NFL.
Over the last four weeks, Shough has topped 18 fantasy points three times and not dropped below 17.1. The Saints are looking to make it four wins in a row when they face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and Shough offers a fairly safe floor, as well as an intriguing ceiling.
Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans (at LAC)
Any week-winning ceilings at tight end come with considerable risk on the waiver wire this week, but Dalton Schultz stands out as the most reliable option by far. The Houston Texans tight end is slightly over 50% rostered (53%), but he is significantly more appealing than the options below him, making him worth highlighting here.
Since the Texans’ Week 6 bye, Schultz has finished among the top 11 fantasy tight ends in seven of 10 games. Consistency like that makes his availability surprising, and he is coming off back-to-back games with a touchdown, giving plenty of reasons for optimism heading into Week 17.
Harrison Mevis, K, Los Angeles Rams (at ATL)
Harrison Mevis is still relatively new in Los Angeles, but the Rams kicker has already made an impression. Mevis has been a top-12 fantasy kicker in five of his seven games, including his Rams debut, in which he didn’t even attempt a field goal, but hit all six of his extra points.
Mevis is attached to the most impressive offense in the NFL and, as a bonus, is playing indoors this weekend, away from any inconvenient December weather.
Eddy Piñeiro, K, San Francisco 49ers (vs. CHI)
San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Piñeiro won’t be playing indoors, but there are far more difficult venues than Santa Clara, where he’ll take on the Chicago Bears this week. Both teams have their eyes firmly set on a division title, and both offenses should be able to make things happen.
Piñeiro has been a top-12 fantasy kicker in eight of his 12 games for the 49ers this year and has been a top-eight kicker in each of his last three.
New England Patriots DEF (at NYJ)
It may be a surprise to see Mike Vrabel’s New England Patriots defense available on waivers this week, but after a bye in Week 14, two down weeks followed. This week, though, the Patriots face a divisional matchup with the New York Jets and rookie quarterback Brady Cook.
Despite Cook being healthy, Jets HC Aaron Glenn has informed the media that the rookie will start in Week 17, which gives you a good idea of how well he has played so far. In three games (two starts), Cook has totaled one touchdown, five interceptions, and three fumbles.
The Patriots’ defense is far better than it has shown in recent weeks, and it won’t get a better opportunity to prove it than this week.
Detroit Lions DEF (at MIN)
Like Schultz, the Detroit Lions defense is a little over 50% rostered (56%) but is a must-add if available in your league. Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has announced that J.J. McCarthy is out for Week 17 and that Max Brosmer will get his second NFL start.
In his first start, albeit against a very strong Seattle Seahawks defense, Brosmer was sacked four times, threw four picks, and had zero touchdowns. Seattle’s defense finished that game with a massive 30 fantasy points, exactly double the points of second place (Buffalo Bills, 15 points).
The rookie’s debut start ranks 492nd out of 495 quarterback performances this season, according to PFSN’s QB Impact metric, making Detroit a great bet this week.
