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 before the weekly waiver run and have likely changed.
Quarterbacks
Mitchell Trubisky – CHI @ ATL
Trubisky is currently the QB14 with 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions coming into Week 3. Meanwhile, the Atlanta secondary has given up 71.58 fantasy points to Quarterbacks in the first two weeks, and while those two games have come against much more prolific offenses than the Bears (Seahawks and Cowboys), the Falcons still provide a good matchup for young gunslinger Mitch Trubisky. Alongside the defensive matchup, negative game script will also likely help Trubisky, as the Falcons offense can score a lot of points, posting 38 and 39 points in their first two games. Trubisky is only rostered in 14.4% of ESPN leagues.
Gardner Minshew – JAX vs MIA
Minshew has looked the part of a franchise Quarterback in his first two games, posting 6 touchdowns to 2 interceptions as well as 512 yards with a 75.4% completion percentage. These stats place him as the 11th ranked Quarterback in fantasy, yet he is only rostered in 24.9% of ESPN leagues. On the other side of this inter-state matchup, the Dolphins defense has given up the second most fantasy points to quarterbacks in the league. In games against Cam Newton and Josh Allen, the Dolphins have looked inept against the pass even after spending big money on the cornerback position. Keep in mind that Minshew plays on Thursday night and will need to be in your lineup prior to 8:20pm EST on Thursday.
Expect Minshew to have another solid showing in Week 3, and to continue his excellent fantasy season with future matchups against the Bengals, Texans and Lions in the coming weeks before his bye in Week 7. Minshew could be more than a stream option for you!
Ryan Tannehill – TEN @ MIN
I believe that, along with Minshew, Tannehill should be rostered in most leagues, yet Tannehill has only a 40.5% rostership percentage on ESPN. After posting 46.12 fantasy points through his first two games, Tannehill is the ninth ranked QB in fantasy. He plays against a Vikings defense that got torched in Week 1 by Aaron Rodgers, and lacks pass rush with Danielle Hunter on IR. While Tannehill should provide managers a solid outing in Week 3 and a strong season in total, be wary as he faces two outstanding defenses in Pittsburgh and Buffalo Weeks 4 and 5, respectively.
Tight Ends
Logan Thomas – WAS @ CLE
While Thomas let managers down last week against Arizona, he still saw nine targets and a 91% snap share for Washington. His usage is incredibly promising and he should see a solid matchup in Week 3 as Cleveland has allowed the most fantasy points to Tight Ends so far this season. While this is a small sample size, it is easily confirmed by watching the Browns defense. The converted QB is only rostered in 15.9% of ESPN leagues. Thomas should rebound in Week 3 and provide managers with a solid outing as a stream option.
Jack Doyle/Mo Alie-Cox – IND vs NYJ
After Doyle missed Week 3 due to a lower-leg issue, Alie-Cox saw 6 targets, catching 5 of them for 111 yards against the Vikings. Expect veteran QB Philip Rivers to continue to siphon targets to the Tight End position with slot WR Parris Campbell now on IR. If Jack Doyle (rostered in 32.6% of ESPN leagues) is able to have a full practice on Thursday or Friday of this week, expect him to be the main beneficiary of Rivers’ play. If not, Alie-Cox is only rostered in 1.2% of ESPN leagues and another viable stream option.
Defenses
Buccaneers D/ST – TB @ DEN
Only rostered in 50.4% of ESPN leagues, the Tampa Bay defense is currently 8th in fantasy points at the position. With an elite front seven and a budding star in CB Carlton Davis, the Bucs defense is one to be feared. Meanwhile, their matchup in Week 3 is against a very heavily depleted offense, as QB Drew Lock, WR Courtland Sutton, and RB Philip Lindsay are all slated to miss this game for the Broncos. Fill-in Jeff Driskel provides a good opportunity for some interceptions and a solid chance for the Bucs to keep the score low.
Chargers D/ST – LAC vs CAR
The Chargers followed up a 12 point outing against Cincinnati in Week 1 by scoring zero fantasy points against the Chiefs in Week 2. Luckily for them, the Panthers offense has looked more like the Bengals offense than the Chiefs this season. Last week, star pass rushers Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram were constantly forcing pressure against the Chiefs offensive line, but QB Patrick Mahomes put on a clinic on how to work a pocket. Teddy Bridgewater will likely fail to have the same effect. Only rostered in 29% of ESPN leagues, this strong defense should see a strong outing in Week 3.
For more options for additions to your lineup, check out Mike Reedy’s Waiver Wire article for Week 3, and feel free to reach out to me with questions on Twitter, @KL_Fantasy.
