Week 1 streaming options

 

  Alright you killed your draft and you (hopefully) love your team. You may think the hard work is over but it's just beginning. If you followed the targets I provided you may notice I didn't include a Kicker or defense. I also touched on streaming the QB position. Every week I'll be providing streaming options for Defense, QB and TE. (As for kicker just pick one on a high scoring team preferably that plays inside a dome.) Unless you are insanely lucky, one or more of these positions will require a constant shuffling to give you the edge in your contests and maximum point potential. The problem most casual managers make is they take more of a set it and forget it approach after they draft but outside of the top preformers at their positions fantasy is a very matchup based game. Most of my championship rosters only vaguely resemble the team I drafted. Week 1 is by far the trickiest week for streaming and start/sit decisions. Even more so this season due to no preseason we don't even know what roles new guys will have on thier respective teams. In spite of all that here are some options for your streaming pleasure.

The following options are available in 50% or more of Yahoo leagues

Defense

LA Chargers @ Cincinnati: 45% The bolts face Burrow in his first NFL start. Yes they lost a big piece in Derwin James and I think Burrow will have success this season but without any preseason I think it will take a few weeks for him to get used to NFL speed.

Tennessee Titans @ Denver: 39% The saying goes "When you play games on the road make sure you pack a running game and a defense" and I think the Titans pack both and control this game for the most part. 

*****Retracted*****

(David Montgomery being healthy and injuries have changed my opinion on Detroit as a streamable defense in week 1)

Detroit Lions v Chicago: 7% I'm not putting as much stock into Home defenses this season without fans in the stands but this one isn't a terrible option with Trubiski under center and Montgomery possibly limited week 1

Quarterback

Tyrod Taylor @ Cincinnati: 8% My #1QB stream this week is amongst the least owned. Tyrod won't give you a top5 performance but he's a safe bet to squeeze into the top 12 and that's what you're looking for out of your QB streaming options. Cincinnati improved on defense but not that much and Tyrod always has that rushing upside

Philip Rivers @ Jacksonville: 28% Rivers is more of a boom or bust option here. Jacksonville has already given up on the season before it started and the Colts should steamroll them in the opener. I think Indy dies more damage on the ground but the TF opportunities will certainly be there. 

Gardner Minshew v Indianapolis: 27% I don't normally like betting on negative game script but it should definitely be there for Minshew all year. The volume should be there for sure but I'd watch your league's scoring. If INTs are only -1 he should be fine. Minshew should be chucking it the whole second half. 

Ryan Tannehill @ Denver: 46% Mr Efficiency on the road in Denver dosen't sound like the most appetizing matchup but he's about a 50/50 bet to finish inside the top 12. He's always a threat to vulture a rushing TD from Henry as well.

Tight End

Eric Ebron @ NY Giants: 35% The Giants are historically bad at covering TEs plus they should get rolled up by Big Ben and all his pass catchers. TD opportunities should be aplenty and Ebron has proved one thing over his career. He can score TDs.

Ian Thomas v Las Vegas: 15% Thomas will probably be on my streaming list until people catch on that he's a big target over the middle for a conservative QB that is accurate on short to intermediate and can easily freeze LBs on play action using the best running back in the league. I expect to see Thomas wide open up the seam with regularity.

Jordan Akins @ Kansas City: 1% Available in almost every league Akins has some serious potential in a game with the highest O/U total for the week. I'd hate to be wrong on Thursday night and have to stare at a bad stat line untill Sunday but I want as many pieces of this game as I can get.

Tyler Eifert v Indianapolis: 15% No you didn't travel back in time. Eifert is healthy and reunited with Gruden and word out of training camp is he has a great connection with Minshew. A TE is a young QBs best friend. 

Dawson Knox v NY Jets: 4% I am the president of the Dawson Knox truthers club. He flashed last year and I'm predicting a breakout for him. What better time to start than week 1 vs the Jets.

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think. 

Follow me on Twitter @Chris_Cianci