This week's beer to stream: Lakefront Brewery IPA
The Cascade, Chinook, and Citra hops give a nice bite, but this beer is well-balanced with a full body and an agreeable, malty flavor to round out any bitterness.
For those of you new to fantasy football, or if you are just looking for a new strategy, “streaming” is the idea of selecting somebody from the free agent pool or waiver wire based on favorable matchups. This strategy is particularly effective if you failed to draft an elite player at QB or TE and should be used for K and DEF all year long.
The NFL changes quite a bit from week to week and year to year, I will try to help alleviate your concerns and focus on players that I would try and stream. This year more than ever will be difficult to stream (thanks, COVID). Most leagues have expanded rosters, so this year, I will be looking at only players who are available in UNDER 50% of Yahoo leagues. All options may not be available in your specific league.
Quarterback
Philip Rivers (IND) @ JAC – 29% owned Old Man Rivers will start a game for his 2nd team ever – he has more kids (8) than games played for any other franchise. The Jaguars by all accounts project to be a terrible team this year. Generally, I’d shy away from a new QB in his 1st game with a new team, but the matchup looks too good.
Editor's note: Mikey has Rivers placed in Tier B of his Week 1 Confidence Heat Map.
Gardner Minshew (JAC) vs IND – 27% owned As I just mentioned, the Jags look like they will be picking early in 2021, meaning they’ll likely have to throw a lot. Enter Gardner Minshew and the best mustache in all of football. He surprised a lot of people last year, and judging by his ownership, he will do the same this year.
Editor's note: Mikey has Minshew placed in Tier C of his Week 1 Confidence Heat Map.
Tyrod Taylor (LAC) @ CIN – 8% owned Tyrod probably will not be a starter the entire season, but for streaming purposes, he provides one of the higher floors, just based on his rushing ability. The Chargers will look a lot different than they did a year ago, but Taylor will still provide some start-able weeks.
Editor's note: Mikey has Taylor placed in Tier C of his Week 1 Confidence Heat Map.
Tight End
Eric Ebron (PIT) @ NYG – 34% owned
Forgetting all the drops, Ebron has been a TD producer ever since he left Detroit, and the Steelers recently came out and said he’ll be a red zone weapon. The downside is he likely needs a TD to return value, the plus side is with Big Ben back – he’ll have the opportunity.
Editor's note: Mikey has Ebron placed in Tier B of his Week 1 Confidence Heat Map.
Jack Doyle (IND) @ JAC – 28% owned Remember all the years Rivers prompted Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry to be in the TE1 conversation? Trey Burton is hurt, so Doyle becomes his new TE1. I’d expect some consistent production out of Doyle this year.
Editor's note: Mikey has Rivers Doyle in Tier D of his Week 1 Confidence Heat Map.
Irv Smith Jr. (MIN) vs GB – 15% owned Kyle Rudolph is another year older and with the departure of Diggs, the Vikings are one pass catcher short. Justin Jefferson and Olabisi Johnson are great and all, but I expect Smith to take a leap. The Packers aren’t a daunting matchup for TE’s so with his athleticism, he could have a good game.
Editor's note: Mikey has Smith placed in Tier D of his Week 1 Confidence Heat Map.
Defense/Special Teams
Titans DST @ DEN – 38% owned The addition of Jadeveon Clowney made the Titans' already solid defense that much better. Drew Lock has plenty of weapons, but can he get them the ball? Wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Tennessee forced a few turnovers with a few sacks.
Lions DST vs CHI – 6% owned Please note – this is not a supportive message for the Lions defense, rather it’s an indictment on the Bears offense. Mitch Trubisky is the starter and David Montgomery is hurt. Allen Robinson should see all the work he can handle, but he alone won’t be enough to prevent Trubisky from doing what Trubisky does and turning the ball over.
Packers DST @ MIN – 15% owned The Packers have a talented defense, but can they put it all together? Their run defense was atrocious last year, just ask the 49ers. But they force turnovers and get sacks – 2 things needed in fantasy football. The Vikings have a below average offensive line, so watch for some pressure on Kirk Cousins. Stay tuned next week to see the results from all the players mentioned above, as well as my streamers for next week. Be sure to join us on Facebook, subscribe below, and follow me on Twitter for more updates and insight.