Ronald Jones, Dolphins’ playmakers among top streaming options for Week 10
Field Yates and Matthew Berry make the case for adding Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones to your fantasy lineup. (1:07)
Each week of the NFL campaign, we will sift through the deeper options at each position with an eye on identifying streaming fantasy commodities with valuable matchups to consider.
Do you need replacement options for injured or suspended players? Or are you merely dealing with depth issues? We have a few names to consider for those seeking widely available options at each position:
Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans (8.0% rostered; vs. Chiefs)
The Chiefs have yielded a generous 19.4 fantasy points per game to signal-callers this season, well above league average. Tannehill, meanwhile, has delivered two 300-yard performances with the Titans after producing just two such games in his previous 24 prior games in Miami. With some potential as a rushing option and what makes for an inviting matchup in the passing department, Tannehill is a capable streaming candidate for this heavy bye week.
Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders (37.3% rostered; vs. Chargers)
You’ll need to have confidence in Carr to stream him on Thursday night ahead of the full Sunday slate. There are some compelling reasons to consider such a bold move; the Raiders have allowed pressure on just 19.5% of Carr’s dropbacks this season, the second-lowest rate in the NFL. Such a clean pocket has helped Carr sustain a healthy 5.5% touchdown rate, which ranks eighth in the NFL. The Chargers have been solid in pass defense this season, but if Oakland’s protection holds up as well as it has this season, Carr could meet or surpass the average fantasy performance for quarterbacks on Thursday — which is 16.9 fantasy points per game in ESPN standard scoring.
Ronald Jones II, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (37.8% rostered; vs. Cardinals)
A popular inclusion in this column, Jones has competed all season for snaps and touches with Peyton Barber only to finally take over the featured gig this past week in Seattle. Due for at least 15 touches while facing an Arizona front ceding 104.4 rushing yards per game to backfields — 10th-most in the league — Jones is in an ideal spot as a streaming option from the flex spot or even as an RB2 candidate.
Kalen Ballage, Miami Dolphins (8.8% rostered; at Colts)
This Florida-themed tandem of endorsements is a bit different in that Jones is legitimately seizing his promotion with strong play on the field, while Ballage has been one of the least efficient backs in all of football this season. Ballage’s workload could increase this week with Mark Walton‘s suspension and Kenyan Drake thriving in the desert after being traded to the Cardinals. During a heavy bye week and facing a Colts front that has yielded 4.3 yards per carry, Ballage is an interesting option.
A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans (15.1% rostered; vs. Chiefs)
Finally earning meaningful usage with Tannehill at the helm, Brown has thrived when afforded vertical opportunities and has the best touchdown rate on the team since the quarterback shift. The Chiefs have actually been respectable in coverage against wideouts this season, but Brown’s big-play ability and the potential for this game to prove pass-heavy for the Titans if Kansas City can develop a lead make for solid streaming ingredients for the second straight week.
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins (22.8% rostered; at Colts)
The loss of Preston Williams to a serious knee injury is a blow to Miami’s already struggling offense, but it also likely means Parker will handle even more high-value vertical targets in the weeks ahead. Williams was leading the team with 14.5 air yards per target the past month, with Parker netting a respectable 9.4 during that sample. I’d bet Parker sees a sizable surge in depth of target this week against the Colts, especially with a daring signal-caller in Ryan Fitzpatrick on his side.
Field Yates and Matthew Berry discuss DeVante Parker’s fantasy value and how that should increase if Preston Williams is hurt and cannot play.
Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins (2.3% rostered; at Colts)
I swear I don’t believe in the Miami offense this much, but one takeaway from surveying the market this week is that the Dolphins are beginning to consolidate opportunities to a few identifiable skill players. Ballage is likely to be busy on Sunday, while Parker has already matched his career high in touchdowns (four) and has some upside. Gesicki, meanwhile, set career marks in receptions and yardage last week and is next due to face a Colts defense yielding the seventh-most receptions to tight ends this season.
Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans (17.5% rostered; vs. Chiefs)
The Chiefs have surrendered the fifth-most catches to tight ends this season, aiding Smith’s candidacy as a streaming option. With Delanie Walker ailing, we could see Smith secure another start. Week 9 proved quiet for Smith, but he was still targeted enough to consider him a viable TE1 option for this meeting with an exploitable opponent.
Embracing the fun spirit of fantasy sports, ESPN senior fantasy analyst Matthew Berry and his unconventional cast of characters aim to make fantasy football players smarter and help them win their leagues. Watch the latest episode
Indianapolis Colts (37.5% rostered; vs. Dolphins)
After listing the entire Miami roster as viable streaming options, let’s counter that with the Colts’ D/ST! The good thing is that these aren’t mutually exclusive outcomes; several of these Miami players can deliver worthy fantasy performances while Fitzpatrick’s historic interception pattern could always surface. This Colts front seven is finally getting healthy, which could spell added pressure for Fitz and more fantasy fun for this group in the form of turnovers and sacks.
Baltimore Ravens (33.6% rostered; at Bengals)
Having faced the Patriots in Week 9, the Ravens are widely available in most leagues and are likely a top waiver claim in most competitive leagues. If you can find room to acquire Baltimore, this is likely the best defensive matchup of the entire Week 10 slate given Cincinnati it turning the keys over to a green rookie midway through the season.
Mychal Kendricks, Seattle Seahawks (7.2% rostered; at 49ers)
Rarely leaving the field and being leveraged as a pass-rusher on a valuable percentage of downs, Kendricks brings unique sack upside and big-play ability to the field each week. Facing a ball-dominant 49ers team, Kendricks could approach a season-high in tackles this week.
Erik Harris, Oakland Raiders (6.7% rostered; vs. Chargers)
Fresh off an 11-tackle showing against the Lions, Harris should again prove busy while corralling Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen on Thursday night. We should again see linebacker-like tackle production from Harris.
Tavon Wilson, Detroit Lions (2.5% rostered; at Bears)
Vaulting back into a busy every-down role since the team traded Quandre Diggs to the Seahawks, Wilson has 15 total tackles during his past two outings and should again lead the secondary in tackle opportunities in Chicago this week.
Jason Pierre-Paul, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3.8% rostered; vs. Cardinals)
A fantasy legend making his way back from another significant injury, JPP recently gained eligibility at defensive line in ESPN leagues thanks to his return to the field and versatility deployment for the Bucs’ defense. With at least three tackles and a sack in each of his two games, it’s time to get this former fantasy star back in lineups ahead of a matchup with the Cardinals.