Week 7 Streaming QBs and D/STs: Two of the biggest positions for streaming in fantasy are quarterback and defense. Here in this article, we will break down the best options at quarterback and defense. We hope to steer fantasy managers into decisions that create wins. This article will focus mostly on players less than 50-percent rostered.
Week 7 Streaming QBs
Tua Tagovailoa (vs ATL)
After coming off of a three-week absence, Tagovailoa was able to log 23.3-fantasy points against Jacksonville in Week 6.
Heading into Week 7 the sophomore quarterback will draw the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons are an interesting case study. They allow the second-most opponent points per game with 29.6 but in fantasy, they are 10th-best at stopping opposing quarterbacks, 13th-best against fantasy running backs, and 15th-best at limiting opposing wide receivers. Something has got to give in Week 7 and Tagovailoa should be able to cook a little against this defense.
This match-up features a 48-point over/under and has a 2.5-spread favoring the Falcons. With how bad the Dolphins’ defense has been, Atlanta should be able to get some points on the board. As a result, Tagovialoa could be playing in a back-and-forth affair, or even play from behind; both scenarios would benefit Tagovialoa’s floor and ceiling potential.
Tagovialoa is available in 72-percent of ESPN leagues heading into Week 7’s waivers.
Matt Ryan (@MIA)
After an ice-cold start to fantasy, Matty-Ice has played two consecutive weeks as a solid fantasy quarterback.
Going up against the Dolphins has produced favorable outcomes for fantasy managers in 2021. So far the Dolphins allow the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, the most fantasy points to rushing backs, the ninth-most points to fantasy wide receivers, and the seventh-most fantasy points to tight ends. In addition, Miami allows their opponents to score 29.5 points per game which is fourth-worst in the league.
For Matt Ryan, he has averaged 18.8-FPPG this season and 26.3-FPPG over his last two contests. Coming out of their BYE week will also allow Atlanta to get some of their weapons back, namely Calvin Ridley.
Miami does have Tua Tagovailoa back under center which certainly makes Ryan more appealing for fantasy. You want capable quarterbacks that can take advantage of bad defenses, and both quarterbacks in this match-up can do that.
Matt Ryan is available in 65-percent of ESPN leagues.
Derek Carr (vs PHI)
Quietly having a QB1 season for fantasy is Derek Carr. Carr has looked pretty good in four-of-six weeks scoring at least 23-fantasy points in all but two games this season. Additionally, Carr has thrown for 300 yards and two touchdowns in four-of-six games for Las Vegas.
Carr and the Raiders will draw the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7 and they have allowed teams to score 25.3 points per game. Against fantasy quarterbacks, the Eagles have allowed a middling 19.2-FPPG, while Carr averages 19.8-FPPG.
This game carries a 48.5 over/under and 3.5-point spread that favors Las Vegas at home. With both teams carrying competitive quarterbacks, this game could potentially become the back-and-forth affair that we crave for fantasy quarterbacks. It also seems that the Raiders are not letting the woes of Jon Gruden hold them back either.
Carr is a solid option for managers looking to stream in Week 7. He remains available in 45-percent of ESPN leagues.
Week 7 Streaming QBs — Honorable Mentions
- Sam Darnold (@NYG)
- Taylor Heinicke (@GB)
- Teddy Bridgewater (@CLE)
Week 7 Streaming DSTs
Arizona Cardinals D/ST (vs HOU)
The Cardinals’ D/ST comes into Week 7 as “the” defense to target for streaming purposes as they face the Houston Texans.
While Houston’s starting quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, has not been ruled out of this contest, it will likely be rookie Davis Mills behind the reigns for Houston. With Mills behind center, it gives Arizona huge ceiling potential but if Tyrod Taylor were to start, Arizona would still be a great streaming defense.
Mills creates a higher ceiling for the Arizona defense because he has turned the ball over seven times in four starts. It does not help that Mills is a rookie and plays for a team that cannot do much on the offensive, or defensive, side of the ball.
For the Cardinals, Arizona’s defense has been impressive at taking the football away. So far they have 13 takeaways which is top-three in the NFL. Arizona is also fifth-best at sacking the quarterback and in addition, they have a pressure rate of 26.9-percent which is seventh-best.
The Cardinals are available in 50-percent of ESPN leagues heading into waivers.
New England Patriots D/ST (vs NYJ)
Let’s go back to the well with New England against this Jets team. Facing off in Week 2, the Patriots were able to nab four interceptions and log four sacks in what was a rough week for New York’s quarterback, Zach Wilson.
Wilson has struggled to protect the football this season. In five games he has thrown nine interceptions, four of which were against New England’s secondary. New England’s defense only allows 3.8 Yards per-Carry, tied for fifth-best, meaning Wilson will have to move the ball in the air in order to compete against the Patriots. This simply points to the narrative that turnovers are likely to happen for Wilson.
With a solid Week 2 outing against this same Jets team, New England looks primed to have a great Week 7. They are available in 43-percent of ESPN leagues.
New Orleans Saints D/ST (@SEA)
Coming off of a BYE week is the sixth-ranked New Orleans Saints D/ST. New Orleans will face off against a banged-up Seattle Seahawks in Week 7, a team with a backup quarterback at the helm.
While Geno Smith has seen action the last two weeks, he has not been great for football in general, or for fantasy football. Additionally, he has two turnovers in each of his two games played.
The Seahawks will likely want to run the ball since Pete Carroll has a history of doing so and also to protect the quarterback. But New Orleans’ run defense has been elite, even going back into the 2020 season. Only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have allowed fewer rushing yards in 2021. If the Seahawks plan to win they will need Geno Smith to drop back and make a few throws which could easily give the Saints an interception or two.
Even without a backup quarterback starting against them, the Saints’ D/ST have shown promising fantasy statistics. They have already logged 10 takeaways this season, something only six teams have done. They have also logged two huge weeks as a fantasy defense tallying 14-fantasy points in Week 1 and 19-fantasy points in Week 3.
The Saints seem to have upside every week, but certainly in Week 7 as they face Seattle’s backup, Geno Smith.
The Saints are available in 50-percent of ESPN leagues heading into waivers.
Probably rostered, but should be started if not:
- Panthers D/ST
- Buccaneers D/ST
- Broncos D/ST
Week 7 Streaming DSTs — Honorable Mentions:
- Jets D/ST
- Browns D/ST
