While some fantasy drafts are still happening, most leagues are looking forward to the start of the 2021 NFL season. Usually, fantasy teams don’t add players before Week 1. However, for the fantasy players who drafted a quarterback or tight end with a poor Week 1 matchup, finding a replacement could be the difference between a win or a loss to start the year. With that in mind, here are eight potential streaming options for Week 1.
The following players are owned in under 50 percent of ESPN leagues. All stats are base on four-point per passing touchdown and PPR scoring.
Kirk Cousins at Cincinnati Bengals (24.1%)
Last season, Cousins averaged career-high 19.1 fantasy points per game. He also averaged 2.2 passing touchdowns per game, throwing two or more in 75 percent of his games. With a healthy Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, Cousins has one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL. Last season, the Bengals ranked 22nd in points given up per game. Moreover, quarterbacks averaged 19.4 fantasy points per game against the Bengals. With a below-average defense on paper, the Bengals will struggle to slow down Minnesota’s passing attack. Furthermore, starting cornerback Trae Waynes will miss the game with an injury, leaving Eli Apple to cover Jefferson or Thielen. Expect Cousins to finish as a top-10 quarterback or better this week
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Sam Darnold vs New York Jets (5.9%)
Not only is this a revenge game for Darnold, but it’s an appealing fantasy matchup for his fantasy owners. Last season, the Jets gave up 19.8 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Now with the Carolina Panthers, Darnold has an impressive set of weapons. Not only does he have a healthy Christian McCaffrey in the backfield, but D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson at wide receiver. During the 2019 season, with Anderson in New York, Darnold had career-highs across the board. With Carl Lawson out for the season and a very inexperienced secondary, Darnold should have no trouble with the Jets’ defense. While Darnold likely won’t finish as a top-12 quarterback, he is an excellent QB2 in super flex leagues.
Tyler Conklin at Cincinnati Bengals (3.0%)
After the season-ending knee injury to Irv Smith Jr., the Minnesota Vikings traded for former Jets tight end Chris Herndon. However, Herndon has been anything but consistent since his rookie season. Moreover, he has been on the team for less than two weeks and is still learning the playbook. Last season, Conklin had career-highs across the board. However, most important of all, Conklin picked up his play when Kyle Rudolph missed time. In the four games without Rudolph last season, Conklin scored seven or more fantasy points in all four, averaging 9.5 per game. Furthermore, the Bengals gave up an average of 14.4 fantasy points per game to tight ends last season. With Smith out for the season, Conklin will be a popular streaming option this year.
Dan Arnold vs New York Jets (1.0%)
No team gave up more fantasy points to the tight end position than the Jets last season as they averaged 17.4 fantasy points per game against New York. Moreover, tight ends scored a league-high 14 touchdowns against the Jets. While as a member of the Arizona Cardinals last season, Arnold averaged only six fantasy points per game and had a 12.9 percent touchdown rate. Part of his limited fantasy success was due to playing only 43 percent of the snaps. However, reports all training camp long were about Darnold and Arnold’s connection in the red zone. Expect Arnold to score at least once Sunday against the Jets.
Miami Dolphins D/ST at New England Patriots (37.1%)
After weeks of trade discussion, the Dolphins reworked cornerback Xavien Howard’s contract, keeping him with the team this season. He leads an impressive Dolphins defense that will take on rookie Mac Jones in his first NFL start. Last season, D/STs averaged seven fantasy points per game against the Patriots. While the Patriots did upgrade at wide receiver in the offseason, Jones played very conservatively in the preseason. Furthermore, his two best weapons, Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry missed time during camp and the preseason. Last year, the Dolphins D/ST scored 10 or more fantasy points in almost half of their games. Fantasy players who missed out on an elite defense for Week 1 should take a shot on the Dolphins D/ST.
Seattle Seahawks D/ST at Indianapolis Colts (6.7%)
While the Seahawks D/ST was a more appealing option when Carson Wentz was unlikely to play in Week 1, they are still a solid streaming option. The Colts have dealt with injuries to the offensive line during camp. Furthermore, the starting offense has limited snaps together in camp and the preseason. While Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly will start this week, the Colts could end up starting their third-string left tackle. Moreover, Wentz will be rusty coming off foot surgery and won’t have T.Y. Hilton this week. The Seahawks should be able to blitz and confuse Wentz, leading to a handful of sacks and a couple of turnovers.
Matt Prater at Tennessee Titans (34.4%)
This matchup has one of the highest over/under numbers from Week 1. With the over/under set around 52.5 points, both teams should have no trouble scoring on the other as both lack talent at cornerback. Prater has been one of the better kickers in the NFL, making 78 percent of his career attempts. Last season, the Cardinals’ kickers averaged almost two field goal attempts and nearly three extra points per game. Moreover, their kickers averaged 7.4 fantasy points per game. The Cardinals have an explosive offense centered around Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins. They could easily score 40 or more on the Titans, opening up plenty of fantasy opportunities for Prater.
Ryan Succop vs Dallas Cowboys (25.2%)
Week 1 kicks off with a matchup between the Super Bowl 55 champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and America’s Team. This game should be high-scoring as the over/under is set around 52 points. While the Cowboys have an explosive offense, their defense is one of the worse in the NFL. Meanwhile, Tom Brady and the Buccaneers should have no trouble scoring at will on the Cowboys. Last season, Succop finished as the K7, averaging 8.6 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he scored 10 or more fantasy points in almost a third of his games last year. After returning all their starters from last season, expect the Buccaneers to score at will Thursday night, opening the door for Succop to score double-digit fantasy points.
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