With the fantasy playoffs hitting the semifinal and championship rounds this week, let's talk about the streaming options who can give your lineup a boost in deeper leagues. I'm looking at 12- to 14-team formats here, with players who are rostered in under 50% of ESPN leagues. And at this point of the season, we're going to hit on only one player at each position.
While you might notice some overlap with Eric Moody's waiver wire column that publishes on Mondays, an important distinction is that the options mentioned in this column are focused solely on this week's matchup and not the players' values for the remainder of the season.
So let's start it off with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who is averaging 17.7 fantasy points per game over the past four weeks and gets a prime matchup versus the Raiders' defense in Week 17.
Quarterbacks
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (33.2% rostered; at Raiders)
Purdy is a high-floor target with schematic advantages created by play-action and movement in Kyle Shanahan's offense. The rookie has shown an ability to read defenses quickly in dropback situations and has now produced double-digit PPR performances -- with multiple passing touchdowns -- in each of his past four games (three starts). I really like the 49ers' Week 17 matchup against the Raiders' defense. Purdy fits as a starter who can get you 15 to 20 fantasy points.
Running backs
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (27.2% rostered; at Buccaneers)
Hubbard can bring some production to your lineup as a deeper-league flex option given Carolina's backfield rotation with D'Onta Foreman and Raheem Blackshear. The Panthers racked up 43 rushing attempts and 320 rushing yards in the Week 16 win over the Lions. Those are high school numbers. Hubbard, who saw 12 carries last week, finished with 125 rushing yards, including three rushes of 15 yards or more. Hubbard has now scored 12 or more PPR points in two of his past three games. I don't expect the Panthers to change their run-heavy offensive game plan heading into their Week 17 matchup against the Bucs.
Wide receivers
DJ Chark, Detroit Lions (31.4% rostered; vs. Bears)
Chark has now posted 14 or more PPR points in three of his past four games. He's a viable target for Jared Goff on second- and third-level throws, can run vertical routes on the boundary and defined in-breakers. Expect Chark to see five to seven targets this Sunday in a very good matchup against a Bears defense playing backups in their secondary. He fits as a WR3 for Week 17.
Tight ends
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (45.5% rostered; at Eagles)
Given the inconsistency of the tight end position in fantasy, I'm really just taking a flier on Hill given his usage as a runner. Hill has posted three straight games with at least 10 PPR points, logging 19 carries and two rushing scores over that stretch. These are designed runs (power schemes), as the Saints get "plus one" at the point of attack with Hill aligned at quarterback. Take the rushing volume and upside of Hill seeing carries in the red zone (he had four carries inside the 20-yard line last week) against an Eagles defense allowing an average of 4.55 yards per carry over their past four games.
Defense/special teams
Jacksonville Jaguars (38.6% rostered; at Texans)
The Jaguars have a favorable matchup against the Texans (and their multiple quarterbacks) and have been great at creating impact plays. Jacksonville has posted 11 or more fantasy points in three straight games, with at least three sacks and a forced turnover in each game. This unit will bring situational pressure and have a secondary that can match or play top-down on the ball with a defensive front that can get home too.