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 players or those on byes this week? Or are you merely dealing with depth issues? We have some choice names to consider for those seeking widely available options at each position.
Editor's note: Roster percentages have been updated since this column originally published prior to the weekly waiver deadline.
Quarterback
Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts (57.2% rostered; at Chiefs)
The Chiefs' defense. That's the endorsement. But really, Kansas City has surrendered 19.8 fantasy points per game to signal-callers this season (eighth-most) and claims the seventh-lowest pressure rate against opposing passers. Brissett was able to produce three scores this past week despite missing his top target, while a return to action from T.Y. Hilton would only increase the Colts' offensive ceiling in this conference battle. It also helps that this game opened with a point total of 54 and has been bet up to 57 by Tuesday morning, which makes this the highest point total of the young season. As sizable dogs in Arrowhead, the Colts' game script is likely to prove pass-heavy, affording Brissett an impressive spectrum of potential statistical outcomes.
Teddy Bridgewater, New Orleans Saints (9.5% rostered; vs. Bucs)
The Bucs have pressured passers on just 25.5% of dropbacks. League average is 26% and strong pass-rushes are often found getting to the quarterback on a third of dropbacks. Bridgewater, meanwhile, has completed 75.3% of his passes this season from a clean pocket (not pressured) and has two touchdowns. Back on the friendly fast track of the Superdome and set with some gifted playmakers against a suspect Tampa Bay secondary, Bridgewater is poised as a solid streaming option and an ideal superflex candidate for Week 5.
Running back
Jaylen Samuels, Pittsburgh Steelers (37.1% rostered; vs. Ravens)
As Hank Stram would say, the Steelers matriculated the ball down the field against the Bengals in Week 4 with a seemingly endless series of short passes and running plays. Samuels was absent from the game plan in Week 3, but split snaps and touches evenly with James Conner in a drubbing of Cincinnati on Monday night. Multiple opportunities as a passer in wildcat formations saw Samuels become just the second player since the 1970 merger with at least three passing completions, thee rushes, and three receptions in a game. With the Ravens struggling badly to contain the Cleveland backfield last week and Samuels taking on a valuable share of receiving work, he has emerged as a viable streaming option for fantasy managers facing depth issues in the backfield amid another bye week.
Ronald Jones II, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (59.5% rostered; at Saints)
A significant shift in the Bucs' backfield unfolded in Week 4, with Jones surpassing Peyton Barber in snaps for the first time this season. More importantly, Jones consumed 20 touches to Barber's nine and more than quadrupled his production from scrimmage. In the highest-scoring game of the season thus far, the Bucs' staff trusted Jones to move the sticks rather than Barber, signaling real potential to thrive as a high-end flex option and ideal streaming candidate even against a stingy New Orleans rush defense. Jones brings real utility as a receiver and is also a big-play threat, as he had several plays of more than 15 yards called back in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Wide receiver
Golden Tate, New York Giants (64.2% rostered; vs. Vikings)
We often like to nominate players available in at least half of ESPN leagues, yet found it illuminating to highlight Tate's return from suspension. Given his ability to create offense for himself once the ball is in his hands -- Tate led all NFL receivers in yards after the catch by a sizable margin in his final two full seasons in Detroit -- I'm more comfortable with the vet's ability to immediately integrate into the Giants' new-look offense. Daniel Jones has revitalized the New York offense and while this matchup with the Vikings doesn't look appetizing on the surface, Minnesota has actually allowed the fourth-highest catch rate (75.6%) to receivers on the season.
Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (17.7% rostered; vs. Browns)
While he's regularly running the third-most routes among the 49ers' receivers, Samuel is enjoying the most meaningful opportunity rates; he's consumed twice as many targets as any other receiver on the roster in the team's past two outings, earning a target on a team-high 36.7% of his routes (while the other wideouts were targeted on 20% of their routes during this sample). Samuel is already the best YAC producer on the team and still claims a strong catch rate despite also netting more than 10 air yards per target. The Browns' secondary has faced multiple injury concerns the past few weeks, opening a window for value for this rising rookie.
Tight end
Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots (7.1% rostered; at Redskins)
A reeling Washington defense that has allowed 13 fantasy points per game to tight ends next hosts a New England offense due for a positive correction after being blanked in the passing in Buffalo this past week. The Patriots haven't relied on tight ends in the passing phase this season, but Watson's return from suspension could change this tendency. Given the shallow and fickle nature of the tight end position and Watson's familiarity with Tom Brady, there is intriguing streaming potential present.
Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills (4.9% rostered; at Titans)
This rising rookie tight end made two brilliant catches in the loss to the Patriots, plays that should earn him more exposure going forward. There likely won't be a major spike in targets just yet for Knox, but he's emerging as a streaming candidate at this shallow position heading into a meeting with a Titans defense that has allowed the 12th-most yards to tight ends.
Defense/special teams
Tennessee Titans (80.7% rostered; vs. Bills)
The Titans' defense has impressively produced a sack on 7.6% of opposing dropbacks, the eighth-highest clip in the league through the first month. The Bills, meanwhile, have turned the ball over on 19.6% of drives, the fifth-highest rate in the NFL. In a game with one of the lower opening totals of the season (38 points), we find a series of positive variables indicating the Titans' D/ST is a top play this week.
Carolina Panthers (52.3% rostered; vs. Jaguars)
Maybe it's dangerous to mess with the Minshew, but we also can't deny that the Panthers are allowing a ridiculously stingy 4.1 yards per dropback, while league average is 6.5. The Panthers also lead NFL defenses with a sack produced on 10.8% of dropbacks despite not relying on the blitz often. With the ability to create "honest" pressure with their front four and put seven into coverage, the Panthers present a unique challenge for Gardner Minshew on Sunday.
Individual defensive players
Defensive line
Everson Griffen, Minnesota Vikings (12.8% rostered; at Giants)
Back to being a productive edge menace for opposing passers, Griffen is positioned for a strong day against a rookie signal-caller for the Giants. A strong snap rate also affords Griffen a reasonable floor for tackle production.
Linebacker
Shaq Thompson, Carolina Panthers (27.6% rostered; vs. Jaguars)
Sticking with the Panthers' defense, we can get more specific in IDP formats with an eye on Thompson, who is breaking out as a tackling force now that Thomas Davis is playing in Los Angeles. The Jaguars are bound to produce a series of tackle opportunities via their running game, setting Thompson up with potential for a third straight double-digit tackle performance.
Defensive back
Kemal Ishmael, Atlanta Falcons (1.4% rostered; at Texans)
With Keanu Neal unfortunately suffering a season-ending injury in Week 3, Ishmael stepped into a starting role against the Titans this past Sunday and tallied nine tackles. With potential to produce a linebacker-like tackle rate behind a leaky defensive line, Ishmael makes for a strong play this week in Houston.