Each week of the NFL season we sift through the deeper options at each position with an eye on identifying streaming fantasy commodities with valuable matchups to consider. If you've made the playoffs but find yourself short a starter, we'll provide lower-owned options to consider picking up and plugging into your lineup.
Running back
Kenneth Dixon, Baltimore Ravens
The takeover of the Ravens' running game hasn't exactly materialized for Dixon, as Terrance West continues to consume meaningful and rewarding touches for Baltimore. That said, Dixon has produced at least 72 yards from scrimmage in three of four games and is proving elusive in open space on film. With an uptick in rushing production in five straight weeks and complementary yardage in the passing game, Dixon can prove helpful for those seeking a high-floor flex. As road underdogs in a game with a respectable point total, per the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, the Ravens' game script could trend pass-happy, a reality that could bolster this gifted receiver's fantasy numbers -- Dixon led all draft-eligible backs in yards per route run last season.
In that same game, I can envision some upside for the New England Patriots' Dion Lewis, as the Pitt product looks shifty and speedy again on film and is an upside play for those chasing big-play production.
Matt Asiata, Minnesota Vikings
The ceiling is clearly compromised, but we are here for his floor, as Asiata has produced at least seven fantasy points in seven of nine games in ESPN standard scoring since the start of Week 4. It's all about meaningful goal-to-go work for Asiata, and with the Vikings favored on the road and listed as the second-highest win probability of all road teams this week, per FiveThirtyEight, it's possible we see Asiata earn another seven-point special.
Wide receiver
Brandon LaFell, Cincinnati Bengals
Tied with Tyler Boyd since the start of Week 11 with 21.1 percent of the team's targets over this sample, LaFell has the edge over the rookie given his average target has traveled 10.4 yards compared with the rookie's rate of 8.4, the highest of the top eight targets on the team over the past three games. The Browns have yielded the fifth-most fantasy points to wideouts, while LaFell delivered a touchdown and solid yardage against Cleveland earlier this season. With Dalton playing well in a clean pocket -- the Cleveland Browns rank 28th in pressuring passers -- LaFell could enjoy a nice downfield showing this Sunday.
Malcolm Mitchell, New England Patriots
It's difficult to trust an upstart rookie in the fantasy playoffs, but Mitchell's rise appears sustainable. The adaptive New England offense is now peppering its wideouts with targets, as Mitchell is second only to Julian Edelman with 16.9 percent of the team's target market over the past three games. Mitchell's rapport with Tom Brady is impressive, as he has hauled in 77.3 percent of his targets and produced 43 percent of the team's receiving scores over the past three games. The Ravens have ceded the ninth-most fantasy points to receivers, supporting a nice outcome spectrum for Mitchell.
Tight end
Ladarius Green, Pittsburgh Steelers
The hype for Green this offseason was tied to the premise the big-play tight end would finally see rewarding exposure in routes and targets and get out of the shadow of Antonio Gates. Lingering and mysterious injury issues kept Green off the field for the first half of the season, but we're finally seeing Ben Roethlisberger thrive with his new downfield weapon. "Big Ben" has completed five passes at least 15 yards past the line of scrimmage to Green in the past two games. Roethlisberger has four such completions to other tight ends over the past two years. Green's 24.6 percent share of the team's targets over the past two games leads the team, as does his rich target-per-route rate of 40 percent, signaling he's a top read for Roethlisberger. The Buffalo Bills, meanwhile, have surrendered nearly 14 yards per catch to tight ends this season, the highest rate in the league. From the waiver to starting lineups, Green could be a key component to championship runs.
Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This Harvard product has been an inclusion in this column several times this season, but is still available in nearly half of ESPN leagues and has a start rate of 30.7 percent. As a key red zone target on an offense with inviting scoring upside, Brate is a top streaming option at this fickle fantasy position.
Jermaine Gresham, Arizona Cardinals
With at least four receptions or a touchdown in four straight, Gresham is fourth on the Cardinals with 13.6 percent of the team's targets over the past four games. A catch rate around 70 percent and a role as a key dump-off valve, Gresham could return value against a Miami Dolphins defense that has surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season.
Quarterback
Embarking in the fantasy playoffs in most leagues, it's not exactly an inviting week to stream quarterbacks. Although, we can passionately endorse the Buccaneers' Jameis Winston given a start rate of 29 percent in ESPN standard leagues, Winston is admittedly already widely owned (rostered in 70 percent of ESPN leagues) and the crowd will surely identify this inviting matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
Andy Dalton of the Bengals could be of interest against a Browns defense that has allowed a touchdown on a third of opposing drives since the start of Week 4, the highest rate in the league over this sample. Started in just 7.8 percent of leagues, Dalton enjoyed awesome downfield success against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13, completing five of his six attempts at least 20 yards downfield with a touchdown, per Pro Football Focus.
Some of us play in deeper and multi-quarterback formats, if that's the case, Alex Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs is available in a majority of ESPN leagues. Smith's team is favored in a game with a healthy enough implied point total, per the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. With some simple math, we deduce the Chiefs' team total is hovering around 25 points for this pivotal division matchup. This indicates multiple touchdowns from the Chiefs, an inviting sign against an Oakland Raiders defense that has ceded a touchdown on nearly 24 percent of opposing drives since the start of Week 4, the seventh-highest rate in the league and above the league average allowance of 21.5 percent.
D/ST
Dick LeBeau's aggressive defense has the fifth-highest blitz rate in the league and has surrendered the seventh-lowest completion rate to opposing passers this season. The Titans will face either an ailing Trevor Siemian, who just got out of a protective boot for a sprained foot, or green rookie Paxton Lynch, who completed half of his passes for 4.04 yards per dropback this past week. Widely available, streaming this group in a game with a total hovering around 43 points, per the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, could prove rewarding.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers had one of the weakest pass rushes for much of the season, but since the start of Week 8, they claim the third-highest blitz rate, sending added pressure on nearly 40 percent of opposing dropbacks. The Steelers have the ninth-highest pressure rate over the past six weeks and have compiled an impressive 13 sacks over the past three games. The Bills have just three passing touchdowns since the start of Week 7 and rely heavily on their ground game, an element that could shift if the Steelers' elite offense can build an early lead. With Tyrod Taylor melting under the persistent pressure the Raiders brought in Week 13, there is a template for the Steelers to thrive this week.
Going deep into fantasy free agency, this promotion angle for the Redskins is facing a regressing Carson Wentz on a depleted and inept Philly offense. Since the start of Week 5, when right tackle Lane Johnson first left the team because of suspension, the Eagles have turned over the ball on 16 percent of their drives, most in the NFC and just behind the Chargers for the dubious league lead in this metric. The Eagles are just 24th in points per drive over this span, suggesting Washington could thrive in this meeting with a limping division foe.
Individual defensive players
Linebacker
Nick Kwiatkoski, Chicago Bears
A gem in Scrabble leagues, this fourth-round rookie out of West Virginia has played on all but four defensive snaps for the Bears over the past two games and tallied a career-high nine tackles in Week 13. Available in virtually all ESPN leagues, it's safe to assume you stream this rising rookie.
For another name, the San Diego Chargers' Korey Toomer continues to enjoy every-down exposure and has at least nine tackles in four straight.
Defensive back
Michael Griffin, Carolina Panthers
With Kurt Coleman ailing, Griffin played on all 71 of the team's defensive snaps in Week 13 and tallied 14 tackles in the process. Facing a busy San Diego offense that feeds its ground game with a bevy of touches, Griffin could again tally a nice day in the tackle department.
Back from an enduring injury absence, Jahleel Addae has played on all but four of the Chargers' defensive snaps over the past two games and has 18 tackles to show for his exposure rate.
Defensive line
Shea McClellin, New England Patriots
Earning exposure at outside linebacker for the Patriots, McClellin has seen increased snaps over the past two weeks. With 12 tackles over the past two games, this position eligibility loophole could prove rewarding in deeper leagues.
Denver's Derek Wolfe has 14 tackles over the past two games and has been a valuable edge setter when healthy this season.