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 or suspended players? Or are you merely dealing with depth issues? We have a few names to consider for those seeking widely available options at each position.
NOTE: Two players from Thursday night's Chargers-Raiders game (Derek Carr and Erik Harris) have been removed from this column since its initial publish, and roster percentages have been updated as well.
Quarterback
Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans (15.7% rostered; vs. Chiefs)
The Chiefs have yielded a generous 19.4 fantasy points per game to signal-callers this season, well above league average. Tannehill, meanwhile, has delivered two 300-yard performances with the Titans after producing just two such games in his previous 24 prior games in Miami. With some potential as a rushing option and what makes for an inviting matchup in the passing department, Tannehill is a capable streaming candidate for this heavy bye week.
Running Back
Ronald Jones II, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (69.6% rostered; vs. Cardinals)
A popular inclusion in this column, Jones has competed all season for snaps and touches with Peyton Barber only to finally take over the featured gig this past week in Seattle. Due for at least 15 touches while facing an Arizona front ceding 104.4 rushing yards per game to backfields -- 10th-most in the league -- Jones is in an ideal spot as a streaming option from the flex spot or even as an RB2 candidate. He's been added in many leagues since waivers opened on Tuesday, but check to see if he's still on the wire in your league.
Kalen Ballage, Miami Dolphins (22.7% rostered; at Colts)
This Florida-themed tandem of endorsements is a bit different in that Jones is legitimately seizing his promotion with strong play on the field, while Ballage has been one of the least efficient backs in all of football this season. Ballage's workload could increase this week with Mark Walton's suspension and Kenyan Drake thriving in the desert after being traded to the Cardinals. During a heavy bye week and facing a Colts front that has yielded 4.3 yards per carry, Ballage is an interesting option.
Wide Receiver
A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans (19.8% rostered; vs. Chiefs)
Finally earning meaningful usage with Tannehill at the helm, Brown has thrived when afforded vertical opportunities and has the best touchdown rate on the team since the quarterback shift. The Chiefs have actually been respectable in coverage against wideouts this season, but Brown's big-play ability and the potential for this game to prove pass-heavy for the Titans if Kansas City can develop a lead make for solid streaming ingredients for the second straight week.
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins (39.9% rostered; at Colts)
The loss of Preston Williams to a serious knee injury is a blow to Miami's already struggling offense, but it also likely means Parker will handle even more high-value vertical targets in the weeks ahead. Williams was leading the team with 14.5 air yards per target the past month, with Parker netting a respectable 9.4 during that sample. I'd bet Parker sees a sizable surge in depth of target this week against the Colts, especially with a daring signal-caller in Ryan Fitzpatrick on his side.
Tight End
Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins (7.8% rostered; at Colts)
I swear I don't believe in the Miami offense this much, but one takeaway from surveying the market this week is that the Dolphins are beginning to consolidate opportunities to a few identifiable skill players. Ballage is likely to be busy on Sunday, while Parker has already matched his career high in touchdowns (four) and has some upside. Gesicki, meanwhile, set career marks in receptions and yardage last week and is next due to face a Colts defense yielding the seventh-most receptions to tight ends this season.
Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans (13.9% rostered; vs. Chiefs)
The Chiefs have surrendered the fifth-most catches to tight ends this season, aiding Smith's candidacy as a streaming option. With Delanie Walker ailing, we could see Smith secure another start. Week 9 proved quiet for Smith, but he was still targeted enough to consider him a viable TE1 option for this meeting with an exploitable opponent.
D/ST
Editor's note: Since the first two D/STs listed below have been widely added since Tuesday's publish date (when both were rostered in less than 40 percent of leagues), we have added to the column to give additional options.
Indianapolis Colts (85.2% rostered; vs. Dolphins)
After listing the entire Miami roster as viable streaming options, let's counter that with the Colts' D/ST! The good thing is that these aren't mutually exclusive outcomes; several of these Miami players can deliver worthy fantasy performances while Fitzpatrick's historic interception pattern could always surface. This Colts front seven is finally getting healthy, which could spell added pressure for Fitz and more fantasy fun for this group in the form of turnovers and sacks.
Baltimore Ravens (75.8% rostered; at Bengals)
Having faced the Patriots in Week 9, the Ravens are widely available in most leagues and are likely a top waiver claim in most competitive leagues. If you can find room to acquire Baltimore, this is likely the best defensive matchup of the entire Week 10 slate given Cincinnati it turning the keys over to a green rookie midway through the season.
New York Jets (18.2% rostered) and New York Giants (14.6% rostered): As alluded to in the editor's note above, the D/STs in your league may have been picked through to the point you have limited options. In these cases, simply seek out turnover-prone teams, and jackpot! These teams face each other on Sunday, with the Giants leading the NFL with 22 giveaways this season and the Jets tied for third with 17. The Jets have also allowed the second-most sacks (37), while the Giants' 28 sacks allowed ranks eighth. In this big bye week, you could certainly do worse.
Individual Defensive Players
Linebacker
Mychal Kendricks, Seattle Seahawks (8.3% rostered; at 49ers)
Rarely leaving the field and being leveraged as a pass-rusher on a valuable percentage of downs, Kendricks brings unique sack upside and big-play ability to the field each week. Facing a ball-dominant 49ers team, Kendricks could approach a season-high in tackles this week.
Defensive Back
Tavon Wilson, Detroit Lions (2.4% rostered; at Bears)
Vaulting back into a busy every-down role since the team traded Quandre Diggs to the Seahawks, Wilson has 15 total tackles during his past two outings and should again lead the secondary in tackle opportunities in Chicago this week.
Defensive Line
Jason Pierre-Paul, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5.4% rostered; vs. Cardinals)
A fantasy legend making his way back from another significant injury, JPP recently gained eligibility at defensive line in ESPN leagues thanks to his return to the field and versatility deployment for the Bucs' defense. With at least three tackles and a sack in each of his two games, it's time to get this former fantasy star back in lineups ahead of a matchup with the Cardinals.