Each week of the NFL season, we will identify fantasy football waiver-wire pickups specifically for those of you looking for streaming options in deeper formats (including IDP leagues). These are players available in a majority of ESPN fantasy leagues (or close) who have enticing matchups in the week ahead that make them worthy of consideration for your lineups.
While you might notice some overlap with Field Yates' pickup column that publishes on Mondays, an important distinction is 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.
Editor's note: Roster percentages are updated on Fridays and players from the Thursday night game are taken out.
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins vs. Giants (43.5% rostered)
Since Week 6, Tagovailoa has averaged 20.2 points per game while completing 73% of his passes. With a four-game winning streak, the Dolphins are in the playoff hunt in the AFC. Miami's offensive line, which ranks last in pass-block win rate, should be able to protect Tagovailoa against New York's defensive front, which ranks last in defensive pass-rush win rate. A quick release compensates for this lack of protection. On 56.3% of his dropbacks, Tagovailoa had less than 2.5 seconds to throw. The dual-threat ability and opportunity to throw downfield make Tagovailoa an upside QB2.
Taylor Heinicke, Washington at Raiders (23.1%)
Heinicke has averaged 20.5 fantasy points from Weeks 2-11 while serving as Washington's starting quarterback. Considering the matchup, his performance against the Seahawks was underwhelming. Despite this, Heinicke next faces a Raiders defense that allows eighth-most QB points per game (18.4). Las Vegas has also allowed the seventh-most passing touchdowns this season and the ninth-most QB rushing yards per game (21). Heinicke is once again on the streaming radar thanks to his dual-threat ability.
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions vs. Vikings (3.5%)
Without Sean McVay as his coach, Goff is now 0-16-1 as a starter. That's bad. On the fantasy side of things, Goff averaged 22.6 points from Weeks 1-4. However, in the six games since then, Goff has averaged just 11.2 points. That's awful. That said, there is one reason to be optimistic about his rest-of-season outlook and that is Josh Reynolds. In his first start with his former Rams teammate, Reynolds accounted for 70 yards and a touchdown against the Bears. Together with a matchup at home against a Vikings defense that allows the seventh-most QB points per game (18.5), Goff is actually a promising streamer.
Running back
Editor's note: This week's top two backs below were obvious injury replacements, so if you didn't act already, it's unlikely they aren't available in your league now, but check to make sure.
Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions vs. Vikings (77.5%) From Weeks 1-11, D'Andre Swift averaged 20.4 opportunities (rushing attempts plus targets) and 18.6 points per game. Swift is unlikely to play against a Vikings defense that ranks last in run-stop win rate with Williams assuming his workload. Expect him to be a solid RB2 as a result.
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings at Lions (87.7%)
Mattison is well suited to fill the void left by Dalvin Cook, who will be out for the next couple of games with a torn labrum and a separated shoulder. Cook has averaged 24 opportunities per game since 2019. In the two full games this season without Cook, Mattison averaged 33 opportunities, 162 yards and 25.7 fantasy points. In every sense of the phrase, this is a plug-and-play RB1.
Tevin Coleman, New York Jets vs. Eagles (33.2%)
Coleman finished with 19 opportunities last week without Michael Carter. If he can get at least that much work against an Eagles defense allowing the ninth-most RB points per game (25.3), Coleman could be a solid streaming option in deeper formats.
Wide receiver
Van Jefferson, Los Angeles Rams vs. Jaguars (57.9%)
Jefferson is essentially the "Great Value" version of Odell Beckham Jr. Yet, despite Beckham's expanded role this past week, Jefferson continued to play an active role in the Rams offense. He played on the same number of snaps as Beckham (60) with one more route run (41). Jefferson is on the flex radar next week against a Jaguars defense that has allowed 36.2 WR fantasy points per game. Jefferson has been added in a number of leagues this week, but he may still be available in yours.
Josh Reynolds, Detroit Lions vs. Vikings (1.7%)
As previously mentioned, during their first game back together, Reynolds and Goff hit the ground running. The Vikings defense has allowed 20.8 points per game to Deebo Samuel, Davante Adams, Keenan Allen, Marquise Brown and Amari Cooper over their last five outings. Reynolds is well-positioned to continue this trend.
Tight end
C.J. Uzomah, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Chargers (12.2%)
Uzomah's statistical surge of three receptions for 91 yards and two touchdowns was over a month ago. The matchup against the Chargers this week provides fantasy managers with the perfect conditions for another eruption. The Chargers defense allows 16.0 TE points per game, fifth-most in the league. This season, no team has allowed more touchdowns to tight ends than the Chargers.
James O'Shaughnessy, Jacksonville Jaguars at Rams (0.3%)
O'Shaughnessy played on 59 of 73 offensive snaps last week, which was due to starter Dan Arnold exiting early with a knee injury. On 82% of Jaguars dropbacks, he ran a pass route. There is no question O'Shaughnessy has a decent rapport with rookie QB Trevor Lawrence after reeling in nine receptions for 77 yards in two full-game appearances this year. O'Shaughnessy is a TE2 with upside against the Rams.
Defense/special teams
San Francisco 49ers at Seahawks (60.7%)
It is somewhat shocking to watch a Russell Wilson-led Seahawks offense implode. Over the last three games, Seattle has averaged just 247 total yards and scored only 28 total points. NFC West matchups are always intense, and the 49ers defense will come out like a shark smelling blood. Like Jefferson above, this unit has been a popular add throughout the week.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Broncos (19.8%)
Many fantasy enthusiasts have been talking about how the Chiefs offense has rebounded, but few discuss the team's defensive improvements. From Weeks 8-11, the unit ranks fourth in fantasy points and faces an offense led by an injured Teddy Bridgewater that ranks 20th in total yards per game (338.5).
Kicker
Robbie Gould, San Francisco 49ers vs. Seahawks (17.7%)
Gould has scored at least nine points in each of his last three games. Against the Seahawks, he's a good streamer in a game with a projected total of 52 points.
Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Chargers (32.0%)
Over the last two games, McPherson has converted seven of the eight extra points he has attempted. He is a strong streamer as the Chargers allow the sixth-most points to kickers (8.64).
Individual Defensive Players (IDP)
Defensive Line
Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Chargers (7.4%)
Hendrickson forced three turnovers against the Steelers last week. He should continue to wreak havoc on the Chargers offensive line, which ranks 18th in pass-block win rate.
Linebacker
Joe Schobert, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Ravens (24.9%)
The last five games have seen Schobert play on 84% of the Steelers' defensive snaps. Additionally, he's racked up 42 tackles and a forced fumble during that time period, making him a great streamer against the Ravens' run-heavy offense.
Defensive Back
Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos at Chiefs (19.1%)
Last week, Simmons matched his season-high in tackles (8) against the Chargers. He also four interceptions on the year. Simmons and the Broncos defense will be busy trying to slow down a red-hot Chiefs offense and should have a chance to stockpile defensive stats.