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. In addition, any player from Thursday night's game has been taken out.
Quarterback
Gardner Minshew II, Jacksonville Jaguars (48.9% rostered; vs. Saints)
Found at 12th in the league with 8.16 air yards per attempt and impressively sixth overall in passer rating on the season, Minshew is 11th in fantasy points per game among quarterbacks since taking over as the team's starter in Week 2. The Saints have somewhat of a "funnel" defense in that they are so consistently good against the run; opponents are compelled to pass in order to move the sticks. Given his growing vertical rapport with breakout wideout DJ Chark, Minshew makes for a solid streaming option against the Saints this Sunday.
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (48.1% rostered; at Packers)
Started in just 2.1% of leagues thus far this season, Stafford is widely available in ESPN leagues thanks to Detroit's recent bye week. A trek to Lambeau isn't exactly inviting, but it's worth noting the Packers have softened as a pass defense the past two weeks while this game has a healthy projected total of 47 points for Monday night, indicating potential for a fun fantasy battle to unfold. Stafford, meanwhile, is eighth in fantasy points per game (19.6) in ESPN leagues thanks in part to leading the NFL with 11.49 air yards per attempt heading into this division battle.
Running back
Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals (17.7% rostered; vs. Falcons)
This change-of-pace back thrived in place of an ailing David Johnson for some stretches in Week 5. Johnson's back stiffened up on him several times in the win over the Bengals, which could open up increased usage for Edmonds facing a Falcons front allowing the 12th-most rushing yards per game to enemy backfields.
Adrian Peterson, Washington Redskins (50.7% rostered; at Dolphins)
Like Stafford, Peterson is rostered in a solid percentage of ESPN leagues, but has been leveraged into a starting role in just 6.8% of leagues. A shift in coaching and in offensive philosophy could lead to a more run-centric agenda in Miami this Sunday, affording Peterson solid streaming value given the Dolphins have yielded the most fantasy points per game (38.2) in PPR formats this season.
Wide receiver
DeVante Parker (7.3% rostered) & Preston Williams (7.7% rostered), Miami Dolphins (vs. Redskins)
Washington has allowed opposing receivers to secure 76.6% of targets this season, the second-highest rate in the NFL. Miami has been obviously inept on offense for much of the season, but there is legitimate streaming potential in place for both of these receivers given their own usage rates of late and the potential of the matchup. Williams has produced an impressive 13.4 yards per catch and has secured at least four receptions in three straight and at least three catches in each appearance this season. Parker, meanwhile, has struggled in regards to catch rate but has been afforded tons of air yardage on his looks, signaling some big-play upside ahead of this inviting matchup with Washington.
Auden Tate, Cincinnati Bengals (18.8% rostered; at Ravens)
Those in deeper PPR leagues should look at Tate this week; he's facing a Ravens defense that has allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to receivers, while Tate ran the second-most routes and netted the second-most targets on Cincinnati last week.
Tight end
Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Rams (52.4% rostered; vs. 49ers)
The 49ers have been downright stingy against tight ends in allowing just 6.7 fantasy points per game to the position, but Everett's rich and rewarding usage profile from Week 5's breakout performance is evidence enough to stream him at this uniquely shallow and fickle position.
Defense/special teams
Dallas Cowboys (66.6% rostered; at Jets)
The overall matchup for this Dallas defense is too ripe to deny; the Jets just yielded 10 sacks to Philadelphia and could struggle against Dallas' speedy front seven. Clearly, many of you already took me up on this suggestion, as the roster percentage has gone up considerably since Tuesday. Worth considering, if they are still there in your league, though.
Denver Broncos (27.4% rostered; vs. Titans)
Marcus Mariota has been sacked 22 times this season, most in the NFL. Save for an outlier offensive explosion in Atlanta a few weeks ago, the Titans' offense has been largely pedestrian, namely in the passing phase. Denver struggled to create splash plays on defense to start the season but just forced three turnovers against the Chargers and are in a strong position to deliver solid fantasy results this Sunday.
Individual defensive players
Defensive line
Robert Quinn, Dallas Cowboys (8.8% rostered; at Jets)
A double-digit sack maven in his prime, Quinn still has plenty of pressure to provide. This is especially true against a porous Jets line, setting up Quinn with great potential for a big day in the pocket.
Linebacker
De'Vondre Campbell, Atlanta Falcons (15.4% rostered; at Cardinals)
This rangy linebacker has compiled an impressive 27 total tackles the past two weeks and next faces the snap-happy Cardinals, adding to his already promising profile ahead of Week 6.
Defensive back
Eric Weddle, Los Angeles Rams (13.7% rostered; vs. 49ers)
San Francisco's newfound rushing prowess could lead to plenty of tackle opportunities at the second level for Weddle, who has turned in 22 total tackles the past two games.