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. Chargers running back Justin Jackson was originally featured in this column, but he was ruled out due to a foot injury on Friday afternoon.
Quarterback
Case Keenum, Washington Redskins (12.7% rostered; at Giants)
Is Keenum as good of a fantasy option as Russell Wilson? Nope, and he doesn't have to be this week to tally an elite fantasy outcome. The case for Keenum is fairly easy to make: He's playing the Giants. New York has yielded 27 fantasy points per game to enemy arms thus far, fourth most in the league and the equivalent of Wilson's production clip this season. Passers are averaging an absurd 10.48 yards per attempt against the Giants this season, the most in the league (yes, more than Miami's 10.34).
Daniel Jones, New York Giants (61.3% rostered; vs. Redskins)
The home debut of "Danny Dimes" coincides with a great window to stream the rising rookie in fantasy leagues. As you might have heard, Jones orchestrated the Giants' largest comeback since Week 9 of the 1970 season with the thrilling comeback against Tampa this past Sunday. Jones also joined Eric Hipple as the only players since the merger to record two passing and two rushing scores in his debut, per Elias Sports Bureau. The Redskins aren't quite as bad as the Giants in defending quarterbacks, but they have allowed a generous 24 fantasy points per game to the position thus far and surprisingly claim the third-lowest pressure rate. Following up Week 3's comeback opus will prove difficult, but Jones is in a solid spot to deliver QB1 results given the opponent. He's the most-added QB in ESPN leagues this week, though, so you may have missed out.
Running back
Wayne Gallman, New York Giants (64.2% rostered; vs. Redskins)
The loss of Saquon Barkley for multiple weeks is a huge blow for the Giants and one that should see Gallman emerge as the team's leading backfield threat going forward. While his track record as a rusher isn't very strong, he has been a capable receiving threat in spot duty the past two seasons and could thrive in a satellite receiving role aside Jones against the Redskins, a team that has yielded 110 receptions to backs since the start of last season, 10th most in the league during this sample. He is the most-added player in ESPN leagues this week, so your window may have closed, but check your waiver wire just in case.
Wide receiver
Cole Beasley, Buffalo Bills (20.2% rostered; vs. Patriots)
The Patriots' defense has been undeniably stingy this season, but I'm willing to stream Beasley against New England given his quietly stellar opportunity rates with the Bills. Serving a more exciting role than the possession valve he played for Dallas, Beasley has enjoyed more vertical routes and a strong share of the Buffalo passing game, as he's tied for the team lead in targets with John Brown and is impressively leading the team with 25.3 yards after the catch per game. In a game that could see the Bills prove pass-heavy in order to keep pace with the favored Patriots, Beasley has real potential to compile a solid PPR line.
Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers (4.9% rostered; vs. Bengals)
Anointed the starter aside JuJu Smith-Schuster ahead of Week 3, Johnson responded with his first touchdown and some brilliant open-field playmaking. With a 20% share of the passing market last week and similar usage expectations going forward, Johnson is in a nice spot to excel against a Bengals defense currently allowing 14.9 yards per reception to receivers.
Tight end
Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals (17.2% rostered; at Steelers)
While he surfaced with just one reception on his only target in Week 3, it was encouraging to see Eifert consume 20 routes to C.J. Uzomah's six, signaling a potential shift in this committee approach to the position for the Bengals. The Steelers have allowed the 10th-most catches to tight ends since the start of last season, while the real bet with Eifert is that he earns some meaningful red zone attention in this meeting of rivals.
Vernon Davis, Washington Redskins (21.5% rostered; at Giants)
A Washington stack with Keenum and Davis in deeper leagues bears some promise; the veteran tight end has netted at least four targets in all three outings this season and next faces a Giants back seven that is allowing nearly 12 yards per haul to tight ends this season and two touchdowns.
Defense/special teams
Houston Texans (33.9% rostered; vs. Panthers)
It might just be the case that Kyle Allen is a star and last week's four-score showing is the start of a breakout effort for the green signal-caller. It could also be the case that the Arizona secondary is uniquely exploitable, and Houston could challenge the young quarterback in new ways this week. I'm banking on the second option proving more likely, as the Texans have an above-average pass rush and are allowing just 6.51 yards per dropback this season.
Indianapolis Colts (31.8% rostered; vs. Raiders)
The Colts produced four sacks in each of the first two games, but were shut out this past week by the Falcons. A bounce-back showing against the Raiders is quite possible, as Oakland has been sacked on 6.5% of dropbacks (above league average) and is just 21st in points per drive on offense. Facing a subpar offense and due for a positive regression in the pass-rush department, the Colts are a savvy streaming option for Week 4.
Individual defensive players
Defensive line
Markus Golden, New York Giants (4.4% rostered; vs. Redskins)
A quietly strong start to the season has Golden with three sacks and 12 total tackles on the campaign. Tied with the likes of Mario Addison and Melvin Ingram in pass-rush snaps this season, Golden is a busy and productive option off the edge for this week.
Linebacker
Preston Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (3.7% rostered; at Steelers)
Brown has been on the field for 90 rushing plays this season, fourth most among linebackers, per Pro Football Focus. We can again expect Brown to claim nearly an every-down presence against Pittsburgh this week.
Defensive back
Terrell Edmunds, Pittsburgh Steelers (14.3% rostered; vs. Bengals)
A second straight endorsement for Edmunds is driven by his awesome snap rate and presence as a run defender. Like with Brown, Edmunds is on the field for a ton of rushing snaps, confirmed by leading all defensive backs with 100 snaps on rushing plays this season, again per PFF. With linebacker-like production in the tackle department, Edmunds is an ideal streaming acquisition ahead of Week 4.