The NFL injury bug has reared its ugly head again, leaving some fantasy football managers searching for replacements. Hopefully, there are a few players on your bench that can fill the void. If not, there’s always the waiver wire, ready to provide that one player that will explode for a career week or breakout performance. During Week 3, multiple teams were hit with injuries, leaving opportunities for players that likely would never see the field. Below are a list of streamers and sleepers that can help you win your fantasy football matchup this week.
The difference between sleepers and streamers. Sleepers are players that will continue to stay on your roster, perhaps in a backup or handcuff role, but are poised to have a big week based on matchup or injury. On the other hand, streamers are players that will be relevant only for this week. They are a quick pick up and drop, hopefully with a big fantasy week inbetween.
Richie James – New York Giants WR
The Giants literally have no one else in the wide receiver department. Kenny Golladay has become a forgotten player, Kadarius Toney and Sterling Shepard are hurt, and the Giants are pulling guys from the practice squad. The only receiver with some familiarity with Daniel Jones is Richie James. The Giants will still rely heavily on Saquan Barkley, but James will have an increased role, likely increasing his season high of 59 yards receiving. Streamer
Josh Reynolds – Detroit Lions WR
The Detroit Lions are averaging over 31.5 PPG through the first 3 weeks. In Week 4 against the Seahawks, they are likely without star WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and RB D’Andre Swift. The absence of their two offensive weapons may seem discouraging, but Josh Reynolds and Jamaal Williams (more on him later), filled in nicely last week. Reynolds finished with 6 catches for 96 yards, most of that coming when St. Brown exited the game. The Seahawks are a middle of the road passing defense, allowing 240 yards per game. However, they have played Jimmy Garoppolo, Marcus Mariota, and Russell Wilson, who have all passed for less yards than Jared Goff this season. The Lions will continue to score against a weak Seahawks defense and Reynolds will have the chance to fill the St. Brown role. Streamer
Jamaal Williams – Detroit Lions RB
As mentioned above, the Lions offense has been on fire this season. Enter the Seahawks’ 30th ranked rush defense, and Jamaal Williams should be due for a big day. The Seahawks are allowing 157 yards rushing per game, and just over a TD per week. In Week 3, the Seahawks were shredded by Cordarrelle Patterson after he rushed for 141 yards and averaged 8.3 YPC. The Lions also do not have much behind Williams in the running back depth chart. It should be a heavy Williams workload in Week 4. Sleeper
Marcus Mariota – Atlanta Falcons QB
The Falcons QB may look mediocre, but fantasy wise, he has been solid all season. According to ESPN rankings, he is ranked in the top 15 QBs, ahead of Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, and Matt Stafford. Mariota is a low level dual threat QB. He may not rush for 100 yards, but he can run when needed, racking up big chunks or score the occasional rushing TD. This season, he already has two games where he passed for over 200 yards and scored a rushing TD. Mariota is the perfect streaming option this week, going up against a Browns defense already allowing 240 yards passing per game, and potentially without Myles Garrett. Streamer
Nico Collins – Houston Texans WR
The Chargers are banged up already this season, leaving holes in their team. On paper, they are the better team than the Texans, but their defense has been vulnerable to receivers having big games. In Week 1, they allowed 141 yards to DaVante Adams, and last week they allowed Zay Jones and Christian Kirk to catch over 70 yards. Collins is second on the Texans in targets and yards, but leads them in yards per catch. The Chargers are also allowing over 2 TDs per game passing. Look for Collins to get his first score this weekend. Sleeper
Andy Dalton – New Orleans Saints QB
Jameis Winston hasn’t practiced all week and is trending towards not playing. The Saints backup is longtime veteran, Andy Dalton. He may not be the prototypical streaming pick, but he can produce at a high level when given the opportunity. In mostly backup duties the past two years with Dallas and Chicago, Dalton had to step in and start a few games. Over those starts, he has eclipsed 300 yards 3 times and over 225 yards 7 times. Last season alone, in Chicago’s dismal offense, he threw for over 300 yards in 2 out of his final 4 starts. The final game of 2021, Dalton played the same Vikings team and finished with 325 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs. The Saints offense is much better than the Bears and throw the ball on average 38 times per game. Winston has already thrown at least 230 yards in every game this season. Dalton will have the opportunity to sling it in London even if the Saints are missing Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry. Streamer
Michael Gallup – Dallas Cowboys WR
The Cowboys receiving corps rely mostly on CeeDee Lamb, but since Cooper Rush has taken over, Noah Brown has had some big games. When Gallup returns, Brown will be relegated to WR3, while Gallup walks into the WR2 role. Rush might not be the best pure passer, but he has proven he can find the open man. Gallup is coming off of injury, but he has more talent than any receiver on the Cowboys outside of Lamb. If Noah Brown can post stat lines of 68,91,and 54 yards receiving, Gallup should have no problem doing the same. Sleeper
Let us know if you enjoyed the article. For more sports and fantasy football news visit Bellyupfantasysports.com. Reach out to me directly @warzone_fantasy on Twitter. Send me a DM about any fantasy football lineups, waiver wire, or dynasty league questions.