For Week 5, I recommended Daniel Jones against the Cowboys, Sam Darnold against the Eagles, and Trey Lance against the Cardinals. Jones unfortunately suffered a concussion and left the game early, and Darnold imploded with Darius Slay taking away D.J. Moore, throwing a season-high three interceptions. Lance likewise disappointed, though he was inches away from a rushing touchdown that would’ve vaulted him to a top-12 fantasy finish.
Overall, Week 5 was disappointing for fantasy GMs who eschewed drafting quarterbacks early and have been streaming the position. If you drafted Patrick Mahomes or Kyler Murray early or managed to snag Tom Brady or Jalen Hurts later on in your drafts, this article probably isn’t for you. But if you’re desperately trying to find a starting quarterback for Week 6 with four quarterbacks on bye, here are some serviceable quarterback streamers with good matchups who can help your fantasy team win this week.
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Week 6 Quarterback Streamers
Check out our Week 6 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | PPR | Flex
Note: The below quarterback streamers are the “best of the rest”, meaning that they’re generally rostered in less than about 60-65 percent of major fantasy football platforms at the time of this writing even after waivers have run on Wednesday.
Taylor Heinicke (26% on ESPN, 21% on Yahoo)
The Chiefs’ pass defense ranks 31st in DVOA through five weeks, and they’re tied for the fourth-most passing yards allowed to opponents. On the other side, Washington’s pass defense ranks 29th in DVOA, and they’ve allowed the sixth-most passing yards to opponents. It should come as no surprise that Vegas projects 55.5 total points scored in this game, the highest of any game on the Week 6 slate. Patrick Mahomes could break records in this game, but Taylor Heinicke also has a massive fantasy ceiling in this projected shootout.
On top of having a good passing matchup, Heinicke can add fantasy points with his legs as well. So far in 2021, he’s averaging 25 rushing yards per game, and the Chiefs have struggled to contain quarterbacks who can run. Kansas City has already given up three rushing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks, and Heinicke has five carries from inside the 10-yard line. And in his four starts this season, Heinicke has logged three top-12 fantasy finishes, including a top-five finish in Week 4 at Atlanta. He has a strong fantasy floor and the highest ceiling among this week’s quarterback streamers and should be started wherever possible.
Trevor Lawrence (45% on ESPN, 51% on Yahoo)
After a rough start to his rookie season, Trevor Lawrence has been the no. 13 fantasy quarterback over the last two weeks. Even though he’s passed for just one touchdown over that span, Lawrence has begun running more. He’s averaged eight carries per game over the last couple of weeks, and he’s now logged four rushing attempts inside the 10-yard line, which has resulted in a rushing score in each of his last two games. And in their sole game facing a quarterback who can run this season, Miami allowed 35 rushing yards to Josh Allen in Week 2, and it likely would’ve been higher if Buffalo hadn’t led by multiple scores for most of the game in the 35-0 blowout.
Moreover, the Dolphins’ pass defense has also regressed considerably from last year. They currently rank 23rd in pass defense DVOA, and their top corner, Xavien Howard, wasn’t practicing as of Wednesday after playing through a groin injury against the Buccaneers this past week. Lawrence and the Jaguars’ passing offense are still unreliable, but so is Miami’s secondary, especially if Howard is out or limited for this game. With his recent rushing attempts providing a decent fantasy floor and ceiling, Lawrence should be regarded among the best quarterback streamers for the week even accounting for Jacksonville’s struggles moving the ball through the air.
Davis Mills (1% on ESPN, 2% on Yahoo)
Call me crazy, but Davis Mills has looked pretty good all things considered and should be deemed among the top quarterback streamers for Week 6. Thrust into the starting role by Tyrod Taylor‘s hamstring injury, Mills started on a short week in Week 3 against a Carolina pass defense that ranks second in DVOA. Then in Week 4, it’s hard to hold Mills’s four interceptions against him on the road at Buffalo. The Bills rank as the best pass defense in the league and just shut down Patrick Mahomes on Sunday night. However, Mills came out strong last week against a stout New England defense that ranks eighth against the pass this season, throwing three touchdowns and no interceptions in the near-upset.
This week, Mills will go on the road to Indianapolis against an injury-riddled Colts defense. Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin missed Monday night’s game against the Ravens with an ankle injury, and rookie edge rusher Kwity Paye has now missed two games with a hamstring injury. On top of that, cornerback Xavier Rhodes and safety Andrew Sendejo both suffered concussions late in the loss to Baltimore, and both defensive backs are very questionable with just six days to clear concussion protocol. Against an Indianapolis defense that ranks second-best against the run but 30th against the pass, Houston would be smart to feature Mills in this matchup. The rookie has a dangerously low floor but an extremely high ceiling this week if all four of the Colts’ injured defensive players are out.
Honorable Mentions
In deeper leagues, if none of the above-recommended quarterback streamers are available, Carson Wentz could be a serviceable option on the other side of the Texans and Colts game. He’s now passed for multiple touchdowns in back-to-back games, and the Colts could need to throw more if their defense can’t stop Houston. And if you’re desperate, Ben Roethlisberger has historically performed better at home, and he’ll get a Seattle defense this week that’s allowed the third-most passing yards through five games.
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More fantasy football fun for Week 6: Waiver Wire | FAAB Guide | Start & Sit | Loves & Hates | Stock Watch | Sleepers & Streamers | D/ST Streamers
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