If you're reading this article because you drafted Tom Brady, I would like to welcome you with open arms - and a shoulder to cry on - to the wonderful world of quarterback streaming. As the season goes on, more and more players who drafted a quarterback early will have to resort to streaming the position, but for Brady owners, that time is now.
So whether you're looking to ditch your multiple-Super-Bowl-winning bust of a quarterback, or have been streaming all season, here are some picks from the waiver wire to start this week in your fantasy leagues.
Mike Glennon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After playing a poorly in his 2014 debut against the Falcons (when he was called on to replace an injured Josh McCown), Mike Glennon had a good game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, posting a Net Expected Points (NEP) output that erased the negatives from his performance against Atlanta.
Now Glennon sits as a slightly-below-average quarterback, according to our metrics, and will face his third-straight easy defense with the third-worst Saints (according to our Adjusted Defensive Passing NEP numbers) on the calendar next. Glennon has thrown two or more touchdown passes in 9 of his 15 NFL appearances (including last year, against the Saints), something he'll almost certainly repeat against New Orleans.
Eli Manning, New York Giants
Eli Manning may not be available in every league, but if he's on your waiver wire and you're streaming quarterbacks, you need to burn your waiver priority and get him in your lineup this week. Manning faces the ninth-worst Atlanta defense, a unit that's starting to look more and more like the league-worst defense we saw last year.
It's been a nice bounce back season for Eli, as well, as he's currently averaging 0.17 more NEP per drop back than a year ago, when he wound up as our third-worst quarterback. He's ascended to the middle of the pack, and looks to be getting stronger as the year progresses.
Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bortles is a boom or bust player who had a lot of adjustments to make as he transitioned from life at UCF to life under center for the Jaguars. Our data found him to have a negative impact on his team's scoring chances in his starting debut, but a road game against one of the best teams in the AFC was a tough test for the first-year quarterback.
Bortles will start his first home game this weekend, welcoming the Steelers to town. Pittsburgh (our fifth-worst pass defense for the year) is missing several key defensive starters, which showed in their loss to Tampa Bay. Expect Bortles to post an impressive day against the reeling Steeler defense, but don't be surprised if there's an interception or two, too.
Arizona Cardinals Starting Quarterback, Arizona Cardinals
Health is obviously a key issue here, as Carson Palmer is still dealing with a nerve issue in his shoulder that may keep him out for this game against the Denver Broncos. But no matter who starts under center for Arizona, Palmer or Drew Stanton, they're a streamable option in this high-octane matchup.
Opposing quarterbacks have thrown 53, 42 and 34 passes against the Broncos this year, and when those passes are against a defense that ranks in the in the middle of the pack according to our metrics, that provides a safe floor and predictable volume for your fantasy lineup. Streaming against the Broncos is almost always a good idea, weather permitting.
Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings
Again, health is a concern here, but Teddy Bridgewater is currently sitting in fourth among quarterbacks with 50 or more drop backs in our NEP per drop back statistic. If his ankle is good to go for Thursday, you want him in your lineups against a mediocre Green Bay defense that will likely drive up the score in this contest.
Bridgewater may not run as much as he has in his first two appearances after spraining his ankle, so his point floor is a bit lower as a result. But the Packers have allowed two scores to every passer they've faced this year except for Matthew Stafford, so chances are good that Bridgewater will find the end zone in this game.