RADIO
We have reached that point in the season where some fantasy owners need to start thinking ahead. This will not be the case for all owners, but the lucky ones who are sitting in a comfortable position and feeling confident of the playoffs. For those owners, it is time to start positioning yourself to have the optimal playoff schedule.
Many of the names on this list are going to be somewhat obvious fantasy stars. However, this is a good time of the year for trades. There will be a lot of middling teams in leagues at this stage. Those teams will be thinking short-term and if you can offer them the chance at immediate success then you might find yourself able to grab a player with a favorable playoff schedule. These players will not come cheap but they may be available for the right offer.
Below I have identified four teams with optimal playoff schedules based on current fantasy points allowed against the quarterback and wide receiver positions. In those four teams, I have identified the fantasy relevant players who are worth consideration.
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New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees, Michael Thomas, Tre'Quan Smith
@Buccaneers, @Panthers, vs. Steelers
This is a wonderful matchup for the Saints. The Buccaneers rank worst against QBs and second against receivers, the Panthers are better at 15th and 18th respectively, and the Steelers are fourth against both. The only way this combination could be better is if two of the three were at home (for those playing into Week 17 Brees is home against the Panthers). The Panthers are the only tough matchup there and even then they are league average. Brees is one of those fantasy quarterbacks you only sit against the toughest of opponents.
As for the receivers, Thomas is just a beast and is basically matchup proof as far as I am concerned. He won't come cheaply in a trade but could be worth it. Smith has seen more targets recently and with Ted Ginn on the injured reserve he should remain a big part of this offense. Receivers which should see regular targets from somewhat with Brees' talent are fantasy playoff must-haves.
Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton, Devin Funchess, D.J. Moore
@Browns, vs. Saints, vs. Falcons
The first of the three matchups is the most concerning here. The Browns rank 23rd worst against quarterbacks but ninth worst against wide receivers. As for the Falcons and Saints, second and third worst against quarterbacks, and third and second worst against wide receivers.
Trusting the Panthers passing game always has its ups and downs but Newton is extremely talented, trading for him is a no-brainer. Moore and Funchess are a little more of a pair of question marks. Moore has seen his targets consistently grow from two to four to five and then to six in the last game. He is slowly becoming a bigger part of this offense and if that continues growing he could be the number one come playoff time. Funchess is quietly going about is business. He has 401 yards and three touchdowns in seven games, averaging just over four receptions per game and 57.3 yards per game. Right now he remains the number one but that might change over time. As it stands he is the first receiving target in this offense.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger, Juju Smith-Schuster (One to Watch: James Washington)
@Raiders, vs. Patriots, @Saints
All three of these defenses rank among the 10 worst against the quarterback. In addition, the Raiders and Saints are among the 10 worst against receivers. The Patriots sit at 17th against receivers but I do not think that stops the Steelers receivers from having a good day. Roethlisberger is naturally up-and-down but the Steelers are likely in a playoff battle and at least two of these games should be shootouts. I like Roethlisberger for three 20-point weeks in the playoffs.
Antonio Brown and Smith-Schuster should be able to have success against the Patriots corners and the other two teams will not cause them issues either. Washington is a name to watch in case he emerges through the season the way Smith-Schuster did last year. Two names to flag as potential tight end streamers against the Patriots are Jesse James and Vance McDonald, as the Patriots rank fifth-worst against the tight end this year.
Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson, David Moore, Tyler Lockett
vs. Vikings, @49ers, vs. Chiefs
So this is a heavy recommendation for Wilson and a minor one for the two WRs. The reason for that is the Vikings, 49ers and Chiefs rank ninth, eighth and seventh respectively against quarterbacks this season. However, they rank 28th, 12th and 13th against wide receivers.
It is looking like the Seahawks will be in a competition for an NFC Wild Card spot down the stretch and Wilson tends to improve as the season wears on. In fact, we have already seen the improvement from him. After throwing just seven touchdowns in his first four games, he has nine in his last three, with three TD in each outing. It always seems to take him a while to work out his offense but it seems like he might be there in 2018 and that could even get better as the year progresses.
Lockett has six touchdowns through seven games but he is both big-play and touchdown dependent which is a concern. However, he and Wilson appear to have a strong connection right now and he should not cost too much to acquire given his low yardage totals.
Moore now appears to be a serious part of this offense with 11 of is 14 targets and all four touchdowns coming in the last three weeks. Against Detroit, he also had 97 yards receiving. If that continues, then by the fantasy playoffs he could be a very valuable contributor.
