Best Fantasy Football Playoff Schedules for Waiver Wire Streamers, Stashes (Weeks 15-17)

The best 2025 fantasy football playoff schedules (Weeks 15-17) for wavier wire streamers, stashes and trade targets. Dave identifies players to pickup and stash.

With Thanksgiving coming soon, the holiday season is set to begin. That also means the fantasy football playoffs are not far away. There are just a few weeks left until the postseason begins in most leagues. While making the playoffs should be your team's top priority right now, you should also keep an eye on the schedule ahead.

Some players have great matchups for the fantasy playoffs, while others face a tougher road. This is important if you're looking for potential streamers, waiver pickups, and bench stashes. If you've got room on your roster, it's not a bad idea to add a few players who could help you when it matters most. So, which players widely available in leagues could be difference-makers in the fantasy playoffs? Let's take a few minutes and find out.

Make sure you're following RotoBaller on X and download the RotoBaller app for all your fantasy football needs. Here are several widely available players worth stashing for the fantasy football playoffs.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
• Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

A Few Things To Note

Here are some important notes about my methodology and how I set up the rest of the article:

• Rankings are based on full PPR (point-per-reception) leagues.
• Composite strength of schedule (SOS) rankings are determined by combining the average PPR points per game allowed to each position by opponents, and other data points.
• Each metric was put into a weighted category to spit out a final aggregate number.
  • I did not include every team's final composite SOS score and ranking, just the ones that best meet the criteria of this article. That is because there is no real value/reason to identify someone like Justin Jefferson as having a playoff-friendly schedule in this article.
• Data was compiled before the start of Week 12 (Nov. 20th).
• This article focuses on players' rosters in 50% or fewer of Yahoo leagues.
• I have listed several options at each position that fit this criteria.

Now let's plan for a successful fantasy football playoff run!

Best Quarterback Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Most Favorable QB Matchups: Weeks 15-17

Best Fantasy Playoffs QB Waiver Wire Pickups

Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets (1% rostered, Yahoo! Leagues)

• W15: Jaguars
• W16: Saints
• W17: Patriots

Taylor officially takes over as the Jets' QB1 starting this weekend. It could be good news for managers as the Jets draw the easiest schedule for quarterbacks during the fantasy playoffs.

At the time of this writing, Taylor is widely available in most leagues. However, that is likely no longer the case in superflex and two-quarterback leagues. If you're in one of these leagues, and Taylor is still available, stop what you're doing and go pick him up.

For traditional single-quarterback leagues, Taylor is worth consideration as a streamer for the fantasy playoffs. He draws some great matchups and also offers some upside as a rusher.

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (22%)

• W15: Steelers
• W16: Bengals
• W17: Buccaneers

For as bad as Tagovailoa has looked at times this season, it might seem crazy to suggest he could be a league-winner. However, that's the reality we could be facing as the Dolphins have an incredibly quarterback-friendly schedule during the fantasy playoffs.

The Steelers in Week 15 are the toughest assignment. After that, though, Tagovailoa has some great opportunities against the Bengals and Buccaneers.

Miami could find itself in shootouts in a few of these games, and that would mean great news for Tagovailoa. The downside is that he does not offer any upside as a rusher. With some of these matchups, though, it might not matter as Tagovailoa could post a few monster games.

Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders (16%)

• W15: Giants
• W16: Eagles
• W17: Cowboys

The Commanders have a trio of division games during the fantasy playoffs, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Philadelphia in Week 16 could be a tough ask, but Washington has great matchups to begin and end the playoffs.

Mariota offers plenty of upside as a rusher. Throw in a few great matchups, and he becomes a highly appealing streaming option. Washington could have Terry McLaurin back for these games, and that would also help Mariota's output as a passer.

There is a chance Jayden Daniels returns from injury during this stretch, and that would make Mariota irrelevant during the playoffs. For now, consider Mariota one of the top streaming options for the fantasy playoffs. If Daniels is sitting on waivers in your league, and you have an empty IR spot, make sure you stash him, as he could be a league-winning pick-up.

Also Worth Adding

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints (3%)

• W15: Panthers
• W16: Jets
• W17: Titans

New Orleans has the sixth-easiest playoff schedule for quarterbacks. Shough finished as the QB12 in his most recent start against the Carolina Panthers in Week 10 and could post a few surprising performances during the fantasy playoffs.

Keep an eye on him in the next few weeks, as he could emerge as a viable streamer if he plays well enough. If Shough is available in superflex leagues, make sure you get him on your roster.

Best Running Back Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Most Favorable RB Matchups: Weeks 15-17

Best Fantasy Playoffs RB Waiver Wire Pickups

Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders (12%)

• W15: Giants
• W16: Eagles
• W17: Cowboys

Rodriguez has taken over RB1 duties in Washington, but he is still widely available in most leagues. That will have likely changed by the time this article publishes, but he could still be available in some spots.

If he is, get Rodriguez on your rosters ASAP. The coaching staff likes him, and he's in line for a hefty workload in some great matchups. A date against the Eagles is tough, but those matchups against the Giants in Week 15 and the Cowboys in Week 17 are salivating.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. runs it in for the @Commanders 1st TD of the day!

DETvsWAS on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/uPLAFybF4y

— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2025

Devin Neal, New Orleans Saints

• W15: Panthers
• W16: Jets
• W17: Titans

New Orleans has a fantastic schedule for running backs to close the season. Alvin Kamara remains the Saints' RB1, but he was ceding playing time and carries to Kendre Miller before the latter was lost for the season due to injury.

The coaching staff could give Neal more playing time coming out of the team's bye to see what they've got in the rookie. He could offer some standalone value during the fantasy playoffs, as New Orleans has three winnable games.

Neal is also one of the better handcuffs to stash, as he has a very fantasy-friendly playoff schedule. He could be highly useful in the event of a Kamara injury.

Zonovan Knight/Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals

• W15: Texans
• W16: Falcons
• W17: Bengals

Arizona draws a tough matchup in Week 15 as the Texans have been very good against running backs this year. After that, they draw fantastic matchups against the Falcons and Bengals.

We still don't know when Trey Benson will return from his knee injury, and Emari Demercado suffered an injury in Week 11. That means Knight and Carter could be the top backs in this offense. We can't recommend playing either in that Week 15 showdown with Houston, but both players would be fine options in Weeks 16 and 17.

Benson is rostered in 63% of leagues and did not fit the criteria for this article. However, if he's available in your league, stash him in an IR spot. If he's activated during the playoffs, he'd be in line for a bell cow role with a very friendly schedule.

Stash Candidate 

Brian Robinson Jr., San Francisco 49ers (28%)

• W15: Titans
• W16: Colts
• W17: Bears

San Francisco draws the third-easiest schedule for running backs in our ratings. That's obviously great news for Christian McCaffrey owners, but it also makes Robinson one of the top handcuffs to roster.

Robinson is somehow only rostered in 28% of Yahoo leagues. With the 49ers' schedule, he would be a true league-winner if anything happens to McCaffrey in the next few weeks. If Robinson is available in your league, make room for him on your bench.

Best Wide Receiver Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Most Favorable WR Matchups: Weeks 15-17

Best Fantasy Playoffs WR Waiver Wire Pickups

Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers (36%)

• W15: Titans
• W16: Colts
• W17: Bears

There is a lot of uncertainty regarding when Aiyuk will return to the 49ers lineup. There's also the question of how healthy he will be once he does return, as well as what kind of role/target volume he will receive.

However, the 49ers have the easiest playoff schedule for wide receivers according to our ratings. That makes him worthy of a stash in the hope he's activated in the next few weeks and still looks like the same explosive route-runner we've seen in years past.

Adonai Mitchell, New York Jets (2%)

• W15: Jaguars
• W16: Saints
• W17: Patriots

With Garrett Wilson on injured reserve nursing a knee injury, the Jets have an opening at their WR1 spot. Mitchell was recently acquired in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts, but he could emerge as New York's new top receiver.

If he does, and Tyrod Taylor proves to be an upgrade as a passer over Justin Fields (which Taylor should), then Mitchell could pop for some big games down the stretch. He's an overlooked player in leagues right now and is absolutely worth rostering just to see what happens over the next few weeks.

Darius Slayton, New York Giants (46%)

• W15: Commanders
• W16: Vikings
• W17: Raiders

Slayton missed last week's game due to a hamstring injury. He was not placed on injured reserve, so the injury must not be too severe.

Slayton should return in time for the fantasy football playoffs, and he could be operating as New York's WR1. Given the Giants' playoff schedule, he could post a few strong performances and be a viable WR3 or flex play.

Also Worth Adding

Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans (17%)

• W15: 49ers
• W16: Chiefs
• W17: Saints

Calvin Ridley broke his fibula in Week 11 and is done for the year. Chimere Dike sustained a concussion and also injured his chest, so he could miss multiple games. That would leave Ayomanor as the team's de facto WR1.

Tennessee's passing offense continues to struggle, but the team has enough decent matchups in the playoffs where Ayomanor is at least worth adding in case he emerges as a viable starting option.

Best Tight End Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Most Favorable TE Matchups: Weeks 15-17

Best Fantasy Playoffs TE Waiver Wire Pickups

A.J. Barner, Seattle Seahawks (9%)

• W15: Colts
• W16: Rams
• W17: Panthers

Seattle draws the second-best playoff schedule for tight ends in our ratings behind the Indianapolis Colts (cheers if you have Tyler Warren).

Barner is widely available in leagues and will be a viable streamer for managers in the playoffs. He will be a highly intriguing play in Week 17 against a Panthers defense that's been terrible against tight ends this year.

Mason Taylor, New York Jets (17%)

• W15: Jaguars
• W16: Saints
• W17: Patriots

The Jets' passing game becomes slightly more intriguing with Tyrod Taylor taking over as the team's starter. With Wilson sidelined, there is a real possibility that Mason Taylor emerges as the team's top target on offense.

If he does, he could be a very reliable option for gamers in the fantasy playoffs.

Noah Fant, Cincinnati Bengals (3%)

• W15: Ravens
• W16: Dolphins
• W17: Cardinals

Joe Burrow is expected to return within the next few weeks. That is obviously huge news for all of Cincinnati's skill players. It would also be great news for Fant, who is widely available.

Burrow's return won't fix a terrible Bengals defense, and the team will likely be playing in multiple high-scoring games. That will mean plenty of opportunities for Fant, and he could post a few surprising performances in the fantasy playoffs.

Best D/ST Fantasy Playoff Schedules (Streaming)

Our DST ratings admittedly came out a bit rough when taking into account the ownership rates and DSTs widely available, but we will still do our best to identify a few streamers.

Best Fantasy Playoffs D/ST Waiver Wire Pickups

New Orleans Saints (2%)

• W15: Panthers
• W16: Jets
• W17: Titans

The Saints' defense has not been very good this season, but they don't exactly face a who's who of offenses in the fantasy playoffs. The team's Week 17 matchup against the Tennessee Titans is the most appealing spot to play them, as the Titans' offense has been abysmal all season.

Kansas City Chiefs (48%)

• W15: Chargers
• W16: Titans
• W17: Broncos

The Chiefs' defense has taken a step back this year, but they still have time to turn things around. The Chargers offense has taken a step backward itself after the team's offensive line injuries, so Week 15 might not be a bad time to stream the Chiefs DST. The most appealing matchup here, though, is that Week 16 date against rookie Cameron Ward and the Tennessee Titans.

Like we said earlier, the DST streaming landscape for the fantasy playoffs is a bit bleak. If you're going to stash somebody for the playoffs, though, the Chiefs might be your best bet.

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