X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Trading for the Playoff Run

Richard King takes an in-depth look at the skill position players (QB, RB, WR, TE) to target in the trade market to give you a boost for the fantasy football playoffs based on strength of schedule.

At this stage of the fantasy season, the playoff picture in your league is likely to be taking shape. Making the right move at the right time is key for your success, and that means looking at what players you should aim for before your league's trade deadline falls.

Acquiring a player who has a great schedule for the playoffs can bring you one step closer to victory. Defenses and offenses have taken shape now we are able to start putting together targets for targetting a playoff victory.

The below analysis is based upon the projected strength of schedule remaining from Week 9 to Week 16 and looks closely at upcoming matchups, along with teams to avoid. Now, let's get you playoff ready!

Editor's Note: Access RotoBaller’s trusted fantasy football rankings for PPR, Standard, Dynasty, Super Flex, and Best Ball formats. Get tiered cheat sheets, expert analysis, and player outlooks to dominate your draft from every angle.

 

Players To Target

Quarterbacks

Top 5 SoS: BAL, DAL, CAR, CLE & DEN

Joe Flacco has mostly impressed this season, and although he still has a bye week to come, the matchups afterward are weak enough that adding him to your team is a great option. Flacco has scored quite consistently so far this season, throwing a touchdown in every game other than the Week 5 encounter against the Cleveland Browns. Flacco's remaining games are all against teams that give up a high number of points to the position, with the exception of the Week 16 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Ravens have a number of passing game options, to combine with a run game that, while it isn't the best in the NFL, is certainly able to keep the opposition honest.

Cam Newton has been a lot more consistent that he has been in previous seasons. Newton's ability to run provides fantasy owners with a stable floor for production, while the team's passing options are performing at a high level, giving Newton the type of ceiling that makes him a strong option. Newton is currently ranked as the fourth-highest scorer at the position; his opportunity to build upon that with his matchups for the rest of the season means that he is a great addition to your fantasy roster if you can acquire him via trade. The Panthers are due to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers twice and the Atlanta Falcons, who are giving up a ton of points to the position. Look for an owner who's been riding Pat Mahomes or may be content to roll with a player like Jared Goff or Mitch Trubisky that is willing to deal their QB1.

 

Running Backs

Top 5 SoS: ARI, CLE, BAL, MIN & DEN

Alex Collins is likely to see the same workload that he has been thus far this season, while new addition Ty Montgomery is likely to take the passing game work that Javorius Allen had previously enjoyed. Collins is a good add if you can get him with the schedule for the running back being one of the easier for running backs. His upside is somewhat capped in PPR leagues but he can serve as a solid RB2 in half-PPR and standard leagues.

David Johnson hasn't yet hit the fantasy highs that owners would have hoped for. Johnson could be a great target for a trade with that in mind. Johnson's remaining schedule is the easiest of any other at the position, and Johnson is resilient against how his team is performing with his involvement in the passing game. Johnson has the potential upside to be a championship winner if you can buy-low before the deadline.

 

Wide Receivers

Top 5 SoS: BAL, CAR, DAL, DEN & NYG

John Brown has been one of the better fantasy gems this season, while he has always been talented it looks as though the injury-plagued years that blighted him are behind him now. Flacco, as mentioned above, has a good slate of games to come, and Brown seems to be one of his favored targets. Teams seem to be eliminating the threat of fellow wide receiver Michael Crabtree, while Willie Snead has been largely disappointing this season.

If you are able to trade for him, Devin Funchess is a fantastic target for fantasy owners. Coming off a bad game against the Baltimore Ravens is a fantastic time to try and pull off a trade. Funchess is one of the favored targets for quarterback Cam Newton, and although rookie D.J. Moore has been more involved, Funchess will continue to be a fantastic play for fantasy owners.

 

Tight Ends

Top 5 SoS: CLE, BAL, DEN, OAK & LAC

David Njoku has really taken a leap forward this season, and the timing couldn't be better to try and trade for him before his easier slate comes to pass. Njoku is a target that is looked for by quarterback Baker Mayfield, while the coaching changes in Cleveland may have muddied the waters the big body of Njoku means he will have upside as a receiver for the Browns going forward- his easy schedule just makes it that much more of an easy decision to make a move for him.

Jeff Heuerman is a great addition for the playoffs, with Demaryius Thomas leaving town to go to the Texans Heuerman will be looking to capitalize his those targets leaving the team, and score more touchdowns going forward. Case Keenum may have been wildly inconsistent this season (in fact the only consistent thing this season has been he has thrown an interception in each game this season) but the Heuerman has been a favored target, particularly in the red zone. If you don't have a high-end tight end or are streaming the position, try adding him now.

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
Terry McLaurin

Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
Roger McCreary

a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Max Fried

Exits Start With Blister
Mike Evans

Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
Charles Cross

Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
Xavier Restrepo

One to Watch Going into Training Camp
Calvin Ridley

Appears Re-Energized
Mark Andrews

Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
Ndamukong Suh

Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Hunter Dobbins

to Miss Rest of Season With Torn ACL
Nolan Arenado

Held Out of Lineup on Saturday
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Carlos Correa

Sitting on Saturday
Austin Riley

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Nolan Arenado

Exits Friday's Contest With Sprained Finger
Jake Burger

Expects to Play on Saturday
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Wyatt Langford

Records Four-Hit Night
Cal Raleigh

Homers Twice, Drives in Five
Cody Bellinger

Swats Three Homers in Victory
Jake Burger

Leaves With Quad Discomfort on Friday
Carlos Correa

Exits Game With Mild Ankle Sprain
Edward Cabrera

Dealing with Posterior Elbow Discomfort
Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Rafael Devers

Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

Browns Still Counting on Dustin Hopkins
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF