Fantasy Football Trade Deadline Targets
Nov 9, 2014; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws a pass during the second half of the game Dallas Cowboys and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports
The trade deadline is almost in here in most fantasy football leagues across the country and as such it’s time to look for players that will help improve your postseason roster. For help, here are the players with the easiest schedules in the fantasy football playoffs (Week 14-16).
Quarterbacks:
Players to Trade for:
Tony Romo (@CHI, @PHI, IND): Tony Romo has won just five December games in his past 13 tries as Dallas continues to fold at the finish year-after-year. But, even if the Cowboys don’t win the games, you can expect some solid fantasy numbers from Romo in December as he plays three teams that struggle at stopping opposing quarterbacks.
Drew Brees (CAR, @CHI, ATL): Each of the three teams New Orleans plays during the fantasy football playoffs is giving up at least 20 points a game to quarterbacks. He’s my pick for the top quarterback during the elimination weeks.
Running Backs:
Players to Trade For:
Mark Ingram (CAR, @CHI, ATL): Both Carolina and Atlanta have given up a league-high 13 rushing touchdowns this season as Ingram should put up big numbers in December against each team at home. After giving up over 50 points in back-to-back contests the Bears defense should be seen as a very desirable match up from here on out.
Le’Veon Bell (@CIN, @ATL, KC): Cincinnati is allowing over 140 rushing yards per game and Atlanta can’t stop running backs from crossing the goal line. Kansas City, on the other hand, will be a tough match up in the potential championship game of your league if you start Bell as the Chiefs have yet to allow a rushing touchdown in 2014. However, the 4.7 yards per carry they allow per rush is the second-worse in the NFL as Bell should be able to rack up some nice yardage against the Chiefs even if he isn’t able to get in the end zone.
Players to Avoid:
Andre Ellington (KC, @STL, SEA): With just a 3.5 yards per carry average, Ellington’s fantasy football value is thanks in large part to his constant usage (167 carries, third most in the NFL). He should still get production thanks to his receiving ability, but without Carson Palmer I don’t like his chances against good run defenses. He plays three in Weeks 14-16.
Wide Receivers:
Players to Trade For:
Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb (ATL, @BUF, @TB): Nelson and Cobb have been two of the most consistent and productive receivers in fantasy football in 2014. With games against the Falcons and Bucs slated in the schedule, don’t expect much of a drop off from these two when the playoffs start.
Dez Bryant (@CHI, @PHI, IND): Dez Bryant scored a touchdown in five straight games to end 2013 and with contract negotiations set to begin at the end of the season I expect a similar, or even, better finish from him in 2014. Chicago, Philadelphia, and Indianapolis have been allowing big games to receivers all season long and that shouldn’t change when Bryant come to town.
Kelvin Benjamin (@NO, TB, CLE): The Saints and Buccaneers have been two of the worst team at stopping the pass in the entire NFL and Benjamin plays them both in Weeks 14 and 15. Cleveland’s defense has actually played quite well down the stretch, but after seeing rookies Brandin Cooks, Allen Robinson, and Mike Evans all put up big numbers in Cleveland, the team seems to have an achilles heal for rookie wide receivers in 2014.