Eight Players to Target for the Fantasy Playoffs

Editor’s Note: This is an article written by one of our newest writers, Zach Bahner. He’s been a Member Corner contributor for us before and we’re excited to officially add Zach to the best team in the business.

As fantasy playoff season approaches, it’s time for owners to evaluate their rosters and the possibility of making a playoff run. Some players who we thought would be studs this year have been injured, benched or outplayed by other players with more dominant roles on their respective offenses. For those fortunate enough to be looking the playoffs in the eyes, it might be time to make a trade to solidify your offense. However, this is dynasty, and none of us want to give away our entire future just to make a playoff run.

This is when we look at teams that aren’t going to make the playoffs that need to build for the future. Ideally, these teams will own veterans who are still producing, but not highly valued in dynasty. In other words, these are players who rebuilding teams would rather trade for draft picks or young, high upside players.

I’ve compiled a list of eight players worth targeting at each offensive position who will be able to help fill out your lineup and propel your team deep into the playoffs. Many of these players should come with a low price tag, but there are a couple younger players who might cost more to acquire. Included are both prices I’d buy at and prices where I’d be willing to sell if I was out of contention.

Quarterback

Tony Romo, QB DAL

There isn’t a quarterback with a more passer friendly schedule remaining than Tony Romo. The Cowboys’ final five regular season games (excluding week 17) slate them to play against teams giving up at least 17.2 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. With the Giants, Eagles (twice), Bears and Colts remaining, Romo is going to be looking at his pass catchers often. All five of these teams are in playoff contention and boast offenses that can put points on the board. The highlight of this five game slate comes in week 14 in Chicago against a Bears defense graded in the bottom six in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus.

With the incredible depth at the quarterback position, playoff contenders aren’t likely to need to make a huge splash to upgrade the quarterback position until this week. With Carson Palmer and a disappointing Nick Foles both getting injured recently, there are some teams scrambling for a quarterback to plug and play. Romo is currently the 16^th highest scoring quarterback in fantasy, but his schedule should leave him as a mid-level QB1 the rest of the way.

What I’d give: late second
What I’d take: late second

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Drew Brees, QB NO

Another team fighting for a spot in the post-season is the Saints. With their remaining schedule including only playoff contenders and division rivals, expect Drew Brees to be in close, high scoring games. Not a single remaining opponent has a positive pass coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, so expect him to continue performing as a mid to high level QB1. Due to his age, I would only recommend targeting him if you have a roster truly in need of a quarterback and know with certainty you will be in the playoffs.

What I’d give: third
What I’d take: third

Running Back

Justin Forsett, RB BAL

Nobody saw Justin Forsett as a hot commodity when the season began, but he has taken advantage of his opportunity and become a viable RB1. It may be possible to take advantage of an owner wanting to unload him due to his age (29) and expiring contract. Because he hasn’t been utilized much until this season, Forsett has only amassed 626 offensive touches in his career and holds some value in dynasty. With the exception of Miami in week 14, none of his remaining opponents are averaging less than 25.6 points per game in PPR formats to opposing running backs. Even if Lorenzo Taliaferro vultures a few scores, there will still be plenty of opportunity for him to rack up points.

What I’d give: second
What I’d take: late first to mid-second

Joique Bell, RB DET

Teammate and fellow running back Reggie Bush has battled through ankle injuries much of the season and was again nicked up this week against Miami. Even if Bush does not miss any time, Bell is going to hold low end RB2 value the rest of the season. Detroit’s remaining opponents are yielding an average of 24.25 PPR points per game. He is a player who I would trust spot starting based on matchups the rest of the season.

What I’d give: third or fourth
What I’d take: third

Wide Receiver

Mohamed Sanu, WR CIN

Week ten was a complete debacle for the entire Cincinnati offense. Both A.J. Green and Sanu scored outside the top 50 wide receivers in PPR scoring. The Cleveland defense completely shut down both receivers in Green’s second game back from injury. However, this could be a good thing for owners looking to add a rotational WR3 for the rest of the season. Cincinnati’s remaining opponents are giving up an average of 38.72 points per game to opposing pass receivers and Sanu is no longer the number one threat in the passing game. As such, he should get less attention from defenses. Quarterback Andy Dalton is not the safest quarterback to rely on, but with match ups left against the Saints, Browns and Broncos, all teams that have given up an average of more than 55 receiving yards per game to opposing secondary receivers, Sanu is a player who I would trust in those games as a boom or bust WR3.

What I’d give: third
What I’d take: late second

Roddy White, WR ATL

White is a former fantasy stud who has seen his production drastically fall over the last two seasons, but he still has value as Matt Ryan’s number two receiver. White has become nothing more than a matchup-based play, but he has a remaining schedule against four teams that have allowed at least 50 yards per game to opposing WR2s. The Panthers, Browns, Cardinals and Saints are all teams he should be able to exploit for good fantasy days. Due to his age and declining skills, he isn’t worth a high pick, but if you are in need of a receiver to fill in for a few weeks, you could do much worse.

What I’d give: third or later
What I’d take: third

Tight End

Jason Witten, TE DAL

Not only is Tony Romo a player I’d target for the rest of the season, but his tight end, Jason Witten, is a player who is on my radar as well. He is a player who has seen his reception, yardage and touchdown averages decline this season, but he has remained a low end TE1. His last three weeks have been impressive where he has amassed a 16/165/2 stat line. While I would not feel comfortable starting him in his two games against the Eagles, he has excellent matchups against the Giants, Bears and Colts, who have all given up at least 15 PPR points per game to opposing tight ends. If you’re able to get him on the cheap, he is a player worthy of spot starting at tight end or as a low-end flex player in those games.

What I’d give: third or later
What I’d take: third

Zach Ertz, TE PHI

If you were able to endure the Monday Night Football game this week, you likely noticed Zach Ertz continued to see a diminished role in the Eagles’ game plan. This is much to the chagrin of his fantasy owners. However, as Jordan Matthews continues to develop, I expect the Eagles to begin utilizing more two tight end sets and relegate wide receiver Riley Cooper to the bench. Coach Chip Kelly is going to need to get his best pass catchers on the field in order for his team to make it through their difficult finish to the season. With the exception of week 11 at Green Bay, all of Philadelphia’s remaining opponents are in the bottom half of the league in fantasy points to opposing tight ends. No team has an easier remaining schedule for tight end production. If you are don’t want to pay the high price for Ertz, teammate and fellow tight end Brent Celek can probably be acquired for less. However, I would rather have the highly athletic future starter and I’m willing to pay his hefty price, especially with a 2015 class lacking elite tight end prospects.

What I’d give: first
What I’d take: I’d hold him

Not all these players are going to be able to be acquired at a discount, but all of them have matchups worthy of consideration as the regular season closes and fantasy playoffs begin. Don’t give up the farm for them, but adding one or two of them at the right price can solidify your lineup for a strong playoff contender.

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