We’re now into the fantasy playoffs, and many leagues have already had their trade deadline, so this is the final week for this column in 2020.
Obviously, we’re not done creating content, so check our Market and Waiver Wire reports after this week for the best guidance on players for the entirety of the 2020 season (what’s left of it) and, of course, our weekly projections and analysis for all players of note for each remaining week.
PLAYERS TO TRADE FOR
Tom Brady (QB, TB) — All aboard the Buccaneer hype train for the next three weeks. For one, they were off last week and haven’t been lighting it up, so TB stands out as having some decent buy-low options at this late stage of the season. But it’s all about their upcoming schedule, which is as good as it gets: vs. Min, at Atl, vs. Det.
Justin Herbert (QB, LAC) — We knew a stinker was coming, and it’s not a shock that it came against a Bill Belichick-coached defense - especially when we saw Herbert have a tougher time a few weeks ago against Miami and a Belichick protege in Brian Flores. But while the Charger have some serious issues overall, I’m okay burning the Week 13 tape and proceeding as if it didn’t happen, since Herbert’s next three matchups are good: vs. Atl, at LV, and vs. Den. He’s still a top-10 guy.
Matthew Stafford (QB, Hou) — He’s hardly a must-have, but I could see him coming through these next three weeks against GB, at Ten, and vs. TB. Heck, Kenny Golladay may actually play some football again at some point in 2020, which would be nice. My memory only goes back so far, but sources tell me Golladay can play a little.
Alvin Kamara (RB, NO) — This is a little tricky in that you’re buying low, but the reason you’re buying low is because Drew Brees may return, which could up the asking price for Kamara. But it’s not a lock that Brees returns, so there is some downside. At the end of the day, if the price is fair and it doesn’t disrupt the rest of your starting lineup, I’d be willing to bet on Brees returning sometime soon, which would immediately get Kamara back to averaging 6-7 catches per game.
James Conner (RB, Pit) — It looks like he’s returning for Week 14, or is at least on track to return this week as of early in the week. At this point, their lack of balance is a major problem, so I’m expecting HC Mike Tomlin to recommit to Conner, perhaps in a major way with 20+ touches in the final 3-4 weeks of the season because he’s obviously their best option. Their schedule the next three weeks is pretty good: at Buf, at Cin, vs. Ind.
Derrick Henry (RB, Ten) — It’s doubtful that his value took a hit after Week 13, but that was his second-worst game of the season for fantasy, so it’s possible. Trading for Henry is probably a pipe dream, but the point here is that his production should be excellent the next three weeks at Jax, vs. Det, and vs. GB. That’s about as good of a playoff schedule as anyone can expect anytime for a RB.
Terry McLaurin (WR, Was) — The team did a horrible job getting him going in Week 13, and for all to see on national TV, so maybe his value took a hit. I have a lot more confidence that the coaches and Terry will make amends for that debacle starting now, so he’s a guy to look at this week. They are at SF, vs. Sea, and vs. Car, so they have a nice schedule.
Mike Evans (WR, TB) and Chris Godwin (WR, TB) and Antonio Brown (WR, TB) — I’d be interested in acquiring any of the three if they made sense because their next three games look very fantasy-friendly: vs. Min, at Atl, vs. Det. You can throw Rob Gronkowski in the mix and on the list, too.
Keenan Allen (WR, LAC) and Mike Williams (WR, LAC) — As mentioned above in the Herbert writeup, their schedule looks good the next three weeks vs. Atl, at LV, and vs. Den
JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR, Pit) — Not a bad option if you’re looking to make a late deal, since the Steelers are at Buf and at Cin their next two games, two solid matchups. Then a tougher matchup Week 16 vs. Indy, but not that scary these days.
Sterling Shepard (WR, NYG) — Daniel Jones is trending toward a return in Week 14, and if so that’s good news for Shepard, who is averaging 5.8 receptions per game in seven games played with Jones this year. They have Ari and Cle the next two weeks, which are good matchups for Shepard.
LISTED HERE LAST WEEK, BUT I STILL THINK THEY ARE VIABLE:
Noah Fant (TE, Den) — He was decent in Week 13, and they have a solid schedule the next three weeks against Car, Buf, and LAC.
JK Dobbins (RB, Bal) — Dobbins could still be about ready to go on a productive run to end the season. In his last game, he was the guy with 15/70/1 rushing and 2/15 receiving on a 63% snap share with a career-high 17 touches.
PLAYERS TO TRADE
None of note.
LISTED HERE LAST WEEK, BUT I STILL THINK THEY ARE VIABLE:
None.
