With the fantasy trade deadline approaching, there are few opportunities left to make large-scale changes to rosters.
As we get to this point in the season, it can tend to feel like things are more set in stone and that we can start to expect certain results. This is a trap. A full third of the season remains, and unsung heroes are hiding right under our noses.
While it’s impossible to predict who those heroes might be, soft playoff schedules make things more likely to break in favor of certain teams, and it’s something important to pay attention to if you want to gain an edge down the stretch. Today I’ll mention three players who look like difference-makers in the fantasy playoffs.
Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Since Zack Moss went on injured reserve, Brown’s usage has been elite. Brown has seen 92% of the team’s carries and has earned 17% of the team’s targets with a 66% route participation rate. The recently acquired Khalil Herbert has yet to see much work, but even if he does, Brown’s usage figures to remain among the best in the league. Brown is on one of the few good offenses in the NFL, making him a priority target heading into the final stretch of the season.
D.J. Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
It’s been a frustrating season for Moore and his fantasy managers, as Moore’s role wasn’t conducive to big fantasy days in Shane Waldron’s scheme.
The antichrist is gone now, and in the Bears’ first game without Waldron, Moore’s seven receptions were his second-highest total of the season and most since Week 3. With Waldron, everything looked difficult and nothing made sense. With interim coordinator Thomas Brown last week, Chicago’s offense looked functional. While problems with the offensive line will hamper the offense for the remainder of the season, there’s reason to believe brighter days are on the horizon for Moore, especially with a friendly schedule during the fantasy playoffs.
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Irving has proven himself as a quality NFL back and a better runner than his teammate Rachaad White. He’s seen consistent work on the ground but is occasionally written out of the offense when the team is trailing and Rachaad White is in the game for his skill as a receiver. From Week 12 on, though, the Buccaneers have an extremely favorable schedule, getting — in order — the Giants, Panthers, Raiders, Chargers, Cowboys, Panthers and Saints to end the season. The Buccaneers will be favored in all those games except the Chargers, which means they’ll likely be playing positive game scripts, spelling good news for Bucky Irving.
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