- Managers in must-win situations should consider trading players with a Week 14 bye, even if it seems like a loss on paper.
- Playoff schedules and player injury statuses are critical factors to consider when making last-minute trades.
- Players to target for acquisition include RBs Trey Benson, Kyren Williams, Quinshon Judkins and WR Tee Higgins.
For most fantasy football leagues, the playoffs start in Week 15. This means there is one week left to do whatever it takes to get into the postseason. If you’re already in, then you have one week left to make your team stronger.
For the last few weeks, we have been trying to help you do just that with trade targets, buy or sell. Let’s review, shall we?
If you’re a team in a must-win situation, you should consider trading players who have a Week 14 bye for someone active. Yes, that might mean losing the trade on paper. But remember, you can’t win it all if you don’t make the playoffs. Be smart about it, though. The player you get back needs to be significantly better than what’s available on the waiver wire.
If you are already in, then you can look to trade weaker starters and depth pieces in 2-for-1 deals that improve your starting lineup for the playoffs.
Managers in either scenario should also pay close attention to playoff schedules when analyzing trades.
These eight players (with a few combos) are some players that both help you get into the playoffs and help you take home the trophy once you get there.
Fantasy football players to buy in Week 14
RB Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
Benson had his 21-day practice window opened last week and logged three practices. He was ultimately held out Sunday against the Buccaneers, but his return is getting close.
The Cardinals need it, too. Emari Demercado, Bam Knight and Michael Carter have filled in admirably, but none have taken command of the backfield.
The price to acquire Benson should still be on the cheaper side since he does not have much of a resume yet and even when given the chance, did not thrive. However, getting a starting running back to have at your disposal is a fantastic asset.
RB Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
If the Williams manager in your league is at all worried about his ankle injury or the fact that Blake Corum outrushed him Sunday and scored, then jump on that opportunity.
Corum did nothing more than what he has done most of the season, which is handle roughly 30% to 40% of the team’s carries. The oddest part of this week’s game was Kyren not catching any passes, but credit the Panthers defense for making life difficult for the Rams. It is unlikely that any other team the rest of the season will be able to replicate that.
WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
With Joe Burrow back, it would be wise to try to acquire either Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins. Chase will cost significantly more, which is why Higgins is the recommended target.
Joe Flacco was unable to keep Higgins as involved as we are used to seeing. That, combined with the game he missed because of a concussion, which we still are not 100% sure he will return from in Week 14, is why he could be available at a reasonable price.
RB Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
We recommended Judkins a few weeks ago, but it deserves repeating. A popular opinion is that Judkins is not a strong fantasy option each week because the Browns are often in negative game scripts.
While they might not win any of their remaining games, they are rarely so far behind that they cannot continue running the ball. This keeps Judkins involved and gives him a workhorse-type workload.
The upcoming schedule is very favorable for him as well. The Titans, Bears and Bills all present positive matchups for the run. The Steelers in Week 17 will be tough, but his workload should remain high. The Browns know they cannot win without using Judkins as much as possible.
Fantasy football players to sell for Week 14
RB Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
There are two reasons to trade Vidal.
The first and most important is the impending return of rookie Omarion Hampton. While there may be a ramp-up period for Hampton, his return will likely mark the end of Vidal’s tenure as the Chargers’ starting running back.
The second reason is the upcoming schedule, which is tough. The remaining four teams the Chargers face in the fantasy season are the Eagles, Chiefs, Cowboys and Texans. All except the Cowboys present negative matchups.
RB D’Andre Swift/Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears
Both of these running backs have been performing well lately and should remain useful assets heading into the fantasy playoffs. However, they are coming off a Black Friday game in which each ran for more than 125 yards.
The Bears have a very tough upcoming schedule. Coupled with the fact that these backs will be splitting the workload, this makes them ideal sell candidates coming off their big games.
RB Rico Dowdle/Chubba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Dowdle has built up a lot of good fantasy karma filling in for, and ultimately taking over, the backfield for an injured Hubbard in Week 5. This could make the return you get for him quite strong. But why sell him?
The last two weeks have been rough for Dowdle, and this week he was outplayed by Hubbard. Not only was he outperformed, he also played fewer snaps.
If you are already a playoff team, it may be fine to hold and hope he regains his role. However, if you need a win and were relying on him, the Panthers are one of the teams on bye in Week 14.
A quick note on Hubbard: if you can sell on the heels of his big game to someone who thinks he will reclaim the ;ead role, do it.
RB Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Henry is likely to be a disappointment for fantasy managers down the stretch.
The Ravens face three of the league’s best run defenses: the Steelers, Patriots and Packers. Mixed in there is the Bengals, which is a positive matchup, but we just saw them hold Henry to 60 yards and one touchdown on the ground.
Henry is still a great player, so this is not a recommendation based on schedule alone. However, one more major factor comes into play: Lamar Jackson. He still looks injured, and that is preventing this offense, including Henry, from performing at its usual high level.
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