Sammy Watkins could be back just in time for the fantasy playoffs
Every experienced fantasy player knows that you don’t win your league at the draft. Leagues are won in the preparation and planning that goes into every single week. This article is the first of many to come that will help you make the right decisions to win your league and focus on prepping for the fantasy playoffs. Whether you’ve already clinched a playoff spot or you’re sitting there with a 2-6 record just hoping and praying that things fall your way, these articles can help you make a run for the playoffs and your league championship!
Speaking of the planning that goes into every week, we’re in the middle of “bye-pocalypse” and there are a lot of good fantasy options that aren’t playing this week. You might find yourself in the position of making some necessary moves in order to win the week, but you also may be thinking that you can suffer the loss in order to keep players that you’d have to drop in order to pick other players up. Here’s my advice: ALWAYS PLAY FOR THE WIN. The thing that we all love and hate about fantasy sports is that it is so unpredictable. We never know for sure what is going to happen so you have to play for the win every single week.
Taking all that into consideration, here are a few players that could help you win your fantasy league.
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Philip Rivers (QB – SD): 90.9% owned
Now, there is a big chance that Philip Rivers is owned in your fantasy league and rightly so since he currently sits as the 12th-best fantasy QB. However, Rivers is a terrific player to target in trades if you are looking for a solid QB streaming option during the playoffs. Rivers does have a bye Week 11 and a potentially rough outing against Houston Week 12, and this would be a perfect time to target him in trades if you already have a solid shot at getting into the playoffs. Chances are that the Rivers owner in your league has him paired with another QB streaming option and just starts whoever has the better matchup. Therefore, if you wait until he has a rough week or two then he is a great buy-low candidate with an excellent playoff schedule. Rivers’ playoff schedule is one of only two for QBs that features matchups against three bottom-eight ranked defenses including Carolina, Oakland, and Cleveland. Oh, and Rivers also has a Week 13 matchup against Tampa Bay. Again, if you have a solid shot at making the playoffs already then Rivers is a great QB option to target, but if you’re struggling and need wins now then you may want to look elsewhere.
Jameis Winston (QB – TB): 75.4% owned
Speaking of looking elsewhere, if you need a strong QB streaming option to help you get into the playoffs and help you win your championship then look at Winston. There is a better chance that Winston is available in your league and he has already had his bye week, unlike Rivers. Winston also has a great Rest of Season schedule with only one tough matchup against Seattle and many great ones, including two games against New Orleans in Weeks 14 and 16. If you can, acquire Winston and ride his great schedule to a fantasy championship. Winston is a great trade target, particularly for those who are struggling to make the playoffs.
Sammy Watkins (WR – BUF): 34.9% owned
Now, I know what you’re thinking, but no, I’m not crazy. The script for a fantasy playoff return for Sammy Watkins is not entirely out of the question. The Bills are decimated at the WR spot and Tyrod Taylor‘s QB play has not been terrible lately, so Watkins could be a sneaky pickup for fantasy owners. Watkins is still on Injured Reserve, but he’s eligible to start practicing on November 11th which is during the Bills’ bye week and could return as early as Week 12. If Watkins does return, he has a great schedule for ROS and an even better schedule during the playoffs where he has matchups against Cleveland and the New York Jets. If you have a roster spot to burn, and especially if you have a Reserve spot on your team, then pick Watkins up and stash him for a potential playoff run.
Tyrell Williams (WR – SD): 66.9% owned
The San Diego Chargers have the 2nd-best WR schedule for the rest of the season, and with Travis Benjamin hurt, Tyrell Williams is in a prime position to help your team to the playoffs. Now, as with Rivers, Williams is not somebody that you want to target if you are struggling to get into the playoffs and need help now. Williams has a bye on Week 11 and a tough matchup against Houston on Week 12, but he has superb matchups after with games against Tampa Bay, Carolina, Oakland, Cleveland, and Kansas City. If you have room and can withstand the bye week then Williams is an excellent acquisition and could even be available in your league right now!
Doug Martin (RB – TB): 86.8% owned
Here is another take that may be a bit of a stretch, but those hurting at the RB position should look into it. Martin is more than likely owned and being stashed in your league, but if you buy-low on him and stash him yourself then get ready for some great playoff matchups. Martin does not have the best ROS schedule which is 9th overall for RBs, but he is the dominate back in Tampa Bay and will be the No. 1 guy when he returns. Martin has some great matchups during the playoffs including two games against New Orleans who give up the 2nd most points to RBs and allow an average of 26.2 points in FantasyPros standard scoring. If you can acquire Martin then you should and spot-start him on your way to a championship.
I hope this article has helped guide you in the right direction to make a run for the playoffs and check back next week for even more advice and potential playoff-winning players!
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Jonathan Stone is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Jonathan, check out his archive or follow him @JEStone904.
