The 2026 fantasy football season is still a few months away. Yet, it’s never too early to prepare for the fantasy playoffs. While much will change between now and the fantasy playoffs, it doesn’t hurt to plan ahead. Therefore, let’s look at eight players with a favorable fantasy playoff schedule that fantasy players should target in their drafts.
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Players with Favorable Fantasy Football Playoff Schedules
Justin Herbert (QB – LAC)
- Week 15 vs. San Francisco 49ers
- Week 16 at Miami Dolphins
- Week 17 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Unfortunately, the Chargers’ offensive line was destroyed by injuries last season, impacting Herbert’s fantasy value. Hopefully, the team gets more than five games from their starting offensive tackles in 2026. Yet, Herbert was productive, averaging 17.9 fantasy points per game, scoring 27.7 or more three times, including 30.2 in Week 16. The 49ers and Dolphins ranked in the top half in fantasy points per game surrendered to quarterbacks last year. Meanwhile, Herbert had three passing touchdowns and three fantasy points against the Chiefs in Week 1 last season.
Trevor Lawrence (QB – JAC)
- Week 15 at Houston Texans
- Week 16 at Dallas Cowboys
- Week 17 vs. Washington Commanders
Thanks to a strong second half, Lawrence finished last season as the QB4, averaging 19.9 fantasy points per game, a career high. Furthermore, he was a superstar during the fantasy playoffs, averaging 2.7 passing touchdowns and 32.9 fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, Lawrence starts the 2026 fantasy playoffs in Houston against arguably the best passing defense in the NFL. However, he faces two of the worst defenses from last year in Week 16 and Week 17. While they improved their defenses this offseason, neither matchup should scare fantasy players.
De’Von Achane (RB – MIA)
- Week 15 at Green Bay Packers
- Week 16 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
- Week 17 vs. Buffalo Bills
Some fear Achane will be a fantasy bust given the changes in Miami’s offense this offseason. Malik Willis isn’t known for throwing to his running backs. Achane has been a fantasy star because of his role in the passing game, totaling at least 67 receptions in back-to-back years. However, he has an appealing fantasy playoff schedule. The Bills gave up the sixth-most PPR fantasy points per game to running backs last season, including 56.6 to Achane in two matchups. Meanwhile, the Packers were an average team defending opposing running backs.
Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAC)
- Week 15 at Houston Texans
- Week 16 at Dallas Cowboys
- Week 17 vs. Washington Commanders
Everyone is excited to see what Tuten can do as the lead running back. Last year, he averaged 11.8 PPR fantasy points per game in the four contests with eight or more rushing attempts. Unfortunately, Tuten starts the fantasy playoffs with a matchup against the Texans after scoring 10.1 total fantasy points in two games against them as a rookie. However, he faces the Cowboys and Commanders over the final two weeks. While they improved their defenses this offseason, they had two of the worst run defenses in 2025.
Malik Nabers (WR – NYG)
- Week 15 vs. Cleveland Browns
- Week 16 at Detroit Lions
- Week 17 at Dallas Cowboys
Unfortunately, Nabers’ Week 1 status is in doubt as the superstar is coming off a significant knee injury. However, he should be 100% healthy for the second half of the 2026 season. Furthermore, Nabers and Jaxson Dart should have developed a strong connection by the fantasy playoffs. More importantly, the superstar has an excellent fantasy playoff schedule. Last year, the Cowboys and the Lions surrendered the most and second-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Meanwhile, the Browns’ defense will take a step back after trading away Myles Garrett.
Jordan Addison (WR – MIN)
- Week 15 vs. Detroit Lions
- Week 16 vs. Washington Commanders
- Week 17 at New York Jets
Minnesota’s quarterback situation significantly hampered Addison and Justin Jefferson’s fantasy value last season. Hopefully, Kyler Murray can turn things around for the pass catchers. Yet, Addison was productive when he played with Carson Wentz, averaging 7.5 targets and 16 PPR fantasy points per game in those four contests, totaling 15.1 or more in all but one outing. Meanwhile, the Lions, Commanders, and Jets had three of the worst pass defenses in the NFL last year. Yet, none of them did much to improve their cornerback units in the offseason.
Brock Bowers (TE – LV)
- Week 15 vs. Denver Broncos
- Week 16 vs. Tennessee Titans
- Week 17 at Arizona Cardinals
Bowers finished as the TE2 on a points-per-game basis last year, averaging 14.7 PPR fantasy points per outing, only 0.8 fewer than his outstanding rookie season. Fantasy players should have high hopes for him with an improved quarterback room and Klint Kubiak taking over on the sidelines. More importantly, Bowers has an excellent fantasy playoff schedule. The Cardinals were one of the worst teams at defending tight ends in 2025, while the Titans were average. Meanwhile, Bowers scored 14.6 fantasy points in his last game against the Broncos.
Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL)
- Week 15 at Washington Commanders
- Week 16 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 17 vs. New Orleans Saints
Many were surprised to see Pitts finish last season as the TE2, averaging 12.4 PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he was one of only two tight ends to total over 200 fantasy points last year. The Falcons hired Kevin Stefanski this offseason, giving fantasy players hope that Pitts can build off his success from 2025. Meanwhile, he has an appealing fantasy playoff schedule with matchups against Washington and Tampa Bay, both of whom ranked in the top five in fantasy points per game surrendered to tight ends last year.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.