We meet again, fantasy football playoffs. This is what we’ve been waiting for all season: the chance to win the championship.
Playoffs are the time to roster players that are either poised to make an impact in the coming weeks, are heating up at the right time, or are an injury away from being the feature running back.
As you deal with the waiver wire this week and beyond, here are eight players to keep your eyes on and possibly pick up for your championship push.
Jordy Nelson
Has anyone dropped Jordy Nelson in your league recently? He’s available in most of my leagues.
If he’s a free agent, now is the time to pick him up and keep him stashed on your bench.
Here’s why…
The Packers play the Browns next week, and if they win, they’ll find themselves in the middle of a wild card race.
Also, Aaron Rodgers will most likely return Week 15 if the Packers beat the Browns. And you know what that means…Nelson’s WR1 fantasy value will be restored.
Scoop him up before someone else does. Nelson could win you your playoffs if Rodgers returns.
Aaron Rodgers
Speaking of Rodgers, let’s keep speaking about him. Rodgers is currently practicing with the scout team, as planned, and is eligible to return Week 15. He’s available in many of my leagues, and could be in yours, too. If you’re in need of a quarterback, Rodgers could be your guy in a couple weeks. He’s worth a stash right now to wait and see how this plays out.
Mike Davis
Mike who? Davis, another Seattle Seahawks running back. He’s looking like the lead back right now, after he had 16 carries for 64 yards and four catches for 37 yards this past week. The only competition he has right now is J.D. McKissic, who is the change of pace and pass-catching back.
He has a tough matchup with Jacksonville this coming week, but after that he plays the Rams, Cowboys, and Cardinals. He should ride your bench in Week 14, but after that, he is flex worthy if you need running back help.
Josh Gordon
The return of Gordon is upon us, and it’s already glorious. On Sunday, he had four catches for 85 yards and was facing off against the top-rated corner in the league this year for most of the game.
If you need more reasons to pick him up, look at these tweets:
If you haven’t picked him up already, this is probably the last week you’ll get the chance to. Don’t miss out. Gordon is officially back, and could help you immensely through the playoffs.
Peyton Barber
Surprise! Barber took over the Buccaneers backfield this week with Martin absent, instead of Jacquizz Rodgers. Barber showed that he’s the real deal and deserves more playing time even when Martin comes back, with 143 total yards against the Packers. Now they’ll face the Lions, who have struggled defending the run. He’s worth a pick-up and could be a legitimate starter in the coming weeks.
Stephen Anderson
The concussion to starting tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz and injuries to wide receivers Bruce Ellington and Braxton Miller means Anderson is thrust into a lot of playing time. On Sunday, he had five catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. This week, he faces the 49ers who have struggled against tight ends. He’s the perfect Gronk replacement for this week, and has value for the rest of the year if Fiedorowicz misses a substantial amount of time.
Here’s what Evan Silva has to say about him:
Jimmy Garoppolo
He didn’t score any touchdowns on Sunday, but Garoppolo was solid against a very tough Chicago Bears defense and still finished with double-digit points and over 200 yards passing. This week, he gets a struggling Texans defense that’s allowed 18 or more points to quarterbacks in the past five out of six games. If you’re needing a quarterback replacement for this week and beyond (looking at you, Tyrod Taylor and Matthew Stafford owners), Garoppolo can be a solid fill-in.
Dede Westbrook
Get Ready for Dede. With Allen Hurns hurt, Westbrook has stepped up and seen a lot of volume. He’s had six catches in each of the last two games, and had 78 receiving yards last week. Additionally, he played 82 percent of the snaps. He’s a deeper league add, but he’s showing promise and is being targeted heavily. That’s what you want to see, especially if you play in a PPR league.
For more fantasy advice, stay tuned in to our podcasts, weekly rankings, videos, and starts and sits. Good luck!