The waiver wire isn't the only place to change the course of your season. The right trade can make or break your team.

The key is to buy low on cold players, then swap them out once they get hot and their value skyrockets. Everyone knows this method, but that doesn't mean you still can't catch some league members off-guard, steeped in worry about under-performing stars.

With the fantasy football playoffs fast approaching, last-minute trades could be key in getting your team over the edge.

Week 11 Buy Candidates for Fantasy Football

Aaron Rodgers (QB, GB)

Believe it or not, Rodgers was dropped in 55 leagues on Wednesday. The only imaginable reason to do this would be if the trade deadline has passed and two owners are trying to pull a fast one by making a "trade" through add/drop.

Three consecutive underwhelming performances might be all it takes to part ways with Joe Flacco or Matthew Stafford, but not Aaron Rodgers. You have to assume the Packers' quarterback will bounce back, and when he does, you'll regret it if you didn't take a shot.

If an owner is down on the reigning MVP -- even if it's not enough to drop him -- take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Darren McFadden (RB, DAL)

The starting running back job in Dallas is McFadden's, and barring an injury or sudden fumbling problem it will be his for the remainder of the season. He is coming off his worst performance since being named the starter, and with quarterback Tony Romo returning fantasy owners might assume his best weeks are behind him.

However, McFadden faces an easily-penetrable Dolphins defense this week, and Romo's return should actually take some of the pressure off of McFadden. Additionally, Dallas has upcoming matchups against Washington and Green Bay, both of which have allowed more than 115 rushing yards per game.

McFadden should actually be one of the top fantasy running backs down the stretch, so he could have a huge impact on a team trying to make the playoffs.

Jeremy Hill (RB, CIN)

At this point in the season, most of the deals being made are ones of desperation. Trading for Hill is a desperation move, but you could do a lot worse in terms of taking a gamble. Hill has been losing touches to Giovani Bernard, so the masses might be incredibly low on the second-year back.

Speaking from experience, Hill has been as frustrating to own as anybody in the league, so his owners are likely fed up. This gives you a chance to acquire him at a low cost.

There is a good chance he maintains a backup role throughout the rest of the season, but given his talent -- and we know he has a lot of it -- it wouldn't be shocking to see him bust out a couple of big runs and earn those touches back. Hill can definitely be had via a trade for a modest price right now.

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