RADIO
Week 16 is here, and with it comes the ultimate test of your fantasy football season. For many leagues, this is the semifinals—the final hurdle before the championship showdown. Every move you make now can either propel you into your league's title game or leave you in despair. With just two weeks remaining, the pressure is at its peak, and the stakes have never been higher.
Whether you’re looking to solidify your lineup or make one last move to maximize your chances of winning it all, it's crucial to focus on the right players. The final stretch of the fantasy season demands smart, calculated decisions, and that means analyzing matchups and trends with a sharp eye. While most trade deadlines have passed, your team can still be improved.
In this article, we'll dive into the buy-low and sell-high candidates that could make all the difference in these crucial weeks. Buy-low players are those who might have been underperforming or dealing with injury but have favorable schedules. Meanwhile, sell-high candidates are players who have hit their peak value. Knowing when to cash in on their value can win you a championship.
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- Tight end fantasy football rankings
Fantasy Football Buy-Low Trade Targets
WR Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
After a strong start to the season, Jayden Reed has experienced a bit of a slowdown in recent weeks, but his upcoming schedule provides a prime opportunity to get back to his early-season form. Over the next two weeks, Reed faces the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings, both of whom have struggled to contain wide receivers this season.
The Saints, in particular, have been vulnerable to explosive plays, allowing 6.2 yards after catch per reception, the third-highest rate in the NFL.
Top 10 most favorable WR schedules:
1) Reed/Doubs/Watson
2) Jakobi Meyers
3) Adams/Wilson
4) Patriots
5) Courtland Sutton
6) Collins/Dell
7) George Pickens
8) Flowers/Bateman
9) Khalil Shakir
10) Moore/Allen/Odunze pic.twitter.com/vvpvDrgppm— Scott Rinear (@MunderDifflinFF) December 19, 2024
With seven total touchdowns on the season, Reed has proven he can be a red-zone threat, and he should remain a key part of the Packers’ offense in the coming weeks. In fact, in their Week 16 matchup against the Saints, Reed should have the second-best odds of reaching the end zone, trailing only Josh Jacobs.
As the Packers push for a playoff spot, expect Reed to see plenty of opportunities in these must-win games. If you’re looking for a potential late-season boost, now might be the perfect time to target Reed before his value spikes.
TE Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars
Just a week ago, Brenton Strange was largely an afterthought in the fantasy football world, relegated to a backup role behind starter Evan Engram. However, with Engram sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury, Strange suddenly finds himself thrust into a prominent role on the Jaguars’ offense.
For fantasy managers in need of a starting tight end, Strange could be an impactful late-season acquisition. Looking ahead, Strange will face the Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans—two defenses that rank near the bottom of the league in defending tight ends.
This presents a prime opportunity for Strange to step up and make an impact, as Jacksonville’s starting tight ends have averaged 8.4 targets per game this season with quarterback Mac Jones at the helm.
Top 10 most favorable TE schedules:
1) David Njoku (Q)
2) Jake Ferguson
3) Dalton Kincaid
4) Brenton Strange
5) Chig Okonkwo
6) Juwan Johnson
7) Tucker Kraft
8) Brock Bowers
9) Dalton Schultz
10) Daniel Bellinger pic.twitter.com/fGowafADXg— Scott Rinear (@MunderDifflinFF) December 19, 2024
With Engram out, Strange should see increased usage in the passing game, particularly in favorable matchups. If you're in need of a streaming option at tight end, Strange is well-positioned to provide strong production in the next few weeks, especially in matchups that could significantly impact both teams' draft hopes.
QB Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson has faced his fair share of ups and downs in his second season, failing to live up to the breakout expectations many fantasy managers had hoped for. However, the upcoming stretch of games offers a glimmer of hope for Richardson to finish the season strong and potentially become a late-season league winner.
Looking ahead, Richardson will face the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants—two defenses that have struggled to contain quarterbacks both through the air and on the ground. In Week 16, Richardson gets a Titans defense that is surrendering the 11th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and ranks 8th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed to quarterbacks.
With Richardson’s ability to generate points on the ground, this is a prime opportunity for him to exploit a defense that has been vulnerable to dual-threat quarterbacks. In addition to his rushing upside, Richardson’s ability to make plays with his arm makes him a strong streaming option for fantasy managers looking for a quarterback with high upside in the season's final stretch.
As the Colts push for a playoff spot, expect Richardson to be a major factor in these must-win games. If you need a QB boost, now could be the time to target him before his value spikes.
Fantasy Football Sell-High Trade Targets
RB Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
Joe Mixon has been one of the standout running backs in fantasy football this season, providing solid production for many fantasy managers. However, as we head into the season's final stretch, age, and a demanding upcoming schedule may be starting to catch up with the veteran back.
Over the next two weeks, Mixon faces two of the league's most formidable defenses in the Kansas City Chiefs (Week 16) and the Baltimore Ravens (Week 17), both of which have been tough against the run this season.
The Chiefs, for instance, rank 7th in the NFL in run defense, limiting opposing running backs to minimal gains on the ground. Meanwhile, the Ravens are known for their aggressive defensive front, which has stifled running backs all year long.
To make matters worse, Mixon is also dealing with a potential ankle injury, which could further limit his effectiveness in these tough matchups. While Mixon has been a reliable option for much of the season, his upcoming schedule and health concerns may cause his value to dip.
If you have solid depth at running back, now might be the time to cash in on his peak value before his production takes a hit. Selling high on Mixon could give you an opportunity to strengthen other areas of your roster for the fantasy playoffs.
QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Jared Goff is coming off one of the biggest fantasy performances of the season, but despite his recent success, his rest-of-season schedule presents significant challenges that could make him a risky play moving forward.
In the coming weeks, Goff will face two tough defenses: the Chicago Bears in Week 16 and the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17. Both teams have been consistently tough on quarterbacks, making Goff’s prospects less favorable during this critical stretch.
The Bears, in particular, have been one of the stingiest defenses against quarterbacks this year, allowing the fewest fantasy points to the position. With Chicago’s defense tightening up in recent weeks, Goff could struggle to maintain the high-level production he’s enjoyed for much of the season.
QB Fantasy Playoffs Strength of Schedule
How to Interpret:
TB (4.6) means QBs facing TB score 4.6 fantasy points ABOVE their season long average📈Kyler Murray
📈 Stream Jameis Winston in Week 16
📈 Bo Nix in Week 17
📉Jared Goff faces 3 straight run funnel defenses pic.twitter.com/q2FXHZzTp8— Josh Larky (@jlarkytweets) December 14, 2024
Additionally, the San Francisco 49ers are always a formidable matchup for any quarterback, ranking near the top of the league in both pass rush and pass coverage. While Goff has been an excellent streamer and even a solid starter for much of the year, these next two matchups make him a risky play.
If you have other quarterback options, now might be the time to sell high on Goff while his value is at its peak. His upcoming schedule could significantly limit his upside, so cashing in on his strong performance could help you strengthen other areas of your roster for the playoffs.
RB Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry has long been one of the most dominant running backs in fantasy football, known for his ability to carry a team’s offense on his back. However, as we enter the final stretch of the fantasy season, his upcoming schedule raises some concerns that could make him a risky asset for the fantasy playoffs.
Over the next two weeks, Henry faces two of the most challenging defenses for opposing running backs: the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16 and the Houston Texans in Week 17. The Steelers have been especially tough on the run, ranking 5th in the NFL and allowing just 4.0 yards per carry.
Pittsburgh's defense is known for stifling opposing rushing attacks, which will make it difficult for Henry to find consistent running lanes.
Derrick Henry
Weeks 1-11: 15 total TDs
Weeks 12-15: 0 TDs pic.twitter.com/XcwmvJcNUx— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) December 20, 2024
In Week 17, Henry faces a Houston Texans defense that has been much improved this season, limiting big plays on the ground and showing a significant improvement in run defense. While Henry's size and strength make him a tough matchup for any defense, these next two games present a serious challenge.
If you have depth at running back, now may be the perfect time to sell high on Henry. While he remains one of the league’s most physically imposing backs, his upcoming matchups could significantly limit his production. Cashing in on his current value while you can might be the move to make, particularly if you're looking to strengthen other positions for the fantasy playoffs.
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