Bargain Buys for Contending Teams

There is a chance your fantasy football trade deadline has passed, and that would be a shame. However, Sheldon Hand (@DynastyHoser) and Jeremy Shulman (@ff_rebel) are here to give you our favorite bargain buys for contending teams. We will break down a player at each position, that gives you eight names to target depending on the needs of your team. These players won’t break the bank and should give your lineup a little boost come playoff time.

Let’s start off with the quarterbacks…

Quarterbacks

Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos 

2nd best remaining schedule for fantasy QBs (HOU, LAC, DET, NE, LAC) 

The Broncos are finding their game after a slow start. Russell Wilson isn’t playing lights out, but he is the QB 14 on the year, averaging 17.1 fantasy points per game. His remaining schedule is a friendly one with his only tough matchup coming against the Patriots in week 16. The Lions and Chargers are juicy matchups as both teams are in the bottom third for points against. Both teams are giving up an average of more than 20 points per game to the opposing QBs. 

Wilson (34) is no spring chicken anymore, but this acquisition would be no rental. Wilson’s contract makes him the starter for a couple more years. There aren’t many starting QBs putting up his point totals that can be acquired at his price. He is a veteran QB you could acquire without spending a first in superflex fantasy football leagues. 

~Sheldon Hand (@DynastyHoser) 

Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

23rd best remaining schedule for fantasy QBs (KC, NYG, TB, CAR, MIN)

Jordan Love has been balling out of late, making him a little harder to acquire than he was just two weeks ago. Still, I’m buying him for a 1st round pick where he’s available given how he’s finding his footing in this Packers offense and with his weapons. But even more important than what he’s done or who he’ll face is who’s been missing. Luke Musgrave and Aaron Jones are on the mend and due back just in time for your fantasy playoffs. 

Love isn’t guaranteed to go nuclear, but I also like his prospects to finish strong and be a QB to build around for the future. With an impressive young corps of receivers, Love is in position to skyrocket in value over the long-term. And, as for the short term, you should be able to reap the benefits of his play against a better-than-advertised fantasy playoff schedule.

~Jeremy Shulman (@ff_rebel)

Running Backs

Jaylen Warren or Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers

4th best remaining schedule for fantasy RBs (ARI, NE, Ind, Cin, SEA)

This is a 50/50 split, but it is working for fantasy. Since their bye in week six, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are the RB 11 and 12 in half ppr scoring, both averaging 12.3 fantasy points. Their remaining schedule is extremely RB friendly. Four of their matchups are against teams ranking in the bottom third against fantasy RBs. The three playoff games in particular are the most intriguing and should have potential for both backs to succeed. 

In PPR I lean Warren, but his value has risen over the last few games. He has 37 receptions compared to Harris’ 19. Harris, the former first rounder, could be the cheaper option if you want a piece of this backfield. Both backs are under contract next year and the Steelers will have the choice to pick up Harris’ fifth year option the following year. As a contender I am willing to throw a second round pick, maybe a bit more if needed, at either of these backs. 

~Sheldon Hand (@DynastyHoser)

Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

8th best remaining schedule for fantasy RBs (CAR, ATL, GB, JAX, NO)

I don’t know who still needs to hear this (but some do): Rachaad White is good at football. He’s not a supreme athlete or even an A-level talent at the position. He’s doesn’t explode off the line or off the screen when you watch the tape. He just manages 13-17 fantasy points each and every week. The PPR RB6 on the season is the steadiest RB2 you can find in fantasy, and one that can put up RB1 production whether he finds the end zone or not. That’s the type of piece I’ll pay up for to finish my playoff-push roster puzzle.

It won’t feel great paying a backend 1st rounder for White, but it will feel great winning a fantasy football championship. And the best part about White is his volume is consistent, regardless of whether Tampa is up or down big. Go buy this game-script independent RB and win a ‘ship.

~Jeremy Shulman (@ff_rebel)

Wide Receivers

Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys 

The best remaining schedule for fantasy WRs (SEA, PHI, Buf, Mia, DET) 

Brandin Cooks is not putting up consistent numbers. However, if you are looking for a boom/bust option, as your WR three or flex, you could do worse than Cooks. Four of his last six games have been in double digits, including week 10 where he finished as the WR 3 with 27.8 points. The Cowboys have the best remaining schedule for fantasy WRs. There is potential for a lot of shootouts. The only tough matchup remaining is week 15 against the Bills, who rank number seven against WRs.

Cooks has one year remaining on his contract. There is a potential out after this year, which would cost the Cowboys six million in dead cap. Even if he moves on, he has still flashed enough to help another team next year. Priced at a mid third, which is a steal for a cheap depth option for a fantasy football championship run. 

~Sheldon Hand (@DynastyHoser)

Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers

11th best remaining schedule for fantasy WRs (KC, NYG, TB, CAR, MIN)

The biggest concern I have with Jayden Reed are the overwhelming amount of mouths that Jordan Love has to feed in Green Bay. And, with Musgrave and Jones coming back soon, volume could be an issue. But second-half breakouts happen for rookies every year, and this year Reed is balling out in the second half. He’s scored in three straight games and has seen a steady dose of targets and a few carries over the span. And, has been used both in close to the line of scrimmage and deeper downfield. His versatility keeps him fantasy relevant.

I have no idea what to expect from Aaron Jones once he returns, but it should balance out this offense. That will mean fewer targets overall, but more efficiency and big-play opportunities should exist. I’ll take a flier on Reed for an early 2nd round fantasy football pick and stay in the flames with a rookie WR on the rise.

~Jeremy Shulman (@ff_rebel)

Tight Ends

Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens

6th best remaining schedule for fantasy TEs (Bye, LAR, JAX, SF, MIA)

The sophomore TE looked good in his first full game since taking over for the injured Mark Andrews. He was second on the team in targets with six behind Zay Flowers, and turned that into four catches for 40 yards. After their bye the Ravens have a TE friendly schedule minus the week 16 matchup against the 49ers. If Isaiah Likely continues to see similar target share, his fantasy production should increase. 

Likely’s fantasy production will be capped over the next few years with Andrew having two years remaining on his contract.  However, Likely is someone who can help you finish off the year strong. Grab him for a couple of late round picks or players like Tyler Allgeier, Noah Brown, or Tank Bigsby who are valued similarly. Do yourself a favor and kick the tires on Likely. 

~Sheldon Hand (@DynastyHoser)

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints

16th best remaining schedule for fantasy TEs (DET, CAR, NYG, LAR, TB)

Despite the TE schedule listed above, we know that pigeon-holing Taysom Hill is a losing proposition. The do-it-all Saints “tight end” is still plenty volatile, but there is potential for consistency down the stretch. First, wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are likely to miss at least this week with injuries. Michael Thomas is already on IR. Kendre Miller is still battling injury. Even Carr left the game last week and hasn’t been very effective of late. The situation is setting up for Hill to smash for the remainder of the season.

The Saints love them some Taysom and, as fantasy TEs go, you could do a lot worse. With some boom games in store and beatable defenses ahead, a bet on Hill for an early 3rd round pick could save your season and even win you the ultimate fantasy football prize.

~Jeremy Shulman (@ff_rebel)

No matter the position, there’s always room for your fantasy football team to get better. And, all of these players are valuable in their own right, depending on your situation. But with these eight players, we are confident you can take your contending team into a championship run. And winning the big prize is all that matters this time of year.

Good luck chasing a fantasy football championship and happy bargain shopping this holiday season!