Greetings, friends. Now that we are through eight full weeks of the NFL season, chances are that you have a pretty good idea of what your fantasy team’s strengths and weaknesses are. We have watched some of our high draft picks disappoint or get injured and have enjoyed the success of our late-round sleeper picks and our savvy waiver wire pickups. Now, it’s time to start thinking about the long haul.
There are players whose stocks are high and are going to come crashing down and others who have disappointed but could very well take off in the second half. Obviously, there are many reasons for these changes, but the one we are going to focus on today is the schedule. Whether your team is on the fantasy playoff bubble or you are looking for ways to make sure your already-successful fantasy squad stays that way, seeing which players have the easiest and hardest remaining schedules is a valuable resource.
Welcome to Schedule Watch.
Below, we’re going to cover some players with the easiest and hardest remaining schedules and provide some advice on how to handle them.
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Players with Favorable Remaining Schedules
Sam Darnold (QB – NYJ)
This might seem like an odd choice since we are just a week removed from Darnold seeing ghosts on national television, but the Jets have one of the most favorable schedules in football for the rest of the season, especially when it comes to the defenses that Darnold and the Jets offense will be facing. Over the next six weeks, they face off against the Dolphins twice, the Giants, the Redskins, the Raiders, and the Bengals. That’s six weeks against bottom-tier defenses for a quarterback who is available in the majority of leagues right now. Yes, he has struggled the last two weeks against elite defenses, but better times are ahead.
Other quarterbacks with favorable schedules coming up: Jameis Winston (TB), Ryan Tannehill (TEN), Jimmy Garoppolo (SF).
Zach Ertz (TE – PHI)
Ertz has had a disappointing first half in 2019, especially when compared to his record-setting 2018 numbers. Through eight games this season, the veteran tight end has 37 catches for 424 yards and just one touchdown. Over the last two weeks, he has a combined four catches for 58 yards. But, after a bye week and a tough matchup against the Patriots, the Philadelphia second-half schedule features games against the Seahawks (3rd most points allowed to tight ends), Dolphins, Giants (twice), Redskins, and Cowboys (7th most points allowed to tight ends).
Other tight ends with favorable matchups coming up: Jared Cook (NO), Gerald Everett (LAR), Hunter Henry (LAC).
Odell Beckham Jr. (WR – CLE)
Much like the Browns, OBJ hasn’t had a great start to the 2019 season. Through seven games, he has caught just 34 of his 61 targets for 488 yards and one touchdown. While the 2-5 Browns have a lot of work to do to salvage their season, they do have a fairly soft second-half schedule. After matchups against tough defenses in Denver and Buffalo the next two weeks, they face off against the Steelers twice, the Dolphins, the Cardinals, and the Bengals twice. Most of these defenses are in the bottom half of the league and set up Odell Beckham Jr. and the Cleveland offense with a chance to put up solid numbers in fantasy.
Other wide receivers with favorable matchups coming up: Corey Davis (TEN), Tyler Lockett (SEA), T.Y. Hilton (IND).
Players with Unfavorable Remaining Schedules
Dak Prescott (QB – DAL)
Prescott has had an up-and-down first half, with 12 touchdown passes against seven interceptions. He has managed to rush for 163 yards and three touchdowns, however, boosting his fantasy value. In the second half, he might have a tough time providing consistent value for fantasy owners as he goes up against the Vikings, Patriots, Bills, Bears, and Rams in five of the next six weeks. All five are in the top 10 in the league in limiting fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. If you are able to stash him until the playoffs, he does have a Week 16 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles and their porous secondary, but you might be better off starting another quarterback in the weeks leading up to that matchup.
Other quarterbacks with unfavorable matchups coming up: Kyler Murray (ARI), Deshaun Watson (HOU), Lamar Jackson (BAL).
Devonta Freeman (RB – ATL)
Three of Devonta Freeman’s next four matchups are against defenses in the top five in limiting fantasy points to opposing running backs, and six of his final eight games are against defenses in the top 10. And while his other two games are against the Carolina Panthers, who currently rank 23rd vs. running backs, that defense is certainly capable of shutting down opposing offenses. Freeman has had a serviceable start to the fantasy season, but he is a name fantasy owners should be floating at the trade deadline.
Other running backs with unfavorable matchups coming up: Chris Carson (SEA), Carlos Hyde (HOU), Marlon Mack (IND).
JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR – PIT)
JuJu Smith-Schuster’s fantasy value is kind of all over the place right now. He came into the season as a clear WR1, but the injuries to Ben Roethlisberger and then Mason Rudolph led to some inconsistent production. With Rudolph returning, many are hopeful that Smith-Schuster’s production will return to an elite level. There is just one problem: his remaining schedule is filled with teams in the top half of the league at limiting fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. If you have survived this long with JuJu’s inconsistent production, now might be the time to dangle him on the trading block and see if you can get a good deal based on name value.
Other wide receivers with unfavorable matchups coming up: Marquise Brown (BAL), Alshon Jeffery (PHI), Tyrell Williams (OAK).
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Mike Maher is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @mikeMaher.