Public service announcement: For fantasy football leagues that start their playoffs in Week 15, you have four weeks left.
That means four more weeks to set your team up to succeed when it matters most. What that looks like depends on your record.
If you’re sitting pretty at 9-1 or 8-2, you’re likely already in the playoffs. Don’t sit idle, though. You can still improve by targeting players with premium matchups in Weeks 15-17.
If you’re fighting for a playoff spot at 6-4, 5-5, or even 4-6, it’s time to focus on players with great short-term matchups to help you get there.
This Week 11 trade targets article highlights both types of players, along with a few buy-low and sell-high options.
Fantasy football players to buy in Week 11
RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Warren is coming off three straight games with fewer than 70 rushing yards, which should lower his trade cost.
So why trade for him? Well, the Steelers have the second-best schedule for running backs from Weeks 11-14, with matchups against Cincinnati, Chicago, Buffalo and Baltimore.
RB Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
Judkins has been outstanding this season and will likely not be cheap, but if you need wins now, he is worth acquiring.
The Browns’ immediate schedule isn’t quite as favorable as Pittsburgh’s, but matchups against Baltimore, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Tennessee rank as the fourth-best over the next four weeks.
One additional benefit: if you make the playoffs, Judkins faces a neutral strength of schedule, while the Steelers have a negative matchup strength for running backs.
WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles passing game has been inconsistent and frustrating, but here’s a fun fact: Smith is averaging the fifth-most points per game among wide receivers since Week 5, and Brown ranks 12th.
Many managers remember the inconsistencies, making this a prime time to pounce. Their schedule over the next three weeks ranks second-best, with Week 14 against the Chargers being the only tough matchup. The playoff schedule is also favorable, facing the Raiders, Commanders and Bills, which ranks eighth-best.
WR Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Week 10 was frustrating for Jefferson managers. He finished with four receptions for 47 yards despite seeing 12 targets. Some of those were difficult deep throws, and a few scoring opportunities went unconverted. More often than not, Jefferson makes those plays.
The Vikings have one of the better schedules for receivers for the rest of the season. Weeks 11-14 include matchups against the Bears, Packers, Seahawks and Commanders, ranking seventh-best. During the playoffs, they face the Cowboys, Giants and Lions, the second-best schedule.
If Jefferson is out of reach, Jordan Addison serves as a strong complementary option.
Fantasy football players to sell in Week 11
RB D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
Now is an ideal time to sell Swift. He returned from injury in Week 10 and saw his highest snap share since Week 4. He rushed 13 times for 80 yards and added five receptions for 18 yards, performing well enough to keep his value high.
Kyle Monangai, after a huge Week 9 performance, will likely remain involved enough to limit Swift’s upside. The schedule also works against him, ranking 26th toughest in Weeks 11-14 and 31st toughest in Weeks 15-17, making it the hardest remaining schedule in the league.
TE Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys
Ferguson’s main upside comes from the Cowboys’ struggling defense, which means the team will likely need to pass often to stay competitive. This translates into plenty of targets for Ferguson, making him appealing to managers.
However, over the next three weeks, Dallas has the toughest schedule for tight ends. Many waiver options are available in most leagues who can easily replace Ferguson’s production. The fantasy playoff schedule is neutral, but with the Chargers right in the middle, it’s a reason to avoid relying on him long term and to consider trading him now.
RB Breece Hall, New York Jets
Hall had a solid game in Week 10 against the Browns and now has two strong performances in a row, scoring three touchdowns — his only scores of the season. It is the perfect time to sell while you can.
The Jets offense is too unreliable to trust, with Justin Fields throwing for less than 100 yards in four of eight games. Hall’s production was a major reason Fields managed 54 passing yards on Sunday. He turned a screen pass into a 42-yard gain, accounting for the bulk of the passing offense.
The upcoming schedule does not make selling him any easier. Over the next four weeks, the Jets have the ninth-best schedule for running backs, but it starts with a tough matchup against the Patriots. After that, it could be difficult to move him for value.
There are a few reasons to be cautious. First, his big day came mostly from two long touchdown runs of 69 and 55 yards. It is great that he has that ability, but those plays are hard to count on consistently. Second, Terrell Jennings was injured in the second quarter, which temporarily increased Henderson’s workload. Third, once Rhamondre Stevenson returns, possibly in Week 11, the backfield split will likely return to a similar pattern as before.
RB TreyVeon Henderson, New England Patriots
This is the only suggestion that does not rely on the upcoming schedule.
Henderson had his breakout game this past week. Hopefully he was in your lineup because it could easily be his best performance of the season by a wide margin.
Everyone would love for coach Mike Vrabel to see this game and decide it is finally time to hand Henderson the keys, but that is unlikely to happen.