At this point of the fantasy football season, I think it's time to hit on multiple topics. So, that's what we're going to do today.
We'll start with quarterbacks, with a pair of dual-threat signal-callers who are trending up. But we also need to look at the matchups, setting a path to get into the fantasy playoffs ... and advancing.
There are insurance running backs to discuss here, too, because we need to protect our rosters as we head toward the postseason.
And with in-season trades shaking up the wide receiver position, there are questions looming about veteran players. I have some answers there based on what I've seen on tape.
So let's get into it, because we all need a win this week.
Two QBs with fantasy playoff potential
Justin Herbert is rolling. Anthony Richardson is back. Let's discuss how these quarterbacks could potentially get you a ticket to the postseason dance and also put you in a position to play on championship weekend.
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: Herbert can get you deep in the fantasy playoffs. That's how I see it. Herbert has scored at least 19 points in each of his past four games, the mobility is back (and it's a game changer), and he has a positive schedule the next four weeks. Over his past two games, Herbert has rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. He has been much more willing to pull the ball down and run. He has also thrown multiple touchdown passes in three of his past four.
This Chargers' offense is starting to roll. Herbert is hammering the ball up the seams, and the development of the receiving corps is easy to see. Over the next four weeks, I like the schedule for Herbert (BAL, @ATL, @KC, TB). And while some decisions will have to be made in Week 16 at home versus the Broncos, Herbert will get a road game at New England in Week 17. Get him in your lineup.
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts: Richardson is still available in more than 50% of ESPN leagues after putting up 28.08 fantasy points on the Jets in Week 11. Maybe managers want to see him produce again this week versus Detroit, and I get that. The Lions rank in the top 15 versus quarterbacks this season, and they can take the ball away in the pass game. But did you see the Colts' game plan last week? That is how you scheme for Richardson as a dual-threat player.
Richardson had 10 carries and two scores against the Jets and has now totaled 30 carries over his past three games. There's your upside with Richardson, if you play him this week and again in Week 13 versus the Patriots. He runs the ball in the low red zone, giving the Colts a numbers advantage to the play side. But Richardson and the Colts hit the bye in Week 14, and then come back with a difficult matchup versus the Broncos in Week 15. Richardson could get you to the fantasy playoffs, especially in deeper leagues, but with a tough matchup in the first round of the playoffs, you might need another option.
Insurance backs to target
For managers who are sitting in a good spot and looking ahead to the fantasy playoffs, now is the time to think about protecting your roster. And that means adding an insurance back behind your No. 1. Here are three I would add or potentially trade for (if your deadline hasn't passed) in deeper leagues:
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals: Benson is starting to see more run in the Cardinals' backfield, logging at least nine touches in back-to-back games and posting double-digit fantasy points in each. He possesses straight-line speed and power, and the frame to get through the wash. Available in more than 75% of ESPN leagues, Benson would be a smart add if you roster James Conner, who has missed games with injury in past seasons.
Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills: Davis has already showed us what he can do as lead runner, scoring 18.2 points on 23 offensive touches when he stepped in for an injured James Cook in a Week 6 win over the Jets. Davis has three-down traits and has already posted three games of double-digit production this season. Currently rostered in just 13.5% of ESPN leagues, Davis is an easy add for Cook managers in an explosive Bills offense.
Gus Edwards, Chargers: We know J.K. Dobbins' injury history, and Jim Harbaugh is going to rotate players in that Chargers backfield. So, if you roster the touchdown-dependent Dobbins, it makes sense to take a look at Edwards here. In Weeks 10 and 11 -- his first games back after an ankle injury -- Edwards had 16 total carries. And he has the downhill traits Harbaugh wants in his power run game. Plus, Edwards is available in more than 70% of ESPN leagues. If you can open up the roster space, Edwards has the potential to be your lead back, in a run-heavy offense, during the fantasy playoffs.
Veteran WRs acclimating to new teams
Adjusting to a new quarterback and a new offensive system isn't as simple as playing catch before practice. Routes and concepts have landmarks, and there are different types of throws (drive, layered, etc.). The timing matters, too, and an on-the-field relationship needs to be built through game reps, in addition to learning a new playbook. So, it's not surprising when we don't see immediate results after an in-season trade, but we still need to discuss the fantasy impact moving forward.
Davante Adams, New York Jets: In five games with the Jets, Adams is averaging 9.2 targets per game. That's a good number if you play him at the WR2 spot in the lineup. Plus, we know there is an established chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. And Adams did score 22.9 points on the Houston defense in Week 9.
But he also has three games in New York with fewer than 10 points. Is that a product of a diminished Rodgers? Or is it a Jets team lacking offensive structure? Probably a little of both. But I still feel good about Adams with the target volume and what the tape is telling me. The sudden movement off the ball is still there, and the route-running sells. After this week's bye, Adams gets a very manageable schedule over the next four weeks (SEA, @MIA, @JAX, LAR). He'll stay as a fringe WR2 in my rankings.
DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas City Chiefs: I'm still in on Hopkins with the Chiefs. The passing game structure helps, with West Coast concepts that give Hopkins high-percentage targets, along with the schemed windows from Andy Reid to get him loose at the intermediate levels. Plus, Hopkins (with more reps) can settle in as a second-reaction target for Patrick Mahomes.
Back in Week 9, Hopkins dropped 28.6 points on the Bucs, and he's averaging 5.5 targets in his four games with the Chiefs, catching 17 of 22 targets (which includes three end zone targets). Hopkins has also scored two touchdowns and he has an average depth of target of 9.8. And I think the aDOT is important here, because that's where Hopkins wins, using his ability to create leverage to the ball or leaning on his high-level coverage awareness to simply find open grass.
That's why I see the arrow pointing up on Hopkins. The offensive fit works. We've seen examples of that. And with more time on the field, catching in-game passes from Mahomes, Hopkins can fill a role as a potential WR2/flex in time for the fantasy playoffs.
Amari Cooper, Bills: Cooper is a detailed route runner with three-level playmaking ability. Just look at the two grabs he made last week in the win over the Chiefs. He also fills a need for the Bills as a perimeter target who can win one-on-one for Josh Allen. And that's why Buffalo made this trade.
However, when looking at this from a fantasy football perspective, I don't see a defined path that allows Cooper to log eight to 10 targets a game. In Cooper's three games played with the Bills (he missed two with injuries), he has reached 10 fantasy points just once and has caught a total of seven passes (on 10 targets). That's it.
Also, we have to remember this is a run-heavy Bills offense, one that has the eighth-most rushing attempts in the league (307). Does that mean Cooper can't be in fantasy lineups? No. But even with more reps on the field, which will create a stronger connection with Allen, Cooper projects as a flex/WR3 when the club returns from the bye in Week 13 versus the 49ers.