The fantasy football playoffs are months away, and a million things will change before we get there. Injuries will happen, breakouts will occur, and some highly coveted assets will fall flat on their faces.
We can only do so much, but by preparing for what the future could hold, you position yourself ahead of the competition. I have starred these players on my cheat sheet as those who could peak at the perfect time this winter.
Fantasy Football Playoff Stars
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Arizona Cardinals
The rookie isn’t going to come cheap this draft season, but paying up today could position you to thrive when all the chips are pushed to the middle of the table.
Running Back Production Splits: 2016–2025, Top 10 Rookie Picks
- Weeks 1–3: 15.8 PPR PPG
- After Week 3: 18.1 PPR PPG
These elite talents haven’t always been spectacular out of the gates, but their ability to adjust and produce makes this profile highly appealing. Based on historical data, Love should hit his stride as we get into October. With a Week 14 bye, he will have a chance to catch his breath before closing out a successful campaign.
- Week 15 vs. Jets: 2nd-most TDs allowed last season
- Week 16 at Saints: 102.7 RB rush yards allowed per game (11th-most)
- Week 17 vs. Raiders: 8th-highest opponent RB rush TD rate
Those two home games will likely be coin flips in the betting markets, giving Arizona the opportunity to stay committed to the ground game for a full 60 minutes. The Saints game won’t have any weather concerns, and if the team shifts to the Carson Beck experience over time, the responsibilities placed on the rookie back will naturally trend in our favor.
Love is currently coming off fantasy draft boards in the second half of Round 2, but he could easily put up first-round numbers once he gets his feet wet at the pro level and recovers from the bye week.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
If some is good, more is better, right?
Pitts is a polarizing player, but he has scored at least once in the second half of December in each of the past three seasons—a trend I expect to continue through 2026.
- Week 15 at Commanders: 2nd-worst red zone defense in 2025
- Week 16 vs. Buccaneers: Worst red zone defense in 2025
- Week 17 vs. Saints: 8th-highest opponent completion percentage on end-zone targets in 2025
The Falcons won four straight games to close last season (scoring 26+ points in three of them), giving us hope for the upcoming campaign. Kevin Stefanski was in control of a shaky Browns team last year, and while it was far from a successful season, Cleveland did average 20% more yards per play from Week 12 onward.
We don’t know the trajectory of Atlanta’s quarterback position heading into December, but we do know that targets will be consolidated. Pitts will be in a prime position to make his looks count in favorable spots down the stretch.
PRACTICE: Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Could we get a bizarro version of the 2025 season?
Johnston looked like the best pass catcher on the Los Angeles roster through September of last year, but water eventually found its level. Fantasy managers were left chasing the production they had left on their benches during the early weeks.
- Week 15: vs. 49ers
- Week 16: at Dolphins
- Week 17: vs. Chiefs
The launchpad is there (with the Buccaneers and Raiders in Weeks 13–14), and we trust the system with Justin Herbert at the controls. What specifically catches my attention is that both San Francisco and Miami ranked as bottom-five defenses in deep-pass touchdown percentage.
Last season, a Chargers receiver cleared 110 air yards on five separate occasions—and Johnston was responsible for all five. That skill set profiles perfectly if those defensive deficiencies carry over. Furthermore, a Week 17 meeting with the Chiefs carries massive shootout potential if Patrick Mahomes is recovering from a slow start to chase down playoff seeding.
To be clear, I’m not exceptionally high on Johnston for the season as a whole, but I’m not blind to his ability to string together impactful games. The schedule presents a prime opportunity for him to do exactly that when it matters most in the fantasy world.
Makai Lemon, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
I’m a little skeptical about the potency of this passing game entering the season, but if it finds its stride over time, their rookie wide receiver could be worthy of your flex trust.
- Week 15: vs. Seahawks
- Week 16: vs. Texans
- Week 17: at 49ers
As mentioned in the Love profile, high-pedigree rookies have a tendency to develop on the fly, and I put Lemon in that bucket. Devon Witherspoon and Derek Stingley Jr. will be standing on the other side of the ball during this stretch. They are much more likely to be focusing their attention on DeVonta Smith, which could place plenty of usage on Lemon’s plate in the fantasy playoffs.
This call requires some creativity and patience. Lemon’s breakout could be a slow build, but if he’s available on the cheap after his Week 10 bye, I’ll be floating out buy-low offers in bulk.
Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST
This is purely a schedule play, but I’m listing it here because you won’t be alone in chasing them.
- Week 16: vs. Panthers
- Week 17: at Titans
They face the Jaguars and Ravens in the two games prior—spots where their defense won’t be heavily coveted and will likely end up on your waiver wire. At that point in the season, you’ll already have a good feel for your starting lineup. At the very least, you will have a tight core of flex options and won’t need backups at your onesie positions.
Whenever possible, I’ll be stashing the Steelers in the first half of December to prepare for the second half of the month—opting to play chess while my opponents play checkers.
