Everybody loves taking a halfcourt shot. Even if you can’t win money or a car or tacos for everybody in the house, we all love taking one with an imaginary clock counting down to win against the odds. There are only six weeks left in the NFL season and two in the typical fantasy football regular season, but that doesn’t mean that things are going to stay relatively stable, in fact, we might assume just the opposite. The landscape should continue to shift by the time the fantasy playoffs get here after Thanksgiving. If you squint just right, you can see a path for these desperation heaves to go in and change the destiny of your fantasy team. Here are ten halfcourt shots that could go in at the buzzer of the fantasy playoffs:
Quarterback
Nick Foles, JAX - Foles never saw a pass he didn’t want to throw and the Jaguars defense is eroding before our eyes. Each of the last two seasons, Foles has posted a four-touchdown game during the fantasy playoffs. It could happen for the third straight year with the Raiders and Falcons pass defenses up in Weeks 15 and 16, and Foles can help get you there in Week 13 against the Bucs, a team he once threw seven touchdowns against in a different lifetime.
Daniel Jones, NYG - Jones is already making hay with Darius Slayton and Golden Tate. The bye week should bring better health for Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepard, and Evan Engram is a week or two away at most. Combine this convergence with a very generous Giants defense and a fantasy playoff schedule of Philadelphia, Miami, and Washington, and everything is set up for Jones to finish on a high note.
Running Back
Tarik Cohen, CHI - We will give David Montgomery a pass due to his rolled ankle, but it still appears that the Bears offense needs what Cohen can provide a lot more than what Montgomery can provide right now. What makes Cohen more exciting is the potential for the Bears to replace Mitchell Trubisky now that his hip injury gives them a predicate to do it. When Chase Daniel was in earlier this year, Cohen caught a touchdown in one game and six balls in the other. Last year Cohen had seven catches and a score in one Daniel start and 12 catches for a whopping 156 yards in the other. Cohen is a sleeping PPR giant if the Bears wake up and replace their failing quarterback.
Patrick Laird, MIA - Laird was the Dolphins best running back in the preseason and he has looked better than Kalen Ballage in his brief opportunity, not that it is a high bar to clear. Mark Walton has been released, and Laird appears to be the clear passing down/catch up back with room to grow if they get tired of Ballage’s sub-two-yard-per-carry average. Laird could create enough momentum to become the starter in winnable games against the Jets, Giants, and Bengals during Weeks 14-16.
Wide Receiver
NKeal Harry, NE - Harry had a minimal role in his return, although it was increased by Phillip Dorsett’s concussion. He could become a much larger part of the offense because the Patriots can’t establish the run and their red zone offense is getting bogged down. Harry has the skillset to win when the ball is in the air, and he is still largely an unknown to opposing defensive coordinators. The Patriots offense is still a work in progress so if Harry can provide some punch on contested balls in the end zone, he could quickly become their top option in that situation. Whether it’s viable potential shootouts with Kansas City and Houston or a cakewalk against Cincinnati, he could become a fantasy factor in December.
Chris Conley, JAX - Conley let receivers not named DJ Chark in targets vs. Indianapolis, and that shouldn’t be a surprise considering Nick Foles actually recruited Conley to play for the Jaguars after they signed him. The schedule is too good for only Chark to be relevant for fantasy down the stretch, although Dede Westbrook is healthy now and Keelan Cole is coming on. It’s possible that they all take turns having big games, but if one emerges as a consistent fantasy starter when we get into playoff brackets, put that chip on Conley.
Allen Lazard, GB - Lazard was leading the Packers wide receivers in targets and snaps at one point when Davante Adams was out, and he has remained in the top three since Adams returned. He has the endorsement of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers face the hapless Giants (Week 13), Washington (Week 14), and Minnesota (Week 16) secondaries down the stretch. If teams overcommit to take Adams away, Lazard could be king in this passing game in very good matchups.
Demarcus Robinson, KC - We can't be sure of the severity of Tyreek Hill's hamstring injury going into his bye, but even when he does return, he'll be at risk of re-injury. Sammy Watkins has never been known for durability and Mecole Hardman has a limited application in the offense as a rookie. Robinson could be at the convergence of Patrick Mahomes II passing artistry and necessity as the Chiefs face New England, Denver, and Chicago in Weeks 14-16, all teams that can blot out the opponent's #1 option, whether that's a healthy Hill, Watkins, or even Travis Kelce. Robinson has already shown a very high weekly ceiling this year, and he is the longest tenured receiver in the offense.
Tight End
Jordan Thomas, HOU - Thomas was catching short touchdowns from Deshaun Watson before Darren Fells made it cool in fantasy leagues this year. He has been designated to return from injured reserve over the next two weeks, although the team has indicated that they are happy with their current tight ends. What makes Thomas exciting to ponder in the fantasy playoffs is his wide receiver pedigree despite being offensive tackle sized and the Texans drawing Denver, Tennessee and Tampa Bay from Weeks 14-16. Don’t rush out to add Thomas, but be ready to pounce if he hits the ground running when he does return.
Blake Jarwin, DAL - Jarwin has been far more effective than Jason Witten on a per route and snap basis, we’re just counting on rational coaching here, which isn’t always in abundance in Dallas. Dak Prescott has matured as a quarterback and he’s willing to target secondary targets when Amari Cooper is covered, as he should be against Stephon Gilmore this week, Tre’Davious White next week, and Jalen Ramsey in Week 15. The hope is that Jarwin continues to show vastly superior speed in his routes and after the catch so that the team installs him as a core target despite Jason Witten’s venerable stature with the team.
