We all know the studs that we expect to perform in weeks 15-17 of the NFL season. The players we drafted to be “those” guys. Well those guys are probably not the ones we can go out and add to our roster at this point. So let’s look at the guys who may be available at each position, that most people aren’t looking at to put us over the top in the 2023 fantasy football playoffs. This is a five part series that includes QB, RB, WR, TE and DEF. We will start with the quarterback position and looking at the schedule adjusted defense against each position. This ranks the defense based on points allowed above expectation each week (based on week’s 1-10).

Kenny Pickett (Steelers):  Pickett has not had a good season but that is behind us when we head into week 15. He has the 2nd best matchup of any quarterback in the league as of now, for weeks 15-17. He will see the Colts, Bengals and Seahawks. Week 14 is a Colts team who allows the 5th most fantasy points to opposing QB’s. This same defense allows the 4th most to running backs which only helps Pickett when he drops back to throw as Pittsburgh can establish a healthy throwing pocket with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. A key here is tight end Pat Freiermuth potentially being back in the lineup (looking to be back week 11 or 12). In limited games, Pickett has shown Freiermuth as his favorite target and the Bengals allow the 2nd most points to the tight end position and 14th most to wide receivers. Pickett’s week 17 matchup is a Seahawks team who are the 10th best matchup for QB’s, 13th for wide receivers, 15th for tight ends. What I like about this game is Pittsburgh is the 2nd best matchup for wide-outs making Seattle a threat to score a lot of points here. Pickett would need to throw the ball more and could then do more damage in the passing game (utilizing Jaylen Warren with the rest of his weapons).

Russell Wilson (Broncos): Russ has the 10th most favorable schedule for the fantasy playoffs. I like week 15 against Detroit, and I love week 17 against the Chargers for Wilson. Week 16 he gets a solid pass defense in New England, but they have been exposed a few times and this is where you can use Russ or Pickett in 15, Pickett in 16,  and Russ in week 17 (mix and match any of these QB options to your liking). These are guys who may be available to roster both towards the end of the season. In week 15 it is a Lions team that puts up points and have also shown they can be beaten in the air. They have allowed the 9th most points to wide receivers and 4th most to tight ends. Maybe Greg Dulcich will be back or Adam Trautman can have his surprise Adam Trautman game here. When Russ has to throw he can be productive for fantasy purposes. Now week 17 is the spot I am holding Russ for. The Chargers allow the most points to wide receivers and the 2nd most to running backs in the air. The Chargers can score and also have a so-so pass rush at best. This may be the biggest game of the season as far as fantasy points go for Russell Wilson.

Will Levis: He has the best matchup for QB’s in the fantasy playoffs with the Texans, Seahawks, and Texans. Seattle was mentioned with Pickett and the Texans are allowing the 9th most passing yards per game. They are the 3rd best matchup for tight ends and Chigoziem Okonkwo has been coming on slowly. This is a wait and see how Levis does the next few weeks as we saw him ball out against the Falcons, struggle a bit against the Steelers and was not able to expose a Tampa Bay defense that gives up the 2nd most passing yards per game on the season. If he shows positive growth over the next few weeks and Okonkwo produces, I am keeping my eyes on Levis for the weeks we are discussing.

Aidan O’Connell: This may be getting into the stretch portion of possibilities, but hear me out. Aidan will get another 3 games before we start the fantasy playoffs. Much like Levis, it is a wait and see approach. If he shows me good things against the Dolphins, Chiefs (who will be the week 16 play), and Vikings he may be worth a stash. He has the Chargers in week 15 and the Colts in Week 17. The Chargers have been discussed and the Colts are middle of the road against receivers and tight ends while being the 5th best matchup for running backs and 5th for quarterbacks. Jacobs, Adams and Mayer can be impactful for Aidan in these matchups. This could be another mix and match approach for streaming playoff teams.

Justin Fields: Fields looks to return in week 11 or 12 and if he is in the lineup, he is always someone to look at. It is that simple for Fields. The rushing upside combined with the matchups against Arizona (6th best matchup for QB’s) and Atlanta (4th best) in weeks 15 and 16 make him worth the watch. A lot of leagues he has been dropped and if he is available, grab him now. This entire series is for teams who do not have the top options, who have been streaming quarterbacks or maybe lost an average but weekly starter like Deshaun Watson.

Kyler Murray: I do not think he will be available in many leagues which is why I am mentioning him down here. If he is, get him. Kyler over Fields at this point for sure. He looks the part after one week and the Cardinals have the 49ers, Bears, and Eagles on the schedule. These are great matchups for the QB and the passing game. 49ers are a great defense but allow the 7th most points to wide receivers. The Bears are surprisingly the 12th best but give up the 7th most passing yards per game. The Eagles allow the 2nd most points to the fantasy wide receiver position.

Matthew Stafford: If he is healthy he has too many weapons to not be an option. He has the 6th best playoff schedule for the quarterback position and is more proven than some of the guys here, if that is more to your liking. He is available in plenty of leagues and has the Commanders, Saints and Giants. Definitely worth a look as someone you can mix and match if the Saints matchup is not to your liking.

Desmond Ridder: If Ridder retains the starting job in Atlanta he has two great matchups in weeks 16 and 17. He will get the Panthers in week 15 but then has the Colts and the Bears. Ridder has given us three top 10 finishes in 8 games. He was benched for NFL strategy, not fantasy strategy. You can guarantee he is on your wire so definitely monitor that situation.

I hope you enjoyed the quarterback portion of the series! I will be sure to give updates on these guys as we get closer to playoff time as well.