Fantasy Football Playoff Primer (Running Backs)
The fantasy football playoffs are quickly approaching and it's time to start planning for your championship run. If you've been reading Astronaut content this year, congratulations, you're on your way to greatness. This article will breakdown everything that you need to get the edge over your competition. As the end of the fantasy regular season approaches, individual weekly matchups become less important and it's critical to take the time to look ahead and prepare yourself for what's to come.
How do I use this information to win my league's championship?
At this point of the season, there is no one-size-fits all strategy. We crunched hundreds of data-points to put together these reports. Ultimately, you should be targeting assets with a strong playoff performance grade and then prepare to pivot for poorer graded players. If your trade deadline hasn't passed, this is an excellent opportunity to capitalize on current value by exchanging it for future performance. Look to trade a player who is playing well now but has a difficult playoff schedule for a player with easier matchups down the stretch.
This article uses half-point PPR and 4-point passing TD scoring for any reference to rankings.
Christian McCaffrey
Last 4 weeks: 32 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 9th
Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB1)
Opponents: Broncos, Packers, WFT
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A+
Antonio Gibson
Last 4 weeks: 21 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 16th
Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB1)
Opponents: 49ers, Seahawks, Panthers
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A+
Dalvin Cook
Last 4 weeks: 21 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 32nd
Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB1)
Opponents: Buccaneers, Bears, Saints
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A+
Derrick Henry
Last 4 weeks: 19 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 1st
Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB1)
Opponents: Jaguars, Lions, Packers
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A+
Nick Chubb
Last 4 weeks: 18 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 17th
Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB1)
Opponents: Ravens, Giants, Jets
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A+
Alvin Kamara
Last 4 weeks: 15 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 21st
Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB1)
Opponents: Eagles, Chiefs, Vikings
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A+
Josh Jacobs
Last 4 weeks: 14 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 15th
Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB1)
Opponents: Colts, Chargers, Dolphins
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A+
Aaron Jones
Last 4 weeks: 12 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 2nd
Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB1)
Opponents: Lions, Panthers, Titans
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A+
David Montgomery
Last 4 weeks: 13 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 3rd
Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB2)
Opponents: Texans, Vikings, Jaguars
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A
James Robinson
Last 4 weeks: 16 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 18th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB1)
Opponents: Titans, Ravens, Bears
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A
Kareem Hunt
Last 4 weeks: 10 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 17th
Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (Flex)
Opponents: Ravens, Giants, Jets
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A
Jamaal Williams
Last 4 weeks: 10 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 2nd
Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (Flex)
Opponents: Lions, Panthers, Titans
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A
James White
Last 4 weeks: 8 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 20th
Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (Flex)
Opponents: Rams, Dolphins, Bills
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A
Melvin Gordon III
Last 4 weeks: 7 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 10th
Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (Flex)
Opponents: Panthers, Bills, Chargers
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: A
Austin Ekeler
Last 4 weeks: 18 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 13th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB1)
Opponents: Falcons, Raiders, Broncos
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B+
D'Andre Swift
Last 4 weeks: 17 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 7th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB1)
Opponents: Packers, Titans, Buccaneers
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B+
Chris Carson
Last 4 weeks: 13 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 30th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB1)
Opponents: Jets, WFT, Rams
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B+
Wayne Gallman
Last 4 weeks: 16 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 29th
Projected Startable Matchups: 3 (RB2)
Opponents: Cardinals, Browns, Ravens
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B
Kenyan Drake
Last 4 weeks: 15 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 24th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB2)
Opponents: Giants, Eagles, 49ers
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B
Ezekiel Elliott
Last 4 weeks: 10 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 25th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB2)
Opponents: Bengals, 49ers, Eagles
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B
Ronald Jones II
Last 4 weeks: 12 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 6th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB2)
Opponents: Vikings, Falcons, Lions
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B
Latavius Murray
Last 4 weeks: 11 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 21st
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB2)
Opponents: Eagles, Chiefs, Vikings
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B
Todd Gurley II
Last 4 weeks: 8 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 23rd
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB2)
Opponents: Chargers, Buccaneers, Chiefs
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B
Raheem Mostert
(Last 4 weeks: 9 fantasy PPG)
Playoff Schedule Rank: 19th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB2)
Opponents: WFT, Cowboys, Cardinals
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B
Damien Harris
Last 4 weeks: 9 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 20th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB2)
Opponents: Rams, Dolphins, Bills
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B
Zack Moss
Last 4 weeks: 7 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 26th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)
Opponents: Steelers, Broncos, Patriots
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B
Myles Gaskin
Last 4 weeks: NA
Playoff Schedule Rank: 8th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (RB2)
Opponents: Chiefs, Patriots, Raiders
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: B
Cam Akers
Last 4 weeks: 9 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 12th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)
Opponents: Patriots, Jets, Seahawks
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+
Jonathan Taylor
Last 4 weeks: 9 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 4th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)
Opponents: Raiders, Texans, Steelers
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+
Miles Sanders
Last 4 weeks: 8 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 28th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)
Opponents: Saints, Cardinals, Cowboys
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+
J.K. Dobbins
Last 4 weeks: 8 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 11th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)
Opponents: Browns, Jaguars, Giants
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+
Giovani Bernard
Last 4 weeks: 7 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 5th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)
Opponents: Cowboys, Steelers, Texans
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+
James Conner
Last 4 weeks: 7 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 14th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)
Opponents: Bills, Bengals, Colts
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+
Frank Gore
Last 4 weeks: 10 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 27th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)
Opponents: Seahawks, Rams, Browns
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+
Nyheim Hines
Last 4 weeks: 13 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 4th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)
Opponents: Raiders, Texans, Steelers
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+
Chase Edmonds
Last 4 weeks: 10 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 24th
Projected Startable Matchups: 2 (Flex)
Opponents: Giants, Eagles, 49ers
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C+
Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Last 4 weeks: 12 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 31st
Projected Startable Matchups: 1 (RB2)
Opponents: Dolphins, Saints, Falcons
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C
Devin Singletary
Last 4 weeks: 5 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 26th
Projected Startable Matchups: 1 (Flex)
Opponents: Steelers, Broncos, Patriots
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C
David Johnson
Last 4 weeks: 1.6 fantasy PPG
Playoff Schedule Rank: 22nd
Projected Startable Matchups: 0
Opponents: Bears, Colts, Bengals
Playoff Grade Based on Season Expectation: C
