Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

::Looking to make a last minute trade in your fantasy football league but not sure who to target? Well the Bruno Boys have you covered. In this article, our Forum Moderator, Charley Spuhler, takes a look at Strength of Schedule to determine what NFL players are worth parting ways with, trading for or being patient with. With your trade deadline likely a week away make sure to read this article to determine if you are getting good value in your potential trade.::

Many of you in the Bruno Boys Nation will recognize me from the Forums. I dedicate a lot of time and effort into providing you all with the best fantasy football advice possible. However, I want to go beyond just answering questions by providing some detailed insight on a subject that may be overlooked by the average fantasy player. That factor is fantasy football strength of schedule (SoS).  When you find a site that provides you with SoS information, you’ll usually see a grid with a bunch of numbers and symbols. That is the most efficient way to present the information because it is all about numbers. I spent a lot of time compiling SoS data from the first half of the season and the remaining weeks but I’m going to go beyond the grid. I’m going to break it down team-by-team and I’m going to highlight four types of players.

  1. The guys you should target in a trade
  2. The guys you should try to trade while they’re value is high
  3. The guys you need to be patient with
  4. The guys you may want to take a chance on

With nine weeks in the books, we all have a pretty good idea of where our fantasy football teams are going. We’re almost out of the bye weeks and now have our eyes on the playoffs and the all important championship game. We can also assess the NFL teams that we rely on each week to take us to the fantasy promise land. With the fantasy trade deadline looming, now is the time to make important roster decision that will ultimately make or break your season. I’m hoping that this can provide you all with enough guidance to pull off the big one. This information could also prevent you from trading away a player who has underachieved or trading for a player who is about to hit a wall.

One thing I want to add is that the first half data includes weeks 1 though 8 and data for the remainder of the season includes weeks 11 through 16. I had to leave out weeks 9 and 10 because of the timing of the article. At this point a blowout or freak game wouldn’t really skew the information too much anyway. Another thing I’d like to add is that this information is based on a standard scoring, non-PPR format that awards 4pts for pass TDs and 6pts rush/rec TDs. The higher the number, the harder the schedule and a NEGATIVE (+/-) is a GOOD THING.

Arizona Cardinals

1st Half SoS | Remaining SoS | (+/-)

QB – 19.7 (27th) | 7.2 (1st) | -12.5

WR - 16.4 (14th) | 11.7 (6th) | -4.7

RB – 13.3 (3rd) | 12.8 (4th) |  -0.5

Despite a tough schedule, Warner is still 10th among QBs in fantasy points per game. Look for a huge increase in those numbers as well as the numbers of Fitgerald and the rest of the Cardinals’ playmakers. Chances are that Warner is someone’s backup QB so you may be able to steal him away. Fitgerald could also be available if you play your cards right. In one of my leagues, someone just traded Steve Smith (NYG) and Ryan Moats for Fitgerald so it is possible.

Target – QB Warner, WR Fitzgerald

Be Patient With – RB Hightower, WR Boldin

Take a Chance On – RB Wells

Atlanta Falcons

1st Half SoS | Remaining SoS | (+/-)

QB – 17.1 (19th) | 21.5(30th) | 4.4

WR – 17.1 (20th) | 21.5 (26th) | 4.4

RB – 18 (25th) | 13.7(7th) | -4.3

Based on the Falcons upcoming schedule you can expect both Ryan and White to see a slight drop in production but Turner is in line for a stat explosion. He’ll be tough to get but it’s worth a try if the price is right.

Target – RB Turner

Trade – QB Ryan

Be Patient With – WR White, TE Gonzalez

Baltimore Ravens

1st Half SoS | Remaining SoS | (+/-)

QB – 16.3 (14th) | 16.8 (17th) | 0.5

WR – 18 (24th) | 16.2 (15th) | -1.8

RB – 17.9 (24th) | 22.3 (30th) | 4.4

Look for Flacco’s production to continue as things get a little easier for his WRs. Ray Rice has been explosive despite a relatively tough schedule so I wouldn’t be too worried about him. He is a dynamic player that can beat you on the ground or through the air which makes him a tough to defense against. Baltimore will lean on Rice as they try to stay competitive in the AFC North. Now may be to time to grab Mason if you’re looking to add a solid WR3 to your roster.

Target – WR Mason

Be Patient With – QB Flacco, RB Rice

Buffalo Bills

1st Half SoS | Remaining SoS | (+/-)

QB – 19.1 (26th) 14.3 (13th)  -4.8

WR – 19.4 (27th) 16.8 (19th)  -2.6

RB – 14.9 (12th) 18.7 (25th)  3.8

Despite the easy schedule you are better off not touching any Buffalo’s QBs unless you are in a two QB league and lacking depth. Edwards is in line to return after the bye week and faces a considerably easier schedule going forward. Based on the schedule T.O. is worth targeting as a low-end WR3 but make sure he is healthy before you pull the trigger. Lynch faces a tougher schedule but as long as Buffalo doesn’t get behind early, he will get a decent amount of carries and should make a great flex play with upside.

Be Patient With – RB Lynch

Take a Chance On – WR Owens

Carolina Panthers

1st Half SoS | Remaining SoS | (+/-)

QB – 16.4 (15th) | 16.7 (16th) |  0.3

WR – 16.6 (16th) | 20.7 (23rd) | 4.1

RB – 16.7 (21st) | 19.7 (26th) |  3

Things aren’t looking much better for Delhomme and Smith. I’m not sure you’ll get much value for Smith so it’s probably worth hanging onto him because he still has the explosiveness to have a big game. Williams and Stewart have produced despite a difficult schedule. It gets tougher for the duo and the rest of Carolina so those numbers could level off. Your best bet is to stand pat if you own these running backs and stay off of them if you don’t.

Be Patient With – WR Smith, RB Williams, RB Stewart

Chicago Bears

1st Half SoS | Remaining SoS | (+/-)

QB – 12.3 (5th) | 12.5 (6th) | 0.2

WR – 11.6 (2nd) | 17.8 (20th) |  6.2

RB – 18.7 (28th) | 23.7 (32nd) |  5

Cutler and his WRs have had a very easy schedule so far. Cutler’s schedule stays about the same but it gets a lot harder for the WRs so his numbers may decline. The only one that shouldn’t be affected is TE Olsen. Forte had a rough start and it’s only going to get harder for him. With the Bears’ offensive line not giving him any time to find the hole he may have to rely on the passing games to get his fantasy points. Fresh off a big game against the San Francisco 49ers trade him while you can.

Target – TE Olsen

Trade – RB Forte

Be Patient With – QB Cutler, WR Hester