During a fantasy football season, improving a team's bench during the playoffs can be a tough task. With the trade deadline passed and FAAB budgets often spent, finding undervalued players becomes crucial. This article dives deep into finding low-hanging fruit through favorable matchups and presents several players who can shore up a fantasy bench.

Unlock Your Fantasy Football Bench Potential with These Picks

Finding Undervalued Players Through Favorable Matchups

The Bengals stand out as a team with a weak pass defense, ranking last in fantasy points per game allowed on vertical passes over the past month. Their upcoming matchups against the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and Denver Broncos offer clear paths to improve a fantasy bench.The Titans, despite Levis' injury, still have Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine as solid Week 15 options. Cleveland's Elijah Moore has scored 16-plus fantasy points in three of their past six games and is available in 76.3 percent of leagues. Denver has multiple candidates like Devaughn Vele, who has scored 10-plus points in three straight games and is available in only 3.1 percent of leagues. Marvin Mims Jr. is also an alternate with 15 targets over the past four weeks and is available in 98 percent of leagues.

Quarterback Upgrade Options

Jameis Winston is a great upgrade candidate for Cleveland against the Bengals, leading all quarterbacks in vertical FPPG since Week 11 and available in 80.1 percent of leagues. Russell Wilson, while not facing the Bengals directly, has potentially high-scoring matchups against the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, and Kansas City Chiefs. He is sixth in vertical FPPG since Week 11 and rostered in only 55.5 percent of leagues. These quarterbacks can be must-replace upgrades for fantasy managers with QBs like Geno Smith or Kirk Cousins.

More Vertical Pass Additions

Pat Freiermuth tops the list among tight ends, ranking second in vertical FPPG since Week 11 and having potential scoreboard shootout games with the Pittsburgh Steelers over the next three weeks. He is rostered in just over 50 percent of leagues. Christian Watson ranks 11th among wide receivers in vertical FPPG since Week 11 and has a tough defensive matchup against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15 but a potentially high-scoring one against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17. He is available in 42.5 percent of leagues. Finally, Michael Wilson is a deep-dive selection, tied for 17th in wide receiver vertical FPPG since Week 11 and outproducing Marvin Harrison Jr. on vertical passes since Week 8. He has a roster rate of only 9.9 percent and could make a big impact in a playoff semifinal-round game against the Carolina Panthers.