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If ever there were a time to read the trends and jump on players before others, it would be this week. Week 16 and, in most standard leagues, the semifinals. Many things have happened to get you to this point, but what would you do differently? Are you risk-averse in this spot or lunging at an opportunity for any advantage you can take? Is the risk worth the potential payoff? Who do you trust? Footballguys is who you trust! Here it is, your semifinal week stock market extravaganza! Lock these guys in (or out, depending on who) of your lineup!

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LB Eric Kendricks: We must start with the ever-so-controversial Kendricks. A favorite of this article early for the miserable production we got, he has since been an absolute league winner and needs to continue being recognized as such. He has put together an end-of-the-year run IDP managers dream of. Since Week 12, he has compiled 42 tackles and a sack. These are absolutely week-winning numbers for a player that admittedly started off on the hate list. Trends change, as should opinion, and if you didn’t panic, Kendricks is paying major dividends to your team.

LB Foye Oluokun: The secret has long been out on Oluokun, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore the insane numbers we are witnessing. While the secondary linebacker position seems as volatile as ever, Oluokun has been as consistent and productive as ever. Since his bye week in Week 11, he has produced four of his five highest point totals of the year, just in time for the fantasy playoffs! All hail Foye! Your current IDP1.

DE Christian Wilkins: Another player who made managers wait a bit longer for the payoff has been Wilkins. Wilkins had three weeks of double-digit points total at Week 12. Since then, he has had three straight double digits, all his highest-scoring weeks of the year. This is monumental for Wilkins, who was likely drafted with value that never seemed to pay off. Well, if you were fortunate and savvy enough to wait, he’s on the ride of the year and has favorable matchups to finish against the Packers, Patriots, and Jets.

S Jalen Pitre: Let’s be honest, he likely wins no awards this season being a rookie on the Houston Texans, but Pitre has had a monster first year and deserves defensive rookie of the year consideration. On the season, he has 117 tackles, three interceptions, and six defended passes. So maybe no NFL awards, but it is hard to argue any defender in fantasy is having a better rookie season. He has had four straight games of 12+ points and needs to be starting anywhere he is rostered.

LB Zaire Franklin: The Colts had to have someone step up in the absence of Shaquille Leonard this season, and Franklin more than answered that call. There is no format where he shouldn’t be a starter and has ascended into a dynasty long-term asset as well. This season he had just two total games of less than 10 points and is averaging nearly 13 points per game in standard scoring leagues. He’s no longer a backup; he could be the new star if Leonard cannot return to his peak performance next year.