3 Players with Difficult Early-Season Schedules to Buy Low: Target Trevor Lawrence

Just because a player starts the season on a heater doesn’t mean he is going to finish with the cream of the crop at his position. Of course, a slow start doesn't mean a player can't be a league-winner, either. 

Last year, Chase Brown averaged just 8.1 points per game through the first six weeks before taking off to finish the season as the RB6.

Today we're looking at players who could similarly struggle early in the season — guys I believe will have great years, but it just might take a little longer than expected for them to start crushing. Look to buy low on these players after tough matchups lead to a difficult start to their season.

For this exercise, I utilized FantasyLife's strength of schedule metric for each position group through the first five weeks of the 2026 NFL season.

Fantasy Football Players to Target After Tough Early-Season Schedules

Dalton Kincaid | TE | BUF

Dalton Kincaid is coming off a disappointing season after many thought he would emerge as Josh Allen’s primary target and a premier player in the league. He unfortunately did not live up to expectations or his draft position, and as a result he is coming off the board in 2026 as a TE2 — past the 100 mark in fantasy football ADP. 

In 2026, the third-year TE faces the ninth-toughest strength of schedule through the first five games. That number would be even worse if not for a matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 4 — they ranked sixth in points allowed to the tight end position last season.

Every other game through the first five weeks lines up as a bottom-12 option for Kincaid: Houston in Week 1, Detroit in Week 2, Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3 and the Rams in Week 5. After a slow start, Kincaid could provide value come fantasy playoff time with a top-seven easiest schedule from Weeks 15-17.

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Luther Burden III | WR | CHI

Luther Burden is one of the most hyped-up potential breakout stars for the 2026 season. The Ben Johnson system has long been friendly to fantasy production for receivers like Burden, whose role has been compared to Amon-Ra St. Brown this offseason.

However, the jump for Burden and the Chicago passing attack on the whole might have to wait, as they are facing a top-eight strength of schedule against the quarterback, wide receiver and tight end positions to begin the season. 

Additionally, Burden suffered a groin injury that will cause him to miss the majority of training camp. Look for the second-year WR to gradually get back into the player we saw at the end of last season, particularly after the Bears get past Carolina, Minnesota and Philadelphia from Weeks 1-3. Both Carolina and Philadelphia project as top-eight defenses against receivers, and defensive coordinator Brian Flores helped Minnesota become the toughest option for wideouts in 2025. Look to get in on Burden before Week 4 when they play the Jets — a middle-of-the-road passing defense.

Trevor Lawrence | QB | JAX

Trevor Lawrence is in line for a productive 2026. With four talented receivers back healthy and someone as creative as Liam Cohen calling the plays, T-Law is one of my favorite picks among the fourth tier of quarterbacks. 

Lawrence should look to dismantle Cincinnati in Week 4 but might find trouble against Cleveland in Week 1 followed by Denver in Week 2, both of which were top-eight defenses against the pass last season. They also face New England in Week 3 and Philadelphia in Week 5, the 10th- and 11th-worst matchups.

However, there is hope for those who wait, as Lawrence faces the third-easiest fantasy playoff schedule for a quarterback.