Time to make a few fantasy football trades!

I view it as fantasy football’s version of the Procession of the Equinoxes.

It stems from the common mistake made by fantasy owners when prepping for their drafts: Said player’s stats at last season’s end do not automatically mean he will be in the same position of success in the upcoming season.

It seems like common sense, no?

Each year ushers in changes in the fantasy landscape, much like when we gaze into the starry night. This time, something seems off. Where did that brilliant display of astrological artwork wind up? One year’s gallery of galactic splendor can be replaced by another, leaving the previous wonder an afterthought of yours.

The magic with the Procession is that those faint stars that have slowly, and in some cases precipitously, lost their luminosity became the delight of someone else on Earth. It’s the old “one man’s trash …” adage.

Confused? Don’t worry, it’s quite simple.

Fantasy footballers, here are a few bright stars that are worth trading for. Most of them are or have struggled at some point this year, for various reasons. The trade deadline looms for a lot of leagues, and it’s time you stop thinking about “hangin’ in there” or “being in contention.” Take the proverbial bull by the horns and make the ultimate playoff push. Control your destiny by soothsaying your way past your opponents.

I’m not much of one for astrology, but I know the Cancer in all of us can make trading a fretful endeavor. Fear not, my friend. Instead, follow the way of the Pisceans. Most fantasy owners need to summon the bravery of their inner Pisces and throw caution to the wind … just as long as they have done their homework.

Sometimes, the easiest way of consummating a trade is by convincing your trading partner that you are taking the bigger risk. I’m not saying you need to put forth an Oscar-winning performance, but make them feel as though they are assuming less risk than you are.

These players, in no particular order, need to be added to your fantasy roster:

Kurt Warner, quarterback, Arizona Cardinals

Forget that six-turnover game last week – or, better yet, hope your trading partner wants to forget Warner! Knee-jerk reactions can be the death of a playoff run, but the savvy owner realizes Warner’s upcoming schedule is weaker than Wade Phillips‘ willpower in a Krispy Kreme.

I don’t think any quarterback has an easier fantasy playoff schedule than grey-chinned Warner does. In fact, he closes out the fantasy year with the Detroit Lions (Week 15) and St. Louis Rams (Week 16). Let’s not count our chickens before they hatch: Matchups with the Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, Rams, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers lead us to Warner’s cakewalk of a final two-game sked. Bon Appetit!

Carson Palmer, quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals

Palmer is scheduled to finish with typical Palmer statistics (on pace for 3,675, 29.7 TDs, 16 INTs), but he can be maddeningly inconsistent. He tossed five touchdown passes in Week 7, which was as many as his previous four games combined. His upcoming schedule isn’t pretty at all. The Baltimore Ravens this are in the middle of the pack against the position, but his Week 10 opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers (11th against QBs), should be a tough one.

Then he has the 21st-ranked Oakland Raiders, the 24th-ranked Cleveland Browns, the 18th-rated Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings, who are the third worst D against quarterbacks in the past month. Palmer finishes out the standard fantasy playoffs with the San Diego Chargers as a so-so matchup and Kansas City Chiefs (25th ranked).

Note: All of those rankings are fantasy points against quarterbacks (one point per 20 passing yards, one point per 10 rushing, four points per passing TD, six points per rushing TD, negative one point per interception thrown).

Philip Rivers, quarterback, San Diego Chargers

Free-flowing fantasy points for all!

His upcoming schedule is a godsend. While Rivers has a few tough matchups along the way, he should enjoy strong performances against the New York Giants (Week 9), Kansas City Chiefs (Week 12), Cleveland Browns (Week 13), Dallas Cowboys (Week 14) and Tennessee Titans (Week 16).

Rivers is on pace to shatter last year’s career high in passing yards (4,009). If all goes as planned, look for about 4,600 yards. His touchdown production is low, but Rivers has beaten up weaker secondaries (KC, for example). He threw three touchdown passes against the Troy Polamalu-less Pittsburgh Steelers defense in Week 4, too.

Ronnie Brown, running back, Miami Dolphins

Brown has an enticing upcoming schedule. He has the New England Patriots twice in the five weeks, but sandwiched between the Pats games Brown gets to exploit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills. While New England is playing well against the position lately, Brown torched them to the tune of four rushing scores (plus a passing TD) last year in one game but was shut out in the second contest.

After his second foray with the Patriots, the former Auburn Tiger hopes to run roughshod over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans, respectively, to close out the standard fantasy schedule. Could it get any better than that for a tailback out to prove his prolific 2007 start wasn’t a fluke?!?!

Looking to gore his upcoming opponents

Frank Gore, running back, San Francisco 49ers

In standard Gore fashion, he missed two full games and carried the ball only once in Week 3 due to an ankle injury. As long as he can stay healthy, which is a big risk to assume, Gore should be a fantasy star the rest of the way. He has a very favorable schedule and remains the focal point of a run-first offense.

The Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions remain on Gore’s schedule through Week 16. Only the Packers and Cardinals should be tough matchups, but Arizona may be weaker than expected if last week’s shellacking by the Carolina Panthers is any indication of their future run defense.

Calvin Johnson, wide receiver, Detroit Lions

Megatron hasn’t been so mega this season, but he was starting to come around before falling to injury in Week 5. If he can’t get back on track with this schedule, fantasy owners can mail it in. He is simply too talented, and regardless of having an erratic rookie quarterback, his situation isn’t much, if any, worse than it was last year. True talent wins out more often than not.

For the record, Johnson’s schedule is as follows: Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. Green Bay and Cincy should be his toughest competition, but Johnson destroyed the Pack last year (15-231-4 in two games). Granted, the defense has changed, but the personnel remains in place at cornerback and safety for the Packers. It should be interesting.

Be fearless but smart and trading is a breeze. Don’t get caught up in worrying about making the wrong choice. If you aren’t certain, check out KFFL.com’s fantasy football forums and Coors Light Ask the Experts (Thursdays only) feature on our home page for additional advice.