Fantasy Football: Playing the Waiver Wire for Week 14

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The Fantasy playoffs start this week in the majority of leagues, so congratulations to those of you who have advanced this far. I always tell people it takes skill to make the Fantasy playoffs and luck to win a championship, and you have earned your spot in this postseason tournament.

The good news is there really isn't a must-add player this week because we appear to have avoided a major injury in Week 13. The bad news is there isn't a must-add player this week, so your roster going into the playoffs is likely the team you will use.

Now, that doesn't mean it will be a quiet week on the waiver wire. Far from it. There are several receivers I like this week in rookies Tyler Lockett, DeVante Parker and Dorial Green-Beckham, and James White finally played the Dion Lewis role, so add him where available at running back.

We're also still streaming quarterbacks, and you should buy into Ryan Fitzpatrick (vs. TEN) and Brian Hoyer (vs. NE) based on their overall level of play and matchups in Week 14. The same goes for tight end, where Austin Seferian-Jenkins could be a valuable commodity with his matchup against New Orleans. Every Rob Gronkowski (knee), Jimmy Graham (knee) and Tyler Eifert (neck) owner could use Seferian-Jenkins this week, and Richard Rodgers should also be added in the majority of leagues.

Also, don't be afraid to use different DST and kicker options. Play the matchups if it makes sense for your roster. And you also should handcuff your top running back where available. There's no need to hold onto a player who you will never use at this point, but backing up a running back where it makes sense could save your season.

The Fantasy playoffs are here, and every move matters. What you do this week could determine your championship fate, and we hope you choose wisely. Good luck in your quest for a Fantasy title.

Quarterbacks

Injuries: Eli Manning (ankle) and Matt Hasselbeck (neck)
Priority list (Add them in this order):

Ryan Fitzpatrick

WAS • QB • #14

Ownership percentage64 percent

Fitzpatrick is playing well heading into a favorable matchup with the Titans at home. He has scored at least 29 Fantasy points in consecutive games against Miami and the Giants, and he has at least 22 points in five of the past seven games he's been able to finish. The Titans are third in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks with an average of 23 points per game, and five of the past six quarterbacks have scored at least 21 points against them. For what it's worth, last year as a member of the Texans, Fitzpatrick passed for 358 yards and six touchdowns in one meeting with the Titans for 51 Fantasy points.

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Brian Hoyer

LV • QB • #7

Ownership percentage45 percent

Hoyer got back to being a standout Fantasy quarterback in Week 13 at Buffalo with 28 points. The last time he scored more than 20 points was Week 8. Houston's bye in Week 9 and a missed game with a concussion happened since then, but we were nervous for Hoyer's stats moving forward because of the recent turnaround for the Texans defense. The thought was Hoyer was Fantasy relevant earlier this season, including a five-game stretch with at least 21 Fantasy points, because the defense left him chasing points most weeks. He let us down in Week 12 against New Orleans with just 18 Fantasy points, but he was back chasing points again in Week 13 at Buffalo. And that should be the case this week again vs. New England. Also, the Patriots have allowed three of five opposing quarterbacks on the road to score at least 25 Fantasy points.

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Marcus Mariota

WAS • QB

Ownership percentage59 percent

Mariota put on a show in Week 13 against the Jaguars and showed off his entire repertoire of skills with 268 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception, and 112 rushing yards and a touchdown for a season-high 41 Fantasy points. This is now three games in his past five with at least 24 Fantasy points, including two with at least 40 points. He's a must-start option in two-quarterback leagues, but I'd use caution about starting him in standard leagues, especially if Darrelle Revis (concussion) is active. He was at home last week against the first opponent he has faced twice this season, so he was familiar with Jacksonville's inept defense. The Jets have also allowed just four quarterbacks to score at least 20 Fantasy points this year, and only Blake Bortles and Ryan Tannehill did it in New York. Mariota should be good this week, but he might not be great, especially compared to his performance in Week 13.

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Alex Smith

WAS • QB • #11

Ownership percentage65 percent

It's doubtful Smith will post three games in a row with 20-plus Fantasy points, but he yet again has a great matchup against San Diego and should be used in two-quarterback leagues. The outcome of his performance will likely be decided by what happens with the Chargers offense. If San Diego puts up points this week then Smith could have a big day, which is what happened the past two games against Buffalo and Oakland. Smith threw two touchdowns with the Chiefs trailing the Bills 16-7 in Week 12, and he threw two more touchdowns with the Chiefs behind the Raiders 20-14. He only had 13 Fantasy points at San Diego in Week 11, but the Chargers have allowed six of the past nine quarterbacks to score at least 21 points. If you need to use Smith this week then root for San Diego's offense to make this game competitive.

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Blaine Gabbert

KC • QB • #9

Ownership percentage8 percent

Gabbert is only worth using in two-quarterback leagues, but his matchup at Cleveland could make him a valuable commodity this week. He's also playing well with at least 18 Fantasy points in three of four starts, including 24 points at Chicago last week. He was overshadowed by Mariota as the top rushing quarterback in Week 13, but Gabbert actually had 75 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Bears. What makes Gabbert somewhat attractive this week is facing the Browns, who have allowed five quarterbacks in a row to score multiple touchdowns. Only Matt Schaub in Week 12 failed to score at least 27 Fantasy points over that span, so Gabbert should have the chance for consecutive games with at least 20 points.

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Potential drop candidates: Philip Rivers (99 percent), Matt Ryan (97 percent) and Ryan Tannehill (90 percent)

Of note:

Tyrod Taylor (72 percent) is a must-add in any leagues where he's still available, and I would put him No. 1 on this list with his matchup at Philadelphia. He has been great the past two games with at least 31 Fantasy points against the Chiefs and Texans, and the Eagles have allowed five quarterbacks in a row to score at least 20 Fantasy points.
Hasselbeck (32 percent) is expected to play this week despite his neck injury, and he has the chance for a quality outing against the Jaguars, who have allowed six of the past seven quarterbacks to score at least 20 Fantasy points. Hasselbeck started against the Jaguars in Week 4 when Andrew Luck was dealing with a shoulder injury, and he had 17 Fantasy points. He's a safe option in two-quarterback leagues this week.
Johnny Manziel (7 percent) is expected to return as the starter for the Browns after the Austin Davis experiment ended in failure. Manziel should be the starter to close the season, and he's not a bad flier this week in two-quarterback leagues against the 49ers. San Francisco has allowed four quarterbacks to score at least 22 Fantasy points on the road, and Manziel had 17 Fantasy points in his previous start at Pittsburgh in Week 10.

Running backs

Injuries: C.J. Anderson (ankle)
Priority list (Add them in this order):

James White

NE • RB • #28

Ownership percentage62 percent

Let's hope the performance we got from White in Week 13 against the Eagles is a sign of things to come because he finally played the Lewis role with 10 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. He also added two carries for 4 yards, and this was his first game with more than six touches, so keep that in mind. But he's playing more than Brandon Bolden, and the running game has stalled of late with LeGarrette Blount failing to gain more than 66 yards in a game since Week 9. The Philadelphia game was the first one without Gronkowski, and the Patriots need weapons in the passing game. I wouldn't expect a repeat performance from Week 13, but he's worth adding in all leagues and starting as a flex option in Week 14 at Houston.

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Isaiah Crowell

LV • RB • #20

Ownership percentage51 percent

It's slim pickings at running back this week, which is why Crowell is on this list, let alone second. But he's worth a flier in Week 14 with his matchup against the 49ers, who have been terrible in run defense for most of the season, especially on the road. A running back has scored against San Francisco in every road game this year, with 11 total touchdowns in six games. It could easily be Duke Johnson (75 percent) scoring this week, but Crowell continues to get more carries even though he hasn't run for a touchdown since Week 2. Still, he ran well with 11 carries for 62 yards in Week 13 against Cincinnati, and he should be able to build on that performance this week.

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Darren Sproles

PHI • RB • #43

Ownership percentage56 percent

Chip Kelly said his running back rotation will be week-to-week, which means nothing is guaranteed from a touch standpoint with Sproles, DeMarco Murray, Kenjon Barner and Ryan Mathews (concussion) when he returns to action. I find it hard to believe Murray won't get significant touches this week in a matchup with LeSean McCoy since Kelly handpicked Murray as McCoy's replacement, but you should still add Sproles where available. He led the team in touches at New England in Week 13 and looked good with a season-high 15 carries for 66 yards and four catches for 34 yards. Murray was held to eight carries for 24 yards, and Barner lost a fumble, which could cost him touches. Sproles is typically better on turf than grass, so keep that in mind when he plays at home, but he's worth a flier if his performance from Week 13 is a sign of things to come.

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Bilal Powell

NYJ • RB

Ownership percentage17 percent

Owners in PPR leagues should look to add Powell as a potential flex option because when the Jets are chasing points he's going to be heavily involved as a receiver out of the backfield. We've seen that in two of the past three games when he had five catches for 67 yards in Week 11 at Houston and eight catches for 91 yards and a touchdown last week against the Giants. The Jets should be able to play with a lead this week against the Titans, which should mean more of Chris Ivory and less of Powell. But Powell is still worth adding in PPR formats, and he should be added in all leagues as Ivory's handcuff.

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Chris Polk

HOU • RB • #22

Ownership percentage7 percent

Fantasy owners should do their best to avoid the Texans backfield if possible, but Polk led the team in touches in Week 13 at Buffalo and could earn additional playing time moving forward for owners in deeper leagues. It looked like Alfred Blue was building momentum with double digits in Fantasy points in consecutive games, but he was held to four carries for 14 yards against the Bills. Polk had 12 carries for 61 yards and caught one pass for an 11-yard touchdown, and maybe he gets an extended look heading into Week 14 against the Patriots. But with Jonathan Grimes and Akeem Hunt also getting touches along with Blue and Polk, this is a messy backfield. We'd love to see someone emerge because Houston has some nice matchups ahead against the Colts in Week 15, the Titans in Week 16 and the Jaguars in Week 17.

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Potential drop candidates: Alfred Blue (89 percent), Melvin Gordon (86 percent) and Karlos Williams (79 percent)
Of note:

If Ryan Mathews (82 percent) is available, add him immediately as the No. 1 running back this week. He has missed the past three games with a concussion, but he could return this week against the Bills and end up as the starter ahead of Murray, Sproles and Barner.
We'll continue to say it, but please handcuff your top running backs where available. And the ones to target include Jay Ajayi (39 percent), Robert Turbin (18 percent), Dan Herron (15 percent), Jerick McKinnon (11 percent), Terrance West (8 percent) and Fred Jackson (7 percent). Turbin nearly became a popular add this week when Darren McFadden briefly left Monday night's game at Washington with an apparent concussion, but he was able to return. Herron also could start to get more work after he had just two carries for 8 yards and three catches for 16 yards in his first game back with the Colts in Week 13 at Pittsburgh.
David Cobb (24 percent) is worth keeping an eye on since he had 13 carries for 40 yards against Jacksonville in Week 13. Antonio Andrews also had 13 carries, but it's clear the Titans want Cobb to be a significant contributor as he continues to work his way back from a calf injury.
We'll see what the Packers do with Eddie Lacy in Week 14 against Dallas, but he was benched in Week 13 at Detroit after he missed curfew. John Crockett (0 percent), who was signed off the practice squad, got additional playing time behind James Starks and had five carries for 22 yards against the Lions. He's worth keeping an eye on in case Lacy remains in the doghouse, and the Packers could look at Crockett as a spark to their running game.

Wide receivers

Injuries: Steve Johnson (groin), Travis Benjamin (shoulder), Kenny Stills (ankle) and Dontrelle Inman (neck)
Priority list (Add them in this order):

Tyler Lockett

SEA • WR • #16

Ownership percentage21 percent

I love Lockett and Parker and their outlooks moving forward, but I like Lockett better for this week at Baltimore. He had seven catches for 90 yards on seven targets at Minnesota, and he has scored at least nine Fantasy points in two of his past three games. The Ravens are among the league leaders in Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers with 19 touchdowns allowed, and 13 receivers have scored double digits in points. They also struggle with big-play receivers, and Lockett and Doug Baldwin have the chance for standout performances in this matchup.

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DeVante Parker

PHI • WR • #1

Ownership percentage29 percent

Parker should be added in all leagues, and he's playing well of late now that his playing time has increased. He had three catches for 63 yards and a touchdown against Baltimore on five targets in Week 13, and this was after he had four catches for 80 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets at the Jets in Week 12. He is now the No. 2 receiver for the Dolphins behind Jarvis Landry, and Rishard Matthews (ribs) and Kenny Stills (ankle) are hurt. This is a good week to use Parker against the Giants, who have allowed seven touchdowns to receivers in the past five games.

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Dorial Green-Beckham

PHI • WR • #18

Ownership percentage20 percent

Green-Beckham is a boom or bust receiver based on what we've seen this season, and he's coming off his biggest boom to date with five catches for 119 yards and a touchdown on six targets against the Jaguars in Week 13. We hope he can build off that performance and finish strong, but it will be tough to trust him in Week 14, especially if Revis is active. Prior to Week 13 when Green-Beckham scored 17 Fantasy points in a standard league, he combined for 16 points in his previous six outings. You might consider adding Brian Hartline or Cecil Shorts over Green-Beckham this week if you need guaranteed production, but Green-Beckham could easily have the highest ceiling based on his potential.

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Brian Hartline

CLE • WR • #83

Ownership percentage8 percent

Hartline has quietly been solid in PPR leagues with at least six catches in three games in a row and at least 74 yards in each game over that span. He's had at least nine targets in all of those outings also, and in his last start with Manziel against the Steelers he had six catches for 77 yards on nine targets. He's worth adding and potentially starting as a No. 3 receiver this week in PPR against the 49ers, especially if Benjamin is out or at less than 100 percent.

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Cecil Shorts

TB • WR • #10

Ownership percentage11 percent

Like Hartline, it's hard to overlook what Shorts has done of late, and he's worth taking a look at in deeper leagues. He had six catches for 91 yards on 10 targets at Buffalo in Week 13, and he's scored at least nine Fantasy points in three games in a row. The Texans will likely be chasing points against the Patriots this week, and a No. 2 receiver has scored or had at least 95 receiving yards against New England in three of the past four games with Dwayne Harris in Week 10, Chris Hogan in Week 11 and Emmanuel Sanders in Week 12. Shorts could be a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in deeper leagues this week.

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Potential drop candidates: Brandon LaFell (97 percent), James Jones (95 percent), Stefon Diggs (90 percent) and Willie Snead (74 percent)

Of note:

Marvin Jones (65 percent) is worth adding this week where available, and I would take him third after Lockett and Parker. He played well in Week 13 at Cleveland with five catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, which was his first game without Eifert. The Bengals might not have Eifert back this week in a potential shootout with the Steelers, and Jones should be considered a high-upside No. 3 receiver in that matchup.
Markus Wheaton (28 percent) backed up his big game in Week 12 at Seattle when he had nine catches for 201 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets with another solid performance in Week 13. He had three catches for 50 yards and a touchdown on six targets against Indianapolis, and he could be playing well with Heath Miller (ribs) out. Keep an eye on Miller's status heading into Week 14 at Cincinnati, and if he's out again then Wheaton could be considered a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in deeper leagues in a potential shootout with the Bengals.
Good luck figuring out the best Carolina receiver on a weekly basis, which makes it frustrating when looking at Ted Ginn (60 percent) and Devin Funchess (34 percent). In the Panthers 12 games this season, they have had four different receivers lead them in Fantasy points, with Ginn doing it five times, Corey Brown three times and Jerricho Cotchery and Funchess twice. Ginn is a home-run play every week because when he scores his stat line will look good like it did in Week 13 at New Orleans with five catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns, but he also has five games with five Fantasy points or less. Funchess has the most upside and has scored in three of the past five games, but his playing time is limited when Brown is healthy.
Brandon Coleman (5 percent) is worth keeping an eye on while Willie Snead (calf) is banged up. He had four catches for 73 yards and a touchdown on seven targets against the Panthers in Week 13 with Snead out, and he should continue to get plenty of work. It will just be hard to trust him at this point in the season, especially in Week 14 with the Saints playing outdoors at Tampa Bay.

Tight ends

Injuries: Vernon Davis (concussion), Crockett Gillmore (back) and Vance McDonald (concussion)
Priority list (Add them in this order):

Austin Seferian-Jenkins

NE • TE • #88

Ownership percentage36 percent

Seferian-Jenkins had his game to shake off the rust in Week 13 against Atlanta, and he should be ready to go this week against the Saints at home. After missing nine games with a shoulder injury, Seferian-Jenkins was active against the Falcons, and he struggled with three catches for 31 yards on six targets, including a dropped touchdown. But he should rebound in a big way against the Saints, who allow the most Fantasy points to opposing tight ends. A tight end has scored at least 12 Fantasy points against New Orleans in four games in a row, and Seferian-Jenkins has a great opportunity for a big game this week.

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Richard Rodgers

LAC • TE • #82

Ownership percentage51 percent

Rodgers was the guy we had No. 1 last week on this list, and he delivered in a big way with eight catches for 146 yards and a touchdown on eight targets against the Lions. A big chunk of that was the 61-yard Hail Mary to win the game, but he was playing well before that play. He has a tough matchup this week against the Cowboys, so you probably don't want to start him in Week 14. But you should add him any way because of his matchup with the Raiders in Week 15. And if Aaron Rodgers continues to rely on him with the Packers receivers struggling then he could overcome this matchup with Dallas, although I'd be surprised given how well the Cowboys have done against tight ends this year.

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Jacob Tamme

ATL • TE • #83

Ownership percentage38 percent

Tamme was bad in Week 13 at Tampa Bay with three catches for 26 yards on four targets, and it was disappointing because Leonard Hankerson (hamstring) is out for the season. We expect more from Tamme without Hankerson, and hopefully he can deliver this week against the Panthers. It will be hard for Atlanta to run on Carolina, and Matt Ryan should target Tamme often with Julio Jones likely dealing with a tough matchup against Josh Norman. I'm cautiously optimistic Tamme has a good game this week, especially given the landscape at tight end with all the injuries.

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Coby Fleener

NO • TE • #82

Ownership percentage42 percent

Fleener's best game of the season was Week 4 against Jacksonville, and we hope he does well again in the rematch. He had nine catches for 83 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets in that game, and that was with Hasselbeck as the starter as well. The difference was Dwayne Allen was out for that game, and Fleener has struggled of late with four Fantasy points or less in four games in a row. But this could be a good week for Fleener because the Jaguars have allowed a tight end to score or go over 100 receiving yards in four games in a row. He also had eight targets in Week 13 at Pittsburgh, so hopefully that continues in this matchup with Jacksonville.

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Owen Daniels

DEN • TE • #81

Ownership percentage18 percent

Daniels has the chance to be a low-end starting option this week if Davis is out with the matchup at home against the Raiders. Daniels was a letdown in the first matchup with the Raiders in Week 5 with no catches on five targets, and he hasn't been reliable of late with 12 Fantasy points combined in the past four games. But Brock Osweiler has targeted tight ends at least seven times in his three starts, and Daniels has five targets in two of those outings. And he could get more targets this week if Davis is forced to sit.

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Potential drop candidates: Jason Witten (87 percent), Martellus Bennett (85 percent), Crockett Gillmore (66 percent) and Kyle Rudolph (55 percent)

Of note:

Jordan Cameron (24 percent) has been terrible this season and only has one game with more than one Fantasy point in his past five outings. But the matchup is amazing because the Giants have allowed the fourth-most Fantasy points to opposing tight ends this year, so Cameron is worth a flier in deeper leagues.
Clive Walford (1 percent) is worth keeping an eye on in deeper leagues after he had five catches for 53 yards on five targets in Week 13 against the Chiefs. He isn't worth using in Week 14 at Denver, but he could be useful in Week 15 against Green Bay or Week 16 against San Diego. With the way tight ends are going right now, Walford could end up starting for owners in the Fantasy championship.
Ryan Griffin (0 percent) has scored in consecutive games, and he has at least five targets in the three games he's played with Hoyer. He has a tough matchup this week against the Patriots, but he has great matchups to close the season against the Colts, Titans and Jaguars. Griffin, like Walford, could be a difference maker to close the year.