Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 14
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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver-wire pickups.
Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.
Bye Weeks- Arizona Cardinals
- Washington Commanders
Michael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / GettyGardner Minshew, Colts| Next up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| at CIN | 23% | $9 |
Minshew was our top streaming option last week - and he delivered with a QB1 fantasy performance versus the Titans that included 312 passing yards and two touchdowns.
We're turning to Minshew again as the up-tempo Colts' offense travels to Cincinnati to face a middle-of-the-pack Bengals' pass defense which will be on a short week after playing Monday night.
If you're looking ahead to the fantasy playoffs, Minshew also has some average to above-average matchups with the Falcons and Raiders in Weeks 16 and 17.
Matthew Stafford and Baker Mayfield are above the 50% rostered mark but would be the top adds this week if available.
Streaming options (if starter is out): Jameis Winston vs. CAR (1% rostered)
Streaming options (if starting): Joshua Dobbs at LV (45% rostered)
Risky streaming options: Joe Flacco vs. JAX (5% rostered), Desmond Ridder vs. TB (7% rostered), Jake Browning vs. IND (10% rostered)
Risky streaming options (if healthy): Tyrod Taylor vs. GB (1% rostered)
Desperation streaming options: Will Levis at MIA (19% rostered), Aidan O'Connell vs. MIN (4% rostered), Bryce Young at NO (15% rostered), Mitch Trubisky vs. NE (0% rostered)
Desperation streaming options (if starting): Nick Mullens at LV (0% rostered), Tommy DeVito vs. GB (3% rostered)
Running backs
Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / GettyRoschon Johnson, Bears| Next up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| vs. DET | 21% | $59 |
As I wrote last week before the Bears' bye, Johnson saw his highest snap share of the year in Week 12 - taking the field for 74% of Chicago's plays.
The 22-year-old managed 75 scrimmage yards - including five receptions - on 15 touches. He's handled the pass-catching role for most of the season, but the decision to get him more involved as a runner is an exciting development for his fantasy value.
The only downside is that he'll face three of the worst matchups for fantasy backs in the Lions, Browns, and Falcons over the next month.
Regardless, the move to get him more involved in the offense coupled with a potential post-bye rookie bump makes Johnson a potential low-end RB2 down the stretch.
Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots| Next up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| at PIT | 40% | $49 |
Rhamondre Stevenson could be looking at a multi-week absence due to the ankle injury he suffered over the weekend. So, while it feels odd to recommend a player on the Patriots' offense, Elliott is about to get a massive workload starting Thursday night against the Steelers.
In the three games in which Elliott was given at least 15 touches this year, he provided yardage totals of 87, 87, and 92, with the final tally coming versus the Chargers on Sunday.
Reaching the end zone might be a tall task for New England, but Elliott will be a top-20 fantasy back based on volume.
Keaton Mitchell, Antonio Gibson, and Tyler Allgeier are close to or above the 50% rostered mark but should be claimed in most leagues.
High-upside backups like Tyjae Spears (36% rostered), Elijah Mitchell (17% rostered), Rico Dowdle (11% rostered), D'Ernest Johnson (18% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.
Flex options: Kenneth Gainwell at DAL (27% rostered)
Flex options (if starter is out): DeeJay Dallas at SF (1% rostered)
Risky flex options: Chase Brown vs. IND (1% rostered), Latavius Murray at KC (13% rostered), Ty Chandler at LV (22% rostered), Miles Sanders at NO (47% rostered), Samaje Perine at LAC (37% rostered), Joshua Kelley vs. DEN (13% rostered)
Desperation flex options: Jaleel McLaughlin at LAC (12% rostered), Jamaal Williams (16% rostered), Dalvin Cook vs. HOU (20% rostered)
Desperation flex options (if starter is out): Kenny McIntosh at SF (0% rostered), Patrick Taylor at NYG (1% rostered)
Desperation flex options (if healthy): Jerick McKinnon vs. BUF (21% rostered)
Bye-week stashes: Michael Carter (3% rostered), Chris Rodriguez Jr. (0% rostered)
Other backups to roster: Jeff Wilson Jr. (14% rostered), Leonard Fournette (7% rostered), Royce Freeman (12% rostered), Zamir White (2% rostered), D'Onta Foreman (39% rostered), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (6% rostered), Kendre Miller (5% rostered)
Deep stashes: Trey Sermon (0% rostered), Matt Breida (2% rostered), Chase Edmonds (1% rostered), Jordan Mason (1% rostered), Cordarrelle Patterson (2% rostered), Boston Scott (0% rostered)
Wide receivers
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyNoah Brown, Texans| Next up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| at NYJ | 40% | $49 |
With Tank Dell lost for the season, the Texans will deploy Nico Collins as their undisputed No. 1 receiver moving forward.
Brown, who returned from a knee injury last week, will most likely assume the No. 2 role while John Metchie III and Robert Woods battle it out for the third spot.
Fantasy managers are familiar with Brown after he went off for 16 catches, 382 yards, and a touchdown over a three-game span from Weeks 8-10.
As long as he's healthy, Brown has a chance to become a fantasy starter again as a WR3 with upside.
Elijah Moore, Browns| Next up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| vs. JAX | 43% | $39 |
The Browns' top wideout, Amari Cooper, left with a concussion on Sunday, leaving his status for Week 14 unknown.
Moore took advantage of having his former Jets' teammate Joe Flacco under center in Cleveland this week: He turned in his best stat line of the campaign with four receptions for 83 yards on a team-leading 12 targets.
The 23-year-old would be the favorite to lead the way again if Cooper were sidelined and Flacco remained the starter. Even if Cooper clears concussion protocol, Moore's chemistry with Flacco could help him finish the season strong - giving him WR3/flex potential.
Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are close to or above the 50% rostered mark but should be claimed in most leagues.
Flex options: Odell Beckham Jr. vs. LAR (39% rostered), Curtis Samuel on bye (38% rostered)
Flex options (if healthy): Demario Douglas at PIT (26% rostered), Josh Palmer vs. DEN (29% rostered), Rashid Shaheed vs. CAR (43% rostered)
Risky flex options: Jalin Hyatt vs. GB (5% rostered), Jonathan Mingo at NO (6% rostered), Khalil Shakir at KC (12% rostered), Jameson Williams at CHI (24% rostered), DeVante Parker at PIT (3% rostered), Zay Jones at CLE (20% rostered)
Risky flex options (if starter is out): Parker Washington at CLE (0% rostered)
Dart-throw flex options: Quentin Johnston vs. DEN (20% rostered), DJ Chark Jr. at NO (8% rostered), Dontayvion Wicks at NYG (1% rostered), Wan'Dale Robinson vs. GB (10% rostered), Alec Pierce at CIN (2% rostered), Xavier Gipson vs. HOU (0% rostered), John Metchie III at NYJ (0% rostered), Robert Woods at NYJ (6% rostered), Rashod Bateman vs. LAR (16% rostered), Trey Palmer at ATL (2% rostered), Demarcus Robinson at BAL (0% rostered)
Dart-throw flex options (if starter is out): Cedric Tillman vs. JAX (0% rostered), A.T. Perry vs. CAR (4% rostered)
Bye-week stashes: Greg Dortch (15% rostered), Michael Wilson (7% rostered), Rondale Moore (12% rostered)
Tight ends
Michael Owens / Getty Images Sport / GettyIsaiah Likely, Ravens| Next up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| vs. LAR | 35% | $49 |
Likely didn't blow the roof off in his Week 12 start, but he did lead the Ravens in receiving with 40 yards on four grabs.
The 23-year-old also ran a route on 83% of Lamar Jackson's dropbacks as he took over the bulk of the duties left behind by Mark Andrews.
Coming off his bye, Likely should be even more prepared for a matchup with the Rams. Their defense is one of the five easiest opponents for fantasy tight ends this year.
Consider the new Ravens starter a top-12 fantasy tight end in Week 14 and beyond.
Free agent Zach Ertz (10% rostered) is expected to sign with a contender this week. Tight-end needy teams would be wise to stash him until we find out where he lands.
Streamer options: Gerald Everett vs. DEN (39% rostered), Cade Otton at ATL (49% rostered), Tucker Kraft at NYG (6% rostered)
Risky streamer options (if starter is out): Brevin Jordan at NYJ (15% rostered)
Risky streamer options (if healthy): Tyler Higbee at BAL (49% rostered)
Risky streamer options: Michael Mayer vs. MIN (7% rostered), Tyler Conklin vs. HOU (20% rostered), Chigoziem Okonkwo at MIA (31% rostered), Juwan Johnson vs. CAR (22% rostered)
Desperation streamer options: Tanner Hudson vs. IND (3% rostered), Kylen Granson at CIN (1% rostered), Daniel Bellinger vs. GB (1% rostered), Noah Gray vs. BUF (1% rostered)
Deep stashes: Greg Dulcich (7% rostered)
Defenses
Michael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / GettyWeek 14 streamers| Team | Next up | Rostered |
|---|---|---|
| Colts | at CIN | 31% |
| Saints | vs. CAR | 43% |
| Texans | at NYJ | 13% |
| Packers | at NYG | 19% |
| Lions | at CHI | 31% |
| Patriots | at PIT | 23% |
Favorable upcoming schedules: Colts vs. PIT (31% rostered), Saints DEF vs. NYG (43% rostered), Rams DEF vs. WAS (36% rostered), Packers vs. TB (19% rostered)
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