Week 14 Priority Waiver Targets

I wanted to include some players for all you home league heros out there! These are some of my favorite players that should be available in most home leagues based on inclusion criteria of being rostered in <50% of ESPN leagues. I will list out the players in my ranked order instead of breaking into tiers for how I prioritize them. If you are in need of a spot start at certain position then feel free to prioritize those players. You may also move QBs and TEs up in priority if you play in a Super Flex or TE Premium league.

There are no FAAB suggestions this week, because there is no reason to be saving money, this is the end. If you have multiple holes in your roster divide your money to set yourself up to make it through the playoffs. If there is a high priority player out there don’t be afraid to go all in, or look at how much money opponents have and what you need to bid to get them. I also will not offer drop list because if you are heading into playoffs it is about optimizing your roster.

All stats and data for this article are pulled from Fantasy Life, PFF, Ben Gretch of Stealing Signals, and ETR defense v position FPOE chart and PROE. If you have questions feel free to reach out to me on twitter @stephmiller57 or find me in the Deposit Kingdom Discord, good luck everyone!

Ezekiel Elliot (43% Rostered ESPN) took over all the RB work after Rhamondre Stevenson left early in the game with an ankle injury. Reports now state that Stevenson suffered a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss multiple weeks. Stevenson and Elliot have been the only two RBs to see significant work on the Patriots offense, Ty Montgomery is used sparingly at times. Zeke was heavily targeted by Bailey Zappe in week 13 running 59% of routes with a 29% team target share and we can expect workhorse Zeke for as long as Stevenson remains sidelined. Zeke has earned a PFF run grade of 70.6 on the season ranking 47th among RBs with 3.8 YPA and is a volume based RB play that could easily see 20+ touches on the lowest offensive scoring team in the league…there you have it folks the best waiver option of the week.

Noah Brown (34.5% Rostered ESPN) ran a route on 86% of drop backs tying Nico Collins for the most on the team. Brown was used in two receiver sets after Tank Dell suffered a horrendous season ending injury breaking his fibula. Brown only earned 2 targets this game as Nico Collins put up a massive performance, but all signs point to Brown stepping into the WR2 going forward where he has demonstrated the ability to produce spike weeks in this offense making him a massive priority where available.

Keaton Mitchell (30.7% Rostered ESPN) is another high priority waiver option for me to stash for the fantasy playoffs coming off a week 13 bye. We saw Mitchell’s role increase in week 12, where he not only continued to take away from Justice Hill, but also cut into the early down work of Gus Edwards with 27% of rush attempts. Mitchell is the most explosive back on the Ravens roster and has at least 6 YPC over the last 3 games.

Isaiah Likely (23.2% Rostered ESPN) played a full time role in week 12 in his first full game without Mark Andrews running 83% of routes and seeing 14% team target share. This type of usage for a TE is promising and Likely is the best TE available on the waiver wire and should be added where available as the best way to find ceiling at the TE position this late in the season.

Jayden Reed (42.6% Rostered ESPN), Romeo Doubs (38.5% Rostered ESPN), and Dontayveon Wicks (1.1 % Rostered ESPN) would all see big opportunity increases in the event Christian Watson misses time after suffering yet another hamstring injury. Watson has already missed time earlier this season with a similar hamstring injury after an injury riddled rookie campaign. There are no official reports as of yet stating if Watson misses time, but given his history with soft tissue injuries and recent multi game absence, I would expect Watson to miss at least 1-2 weeks dependent on severity. This opportunity vacancy on an ascending offense where Jordan Love has demonstrated massive improvement in his QB play finishing week 13 with the highest PFF pass grade among QBs (90.6) is a situation I want to attack. Green Bay also has the 3rd best schedule for wide receivers for the rest of the season, my preferred order of the Green Bay receivers is Jayden Reed > Romeo Doubs> Dontayvion Wicks.

Elijah Moore (34.4% Rostered ESPN) was targeted 11 times by his old time friend Joe Flacco which he parlayed into 4 receptions for 84 yards. Amari Cooper left the game early with a concussion, and Moore was the clear beneficiary. If Cooper misses the next game (probably) expect Moore to remain the focal point of an increasingly pass heavy offense with Flacco under center in a good matchup against the Jaguars.

Tyjae Spears (32% Rostered ESPN) took over for Derrick Henry when he left with injury in the 4th quarter and would be expected to take over as lead back should Henry miss time. Early reports are favorable for Henry stating he missed concussion protocol so Spears most likely remains an elite stash option. The next several games are ones that the Titans could be trailing so we could see Spears have a larger role, and the rookie has already shown talent and upside earning the 3rd best PFF elusiveness grade 138.4 among RBs with minimum 20% carries.

Kenneth Gainwell (14.1% Rostered ESPN) would be the next RB up if D’Andre Swift misses time after taking a massive hit late in the fourth quarter Sunday night. We lack a lot of clarity on the injury situation at this point, but we can be fairly certain that Gainwell would be lead the backfield playing a seasonal average 40% of snaps, second most by a large margin. Gainwell had a larger role than Swift in the week 13 game, even before the injury as the Eagles preferred pass option in a trialing game script against the 49ers. Gainwell should be a priority add this week as an injury contingent stash at minimum and a boarder line RB2/3 if Swift misses time.

Roschon Jonhnson (20.4% Rostered ESPN) surprisingly lead the Bears backfield over Khalil Herbert, who previously operated as the lead back, in week 12 before their week 13 bye week. Johnson played a massive role with 75% offensive snaps, 44% rush share, 49% of routes, 14% team target share,100% of long down and distance work and 100% 2 minute snaps. Khalil Herbert was essentially relegated to a change of pace option. Johnson could be a starting option this week if D’onte Foreman misses the game, if Foreman returns there is more uncertainty given Foreman played ahead of Johnson when Herbert was out with injury.

Zay Jones (16.7% Rostered ESPN) now has the opportunity to step into a larger role after Christian Kirk suffered a groin injury Monday night and is said to need surgery. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffered a high ankle sprain but is attempting to rehab injury and play next game, this could limit the ceiling on the offense. Jones ran 93% of routes with an 18% target share Monday night, second most to only Calvin Ridley. Jones has produced on this offense in the past and this increased opportunity makes him a flex option for the rest of the season.

DeVante Parker (2.5% Rostered ESPN) saw 9 target and 142 air yards in the week 13 game operating as the clear number 1 without Demario Douglas. Douglas has been ruled out so we can expect another game where Parker assumes the lead role again in what is sure to ugly Thursday night game (thank goodness for ship cast).

Jameson Williams (13.2% Rostered ESPN) continues to make highlight worthy plays showcasing his big play ability on the weekly basis, but has yet to earn enough play time only running 65% of routes and 1 target in week 13 where he can be a starting option in your lineup.

Jalin Hyatt (2.4% Rostered ESPN) posted his first 100 yd game of his career while running 70% of routes with a 26% target share in week 12 before the week 13 bye. Tyrod Taylor is returning from IR, but the Giants have announced they are continuing with Tommy DeVito as the starting quarterback. There is hope the two can continue to build on their rapport as Hyatt has a break out down the stretch.

Antonio Gibson (44.7% Rostered ESPN) is a stash heading into the Commanders week 14 bye after Brian Robinson left in the 2nd quarter with an ankle injury. If there are reports that Robinson will miss time after the bye week Gibson would be the main beneficiary getting more rush work in addition to his receiving role. One word of caution here is the Commanders have a difficult remaining schedule for running backs in the fantasy playoffs ranking 28th (5th worst) in PFFs strength of schedule tool.

DeeJay Dallas (0.7% Rostered ESPN) could be the lead back for the Seahawks this week if both Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet miss the game. DeeJay Dallas has spent four seasons on the team and has filled in as lead back in the past, while 6th round rookie Kenny McIntosh, has yet to play an offensive snap in the NFL. The Seahawks have a difficult matchup against the 49ers this week but would be a starting option given the expected volume if both backs remain sidelined.

Rico Dowdle (9.9% Rostered ESPN) remains one of the highest priority RB stashes available and would easily be a league winner if anything happened to Tony Pollard.

Gardner Minshew (10.5% Rostered ESPN) is the best streaming option available if you need a week 14 start against the Bengals. The Colts relied on the pass to a greater extent after losing Jonathan Taylor, where Minshew threw for 312 yds and 2 TDs to seal the win against the Titans in overtime. The Colts have the second best ranked QB schedule by PFF for the rest of the season.

Matthew Stafford (32% Rostered ESPN) threw for 279yds. and 3 TDs in a difficult matchup against the Browns finishing as QB6 in PPR scoring for 2 consecutive weeks (pending Monday night game). Stafford has another difficult matchup this week against the Ravens but has two great matchups in weeks 15 and 17 against Commanders and the Giants, making Stafford a viable stash for the playoffs.

Elijah Mitchell (16.7% Rostered ESPN) is a premium stash option that would be easily be a league winner as the clear RB2 behind CMC that should be rostered everywhere heading into playoffs.

D’Ernst Johnson (6.2% Rostered ESPN) has had at least 20% rush share since week 10 and has clenched the RB2 role behind Travis Etienne. Johnson is a priority handcuff who continues to see work as Etienne plays less than before the bye week.

Ty Chandler (27.1% Rostered ESPN) had a bye week 13 and there is still an off chance Chandler who has clearly looked more explosive with a 72.2 PFF run grade (42nd) than Mattison 66.1 run grade (68th) could earn a bigger role. Chandler remains an injury contingent stash for as long as Mattison continues to play ahead.

Latavius Murray (16.1% Rostered ESPN) saw more snaps than James Cook (45% to 43%) and ran more routes (40% to 32%) in the brutal week 12 loss to the Eagles, as Cook seemingly continues to be punished for mistakes (he had a big drop early on in this one). Cook is the most explosive RB the Bills with 80.4 PFF run grade (12th highest) while Murray 73.8 ranks 25th, so this “punishment” inevitably does more harm than good. Murray remains a solid RB option and would clearly be a huge beneficiary if anything happened to James Cook.

Joshua Kelly (9.7% Rostered ESPN) saw a substantial workload in week 13 playing on 43% of snaps, handling 26% rush attempts, running 37% routes with 8% team target share in a split saw with Austin Ekeler. Both Kelly and Ekeler had horrendous fantasy performances putting up 5 PPR points a piece, as this offense has struggled to get anything going in the run game going lately. Kelly remains an injury contingent stash, but this offense is not on the top of my priority list.

Jonathan Mingo (12.1% Rostered ESPN) led the team running 91% of routes with 38% of team targets to have his best game of the season and is now functioning as the Panthers lead receiver. The Panther offense isn’t great, but the rookie is worth an add given his role as the lead receiver under the new coaching staff. Now we can hope the Panthers can show some improvements on offense.

Khalil Shakir (5.8% Rostered ESPN) continued to operate as the WR3 in the Bills offense running 81% of routes in the week 12 game before the week 13 bye, but is hard to predict each week as his fantasy viability remains dependent on efficiency, given he has been very efficient. Shakir remains the ultimate boom/bust guy and if you find yourself behind and need an upside shot he might be your answer.

Curtis Samuel (44.5% Rostered ESPN) is only lower on this list because he has a week 14 buy. Samuel continues to play his usual slot role, but has led the team in targets in back to back weeks, he is a viable option if you need WR depth.

Rashod Bateman (3.7% Rostered ESPN) has not produced…yet, but his route share continues to rise and he ran a season high 81% of routes in week 12 and saw his target share rise back up to 18%. The volume is there, the production feels inevitable at this point, I cannot quit now. Bateman should be a cheap stash coming off the week 13 bye.Curtis Samuel (44.6% Rostered ESPN)

Demario Douglas (33.4% Rostered ESPN) missed week 13 after not clearing concussion protocol and has now been rules out for this week as well. Douglas has been the best and most consistent receiving option for the Patriots and saw aa 41% TPPR in week 12 and should resume that role when he returns. I do worry about the ceiling for Douglas due to inefficiencies of the entire Patriot offense and quarterback carousel.

Greg Dortch (6.6% Rostered ESPN) had his highest route participation 85% coupled with his lowest target share 11% in the 3 weeks without Michael Wilson. The Cardinals have a week 14 bye so Dortch could lose his role once Wilson returns, which could be after the bye week. Hollywood Brown also was banged up in this game so listen carefully to any health updates on Cardinals players here.