Beaten, battered and bruised, the fantasy football world emerges from the ashes as the Week 13 bye-pocalypse is behind us. Now, it’s time to focus on the top waiver wire targets for Week 14.
While we’re not out of the woods yet when it comes to bye weeks, only two teams are getting the week off in Week 14. That would be the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders.
Not only did managers have to deal with six fantasy-relevant teams going through their byes in Week 13, but it also was a slate of games marred by injury. With trade deadlines concluded in the majority of leagues, the waiver wire becomes the most vital tool for fantasy managers over the next month.
We’re also getting to the point of the season in which FAAB isn’t as crucial. Don’t be afraid to spend a bit more on a player who might give your team an edge down the stretch.
We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo leagues, using the 75% rostered mark as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11). Your questions and comments are always welcome!
We also will be taking a look at some deeper players to stash and the top streaming options for the upcoming week.
Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.
Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.
Priority Free Agents
1. RB Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
The offense stinks, but Hubbard posted a season-best 22-104-2 rushing line against a tough Buccaneers defense. He failed to see a target for the first time this season, which is concerning, but he’s clearly the lead back. Hubbard likely is unavailable in competitive formats, but he’s the top target if he’s still somehow on your waiver wire.
Availability: 31%
FAAB: 60%
2. RB Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
If we knew Derrick Henry (head) would miss time, then Spears would probably be the top target. As of Monday afternoon, head coach Mike Vrabel said Hill isn’t in the concussion protocol. Even if Henry returns, the rookie back has shown enough to warrant a bigger role moving forward, and many of the remaining games include likely pass-heavy scripts. Spears has flex value down the stretch with more upside if Henry does miss time.
Availability: 65%
FAAB: 55%
3. RB Ezekiel Elliott, New England Patriots
The Patriots may be without starter Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) for multiple games due to a sprain he suffered in Week 13. Elliott immediately saw all of the backfield work after Stevenson’s departure in the first half. The matchups coming up aren’t great, but Elliott is expected to be the lead back for New England while Stevenson is out.
Availability: 60%
FAAB: 50%
4. RB Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens
Coming out of the bye week, it will be interesting to see how the work is divided in Baltimore’s backfield. The last time we saw them play in Week 12, Mitchell was the leader in snaps, routes run, targets and carries. Mitchell’s elite speed and breakaway ability make him an explosive asset in the league’s best rushing attack. He has weekly flex value with even more upside if he continues to lead the Ravens backfield.
Availability: 46%
FAAB: 50%
5. QB Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
After a streaky run in the middle of the season, Love has been producing as a solid QB1 over the last month. On a per-game basis over his last four games, Love has averaged 22 fantasy points, 286.5 passing yards and 2.5 touchdowns. He’s finished as a top-12 option in each of his last four and a top-10 option in each of his last three. With matchups coming up against the New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers, Love is going to help managers win in the playoffs.
Availability: 36%
FAAB: 35%
6. RB Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders
There’s a chance we see more of Gibson down the stretch after Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) left and did not return during the first half in Week 13. Gibson and rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr. shared time in the backfield, but the former led the way in snaps and routes run. The schedule coming up for Washington is brutal, and they are heading into the bye week, so it’s difficult to know what the outlook will be, but Gibson may still be worth starting coming out of the bye if Robinson is still injured.
Availability: 44%
FAAB: 30%
7. WR Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
This comes with a major caveat considering Watson suffered a non-contact hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s game. Before that, he was on fire by posting a 7-71-2 line on nine targets, good for a season-high 27.6 PPR points. Watson dealt with a hamstring injury earlier in the season, so this certainly will be something to monitor, but he deserves a look considering he was really starting to heat up.
Availability: 31%
FAAB: 25%
8. WR Jonathan Mingo, Carolina Panthers
No one will blame you if you’re initially repulsed to see two Panthers options emerge in the priority section, but we’re in Week 14. Sometimes, we have to get dirty. Mingo has emerged in Carolina’s offense with a 26% per-game target share over his last four, including a season-high 38% in Week 13. It resulted in a modest 6-60-0 line, but we should take notice of the involvement. Rookies tend to breakout during the season’s second half, While Mingo probably doesn’t have WR1 upside, he could emerge as a solid flex option down the stretch.
Availability: 94%
FAAB: 25%
9. WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
The production has not been there. The last time Downs posted double-digit PPR points in a game was Week 8. However, the talent is there, and his role as the primary slot receiver and quick-winning route-runner isn’t going anywhere. The Colts have some very favorable matchups remaining, so Downs is still a WR3 option, especially in full-PPR scoring.
Availability: 37%
FAAB: 25%
10. WR Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys
Though his production has been elevated by touchdowns, and he’s recorded more than four targets in a game just three times this season, Cooks is the type of boom/bust option to keep on the roster. The matchups over the next month are fruitful for fantasy points, and the Cowboys offense is humming, making Cooks a volatile WR3 option with upside every week.
Availability: 37%
FAAB: 20%
11. TE Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
Coming out of the bye week, Likely will be the main option at tight end for Lamar Jackson for the remainder of the regular season. In his first start since Mark Andrews‘ injury, Likely posted a 4-40-0 line on six targets. That’s perfectly fine for a waiver-wire tight end. He should be viewed as a back-end TE1 option with more upside than most of the tight ends in his tier. Managers desperate for tight end help can spend a little more on him.
Availability: 65%
FAAB: 20%
12. WR Noah Brown, Houston Texans
Among the many injuries in Week 13, there may have not been a more unfortunate development than rookie Tank Dell, whose season ended Sunday due to a fractured fibula. It stinks because Dell was having a fantastic rookie campaign. With Dell out for the remainder of the season, Brown will be the replacement. He’s had enough explosive games to show he can be a flex option with upside in the pass-happy Texans offense so he’s worth an add at the end of the bench.
Availability: 60%
FAAB: 20%
Grab-n-Stash
As the playoffs near, this is the time to grab the handcuffs of players both on your team and the handcuffs of players on other teams, so expect to see some of the same names moving forward. Preferably, no FAAB would be spent to acquire these players, but we’ll give a maximum suggestion.
RB Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
I debated putting Johnson in the priority section after he surprisingly led the Bears backfield in snaps and opportunities in Week 12, but it’s going to be difficult to start him considering the brutal schedule coming up and the fact the we simply don’t know what his role will be if/when D’Onta Foreman plays. He certainly needs to be rostered, though, if he’s taking on a larger role.
Availability: 79%
FAAB: 15%
RB Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles
It isn’t clear how severe D’Andre Swift‘s injury is. He took a massive hit late in the fourth quarter Sunday and didn’t return. Gainwell is a high-end handcuff and would have RB2 value if Swift misses time.
Availability: 73%
FAAB: 10%
RB Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings
His role seems volatile, but his value would skyrocket if Alexander Mattison were to miss time down the stretch.
Availability: 78%
FAAB: 5%
RB Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey‘s backup remains one of the highest-valued handcuffs in fantasy.
Availability: 83%
FAAB: 3%
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
Though his role didn’t increase, Smith-Njigba posted season-highs in targets (11) and receptions (seven) in a pass-laden Week 13. It’s something to monitor down the stretch, at least.
Availability: 43%
FAAB: 5%
WR Jalin Hyatt, New York Giants
Maybe it was a one-off, but Hyatt posted his best game just before the bye week with a 5-109-0 line in Week 12.
Availability: 96%
FAAB: 3%
WR Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns
It isn’t clear how long Amari Cooper (concussion) will be out, but Moore saw a season-high 12 targets with Joe Flacco under center. He’s a sneaky WR3 option if that target share holds steady, and he was slowly emerging before Week 13.
Availability: 57%
FAAB: 3%
WR Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers
If Christian Watson misses time due to the hamstring injury, Wicks will be the one to replace him. He’s flashed enough this season to warrant WR4 value with some upside if given a bigger role. Jayden Reed also is a solid add if Watson misses time.
Availability: 99%
FAAB: 1%
Streamers of the Week
QB Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: This is purely matchup-based. Jacksonville allowed a QB1 finish in five of their last eight games entering Monday Night Football. The ceiling may not be there, but Flacco showed he can still provide streaming value. This is most likely a “break glass” type of option.
Availability: 95%
QB Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons: It’s not always pretty, but Mayfield is a fine QB2/streamer this week. Atlanta has allowed a QB1 finish in five of their last seven and saw its top defensive back get injured in Week 13.
Availability: 43%
TE Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos: Everett’s role is limited, but the Broncos have allowed the second-most PPR points per game to the position over the last five weeks, and LA is thin at WR.
Availability: 61%
TE Tyler Conklin, New York Jets vs. Houston Texans: It’s ugly, but Conklin saw nine targets in Week 13. The Texans have allowed 13.6 PPR points per game to the position since Week 8.
Availability: 80%
Green Bay Packers D/ST at New York Giants: They just held Patrick Mahomes to 19 points and now get the best matchup possible for fantasy defenses. They’re the top overall choice this week.
Availability: 82%
New Orleans Saints D/ST vs. Carolina Panthers: Though New Orleans has left much to be desired, the Panthers still struggle to score points.
Availability: 57%
PK Tyler Bass, Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs: This could be a high-scoring affair, so we should be looking for all the pieces we can get in this game.
Availability: 44%
PK Matt Gay, Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals: The Colts are moving the ball just enough to get Gay his attempts, and Cincinnati is a top-10 matchup for fantasy kickers.
Availability: 63%
