We are almost into the fantasy football playoffs! Most leagues have one more week in the regular season, making this week’s waiver wire picks even more critical. A lot of managers are in a “win and you’re in” situation, so who should they be looking at to spend their FAAB or waiver wire priority on?
Week 14 Fantasy FAAB Picks and Advice
Quarterbacks
Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr has been attempting to lead the New Orleans Saints to victory this season, but he has proven to be simply average in the fantasy football space. The QB21 on the season is a big fan of short shovel passes and handoffs, and fantasy managers have been yearning for more.
Enter Jameis Winston. Carr left the field on Sunday with a shoulder injury, a back injury, and a concussion, and in came Winston, who lives and dies by the deep ball. In 2019, he was the QB3, throwing for over 5,000 yards. He is a risky play, but QBs, in general, have been risky this year.
FAAB recommendation: 1%
The best of the rest: Gardner Minshew (IND), Aaron Rodgers (NYJ), Joe Flacco (CLE)
Running Backs
Ezekiel Elliott, New England Patriots
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson has been carrying the majority of the load in the New England Patriots backfield this season. The RB24 on the year has 619 yards rushing, 238 yards receiving, and four TDs. Despite a horrendous Patriots offense, Stevenson has been a startable fantasy asset, at least in the second half of the season.
MORE: PFN’s Free NFL Playoff Predictor Tool
In Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Stevenson went down with what looks to be an ankle sprain. X-rays were negative, and the Patriots are on a short week, playing on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. If you are looking to replace Stevenson, Ezekiel Elliott will be one of the biggest waiver wire targets this week.
Even in a horrible offense, fantasy managers can still start the RB1 on most teams. Stevenson should be out for several weeks, and Elliott will no doubt take over the backfield. Elliott managed 92 yards on 21 touches on Sunday.
FAAB recommendation: 10%
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
In a situation similar to Stevenson’s, backup Tyjae Spears saw many more carries on Sunday after starter Derrick Henry left the field. Late in the game, he exited due to what looked like a concussion. Spears ended the day with 75 yards on the ground and 13 yards through the air.
Initially, it looked like Henry would enter concussion protocol, making Spears a must-have target on the waiver wire; however, things changed slightly on Monday. It was reported that head coach Mike Vrabel stated that Henry was not in the concussion protocol. If this is the case, Spears is still a valuable waiver target but not as valuable as if Henry has the potential to miss the game.
FAAB recommendation: 5%
Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders
Brian Robinson Jr. has quietly been having an incredible fantasy season. Currently the RB5, he went down to a hamstring injury on Sunday. After the game, head coach Ron Rivera said that they kept him out of the game to err on the side of caution. However, Antonio Gibson becomes a must-roster player if Robinson misses any time.
The Commanders are on bye in Week 15, giving Robinson more time to heal.
FAAB recommendation: 4-5%
The best of the rest: Roschon Johnson (CHI)
Wide Receivers
With rookie WR Tank Dell going down to a fractured fibula on Sunday, the door is open for other Houston Texans pass catchers to step up. Nico Collins had a game for the ages, and even with only two targets, Noah Brown needs to be looked at on the waiver wire.
Brown was returning from a knee injury that sidelined him for two games, and I expect him to see more targets next week.
FAAB recommendation: 4%
Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns WR1 Amari Cooper left the game on Sunday with a concussion, and Elijah Moore stepped up immediately. The offense was slightly more competent with veteran Joe Flacco under center, and if Cooper has to miss time, Moore might be getting some valuable targets.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
Moore and Flacco played together in New York, and one can anticipate a connection moving forward. Moore finished the day with 82 receiving yards.
FAAB recommendation: 5%
The best of the rest: Jameson Williams (DET), Jonathan Mingo (CAR)
Tight Ends
Brevin Jordan, Houston Texans
Texans TE Dalton Schultz missed Sunday’s game due to a hamstring issue, and in his absence, Brevin Jordan stepped up. He caught three of four targets for 64 yards. Now, with Dell out for the season, some of those targets will head to the TE spot. If Schultz needs more time to rehab that hamstring, that guy is Jordan.
FAAB recommendation: 2%
The best of the rest: Cade Otton (TB), Isaiah Likely (BAL)
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
