Welcome to Week 14, friends. As always, we’re here to provide you with some fantasy football Quick Grades (or Start/Sit Grades, if you prefer) for the week.

We tapped into our consensus projections and rankings and Derek Brown’s weekly Primer to generate this week’s Quick Grades. See below for the results and accompanying notes.

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Week 14 Quarterback Start/Sit Grades

Baker Mayfield: Mayfield has been a QB2 all season that can pop off with low-end QB1 numbers any week. He is the QB19 in fantasy with five QB1 weeks on his resume. The last time he faced Atlanta, he was the QB11 for the week with 275 passing yards, a score, and 32 rushing yards. Mayfield is 19th in passer rating, 16th in CPOE, and 18th in highly accurate throw rate. Atlanta is not a pass-defense that I fear. They have played a ton of league-average quarterbacks this season, which has helped puff up their defensive numbers. Since Week 6, they have been a middle-of-the-road unit, allowing the 14th-highest yards per attempt, the 12th-most passing touchdowns, and the 15th-most passing yards per game. Mayfield should turn in another strong QB2 outing this week. Week 14 Positional Value: QB2

Desmond Ridder: Ridder has not played well since his return to the starting gig. Over his last two starts among 33 qualifying quarterbacks, he is 23rd in yards per attempt, 27th in yards per attempt, 32nd in highly accurate throw rate, and 31st in adjusted completion rate. The last time he tangled with this defense, he completed 76% of his passes with 10.0 yards per attempt to finish as the QB20 for the week. While I don’t have much hope for him in fantasy, the matchup could allow him to complete passes at a decent clip so his receiving weapons can thrive. Since Week 8, the Bucs have allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game, the fifth-highest yards per attempt, and the eighth-highest passer rating. Week 14 Positional Value: QB2

Jared Goff: Goff continues to hover around the QB1 discussion weekly as the QB13 in fantasy points per game. He has five QB1 outings this season. He ranks sixth in yards per attempt, eighth in highly accurate throw rate, and 14th in fantasy points per dropback. Goff faces off against an improving Chicago pass defense. Since Week 8, they have still displayed some dings in the armor with the seventh-most passing touchdowns and fourth-highest adjusted completion rate allowed, but they have also kept passing attacks in check with the fifth-lowest yards per attempt and 11th-lowest passing yards per game given up. Since Week 8, Chicago has operated with the sixth-highest rate of single-high (63.6%). Against single-high, Goff ranks fourth in yards per attempt and eighth in fantasy points per dropback. Goff is a strong start in Week 14. Week 14 Positional Value: QB1

Justin Fields: Since Week 4, in Fields’ full games played he has finished as the QB3, QB1, QB8, and QB24 in weekly fantasy scoring. That QB8 finish was against the Lions where he completed 69.6% of his passes with 7.3 yards per attempt and 104 rushing yards. Since Week 4 among 36 qualifying quarterbacks, on passes that are not screens, Fields ranks sixth in yards per attempt, third in passer rating, fifth in highly accurate throw rate, and second in adjusted completion rate. Since Week 8, the Lions secondary has struggled allowing the sixth-highest yards per attempt, fourth-highest passer rating, and the seventh-highest CPOE. They have also ranked 16th in time to pressure over their last five games, so Fields should have time to operate in the pocket. Week 14 Positional Value: QB1

Gardner Minshew: Minshew has been a solid QB2 this season with some QB1 upside if the matchup is right. Minshew has two QB1 weeks this season and has been the QB13 or higher in each of his last two games (QB13, QB12). He has performed as a QB2 in most metrics, ranking 25th in yards per attempt, 24th in adjusted completion rate, and 28th in fantasy points per dropback. The matchup this week could help to elevate mustache mania into the borderline QB1 conversation. Since Week 8, the Bengals have dissolved into a bottom-three pass defense, allowing the highest yards per attempt, the sixth-highest passer rating, and the adjusted completion rate. Minshew will be nestled inside of my top 15 quarterbacks in ranks this week. Week 14 Positional Value: Borderline QB1

Jake Browning: Wow! Just wow. Browning balled out last week as the QB4 in fantasy. After that performance, among 47 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks fourth in yards per attempt, second in CPOE, fourth in highly accurate throw rate, and seventh in fantasy points per dropback. Indy has become more pliable against the pass over the last few weeks. Since Week 8, they have allowed the 10th-highest yards per attempt, the eighth-highest CPOE, and the seventh-highest adjusted completion rate. Browning should have time to carve up the secondary against a team that, over the same span, has only ranked 14th in pressure rate. Last week, Browning carved up the Jaguars, who, since Week 8, are third in pressure rate. Week 14 Positional Value: QB2 with QB1 upside

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Week 14 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades

Michael Pittman: In the five games that Pittman and Josh Downs have been full-time players with Minshew under center, Pittman has handled a 28.7% target share, a 32.5% air-yard share, and a 35% first-read share with 2.11 YPRR. Pittman is the WR12 in fantasy points per game, ranking third in red zone targets. He has garnered nine red zone looks over his last six games. Over their last four games, Cincinnati has the 11th-highest single-high rate (59.9%). In the last five games with Downs as a full-go, Pittman has a 35.1% target share, a 40.6% air-yard share, 2.76 YPRR, and a 42% first read share against single-high. Pittman will run about 71% of his routes against D.J. Turner (55.8% catch rate and 91.4 passer rating) and Chidobe Awuzie (67.6% catch rate and 108.2 passer rating). Pittman is set up for another high-volume game. He has at least 12 targets in five of his last seven games. Week 14 Positional Value: WR1

Josh Downs: Downs has had some encouraging moments this season, with five weeks as a WR3 or higher. Across his last five games as a full-time player, Downs has had a 19.8% target share, 1.69 YPRR, and a 22.4% first-read share. Over their last four games, Cincinnati has the 11th-highest single-high rate (59.9%). In his last five games in his usual role with Minshew under center, Downs has had a 15.8% target share, 1.16 YPRR, and a 17.3% first-read share against single-high. Pittman has been the clear leader against single-high. This isn’t a smash spot for Downs, who will run about 81% of his routes against Mike Hilton (69.6% catch rates and 82.3 passer rating). Week 14 Positional Value: WR4

Ja’Marr Chase: In Browning’s two starts, Chase has had a 27.7% target share, a 47.5% air-yard share, 3.48 YPRR, and a 31.9% first-read share. Chase is the WR8 in fantasy points per game, ranking 21st in deep targets and third in red zone targets among wide receivers. With Browning playing well, Chase has returned to the WR1 conversation. Since Week 8, Indy has allowed the ninth-highest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Week 14 Positional Value: WR1

Tee Higgins: Last week was Higgins’ first game with Browning under center. He played 78% of the snaps with a 64.3% route run rate, a 7.7% target share, a 24.8% air-yard share, and an 11.1% first read share. Higgins was the distant third option in the passing offense last week. With the matchup looking soft this week, Higgins is worth flex consideration, but he’s not the locked-in WR2 option that we have come to know and love over the last few seasons. Since Week 8, Indy has allowed the ninth-highest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Week 14 Positional Value: WR4

Calvin Ridley: Ridley is the WR25 in fantasy. It has been a rollercoaster all season as he has four weeks as a WR1 but he has also finished outside the top 60 wide receivers in weekly scoring four times. After enduring a long red zone drought during the middle of the season, Ridley has bounced back with five red zone targets over his last four games. Overall he ranks 15th in deep targets and 23rd in red zone targets among wide receivers. Since Week 8, the Browns have utilized single-high as the highest rate in the NFL (67.7%). Against single-high, Ridley has a 23.7% target share, a 42.1% air-yard share, 2.20 YPRR, and a 27.6% first-read share. Ridley carries a high weekly ceiling, but the floor is also extremely low. This feels like more of a floor week than a ceiling outcome. Since Week 8, Cleveland has allowed the fourth-lowest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Week 14 Positional Value: WR3

Zay Jones: Jones has had only two games this season in which he was healthy enough to play more than 80% of the snaps (Weeks 1 & 13). In those games, he had a 21.1% target share, a 35.7% air-yard share, 2.08 YPRR, and a 25.9% first-read share. The Jaguars could lean more heavily on their wide receivers this week, with Evan Engram staring down a terrible matchup. Since Week 8, Cleveland has allowed the fourth-lowest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Week 14 Positional Value: WR3

Parker Washington: Last week, with Christian Kirk‘s season cut short, Washington assumed a starting role. He had a 68.2% route run rate, a 15.4% target share, a 12.3% air-yard share, 1.97 YPRR, and a 10.3% first-read share. Washington finished with six receptions, 61 receiving yards, and a score. He could keep the gravy train rolling this week against Cleveland. The one area that Cleveland has been mere mortals at defending is slot receivers. The Browns rank 15th in PPR points per target and 12th in receiving touchdowns (tied) allowed to slot receivers (Washington 80% slot last week). Washington is in play in deep leagues as a flex with upside. Week 14 Positional Value: Deep league flex with upside

Amari Cooper: Cooper didn’t practice on Wednesday (concussion). We’ll see if he can clear by the end of the week, but I would start making other plans for your fantasy lineups. I’ll update his outlook on Friday or Saturday when we know more.

Elijah Moore: Last week, with Joe Flacco under center and Cooper banged up, Moore led the team with a 27.3% target share, a 50.3% air-yard share, 2.31 YPRR, and a 39.3% first-read share. Moore could see similar usage this week against the Jaguars if Cooper isn’t able to suit up. In the three previous games, Moore had settled into a nice high-floor play with at least seven targets and 44 receiving yards in each game. Moore has five red zone targets over his last five games. Jacksonville ranks 15th in receiving yards allowed to slot receivers. Week 14 Positional Value: WR4 with upside

Adam Thielen: Thielen’s season has gone in the toilet. Over his last five games, he has surpassed 45 receiving yards only once and had only one WR2 or higher finish (WR21). Since Week 9, he has had a 21.4% target share, a 26.0% air-yard share, 0.95 YPRR, and a 27.8% first-read share. It has been tough, as he has averaged only 33.3 receiving yards per game with 0.22 fantasy points per route run. It’s tough to consider Thielen as anything more than an uninspiring flex play at this juncture. Thielen will run about 71% of his routes against Alontae Taylor (since Week 8: 65.4% catch rate and 101.3 passer rating). Since Week 8, New Orleans has ranked 14th in PPR points per target allowed to slot receivers. Week 14 Positional Value: WR3

Jonathan Mingo: Since Week 9, Mingo has had an 18.5% target share, a 30.3% air-yard share, 0.87 YPRR, and a 26.9% first-read share. Mingo is the WR71 in fantasy points per game, with only two WR3 or higher finishes this season. Mingo will run about 68% of his routes on the perimeter against Paulson Adebo (58.5% catch rate and 52.6 passer rating) and Isaac Yiadom (57.9% catch rate and 86.3 passer rating). Week 14 Positional Value: WR5

Chris Olave: Olave is the WR19 in fantasy, ranking first in deep targets and 23rd in red zone targets among wide receivers. Olave has a 24.5% target share, a 41.2% air-yard share, 2.19 YPRR, and a 31.4% first-read share. Since Week 8, Carolina has utilized single high at the fifth-highest rate (64.2%). Against single-high, Olave has eaten with a 45.3% air-yard share, 3.06 YPRR, and a 34.9% first-read share. Since Week 8, Carolina has held perimeter wide receivers to the third-lowest PPR points per target. While that is absolutely concerning, Olave should see a heaping dose of volume to outkick efficiency concerns. Week 14 Positional Value: WR1/2

Week 14 Running Back Start/Sit Grades

Dameon Pierce: Last week, Pierce reclaimed the early down role for Houston with 38% of the snaps played, 15 carries (zero targets), and 41 rushing yards. Pierce handled four of the five backfield opportunities inside the red zone. Among 58 qualifying backs, Pierce ranks eighth in missed tackles forced per attempt and 41st in yards after contact per attempt. After some lag, the Jets have picked their run defense standards back up. Since Week 8, they have had the 10th-highest stuff rate while ranking 17th in yards after contact per attempt and allowing the sixth-lowest stuff rate. Pierce is a decent flex play this week. Week 14 Positional Value: Flex play

Devin Singletary: Prior to last week, Singletary had two baller performances and a solid game. Apparently, that wasn’t enough for him to retain his bell cow workload, with Pierce getting healthier. Last week, Singletary’s snap share dropped to 46% as he handled only nine touches, churning out 40 total yards. Singletary ranks 15th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 44th in yards after contact per attempt. In one week, he saw a massive dip in snaps, lost the early down workload lead, and had his red zone usage demolished. Singletary has fallen quickly to a low-end flex play. Since Week 8, the Jets have had the 10th-highest stuff rate while ranking 17th in yards after contact per attempt and allowing the sixth-lowest stuff rate. Week 14 Positional Value: Low-end flex play

Breece Hall: Since Week 6, Hall has been the RB13 in fantasy points per game, averaging 17 touches and 69.7 total yards. He is 13th in missed tackles forced per attempt and fifth in yards after contact per attempt. The bulk of his production has come through the passing game, with 5.1 receptions and 41.4 receiving yards per game. He has averaged only 28.3 rushing yards per game over his last seven contests. Since Week 6, he has surpassed 40 rushing yards in only one game. His offensive line has been the worst unit in the NFL. Since Week 6, the Jets have the lowest adjusted yards before contact per attempt. They have a full 0.21 yards before contact per attempt below the next closest offensive line (LAC). Hall is set for another long day at the office in Week 14. Since Week 8, Houston has the second-best stuff rate while also allowing the ninth-lowest yards after contact per attempt and the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game. Week 14 Positional Value: RB2

Kyren Williams: Since his return to the lineup, Williams has blown run defenses apart, averaging 23 touches and 158 total yards with weekly finishes as the RB1 and RB9. Williams ranks 16th in explosive run rate, 18th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 19th in yards after contact per attempt. Williams played 94% of the snaps last week. Williams is in a low-key SMASH SPOT this week. Baltimore, since Week 8, has been gashed by gap runs and has fielded an overrated run defense. Since Week 8, they have had the eighth-lowest stuff rate while allowing the fifth-highest missed tackles per attempt, the 12th-highest yards after contact per attempt, and the sixth-highest yards per carry to gap runs (5.02). 67.2% of Williams’ runs have been on gap plays. Week 14 Positional Value: RB1

Keaton Mitchell: Mitchell has seen his snap share increase in four straight games. In Week 12, he played 46% of the snaps with 11 touches and 89 total yards. Mitchell is slowly taking over the backfield. The biggest problem Mitchell will continue to face is his red zone usage. Over his last two games, he has had only a 20% red zone opportunity share (two red zone touches). Edwards has led the backfield with a 53.8% share since Week 10. Mitchell’s rushing metrics are the stuff of legend, with a 17.2% explosive run rate, a 55% missed tackles forced per attempt rate, and 7.52 yards after contact per attempt. With that said, this will be a tough week for Mitchell to produce big numbers on limited volume. Since Week 8, the Rams have allowed the second-lowest explosive run rate, the third-lowest rushing touchdown rate, and the second-lowest yards after contact per attempt. Week 14 Positional Value: RB3

Gus Edwards: Edwards has seen his snaps dwindle in his last three games as Mitchell has taken away more of the work weekly. In Week 12, he played only 27% of the snaps with nine touches and 37 total yards. Edwards has been reduced to a touchdown or bust flex play. Edwards has led the backfield with a 53.8% share since Week 10. Among 58 qualifying backs, he ranks 35th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 30th in yards after contact per attempt. Since Week 8, the Rams have allowed the second-lowest explosive run rate, the third-lowest rushing touchdown rate, and the second-lowest yards after contact per attempt. Week 14 Positional Value: Touchdown or bust RB3 / flex

Alexander Mattison: Over the last two games, Mattison has continued to lead the Minnesota backfield with 56-65% of the snaps played, averaging 15.5 touches and 71.5 total yards. In that span, he has handled 71.4% of the backfield’s red zone opportunities. Mattison ranks 10th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 36th in yards after contact per attempt. The Vikings should look to move the ball through the air this week, as the Raiders’ run defense has improved over the last few weeks. Since Week 9, they have held backs to the lowest yards after contact per attempt, the sixth-lowest rushing touchdown rate, and the eighth-lowest explosive run rate. Week 14 Positional Value: RB3

Ty Chandler: Chandler remains a handcuff only. Over the last two games, he has averaged only 32% of the snaps played, and Mattison has still owned the red zone work. In Week 12, Chandler played only 33% of the snaps with five touches and 11 total yards. The matchup is also not conducive to him producing healthy yardage totals on limited volume. Since Week 9, the Raiders have held backs to the lowest yards after contact per attempt, the sixth-lowest rushing touchdown rate, and the eighth-lowest explosive run rate. Week 14 Positional Value: Handcuff

James Cook: With Brady calling the shots, Cook has been thriving. Over his last two games, he has played 43-46% of the snaps, averaging 21 touches and 101 total yards as the RB10 and RB12 in weekly scoring. Since Week 11, Cook has garnered 50% of the backfield red zone opportunities. Among 58 qualifying backs, Cook ranks 27th in explosive run rate and 34th in yards after contact per attempt. Cook should have another field day against a Chiefs’ run defense that, since Week 9, has allowed the sixth-highest explosive run rate and third-highest yards after contact per attempt while also logging the fourth-lowest stuff rate. Week 14 Positional Value: RB1

Andy Reid says Isiah Pacheco has a shoulder contusion. He's getting it checked. Bryan Cook has an ankle sprain and is going through further evaluation. Donovan Smith has a neck stinger, and Drue Tranquill remains in concussion protocol.

All four won't practice on Wednesday.

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) December 6, 2023

Isiah Pacheco: Per reports, Pacheco has a shoulder contusion, which forced him to miss Wednesday’s practice. I expect Pacheco to play through his bruised shoulder. Since Week 9, Pacheco has played at least 61% of the snaps weekly while averaging 19.3 touches and 97.3 total yards. Pacheco ranks 17th in explosive run rate and 23rd in yards after contact per attempt. Kansas City will have to move the ball through the air this week because Buffalo’s run defense has dramatically improved. Since Week 9, Buffalo has allowed the 13th-lowest rushing touchdown rate, the fifth-lowest yards after contact per attempt, and the eighth-lowest missed tackles per attempt. Week 14 Positional Value: RB1/2

Week 14 Tight End Start/Sit Grades

Dalton Kincaid: Dawson Knox could be activated for this week’s game, which could toss a wrench in Kincaid’s usage. I’ll update his status on Friday if that happens. Until then, I’ll proceed like Kincaid is the guy. Since Week 7, Kincaid has handled a 19.7% target share and a 21.8% first-read share, producing 1.90 YPRR. Since Week 7, Kincaid has been the TE7 in fantasy with four red zone targets. Since Week 9, Kansas City has utilized two-high at the highest rate in the NFL (74.3%). Since Week 7, Kincaid has had a 20.4% target share, 1.90 YPRR, and a 23.7% first-read share against two-high. This doesn’t project as a huge Kincaid game. Kansas City has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game and the fifth-fewest receiving yards per game to tight ends. Week 14 Positional Value: TE1

Gerald Everett: Everett has played 64% of the snaps in each of his last two games, which are his highest snap share marks since Week 6. Over the last two games, Everett has had an 11.1% target share with 1.78 YPRR. This week, Everett could be knocking on the door of TE1 production. Denver has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game and receiving yards per game to tight ends. Week 14 Positional Value: Borderline TE1

Jake Ferguson: Ferguson is the TE7 in fantasy, ranking sixth in deep target and first in red zone targets. He has seen a 15.5% target share with the 10th-most targets among tight ends. Philly has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points per game and the third-most receiving touchdowns per game (tied) to tight ends. Week 14 Positional Value: TE1

Cade Otton: Otton has commanded a 12.2% target share and a 12.1% first-read share with 0.95 YPRR. Yes, I know these aren’t amazing numbers. Otton has been a weekly TE2 streaming option that can post TE1 numbers when the matchup is juicy. The last time he faced Atlanta, he secured five of his six targets with 43 receiving yards to finish as the TE12 for the week. Otton has seen his red zone role explode in the last four games with seven red zone targets. Atlanta has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game and the third-most receiving yards per game to tight ends. Otton could post another TE1 stat line this week. Week 14 Positional Value: Borderline TE1

Kyle Pitts: Pitts is the TE17 in fantasy this season, which is so incredibly sad. His talent is being wasted, but there’s nothing we can do to change it. He has surpassed 56 receiving yards only once this season and has seen more than seven targets in a game only three times. Since Week 8, the Bucs have utilized single-high at the eighth-highest rate (61.1%). Against single-high Pitts has a 17.9% target share, a 27.4% air-yard share, 1.75 YPRR, and a 22.2% first-read share. Pitts has the talent to pop off in any week, but good luck diagnosing when that will be. Tampa Bay has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points per game and the eighth-most receiving yards per game to tight ends. Week 14 Positional Value: TE2

Jonnu Smith: The last time these teams met, Smith secured all three of his targets for 27 receiving yards and zero touchdowns. Atlanta’s usage of their receiving options will give you a headache if you stare at their metrics too long. Attempting to figure out what Arthur Smith will throw out there in any game is like trying to predict the weather from the inside of a cave while blindfolded. Smith has seen more than three targets once in his last six games. He’s not a must-hold on your rosters or a strong streaming candidate anymore. Week 14 Positional Value: Droppable

Cole Kmet: Kmet is the TE6 in fantasy, ranking seventh in red zone targets. Among 38 qualifying tight ends, Kmet ranks 11th in target share (17.8%), ninth in YPRR (1.67), and 13th in first-read share (18.0%). Since Week 8, Detroit has had the ninth-highest rate of single-high (61.1%). Against single-high, Kmet has seen his target share drop to 16.6%, his YPRR falls to 1.42, and his first-read share drop to 15.9%. He does rank third in receiving touchdowns against single-high, which has fueled his 0.46 fantasy points per route run against single-high (sixth-best among 57 qualifying tight ends). Detroit has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game and the third-most receiving touchdowns per game (tied) to tight ends. Week 14 Positional Value: TE1

Week 14 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades

Week 14 Kicker Start/Sit Grades