And just like that, we’ve reached the final week of fantasy football’s regular season — well, in most leagues, anyway.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re still alive in your league, whether you’re still fighting for one of the last playoff spots or already in. Unless you’ve secured a playoff bye, Week 14 is probably meaningful for you.
Unfortunately, the NFL has seen fit to put six teams on bye this week, so a lot of fantasy teams will be far from full strength this week. You might need reinforcements. And one of those reinforcements is going to be mighty expensive.
Let’s see what’s available.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice: Week 14
Week 14 Waiver Grade: C
(Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues, Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.)
RUNNING BACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Jordan Mason (SF): 42% rostered
- Next Opponents: CHI, LAR, @MIA
- True value: $68
- Desperate Need: $100
- Budget-minded: $44
Analysis: Christian McCaffrey‘s non-contact injury in snowy Buffalo Sunday night makes Mason a must-add on waivers this week. Empty the clip. Mason was a RB1 performer three times before sustaining a few of his own injuries. San Francisco’s upcoming schedule is not a hindrance. The 49ers’ next three opponents are the Bears, Rams and Dolphins, who respectively rank 30th, 23rd and 26th in DVOA vs. the run. The Niners will need to get back to running the football to cling to the final strands of hope for reaching the postseason.
Kimani Vidal (LAC): 16% rostered
- Next Opponents: @KC, TB, DEN
- True value: $8
- Desperate Need: $14
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: Even with J.K. Dobbins on injured reserve, Chargers rookie Kimani Vidal only carried the ball four times and was not targeted in the passing game Sunday. Gus Edwards is the lead back, although Vidal is infinitely more explosive and versatile. Next week looks rough; the Chiefs have the best run defense in the NFL. Kansas City also puts a lot of stress on protection schemes. This is something to monitor, since Vidal didn’t see much action after completely blowing a blocking assignment in Atlanta.
Tank Bigsby (JAX): 45% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TEN, NYJ, @LV
- True value: $6
- Desperate Need: $11
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: The Jaguars have been such a disappointment this season. Travis Etienne has been a huge part of Jacksonville’s letdown year but is still somehow earning more snaps than Bigsby. It’s probably safe to assume that Trevor Lawrence‘s concussion will keep him out of the Jaguars’ Week 14 game in Nashville, so it will take a measure of desperation to start Bigsby anytime soon. I am personally circling Week 16 against the Raiders for a reason to add Tank from off the wire.
Blake Corum (LAR): 14% rostered
- Next Opponents: BUF, @SF, @NYJ
- True value: $5
- Desperate Need: $9
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Sean McVay’s infatuation with Kyren Williams makes no sense at all. Williams is not efficient, nor is he the type of athlete who ever threatens to make big plays. He also fumbles at a high rate. We finally saw an entire series with Blake Corum on the field. He picked up 42 yards on eight attempts Sunday vs. the Saints. Corum is a premium stash player who would be vaulted into must-start territory if Williams misses time, coughs up another fumble or two, or if McVay comes to his senses.
Sincere McCormick (LV): 0% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TB, ATL, JAX
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: This Raiders’ backfield is a complete mess. Zamir White and Alexander Mattison have been out with injuries in recent weeks and uninspiring when healthy. Ameer Abdullah was the lead back by snap share in Kansas City last week but paled in comparison to Sincere McCormick. McCormick looked so much better than Abdullah that McCormick will likely see an increased role even if one of the injured “starters” returns. Las Vegas faces three mediocre run defenses coming up, so a McCormick spot start might be in order for fantasy managers making a final push to glory.
Stash Candidates:
Breece Hall‘s late addition to the injury report brought about a short-lived panic from the fantasy community. The Jets activated Isaiah Davis and Kene Nwangwu, while Braelon Allen reprised his role as short-yardage thumper. Davis caught a touchdown pass and Nwangwu returned a kickoff for a touchdown, while Allen did virtually nothing with his seven touches. But the rookie from Wisconsin is still in the copilot seat in case Hall is unavailable down the stretch.
The Atlanta Falcons have been atrocious on offense for all the talent they put on the field. Kirk Cousins has been entirely to blame for this. Bijan Robinson has been his amazing self throughout, but he has inexplicably come off the field for Tyler Allgeier on passing downs. Allgeier is a quality player but won’t have stand-alone value as long as Robinson is healthy.
The only time the Seattle Seahawks cashed in on a goal-to-go situation on Sunday came on a Zach Charbonnet TD run. Only two pivotal red zone touches went to Kenneth Walker. Never mind Ryan Grubb’s peculiar personnel choices for scoring chances; Walker is considerably more dangerous to a defense than Charbonnet. The UCLA grad is still worthy of a stash as the season winds down.
Christian McCaffrey‘s most recent injury pushes Jordan Mason into FAAB spending spree territory, but don’t forget about explosive rookie Isaac Guerendo. The fourth-round pick from Louisville scored an impressive touchdown through the snow in Buffalo on Sunday night and will be working in tandem with the oft-injured Mason.
James Cook is a machine. Even though Ray Davis has looked awesome in his fleeting moments this season, Buffalo has refused to increase his role behind their dynamic starter. Ty Johnson is even seeing snaps on passing downs, though Davis housed one of the most electric receiving touchdowns the Bills have had all year. I won’t quit the rookie from Kentucky. He will get a ring on my champion fantasy roster, even if he merely stayed ready on the bench the entire time.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Written by Derek Brown
Keon Coleman (BUF): 43% rostered
- Next Opponents: @LAR, @DET, NE
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Coleman was held out again in Week 13 (wrist). I’m hoping he’s back this week for a juicy matchup with the Rams. Coleman has three weekly finishes this season as a WR3 or higher (WR35, WR15, WR16). He has drawn a 13.6% target share with 2.02 yards per route run and a 19.4% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). Coleman has four red zone targets in his last three games. If he can make it back this week, he should be a strong flex/WR3 against a Rams pass defense that since Week 6 has allowed the ninth-most receiving yards per game and the 11th-most fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers. Coleman should also be a strong play in Week 16 against the Pats, who in the same time frame have allowed the sixth-most receiving yards per game and fantasy points per game to outside receivers.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (TEN): 17% rostered
- Next Opponents: JAX, CIN, @IND
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Well, I say this every week: “There’s no way Nick Westbrook-Ikhine can keep scoring touchdowns.” And here we are. Against the Commanders on Sunday, he made me look even more foolish by scoring twice, which brought the total to eight touchdowns in his last eight games. Westbrook-Ikhine drew a season-high eight targets (21.6% target share) and had 61 receiving yards. He’s primed to keep the hot streak going this week against a Jaguars secondary that since Week 6 has allowed the sixth-most PPR points per target to outside wide receivers.
Brandin Cooks (DAL): 10% rostered
- Next Opponents: CIN, @CAR, TB
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Cooks returned to the Cowboys’ lineup to earn a 51.4% route share last week with a 19.4% target share (per Fantasy Points Data), 16 receiving yards and a score. While the touchdown saved his day last week, Cooks is an interesting flex play moving forward with a wonderful schedule over the next three weeks. Cincy, Carolina and Tampa Bay have bled out production to receivers all year.
Cedric Tillman (CLE): 43% rostered
- Next Opponents: @PIT, KC, @CIN
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Tillman missed Week 13, as he is recovering from a concussion. Hopefully he’ll back for Week 14. With Jameis Winston under center, Tillman has had an 18.6% target share with 1.68 yards per route run and a 21% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). During this span, Tillman has led the team with four end-zone targets and has logged two top-15 WR finishes (WR3, WR12). With that said, I’m not high on his chances of producing monster stat lines over the next two weeks. Pittsburgh and Kansas City have been stout against outside wide receivers for most of the season, but Tillman should have a banner day against Cincy’s Swiss cheese pass defense.
Elijah Moore (CLE): 10% rostered
- Next Opponents: @PIT, KC, @CIN
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: With Jameis Winston starting, Moore has two top-24 weekly WR finishes (WR22, WR14). He has had a 20.5% target share, 1.49 yards per route run, one red zone target, and a 22.7% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). Picking up Moore this week is doing so with an eye toward two of his next three opponents. The Chiefs have been unable to stop slot receivers all year, and Cincy has fielded one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL.
Devaughn Vele (DEN): 27% rostered
- Next Opponents: BYE, IND, @LAC
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Vele has finished as a top-24 wide receiver in weekly scoring in two of his last three games (WR21, WR22). He has two red zone targets in those three games. Since Week 10, Vele has had a 17.1% target share, a 22.4% first-read share and 3.79 yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). After the bye, his next two matchups aren’t great for a slot receiver, but the Colts and Chargers love their two-high coverage structures. That does help Vele a ton. Against two-high, Vele leads the team with 3.10 yards per route run. He should be a decent flex play both weeks.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (NO): 31% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYG, WAS, @GB
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Well, speaking of players who can’t keep up their improbable production, Valdes-Scantling is here to say, “Not so fast.” Across his last three games, he has four scores and at least 36 receiving yards in each game. I don’t think MVS keeps this up for the rest of the season, but I do think he can continue the hot streak of catching deep touchdowns for one more week. The Giants have been abysmal at defending deep passing all year. New York has allowed the sixth-most deep passing yards per game and the highest passer rating on deep passing this season (per Fantasy Points Data). Toss Valdes-Scantling in your flex again this week if you need the upside and are willing to embrace the risk.
Romeo Doubs (GB): 45% rostered
- Next Opponents: @DET, @SEA, NO
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Doubs missed last week as he recovered from a concussion. He will most likely be back this week. and Doubs should lead the way for Green Bay’s passing attack against Detroit along with Jayden Reed. Detroit has the eighth-highest single-high rate this season (56.5%). Against single-high, Doubs has led the team with an 18.1% target share and a 24.5% first-read share while also ranking third in yards per route run with 2.27. He’s a strong flex play this week.
Adam Thielen (CAR): 31% rostered
- Next Opponents: @PHI, DAL, ARI
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Thielen turned back the clock last week. He had a 21.7% target share while leading the Panthers with eight receptions, 99 receiving yards and a score. Bryce Young is flashing a pulse, and the Carolina passing attack is all of a sudden quite interesting. Out of his next three matchups, I don’t want to plug Thielen into a lineup against Philly or Arizona, but he’ll be a strong flex against Dallas. Since Week 6, Dallas has allowed the most PPR points per target to slot receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Xavier Legette (CAR): 27% rostered
- Next Opponents: @PHI, DAL, ARI
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Legette has flashed a consistent high flex floor over the last five games, with at least three grabs and 33 receiving yards in each game. The ceiling might not be high for him on a weekly basis, but add a touchdown to any of those box scores, and Legette would be in the WR2/3 conversation in any week. The fantasy-value conversation with Legette is similar to the one with Adam Thielen in that I don’t want to play either against Philly or Arizona, but both are flex-worthy against Dallas. Since Week 6, Dallas has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
QUARTERBACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Russell Wilson (PIT): 35% rostered
- Next Opponents: CLE, @PHI, @BAL
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Russell Wilson‘s spike week was well-timed, but you might want to hang onto the grizzled veteran a bit longer. Even with the Bengals’ kitten-soft defense, Wilson lit it up Sunday with more than 400 passing yards and three touchdowns. The next three games aren’t going to be as easy, but he’s still the best streaming option at the quarterback position.
Will Levis (TEN): 12% rostered
- Next Opponents: JAX, CIN, @IND
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Bear with me as I stir some mayonnaise into my coffee for this one. Levis has driven some football fans crazy with his absentminded decision making, but he has also been remarkably consistent in the fantasy column. Dare I say that with how easy the Titans’ remaining schedule, Levis could be a QB1 going forward through championship week. It sure beats counting on someone like Aidan O’Connell or Cooper Rush, who also have very favorable finishes to the season.
Jameis Winston (CLE): 15% rostered
- Next Opponents: @PIT, KC, @CIN
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Rostering Jameis Winston is like taking a blind taste test. You might draw something delicious, as with the two games where he surpassed 25 fantasy points. Winston also might give you a poisonous mushroom or an improperly butchered puffer fish and kill your chances to win that week. If you’re risk-tolerant, go for it. Pittsburgh allowed him to pass for 219 yards in Week 12’s blizzard, so he might be worth a swig of Pepto Bismol.
Aidan O’Connell (LV): 2% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TB, ATL, JAX
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: I definitely didn’t have a 300-yard passing game against the Chiefs on the bingo card for Aidan O’Connell. But it actually happened on Black Friday. Now, the seas have parted, and the Raiders have a quarterback’s dream stretch over the next three games. Is O’Connell worth an aggressive bid? No; he’s just as likely to burn us as he is to crack 20 fantasy points again. This is an acquisition for the desperate.
TIGHT ENDS
Written by Derek Brown
Will Dissly (LAC): 42% rostered
- Next Opponents: @KC, TB, DEN
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Yes, I know the goose egg from Dissly hurt last week, but that’s not a good reason to hop off the train. Prior to the horrible game last week, he had been quite good in fantasy. In Weeks 7-12, Dissly had a 19.1% target share, 19.3% first-read share and 2.01 yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). He averaged 48 receiving yards per game and had two TE1 weeks (TE7, TE6). This week, he gets back into the TE1 good graces against a Kansas City pass defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Dawson Knox (BUF): 8% rostered
- Next Opponents: @LAR, @DET, NE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: If Dalton Kincaid misses Week 14, Knox should be on the streaming radar for every fantasy team without a locked-in top 5-7 TE option. Over the last two weeks, Knox has had a 14% target share. The Rams have bled out fantasy points to tight ends all year. Los Angeles has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the position.
Juwan Johnson (NO): 3% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYG, WAS, @GB
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Injuries suck. In Week 13, Taysom Hill was likely lost for the rest of the season with a knee injury. This moves Juwan Johnson up the target pecking order for a Saints team that is having trouble fielding a complete team of pass catchers at the moment. While I don’t love any of his upcoming matchups until he faces Green Bay in Week 16, Johnson should draw enough targets to put himself on the streaming radar. Last week, he finished tied for the team lead with an 18.9% target share and was one yard off the team lead in receiving yards with 36.
Noah Gray (KC): 11% rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, @CLE, HOU
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Since Week 11, Gray has been heavily involved in the Chiefs’ offense with a 52.2% route share, a 12.9% target share, 2.10 yards per route run, 49 receiving yards per game and four touchdowns (per Fantasy Points Data). During that three-game stretch, Gray has also had three end-zone targets and a 15.4% first-read share. None of his upcoming matchups are jumping off the page, putting him in the must-stream category, but if he continues to see this type of volume weekly, Gray could be the stretch-run version of what people were hoping to get from Isaiah Likely earlier this season.
Cole Kmet (CHI): 46% rostered
- Next Opponents: @SF, @MIN, DET
- True value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Since Thomas Brown has been calling plays for Chicago, Kmet has had a 13.6% target share, 1.35 yards per route run, and an 11.9% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). He’s had more than 40 receiving yards in two of those three games, which puts him in the low-end streaming category, but he’s not much more than that over the next three games. The 49ers, Vikings and Lions have all held tight ends in check this season, allowing the fifth-fewest, 10th-fewest and the fewest fantasy points per game to the position, respectively.
DEFENSES
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Arizona Cardinals: 15% rostered
- Next Opponents: SEA, NE, @CAR
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Arizona ranked 12th in defensive fantasy scoring going into Week 13, and the Cardinals sacked Vikings QB Sam Darnold five times Sunday in a 23-22 loss. The Cardinals next face the Seahawks, who were allowing 10.5 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses going into Week 13, fourth-most in the league. Then, for the first two rounds of the fantasy playoffs, the Cardinals have appealing matchups against the Patriots and Panthers. Go the extra buck for a defense you can ride deep into the fantasy postseason.
New Orleans Saints: 26% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYG, WSH, @GB
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Saints get a primo Week 14 matchup against the Giants. It’s unclear who’ll be starting at quarterback for the Giants this week, but either possibility should bode well for the Saints’ defensive scoring outlook. Tommy DeVito is dealing with a right forearm injury and missed Week 13. In his only start this season, DeVito completed 21-of-31 passes for 189 yards, with no touchdowns, no interceptions and four sacks. DeVito is a sack magnet who absorbed 37 sacks in 2023 despite playing in nine games and making only six starts. If DeVito can’t play, the Giants will start Drew Lock, who threw an interception and was sacked six times in the Giants’ 27-20 Thanksgiving Day loss to the Cowboys. Lock has made 24 NFL starts and has 24 career interceptions. The Saints ranked a respectable 15th in defensive fantasy scoring going into Week 13, and they look like the best widely available streaming option strictly for Week 14.
Tennessee Titans: 5% rostered
- Next Opponents: JAX, CIN, @IND
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Titans’ defense didn’t cover itself in glory by allowing the Commanders to score 42 points and roll up 463 yards of offense last week, but a more favorable matchup beckons in Week 14. Tennessee will face a Jacksonville offense that might be forced to start Mac Jones after Trevor Lawrence sustained a concussion Sunday on a dirty hit by Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair. Jones was sharp in relief of Lawrence in Week 13 but has thrown three interceptions in two starts this season. The Jaguars have committed 14 turnovers in their last eight games.
Miami Dolphins: 44% rostered
- Next Opponents: NYJ, @HOU, SF
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Dolphins draw a favorable home matchup with the Jets this week. The woeful Jets have lost eight of their last nine games, and who knows how long they’ll continue to trot out starting QB Aaron Rodgers, who just turned 41, in a lost season? The Dolphins have forced five turnovers in their last four games.
Cincinnati Bengals: 17% rostered
- Next Opponents: @DAL, @TEN, CLE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Never mind that the Bengals just gave up 44 points to Pittsburgh and 414 passing yards to Steelers QB Russell Wilson, and try to ignore the fact that the Bengals ranked 29th in defensive fantasy scoring going into Week 13. This is all about Cincinnati’s Week 14 matchup with a greatly diminished Dallas offense. With Dak Prescott out for the season, the Cowboys are being forced to start career backup Cooper Rush at quarterback — although Rush has played respectably in his four starts so far. It’s also possible the Cowboys could be without two of their biggest offensive stars. WR CeeDee Lamb sustained a shoulder injury in Week 13, and OG Zack Martin has missed time with ankle and shoulder injuries.
Stash Candidates:
- Atlanta Falcons
- Indianapolis Colts
For fantasy managers looking to stash a defense for the playoffs, the Atlanta Falcons get a nice Week 15 matchup against the Raiders in Week 15 and another attractive one against the Giants in Week 16. Atlanta’s defense hasn’t been a good one for fantasy this year, but those two matchups should land the Atlanta defense near the top 10 of the fantasy rankings for those two weeks.
You might not want to use the Indianapolis Colts against the Broncos in Week 15, but the Colts are worth stashing for a Week 16 matchup against the Titans and a Week 17 matchup against the Giants.
KICKERS
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Chase McLaughlin (TB): 39% rostered
- Next Opponents: LV, @LAC, @DAL
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: McLaughlin kicked four field goals and two extra points in the Buccaneers’ 26-23 win over the Panthers on Sunday. He missed a 55-yarder in overtime but atoned by kicking a 30-yard game-winner a few minutes later. McLaughlin is averaging 9.3 fantasy points a game and gets a terrific Week 14 matchup against the Raiders, who are giving up a league-high 13.2 fantasy points per game to kickers.
Will Reichard (MIN): 3% rostered
- Next Opponents: ATL, CHI, @SEA
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Reichard has been on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury but is due to come off this week. Assuming Reichard is ready to go, he’ll get an attractive Week 14 matchup against the Falcons, who are allowing 12.4 fantasy points per game to kickers, second-most in the league. The Vikings’ next two games are both at home in the domed confines of U.S. Bank Stadium. Before going on IR, Reichard was 14-of-16 on field goals and 23-of-23 on extra points in eight games.
Blake Grupe (NO): 5% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYG, WSH, @GB
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Grupe hit a pair of 54-yard field goals Sunday against the Rams, although he also missed a 36-yarder. He’s made multiple field goals in four of his last five games. The reliable Grupe gets a Week 14 matchup against the Giants, who have given up 26 or more points in five of their last six contests.
Jason Myers (SEA): 19% rostered
- Next Opponents: @ARI, GB, MIN
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The assurance of good conditions is always a plus for kickers this time of year, and Myers gets that with a game in Arizona this week. Myers was 2-of-2 on FGs in Sunday’s win over the Jets and hasn’t missed a field goal since Oct. 6 (although, oddly, he’s missed three extra points over that span).
FOOL’S GOLD
Ray-Ray McCloud had a team-high 95 receiving yards on four catches for the Falcons in Week 14. McCloud has been a solid contributor to the Atlanta offense this season, but he hasn’t had more than 66 receiving yards in any other game and has scored one touchdown.
With Washington in complete control against Tennessee on Sunday, the Commanders let Chris Rodriguez salt away the clock late, and Rodriguez had 77 rushing yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter en route to a 94-yard rushing day. But even with Austin Ekeler on injured reserve, Rodriguez is only No. 3 on Washington’s RB depth chart behind Brian Robinson Jr. and Jeremy McNichols. Don’t chase the garbage-time points.
Parker Washington had 6-103-1 on a team-high 12 targets Sunday, but do you really want to bet on a tertiary pass catcher for the Jaguars in the most important weeks of your fantasy season? The Jags have tough passing-game matchups against the Titans and Jets in Weeks 14-15.
DROP RECOMMENDATIONS
Droppable:
There has been sporadic enthusiasm for DeMario Douglas among the fantasy community this season, but “Pop” hasn’t had more than 62 receiving yards in a game since Week 6, and he’s scored one touchdown in 27 career games. Douglas just doesn’t give us enough to hang our hats on in the most critical weeks of the fantasy season, even in full-point PPR leagues. Feel free to drop him.
Austin Ekeler has been placed on injured reserve with a concussion and won’t be eligible to return until Week 18. There’s no need to keep him on your roster.
Taysom Hill was carted off the field Sunday with what looked to be a major knee injury. We’ve been robbed of what could have been a fun stretch run for the most unique contributor in fantasy football.
Tyler Lockett‘s fantasy value has been completely nuked by Jaxon Smith-Njigba‘s breakout. Over his last five games, Lockett has averaged 3.2 targets, 2.2 catches and 25.4 receiving yards.
Droppable with a chance of regret:
J.K. Dobbins has been placed on injured reserve with a knee injury and won’t be eligible to return until Week 17. If he is indeed able to come back that week — championship week in most fantasy leagues — Dobbins will get a favorable matchup against the Patriots. But will he get a full complement of touches in his first game back, and can you trust him in your lineup? In a league with short benches, you might not have the luxury of being able to wait for Dobbins’ return.
Kareem Hunt will be relegated to backup duty with Isiah Pacheco‘s return from a leg injury. In Pacheco’s first game back, Hunt played 38% of the Chiefs’ offensive snaps and had seven carries for 15 yards against the Raiders. Hunt still has handcuff value, but his stand-alone value has evaporated.
After a zero-catch performance against the Ravens in Week 13 that included multiple drops, Quentin Johnston had two catches for 12 yards Sunday in a favorable matchup against the Falcons. Johnston had made strides this season after a nightmarish rookie year, but it’s really hard to trust him right now. If you can’t trust him at this late date, there’s no point keeping him on your roster.
Don’t drop yet:
Kyle Pitts had zero catches on two targets in Week 13, and he’s had fewer than 12 receiving yards in three of his last four games. Starting Pitts against the Vikings this week seems like a bad idea, but you might want to start him against Las Vegas in Week 15. The Raiders are giving up 14.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game to tight ends, third-most in the league.