Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 14

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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. FAAB bids are set off a $100 budget. Only players owned in less than 60% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Sam Darnold is around the 60% ownership mark and can be considered as a streamer this week.

Ryan Tannehill, Titans

With the fantasy playoffs upon us, all that matters is winning this week and advancing to the next round. Though you never would have expected to read this back in August, Tannehill actually gives you an excellent chance to do just that. The quarterback from my super deep sleeper list has stabilized the Titans' offense and has emerged as a steady fantasy option in the process. He's thrown multiple touchdowns in five of six games since taking over as starter and now faces a Raiders squad that's allowed the second-most passing scores and ninth-most passing yards in 2019. Prior to Week 13, Tannehill also racked up at least 37 rushing yards in three straight contests and had three touchdowns on the ground during that time.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dolphins

Could you ever feel comfortable starting Fitzpatrick in a fantasy playoff game? Absolutely not. Few quarterbacks outside of Jameis Winston offer a five-touchdown ceiling mixed with a five-interception floor, but the Dolphins' veteran is on that short list. However, we've seen him deliver top-seven fantasy finishes in three of his last five games and one of those was a 288-yard, three-score performance against the Jets in Week 9. After beginning the year strong, the Jets' pass defense has given up multi-touchdown days to Fitzpatrick (three TDs), Gardner Minshew II (three TDs), Daniel Jones (four TDs), and Dwayne Haskins Jr. (two TDs). So, if you're looking for an upside streamer in a week where there aren't many great options, Fitzpatrick is a high-risk, high-reward play.

Other options: Jacoby Brissett at TB (38% owned), Gardner Minshew II vs. LAC (8% owned), Andy Dalton at CLE (8% owned), Derek Carr vs. TEN (51% owned), Devlin Hodges at ARI (2% owned), Kyle Allen at ATL (19% owned)

Running backs

Matt Breida, LeSean McCoy, Derrius Guice, Rashaad Penny, and Duke Johnson are all around the 60% ownership mark and would be the top pickups, if available.

Alexander Mattison, Vikings

Dalvin Cook left Monday night's game with a shoulder/chest injury, and while he claims he'll be able to suit up in Week 14, we should remember players are almost always overly optimistic about their status. Dr. David Chao of ProFootballDoc.com believes Cook suffered a sternoclavicular joint sprain, an injury that will force him to play through pain the rest of the season and could lead the Vikings to rest him next Sunday. While we wait to see Cook's practice participation later in the week, Mattison needs to be owned everywhere. This is why we've been recommending him as one of the best handcuff or high-upside stashes across the entire fantasy landscape - he's an instant RB1 if thrust into the starting lineup. The rookie gained 73 yards on just eight touches against the Seahawks and would be able to give the Vikings 80-90% of what Cook produced as the lead back. Whatever FAAB money you have left needs to be used on Mattison.

Benny Snell Jr., Steelers

With James Conner's Week 14 availability in doubt, Snell will likely remain the Steelers' lead back for at least another week. In his two starts, he turned 22 touches into 103 yards from scrimmage against the Bengals and followed it up with 17 touches, 67 yards, and a touchdown versus the Browns.

Snell's limited receiving work isn't ideal, but Pittsburgh opened as road favorites against the Cardinals, who are top 10 in fantasy points allowed to running backs. The Steelers' defense should keep this game close, ensuring Snell's volume and keeping him in the conversation as a borderline RB2.

Darwin Thompson, Chiefs

The Chiefs' backfield is getting crushed by injuries - Darrel Williams is the latest to hit the trainer's table due to a hamstring ailment. Andy Reid didn't sound optimistic that Darrel will be able to play in Week 14 and Damien Williams' status is also unknown after he missed the last game. That leaves 31-year-old LeSean McCoy and the rookie Thompson. McCoy doesn't seem capable of handling a big workload anymore, which means we could get a big dose of Thompson down the stretch. The sixth-rounder flashed in the preseason and looked just as explosive on Sunday after posting 44 yards on 11 carries. A matchup with the Patriots is daunting, but Thompson could provide a spark the Chiefs' rushing attack has been lacking. He'll be a volatile flex play if Damien and Darrel can't go and offers a chance at league-winning upside if everything falls into place.

Raheem Mostert, 49ers

There are several backs we could discuss in this spot, but they are all tied to injuries. The Colts are waiting to see if Marlon Mack can get healthy for Week 14 and the Dolphins' running back depth chart was a mess even before Kalen Ballage got hurt. While you could take your shot on players in those backfields, Mostert is coming off a bigger week than any of them with 19 carries, 146 yards, a touchdown, and another eight yards on a pair of receptions. It's the second consecutive outing where he's found the end zone. Though the return of Matt Breida would disrupt his fantasy outlook, I'd still rather own a piece of the 49ers' rushing attack for this week and beyond.

Other options: Jordan Wilkins at TB (3% owned), Nyheim Hines at TB (29% owned), Patrick Laird at NYJ (1% owned), Myles Gaskin at NYJ (0% owned), Peyton Barber vs. IND (21% owned), Bo Scarbrough at MIN (43% owned), Adrian Peterson at GB (39% owned), Tony Pollard at CHI (13% owned), Gus Edwards at BUF (13% owned), Ryquell Armstead vs. LAC (1% owned), Rex Burkhead vs. KC (6% owned), Jaylen Samuels at ARI (49% owned), Giovani Bernard at CLE (3% owned), Dion Lewis at OAK (10% owned), Malcolm Brown vs. SEA (5% owned), Deandre Washington vs. TEN (0% owned), Jalen Richard vs. TEN (3% owned), Bilal Powell vs. MIA (0% owned)

Wide receivers

Sterling Shepard, Robby Anderson, and Deebo Samuel are all around the 60% ownership mark and would be the top pickups, if available.

A.J. Brown, Titans

Brown wasn't able to come close to repeating his four-catch, 135-yard, one-touchdown stat line from Week 12, but he did put up 45 yards on just four targets on Sunday. Volume will always be a problem for the Titans' receivers as they try to carve out work in a run-first offense. The good news is their next opponent barely puts up a fight through the air. Oakland ranks in the bottom five in Football Outsiders' pass-defense DVOA and has allowed at least 50 yards to 11 different receivers since their Week 6 bye. Brown is a strong WR3 and even Corey Davis (27% owned) warrants consideration as a flex play in this one.

James Washington, Steelers

Despite subpar quarterback play from Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges, Washington has been on fire over the last five games with stat lines of 4-69-0, 6-90-1, 3-49-0, 3-98-1, and 4-111-1. The Cardinals have struggled to contain wideouts this year and just allowed 172 yards to Robert Woods and 134 yards to Deebo Samuel in their previous two contests. Washington can be started with confidence as a WR3 with WR2 upside.

Anthony Miller, Bears

Starting Miller in fantasy requires you to attach yourself to Mitch Trubisky - a stomach-turning proposition. However, Miller's numbers are impossible to ignore with target counts of 11, 9, and 13 in the last three weeks and a 140-yard performance on Thanksgiving. In the five games where he's seen at least seven targets this season, Miller is averaging six catches for 77 yards. He also hasn't found the end zone as a sophomore, a feat he accomplished seven times as a rookie. So with his recent surge in opportunity and positive touchdown regression likely coming, Miller is an intriguing WR4/flex option the rest of the way.

Other options: Zach Pascal at TB (17% owned), Darius Slayton at PHI (27% owned), Auden Tate at CLE (10% owned), John Ross at CLE (7% owned), Randall Cobb at CHI (36% owned), Cole Beasley vs. BAL (32% owned), Russell Gage vs. CAR (11% owned), Allen Lazard vs. WAS (5% owned), Chris Conley vs. LAC (24% owned), Nelson Agholor vs. NYG (11% owned), Allen Hurns at NYJ (1% owned), Kelvin Harmon at GB (0% owned), Kenny Stills vs. DEN (17% owned), Breshad Perriman vs. IND (0% owned), Andy Isabella vs. PIT (1% owned)

Tight ends

Jack Doyle, Dallas Goedert, Ryan Griffin, Jacob Hollister, and Kyle Rudolph are all around the 60% ownership mark and would be the top tight end pickups, if available.

Vance McDonald, Steelers

McDonald hasn't topped 40 yards this year and has just one trip over the goal line since Week 2. And yet, you should be excited about using him in fantasy this week. That's because the Cardinals don't seem to be aware the tight end position exists. They've given up 13 touchdowns to tight ends this season and just turned Tyler Higbee into a one-week superstar thanks to a seven-catch, 107-yard, one-touchdown afternoon. If those names listed above are already owned, McDonald is your best bet in Week 14.

Mike Gesicki, Dolphins

Gesicki overcame a tough matchup with the Eagles, registering 79 yards and a score. It's his second straight game with a touchdown and fifth straight with at least six targets. His floor remains low, but so does the floor of any other streaming tight end you could pick up. Gesicki has essentially become the de facto No. 2 receiver in Miami and with Jets safety Jamal Adams banged up, he's set up for another strong outing.

Ian Thomas, Panthers

Greg Olsen is in concussion protocol, putting Thomas in position to start. When Olsen was sidelined late in 2018, Thomas generated the sixth-most fantasy points among tight ends over the final five games, demonstrating his potential when given a larger role. We could see a similar story unfold if the veteran takes his time getting back into the lineup this year. For now, treat Thomas as a TE2 in a favorable draw with the Falcons.

Other options: Tyler Higbee vs. SEA (11% owned), Jonnu Smith at OAK (14% owned), David Njoku vs. CIN (29% owned), Kaden Smith at PHI (1% owned), Darren Fells vs. DEN (38% owned), O.J. Howard vs. IND (32% owned), Noah Fant at HOU (34% owned), Jaeden Graham vs. CAR (0% owned)