If you’re still checking your lineup at this stage of the season, you’ve probably survived a gauntlet of ACL tears and "questionable" tags that turned into late scratches. It’s Week 14. For most of us, this is the final push. The playoffs are either a week away or starting right now, and the waiver wire is looking thinner than a backup kicker’s patience.
Honestly, the names available right now aren’t household staples. They’re the guys you’ve ignored for three months. But injuries to superstars like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Garrett Wilson have changed everything.
You need points. You need them now. Let’s look at who actually matters for your fantasy football pickups week 14.
The Jets’ Weird Late-Season Surge
Nobody expected to be chasing New York Jets players in December. Yet, here we are. With Garrett Wilson dealing with a PCL injury and likely out until Week 15 or 17, the targets have to go somewhere.
Adonai Mitchell has basically become the WR1 in New York by default. Since he was traded from the Colts, his usage has been astronomical. Last week against the Falcons, he saw 12 targets. He caught eight of them for 102 yards and a touchdown. That’s not just a "good game" for a waiver wire guy; that’s elite production.
He’s currently rostered in only about 2% to 4% of leagues depending on where you play. If he’s there, you grab him.
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And then there's Tyrod Taylor.
Is he pretty to watch? Not always. Does he win games? Sometimes. But for fantasy? He’s been a top-10 quarterback lately because of his legs. Last week he threw for 172 yards and a score while adding 44 yards and a touchdown on the ground. With a matchup against a Dolphins defense that has been getting shredded by quarterbacks like Marcus Mariota and Tyler Shough, Taylor is a legitimate streaming option.
Running Back Chaos and the "Next Man Up"
The RB landscape is a mess. Alvin Kamara is likely out for another few weeks with that MCL sprain.
Devin Neal is the guy the Saints are leaning on, though it's been a bumpy ride. He’s handled the volume, but the efficiency just isn't there. He managed only 18 rushing yards on seven carries recently, though his five catches for 43 yards saved his floor in PPR leagues. If you’re desperate for a back who will touch the ball 15 times, Neal is your best bet, even if the Saints’ offense feels like it’s stuck in second gear.
Other Backfield Options
- Kyle Monangai (Bears): He’s split duties with D’Andre Swift but has scored a touchdown in three straight games. He’s the RB1a in Chicago right now.
- Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Commanders): He’s led Washington in carries back-to-back weeks. With Jayden Daniels' status always a bit murky due to that elbow dislocation, the Commanders are leaning on the run.
- Blake Corum (Rams): Kyren Williams is the man, but Corum is hovering. He put up 81 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries last week. If Kyren's ankle flares up again, Corum becomes a top-5 weekly play instantly.
Why Fantasy Football Pickups Week 14 Focus on the Lions’ New Target
Losing Amon-Ra St. Brown to a low-ankle sprain is a death blow for many teams. The Lions play the Cowboys on Thursday night, and St. Brown is almost certainly sitting that one out.
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Enter Isaac TeSlaa.
He’s a rookie. He’s mostly unknown. But with Sam LaPorta out for the year, Jared Goff needs someone other than Jameson Williams to catch the ball. TeSlaa has shown flashes of being a reliable big-play threat. Against a Cowboys secondary that allows over 40 PPR points per game to wide receivers, he’s a "swing for the fences" play that could actually pay off.
The Tight End Wasteland
If you don't have a top-tier tight end, you're probably just praying for a touchdown. Brenton Strange is the name to watch in Jacksonville. Trevor Lawrence loves him. He’s finished as a top-7 fantasy tight end in two of his last three games. Facing a Colts defense that is notoriously bad against tight ends makes him a priority add.
Darren Waller is also back. He only played about 47% of snaps for the Dolphins recently, but he was targeted heavily while on the field. In a Mike McDaniel offense, that’s enough to make him a viable starter if you’re tired of getting 2.4 points from your current tight end.
Defensive Streamers for the Home Stretch
You shouldn't hold a defense for more than a week unless you have the Ravens or Steelers. For Week 14, look at the Washington Commanders.
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They aren't a great real-life defense. However, they play a Minnesota Vikings team that has been historically bad on offense lately. Whether it's Max Brosmer or a shaky JJ McCarthy returning from a concussion, the turnover potential is huge.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also a solid choice against the Saints. New Orleans is giving up sacks and turnovers at a high rate without Kamara to move the chains.
Actionable Strategy for Your Waiver Claims
- Prioritize WR Volume: Adonai Mitchell is the clear #1 priority. Volume is king in December.
- Check the Handcuffs: If you have an open bench spot, grab Blake Corum or Jordan Mason. An injury to a starter this late in the year is a season-ending event if you don't have the backup.
- Quarterback Streaming: If you’re a C.J. Stroud owner and he’s still struggling with concussion symptoms, Tyrod Taylor or Jacoby Brissett are the safest floors available.
- Don't overspend FAAB: Unless it's for a starting RB like Devin Neal, keep some budget back for the actual playoff weeks in case of a Saturday morning injury.
Drop the dead weight on your bench. That third-string WR you've been "holding for a breakout" isn't going to help you now. Grab the players seeing double-digit targets and carries today. Matchups matter, but late-season volume is what actually wins championships.
Go check your league's waiver wire. Most of these guys are sitting there waiting to be the reason you win your first playoff game. Good luck.