Fantasy Football: Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups
By Brett Clancy
Week 13 gave us a surprise addition to the 6 TD’s in a game club as the Texans Ryan Fitzpatrick making his first start since being benched for the, now injured, Ryan Mallett tossed an impressive 5 TDs and scrambled into the end zone for a 6th. And while Fitzpatrick’s week 13 fantasy points slip into the abyss, we look forward to week 14 and the start of fantasy playoffs and the players who can help you capture your fantasy title. If you’re lucky enough to still have him available in your league, you’d do well to start with Eagles receiver, Jordan Matthews (42.1% on NFL)(66.5% on ESPN) who’s looked like a top 25 WR since Mark Sanchez took over as the starter. If you’re in the market for a
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running back check for Browns rookie
Isaiah Crowell
(46.7% on NFL)(75.9% on ESPN)
, who struggled last week against the Bills, but has a much more favorable schedule the next two weeks and and should be owned and started in most if not all leagues. If you’re not lucky enough to have either of these guys available, don’t worry, there’s plenty more enticing names to come.
If you’re new to the column, the parentheticals ()() to the right of a players name shows their ownership percentage in NFL.com and ESPN fantasy leagues respectively. I generally try to limit my selections to players owned in fewer than 30% of leagues, but there are exceptions. The players are listed in no particular order, but they are grouped by position. If you have a matchup question, think I forgot someone or just want to say ‘hey,’ there’s a comment section at the bottom of the article. Without further ado, let’s get into this week’s fantasy football waiver wire pickups.
Dan Herron, RB, Colts: (4.8% on NFL)(40.9% on ESPN) While Herron only carried the ball 8 times he totaled 88 yards on the ground against the Redskins (49 of which came on a long TD run) and established himself as the clear starter over Trent Richardson going forward. With a much more favorable matchup this week against the Browns, I’d expect a more balanced approach by the Colts offense and that could mean heavy doses of Herron if he can carry over his production from the last two weeks.
Latavius Murray, RB, Raiders: (17.5% on NFL)(37.5% oN ESPN) He’s still working his way back from a concussion suffered week 12 against the Chiefs, but the running game didn’t go anywhere without him against the Rams. It’s a tough matchup with the 49ers, but if he’s cleared, I think there will be some opportunity if the Raiders defense can keep the struggling 49ers offense in check early.
Charles Sims, RB, Buccaneers: (1.7% on NFL)(18.7% on ESPN) The reemergence of Doug Martin hurts Sims value, but the 3rd year pro was hardly explosive last week. With a tough Lions run defense on the schedule I think Sims sees a majority of the snaps as the Bucs top pass catcher out of the backfield.
Michael Bush, RB, Cardinals: (0.3% on NFL)(0.6% on ESPN) Rookie Marion Grice (0.0% on NFL)(0.1% on ESPN) was the one leading the backfield once Ellington left the field, and according to coach Bruce Arians will get the first carry this week is Ellington is unable to go, but I’ve got my eye on Bush. Bush was inactive in week 13 as he’s still learning the playbook, but he’s a guy with a lot to prove and if he can get up to speed in time for week 14 I think he could end up leading the Cardinals backfield against a tough Chiefs team (assuming Ellington doesn’t play.)
Roy Helu, RB, Redskins: (2.3% on NFL)(11.8% on ESPN) He has at least 50 total yards in 3 of the past 4 games. The Redskins have refused to give him any carries, but after being officially eliminated from the playoffs maybe that changes this week. Either way, the Rams are tough to run against, and no DeSean Jackson would mean an increase in screens and dump offs to Helu.
Kenny Stills, WR, Saints: (10% on NFL)(17.5% on ESPN) If you read my posts regularly, you already know, for the newcomers: Stills is the #2 target in a high powered offense and he and Brees are frequently on the same wave length. I know it’s hard to trust any one Saints receiver, but trust me Stills has the skills, and with Cooks on IR and Ingram running well enough to keep Pierre Thomas on the sideline and defenses honest, I expect the sophomore wide out to continue to produce this week in a pivotal matchup with Carolina.
Stedman Bailey, WR, Rams: (0.2% on NFL)(4.2% on ESPN) Now it’s time for a little game I call ‘Haaaave you met Sted?’ Bailey has very quietly racked up 189 yards and a TD over the past 2 weeks and draws the struggling Redskins secondary in week 14. Despite Herron’s stat line the ‘Skins are still tough on the run which means plenty of passing for Shaun Hill and his new favorite target.
Donte Moncrief, WR, Colts: (1.0% on NFL)(1.4% on ESPN) Any time you have 3 catches for over 100 yards and 2 TDs, people are going to take notice. Moncrief is starting to see more snaps on offense, and if Joe Haden winds up shadowing T.Y. Hilton the 6’2, 220lb rookie could wind up with another big game this week against the Brown.
Cecil Shorts, WR, Jaguars: (33.5% on NFL)(15% on ESPN) He’s been hobbled by some injury or another for most of the season, and Blake Bortles spreads the ball around more than most expected. But Shorts is still the top target in the passing game and this week the Jaguars face a Texans team that allows a ton of passing yards, including over 100 to Kendall Wright, who has a similar skill set to Shorts, last week
Robert Woods, WR, Bills: (1.7% on NFL)(4.2% on ESPN) After his second week leading the team in receiving yards (albeit in less impressive fashion) it’s become clear that Woods has the trust of QB Kyle Orton and with a showdown in Denver against Peyton Manning on tap for week 14, that trust should once again propel Woods to fantasy relevance.
Nate Washington, WR, Titans: (0.6% on NFL)(0.7% on ESPN) With Justin Hunter headed to the IR, the door is open for Nate Washington to return to fantasy relevance. He may not have the upside of Hunter, but he’s a more reliable target for whichever young QB the Titans end up with under center. This week’s matchup against the Giants is tricky, but is followed by the Jets, Jaguars and Colts, giving Washington some serious flex appeal for the fantasy playoffs.
Jordan Reed, TE, Redskins: (62.2% on NFL)(24.5% on ESPN) If DeSean Jackson doesn’t play, he becomes the Redskins best offensive weapon. Rams play tough against TE’s, but Reed can line up all over the field and will be fed the ball once again with McCoy under center.
Heath Miller, TE, Steelers: (23.1% on NFL)(39.8% on ESPN) Miller has looked like his old self in the Steelers past two games and should see his stock continue to trend upwards this week against a Bengals team that can be vulnerable over the middle.
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings: (50.1% on NFL)(18.2% on ESPN) The Jets run defense will force the Vikings to pass, and I can’t help but feel that Rudolph has a big game coming. The Jets are allowing the 2nd most points to opposing TE’s.
Johnny Manziel, QB, Browns: (16.8% on NFL)(2.6% on ESPN) As of this writing he hasn’t officially been named the starter, but if the Browns want to get a full game look at Manziel, this is the time to do it. Cleveland won’t be expected to win and the Colts are vulnerable against the run. Manziel’s ability to scramble should keep the defense honest while also opening up running lanes and setting up play action passes down the field.
Streaming QB of the Week:
Shaun Hill, QB, Rams: (0.3% on NFL)(2.3% on ESPN) With a high yardage mark of 220 for the year there’s definitely some reason for concern, but this will be a bit of a homecoming for the former Terrapins QB. Herron’s stat line aside the Redskins continue to be very tough against the run, and atrocious against the pass. Kenny Britt and Stedman Bailey are a far cry from Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton, but I think they can get behind the defense on a few plays, and the Redskins won’t have an answer for 6’5 TE Jared Cook. If he gets the start the aforementioned Johnny Manziel is very intriguing. Fellow rookie signal caller Teddy Bridgewater ()() Should also be in consideration for anyone streaming QBs. The Jets still play tough against the run and it wouldn’t be a shock to see Bridgewater double his paltry total of 21 pass attempts from last week and have his yardage numbers rise accordingly. He’s also riding a 2 game multi-touchdown streak.
Streaming Defense of the Week:
Minnesota Vikings D/ST: (6.4% on NFL)(23.1% onESPN) After two rough outings in the division the Vikings got their groove back with two blocked punts returned for TDs against the Panthers. They’ll host a turnover prone Jets team with one eye already on the offseason. While the Vikings may be playoff long shots this year, they are still looking to show the league that they are still a force to be reckoned with in the NFC North.