Fantasy Football 2018: Waiver wire targets for Week 14

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 25: Jeff Wilson Jr. #41 of the San Francisco 49ers runs for an eight yard gain during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Running Backs

Jeff Wilson Jr. vs. Denver

2018 Stats: 22 attempts, 94 yards (4.3 YPC), 9 receptions, 81 yards
ESPN Ownership: 0.0 percent

In Matt Breida’s absence, Jeff Wilson Jr. showed he was easily capable of replicating essentially any type of success a Kyle Shanahan halfback could replicate, rushing for 61 yards on 15 carries while also tallying eight receptions for 73 yards last week in Seattle. With Breida confirmed to be out at least one week, the Wilson rental is a low risk, high-reward waiver pick-up.

Wilson will meet a Denver Broncos defense that allows 122 yards per game on the ground, while also yielding 4.7 yards per touch to opposing running backs. Shanahan is notorious for scheming his running backs to huge days, and with Wilson’s ability to run/catch the ball out of the backfield, there should be plenty more points coming his way.

Jaylen Samuels at Oakland

2018 Stats: 12 attempts for 31 yards (2.6 YPC), 7 receptions, 54 yards, 2 TD
ESPN Ownership: 3.2 percent

This pickup is entirely based on the precedent of James Conner not being able to play in this Sunday’s game. With Conner now having been ruled out for at least Week 14 with an ankle sprain that turned out to be more serious than previously expected, it’s Jaylen Samuels’ world in the Pittsburgh backfield.

Samuels, a shifty pass-catching back, caught three passes for 20 yards and a touchdown after Conner exited the game against Los Angeles. Despite his limited opportunities this year, Samuels had scored double-digit fantasy points in two of his five active games while playing behind Conner. Should Conner not be able to go, Samuels would be set to have himself a nice day against a Oakland defense that allows the eighth most fantasy points to running backs, per ESPN.

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