In Week 13 of the regular NFL and fantasy football season, we learned a few things that will help us navigate waiver wire pickups before the playoffs start. Fortunately, we saw players return from injury, but unfortunately, we saw players suffer injuries, as well. We discovered players that have been balling out on some of the best teams in the leagues and the worst teams in the leagues.
Week 14 is typically the last regular season game for fantasy football. Before the week starts, get those late additions you need to make a playoff push, boast your playoff squad, or stay competitive. Here are some players I suggest picking up off your waiver wire.
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 14: Running backs
James Cook, Bills
In Week 13, rookie running back James Cook (Dalvin Cook’s brother, haven’t you heard?) had more carries and rushing yards than lead back Devin Singletary. He also had more targets and receptions than both Singletary and Nyheim Hines. He turned 20 opportunities into 105 scrimmage yards against a tough defense, good for a top-20 fantasy football finish.
Only rostered in 16.5% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, Cook will likely earn more opportunities moving forward. After all, he was a 2nd round pick in the 2022 draft. He has great pass-catching ability, which bodes well for him in this elite Bills offense. He is a priority add in all formats and has flex appeal in deep PPR leagues.
Cam Akers, Rams
You may remember me writing about Kyren Williams after Week 12. In what seems like a lost season for the Rams with the number of injuries, I thought they were going to evaluate their rookie running back further. They had given him many opportunities the week before. They didn’t, though, they fed their third-year back Cam Akers.
Only rostered in 49.3% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Akers was a back who was drafted and then dropped early into the season. The team wanted to trade him, cut him, but opted to keep him. They cut Darrell Henderson instead, so there are fewer mouths to feed. Akers may be in a “hot hand” situation, but he is worth stashing in deep leagues.
Bonus add, Travis Homer, Seahawks (if Kenneth Walker is injured/inactive in Week 14)
If he’s still available, Zonovan Knight, Jets
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 14: Wide Receivers
Jameson Williams, Lions
After suffering a torn ACL in the College Football Playoff national championship game, standout Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams slid to the Lions in the draft. After rehabbing, Williams practiced and made his NFL debut in Week 13. He was eased into action, being on the field as a “gunner” for special teams and 11% of offensive snaps.
Only rostered in 25.1% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, coach Dan Campbell and quarterback Jared Goff raved about Williams this week during practice. He was described as a “superstar,” so there is breakout potential. With promising upside in a high-scoring offense, he is a must-add candidate in all formats.
As of right now, free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is still not on an NFL team. That means, for now, the Cowboys are sticking with CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, and Noah Brown at wide receiver. Gallup has quietly been ascending, averaging 7.5 targets and 4.5 receptions in his last two games.
Only rostered in 20.8% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, he had 63 receiving yards in Week 12 and 2 touchdowns in Week 13, both performances good for double-digit FPTS. With Dak Prescott and Michael Gallup both now healthy at the same time, they are gaining chemistry. Gallup is worth stashing in PPR leagues.
There aren’t many lucrative fantasy football options on the Texans. Running back Dameon Pierce has been the only outlier, but Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins could be considered sneaky options, as well. With negative game script guaranteed on a consistent basis, pass-catchers in this offense have a boom or bust upside in PPR formats.
Still available in 98.1% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, Collins is averaging 9.5 targets, 4.5 receptions, and double-digit FPTS in his last two games. He was able to reach paydirt in Week 13 with Brandin Cooks out. Collins is worth stashing in deep PPR leagues.
If he’s still available, Treylon Burks, Titans
If he’s recently become available, Curtis Samuel, Commanders
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 14: Quarterbacks
The Lions have quietly been having an impressive offensive season. They are top-10 in total yards and total points, and top half of the league in total passing yards. They have accomplished this with multiple young up-and-coming and skill players and veteran quarterback Jared Goff under the helm. In their commanding 40-14 win over the Jaguars, he completed 76% of passes for 340 yards and 2 touchdowns, good for a top-5 fantasy football finish.
Only rostered in 22.6% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, he has another soft defensive matchup coming up in the Vikings. The last time the two clashed, he finished as a top-15 QB. For those reasons, he is worth streaming in one-QB leagues and worth rostering and starting in two-QB leagues.
Brock Purdy, 49ers
After Jimmy Garoppolo suffered an injury and exited the game, now second-string quarterback Brock Purdy took over for him and led the team to a 33-17 victory over the Dolphins. The former “Mr. Irrelevant” did purdy good completing 68% of his passes for 210 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
Available in virtually 99% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, it looks like it’s going to be a Brock party in San Francisco for the rest of the season. Garoppolo suffered a broken foot and is out for the rest of the season. It’s unlikely the team will turn to Sam Eason or Josh Johnson to start instead. Being that he’s surrounded by some of the best weapons in the league, the former Iowa State QB is worth rostering and streaming in two-QB leagues.
Bonus add, Tyler Huntley, ravens, (if Lamar Jackson is injured/inactive in Week 14)
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 14: Tight Ends
Greg Dulcich, Broncos
You may remember me writing about Dulcich after Week 7. He had some down weeks after the Browns’ bye week and may have been dropped in your league, as a result. Well, now is the time to put in a claim for him. He finished Week 13 as the overall TE1 (PPR). He may be the only trustworthy option on the team.
Only rostered in 28.8% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, Dulcich has an easy playoff schedule. He plays against the league-worst against tight ends Cardinals in Week 15 and the injury-ridden Rams in Week 16. He is worth streaming in all formats and rostering in TE-Premium leagues.
Daniel Bellinger, Giants
You may remember me writing about David Bellinger after Week 6. Unfortunately, he suffered a fractured eye injury in Week 7. After a multiple-game absence, Bellinger returned in Week 13. With fellow TE Lawrence Cage being a healthy scratch, Bellinger was surprisingly able to return to above-normal usage. He was on the field for 97% of snaps.
Available in virtually 99% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, Bellinger is benefiting from multiple injuries at the wide receiver position and the trade of Kadarius Toney. There are targets to go around, and he’s getting a healthy share of them. He is worth stashing in PPR and TE-Premium leagues.
If he’s recently become available, David Njoku, Browns