Week 14 Waiver Wire Targets

In what was the last regular season matchup of 2014 (unless you’re in a silly league that holds the championship in Week 17… or a four team playoff) no shortage of final twists were provided by the NFL. Week 12’s breakout star Latavius Murray was ruled out on Friday, leaving a slew of 0-RB practitioners reeling. In Indianapolis, yet another running back has fully surpassed Trent Richardson in usefulness as Daniel Herron will be the most sought after of the Week 14 Waiver Wire Targets for playoff bound teams, and a top option for anyone in a keeper league.

While he’s been questionable all year long, top RB performer Andre Ellington finally seems due to miss time in 2014, and he’s not the only star expected to be out in Week 14 or beyond. Find your replacements below and prepare yourself for a final Fantasy Football Championship push…

The ‘Chosen One’ made an immediate impact upon entering Sunday’s game @ Bills with a rushing score; but his comeback came up short, leaving Cleveland’s Week 14 starter unnamed (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP)

Wondering which available players you should target? FantasyPros’ My Playbook tool allows you to import your league, and get custom advice from Expert Consensus on who to add and drop each week.

Week 14 Waiver Wire Targets: Quarterback

Colt McCoy, Washington Redskins, Next Up: vs Rams, @ Giants, vs Eagles, Y! Owned: 5%

This shall be known as the day that Colt McCoy ended RG3’s career as the Redskins starting QB https://t.co/823JGD3gHV

— #WeDemBoyz (@CowboysEgo) November 30, 2014

That about sums it up. McCoy has made an unlikely return to success in the NFL and although his team suffered yet another loss by double digits Sunday, McCoy threw more touchdowns in that game (3) than Robert Griffin III had on the season (2). He’s far from a sexy option – fumbled four times on Sunday, losing one – but he has certainly looked like a competent option under center for Washington and with weapons around him, can become fantasy relevant down the stretch. Keep an eye on DeSean Jackson’s status heading into Week 14, mind you.

Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns, Next Up: vs Colts, vs Bengals, @ Panthers, Y! Owned: 11%

Although his 4th quarter comeback attempt came up well short – saving us all from the incessant hoopla that would’ve followed – JFF did make an immediate impact upon entering Sunday’s game in Buffalo. Regular readers of Fantasy Sports Locker Room’s NFL waiver piece should know that I’ve backed Brian Hoyer all season long, but after throwing two interceptions and guiding his team to just a single field goal, his time may be up.

Manziel ran for a touchdown on his first fourth quarter possession driving the Twitter world into a frenzy and likely inspiring an entire Drake album. Head coach Mike Pettine is yet to name his Week 14 starter, but there is value to be had against the Colts (Colt McCoy had over 30 fantasy points after all) and those in dynasty leagues will covet him more with Hoyer’s contract up at the end of the season.

Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings, Next Up: vs Jets, @ Lions, @ Dolphins, Y! Owned: 8%

Bridgewater has posted back-to-back strong weeks and has one of the NFL’s most tantalizing fantasy matchups next up, despite what Ryan Tannehill’s Monday Night performance would tell you. Owners who’ve been streaming the quarterback position so far in the season will likely know that the Vikings’ rookie is Week 14’s top option for the strategy. Owners who’ve been squeaking out victories with the likes of Andy Dalton, Jay Cutler or Matt Ryan may want to consider a safer option for their playoff matchups.

With Kyle Rudolph finally involved in the offense again and Greg Jennings scoring touchdowns in back-to-back weeks, everything adds up for Bridgewater’s best game to come at home on Sunday.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Houston Texans, Next Up: @ Jaguars, @ Colts, vs Ravens, Y! Owned: 7%

With his replacement Ryan Mallett done for the season, Fitzpatrick made a return to the Texans starting lineup after just a two week absence. The return was Fitz-Magic‘s best start of his career and set a franchise record as well when he connected with J.J. Watt for his sixth TD pass of the day. As we’ve seen in the past, he could quite easily have a dud in his next outing, but it will be somewhat difficult to do against the Jaguars. He’s very much worth consideration in DFS play.

Week 14 Waiver Wire Targets: Running Back

Latavius Murray scored on two of his four carries against a team that hadn’t given up a rushing TD all year in Week 12 (Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press).

Daniel Herron, Indianapolis Colts, Next Up: @ Browns, vs Texans, @ Cowboys, Y! Owned: 47%

Even with another fumble lost on Sunday, Herron continues to draw praise from head coach Chuck Pagano, primarily for not being Trent Richardson. His 88 yards Sunday were more than T-Rich has gained on the ground in any one his 26 games as a Colt. With a Week 14 matchup against the depleted run defense of the Browns, Herron will be a top-end RB2, although if another fumble or two combine with an Indianapolis loss in Cleveland, owners may want to have another option on hand for Week 16.

Ah, just kidding. Unless he literally starts scoring on his own team, there’s no way he isn’t the Colts top RB option for the rest of the season.

Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders, Next Up: vs 49ers, @ Chiefs, vs Bills, Y! Owned: 49%

While most had assumed that Murray would have enough time to recover from a concussion sustained on Thursday night of Week 12, Murray either didn’t pass protocol or the 1-11 Raiders decided to play it safe with their RB of the future. If he can pass protocol in Week 14, he’ll be faced with another tough run defense in San Francisco.

Regardless of the matchup, the workload is sure to be there for a Raiders team with nothing to play for except for seeing what they have in Murray.

Andre Williams, New York Giants, Next Up: @ Titans, vs Redskins, @ Rams, Y! Owned: 40%

A ‘just in case’ add, Williams will get the start in Week 14 if Rashad Jennings misses any more time. The Giants starter is adamant that he won’t however, after suffering a minor ankle injury on Sunday. Williams had to play the final two Giants’ drives and could find himself starting against the Titans who’ve given up the most points to fantasy running backs this season.

Expect Jennings to start, but if he’s ruled out late in the week, Williams will be a must-start and is a must-own in preparation for the worst-case scenario.

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers, Next Up: @ Saints, vs Buccaneers, vs Browns, Y! Owned: 27%

As always, Stewart will be nothing more than a desperation play in Week 14, despite his greatly improved play of late. DeAngelo Williams may be forced to miss time with a broken finger which would improve Stewart’s outlook a tad if it weren’t for Mike Tolbert‘s return in Week 13. He surpassed 100 total yards on Sunday for the first time in a long time, and will face a Saints defense that is allowing the ninth most fantasy points to his position. They’ve been gouged in recent weeks, too.

Michael Bush, Arizona Cardinals, Next Up: vs Chiefs, @ Rams, vs Seahawks, Y! Owned: 1%

With Andre Ellington likely to miss time for the first time this season due to a hip pointer it’s not considered overly serious, but he’ll be in serious doubt for Week 14’s date with the Chiefs leaving the likes of Stepfan Taylor, Marion Grice or Bush in line to take the load. With the Cardinals still in the NFC West and deep in the playoff hunt and led by quarterback Drew Stanton expect the Cards to lean on the veteran of the three in Michael Bush.

Either way, a timeshare is the most likely resolution and no option is worth a start in a critical week even if they were working alone. With a tough matchup, it’ll be hard to trust any even in DFS play.

Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Next Up: @ Lions, @ Panthers, vs Packers, Y! Owned: 45%

Martin’s 12.10 STD fantasy points in Week 13 were a season high and as unimpressive as that is, it makes him the Bucs top RB option yet again. With the Lions next up, resist the temptation to trust the once widely considered elite back and leave him on the waiver wire.

Week 14 Waiver Wire Targets: Wide Receiver

Marqise Lee could have savvy owners running away with their leagues given a soft rest of season slate (Photo: Michael Conroy/Associated Press).

Marqise Lee, Jacksonville Jaguars, Next Up: vs Texans, @ Ravens, vs Titans, Y! Owned: 1%

In the Jaguars comeback win on Sunday against the Giants, rookie wide receiver Marqise Lee scored his first touchdown of the season. It had been in the works for a couple of weeks as he had seen a dramatic rise in workload and red zone looks in the absence of fellow rookie Allen Robinson. It was his second consecutive game leading his team in receiving, and will be a fine candidate to do so again in Week 14 against the Texans.

He sees a dramatic rise in value in keeper/dynasty leagues, as he and Robinson are likely to be the Jags top two options in their sophomore seasons.

Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers, Next Up: vs Falcons, @ Bills, @ Buccaneers, Y! Owned: 11%

Adams’ 11 targets and 121 yards Sunday against New England set both season and career highs by large amounts. The Week 14 Monday nighter against Atlanta is likely to be a shootout again, and although a reduction in targets and yardage is likely, he’s fully trusted by his quarterback Aaron Rodgers and will remain a threat with a very nice matchup.

Kenny Stills, New Orleans Saints, Next Up: vs Panthers, @ Bears, vs Falcons, Y! Owned: 41%

It took a couple of games following the season-ending injury to teammate Brandin Cooks before Stills broke out, but he finally did so in a big way Sunday in Pittsburgh. Always a big-play threat, a large portion of his production came from a 69-yard score, and another one will be on the table in Week 14 vs Carolina. The Saints remain a favorite for the NFC South crown, and with the Falcons in tough against Green Bay on Monday night, the Saints should take advantage of an easy home test.

Andre Roberts, Washington Redskins, Next Up: vs Rams, @ Giants, vs Eagles, Y! Owned: 4%

Although he’s had occasional production already in 2014, Roberts needs to be on Fantasy Football owners’ radars in Week 14 with DeSean Jackson possibly about to miss time. He’ll be a similar big-play threat opposite Pierre Garcon and will be worth consideration despite a tough matchup against the St. Louis secondary. He’ll be a very nice cheap gamble in DFS with an opportunity for a lengthy score.

Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans, Next Up: vs Giants, vs Jets, @ Jaguars, Y! Owned: 1%

With the news not sounding too pleasant on Justin Hunter, Washington will be next up against the porous secondaries of the two New York teams. Jake Locker could be in line to replace Zach Mettenberger as well, and the two connected already for a garbage time score on Sunday. His ceiling will be low and entirely touchdown dependent, but he’s a reasonable gamble with a cheap price tag.

Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts, Next Up: @ Browns, vs Texans, @ Cowboys, Y! Owned: 4%

A top option for anyone in a keeper format, Moncrief should be in line for an expanded role next season and has shown glimpses of his promise and ability. He’s playing far more than Hakeem Nicks despite still playing fewer than 50% of snaps. He’s been far more productive than Reggie Wayne as well, with Sunday being his biggest day of the season.

He doesn’t yet hold league value, and he’s a low-priced risk in DFS, but keeper players need to pick him up whether they’re in the playoffs or not.

Stedman Bailey, St. Louis Rams, Next Up: @ Redskins, vs Cardinals, vs Giants, Y! Owned: 1%

A top candidate for a big week ever since the Rams lost Brian Quick for the season, Bailey has back-to-back weeks with over 10 STD fantasy points. The Redskins have given up the 12th most points to WRs leaving Bailey in line for another big week opposite Kenny Britt. Both of his big weeks have come with Shaun Hill back under center, and the two certainly have chemistry not seen for a long time between a Rams QB and his WR.

Justin Blackmon, Jacksonville Jaguars, Next Up: 2015?

If you’re out of the playoffs and just want to feel included by making a waiver claim, then Blackmon is your guy. It’s likely that he makes his return to the NFL next season (barring he doesn’t doing anything else illegal) and although he’ll have to start at the bottom of the Jags’ depth chart, he certainly has the talent to do so. For keeper league owners, he could be a nice WR option costing you only a late-round pick, while others will be tempted to reach on his talent upon his reinstatement.

Week 14 Waiver Wire Targets: Tight End

With Colt McCoy surely growing in confidence, Jordan Reed’s value is growing as well after making it through a game fully healthy (Photo: John MacDonnell/Washington Post)

Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins, Next Up: vs Rams, @ Giants, vs Eagles, Y! Owned: 49%

While the Rams have given up only the 23rd most points to fantasy TEs, the Giants have given up the fifth most. Reed picked a good week to stay healthy in Week 13 with Colt McCoy having finally provided some consistency to the passing game, making Reed and Pierre Garcon desirable fantasy starts once again. A potential injury to DeSean Jackson should give Reed more work as well, coming off of a season-high nine receptions and 123 yards. He’ll have a good shot at his first touchdown of the season if he can stay on the field in the next two weeks.

Mychal Rivera, Oakland Raiders, Next Up: vs 49ers, @ Chiefs, vs Bills, Y! Owned: 28%

Rivera finally returned to eight targets on Sunday, however he got just three of them in the Raiders blowout loss. With tough matchups ahead, things will likely continue to end poorly for Oakland, but Rivera has had himself a nice season based mostly off of garbage time duties. He remains a cheap non-zero in DFS and a middle-of-the-pack league option.