NFL Waiver Wire: Week 14 Deep Dive

The time to wave goodbye to bye weeks and ready ourselves for the fantasy playoffs has finally arrived, meaning every decision is now really important. In most formats, there are no more takebacks and no more chances to right things the next week - just sink-or-swim scenarios. The pressure of elimination rounds aside, making the playoffs is worth a minor victory lap in itself. That's especially true in a season like this, where - if your experience has been anything similar to mine - getting even this far has been a war of attrition. Now let's see what moves we can make to keep winning. 

This Thursday article is our second waiver wire piece of the week, intended to give a broad overview of players worth fantasy consideration. Every Monday, Kevin Payne's first edition of the Waiver Wire series summarizes the top names.

As usual, for add/drop, start/sit, or any other questions relating to fantasy, just comment below or hit me up on Twitter (@ivilloth). 

The list below includes players rostered in no more than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and is listed in order of preference based on half-point per reception scoring and a 12-team league. Depending on your league's scoring and roster settings, certain players might warrant higher consideration than what is listed. Each player's listed roster percentage is based on Tuesday's Yahoo statistics, to give a general sense of availability for a given week.

QUARTERBACK

Philip Rivers at Raiders (40 percent) - Rivers has produced over 20 fantasy points over five of his last six games, and he's set for a cushy matchup against a Las Vegas secondary that should be without Johnathan Abram (knee). He's also put up at least 285 yards in four straight weeks. It's somewhat surprising to see the Colts pass the ball 35-plus times per game so consistently as of late. But as long as that volume is there, Rivers will be a solid play. And he doesn't face an unfavorable matchup until Week 16 versus Pittsburgh. 

Baker Mayfield vs. Ravens (38 percent) - Mayfield's 334-yard, four-TD and zero-INT performance against the Titans can't be ignored, especially given his ability to connect with multiple receivers (Donovan Peoples-Jones, Rashard Higgins and Jarvis Landry) for scores. He's now gone five straight games without a pick, which is especially encouraging given the mistake-prone play that plagued him early in the season. Mayfield dipped below 10 fantasy points Weeks 8-11, but that can also be blamed on terrible weather. A matchup against the Ravens isn't particularly appealing, but after that he'll get the Giants (eh) and then the Jets (tempting).

Mitchell Trubisky vs. Texans (13 percent) - Trubisky only threw one touchdown against the Lions and only scored around 15 fantasy points, but it was a rare game where the Bears leaned heavily on the run. If nothing else, David Montgomery certainly looks good against subpar tacklers. Trubisky will now get a fantastic matchup against the Texans, who boast a secondary that's allowed 285-plus passing yards in four of the last five weeks. We've seen him put up big numbers in garbage time about as often as we've seen him totally melt down.

Jalen Hurts vs. Saints (4 percent) - Using a rookie QB in his first start is already risky, and to compound things Hurts is commanding a struggling offense and facing a stellar defense. His athleticism does lend interesting upside, even in single-QB leagues. In Superflex and 2-QB formats, Hurts is obviously a must-add heading into the playoffs. 

RUNNING BACK 

Cam Akers vs. Patriots (49 percent) - Akers will definitely reach over 50 percent rostered status by kickoff Thursday, but he's probably the highest-priority add if still available. The rookie has enjoyed a touchdown and double-digit points in back-to-back games and received 23 touches versus the Cardinals while Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown combined for just nine. The stage looks set for Akers to break out just in time for the playoff stretch. 

J.D. McKissic at 49ers (49 percent) - With Antonio Gibson dealing with what looks like turf toe, McKissic enters the mix as a decent - if not high-end - Flex option. He caught all 10 (!) of his targets for 70 yards against the Steelers, so keep in mind he's far more valuable in PPR leagues. 

Ty Johnson at Seahawks (2 percent) - Frank Gore (38 percent) suffering a concussion on the second snap of the game last week paved the way for Johnson to handle a workhorse role. He scampered for 117 total yards and a score on 24 touches while backfield colleague Josh Adams (1 percent) also looked solid with 74 yards on eight carries. Adam Gase will probably go right back to Gore if healthy. But if not, Johnson will be a high-upside option - at least as high-upside as one can consider a Jets' RB. 

Phillip Lindsay at Panthers (44 percent) - You wouldn't think Lindsay and Melvin Gordon split a basically even role versus the Chiefs as the former ended with just 26 rushing yards while Gordon had 131, but they received 15 and 14 carries, respectively. The Broncos have been consistent in splitting their backfield all season, but the problem is this isn't the sort of offense that guarantees success even with double-digit touches. 

Ito Smith at Chargers (5 percent) - Smith and Todd Gurley (knee) each had eight carries versus the Saints, but the latter got most of the red-zone work. As usual, Gurley wasn't very effective in that role and Smith was even more efficient as a rusher (4.5 YPC vs. 2.0 YPC). However, Smith was forced out late with a possible concussion. 

Kalen Ballage vs. Falcons (21 percent) - The Chargers turned more to Ballage once last weekend's loss to the Patriots was out of hand as he saw 10 touches to Austin Ekeler's 12. He could see reasonable work in a change-of-pace role going forward, but at the very least he'd inherit a valuable role if Ekeler were to go down. Keep in mind Justin Jackson (knee) had been designated for return from IR. 

Adrian Peterson vs. Packers (49 percent) - Peterson has certainly taken advantage of his opportunities recently with four TDs over the last two weeks, but it looks like D'Andre Swift (illness) is trending toward retaking the field. If Swift were to miss another game, Peterson could have another big day against Green Bay's miserable run defense. 

Gus Edwards at Browns (35 percent) - I'm far more interested in Edwards than Mark Ingram (49 percent), as he's looked like the superior inside runner all year. He managed 101 yards on only seven carries against the Cowboys. And though it looks like J.K. Dobbins is emerging as the lead in this backfield, I wouldn't be surprised to see Edwards serve as the No. 2 option. 

Tony Pollard at Ravens (19 percent) - Pollard didn't do much against the Ravens with just four carries for 12 yards. He's firmly in the handcuff category, but that's about all the fantasy value he has aside from the occasional breakaway run. 

Mark Ingram at Browns (42 percent) - It feels strange to put Ingram's name so low on this list. But even without the context of J.K. Dobbins emerging, it has to be said Ingram has looked like the third-best backfield option on this team. The veteran's usage reflects that, as he hasn't gotten more than six carries since Week 5 and has only managed double-digit fantasy points twice this year. It would probably take both Dobbins and Gus Edwards going down to make Ingram startable again.

Jeremy McNichols at Jaguars (1 percent) - McNichols played 92 percent of snaps in the fourth quarter during Week 13's loss to the Browns, and he managed a short touchdown in garbage time. If Derrick Henry were to miss time, McNichols would be the likeliest candidate to fill in - although D'Onta Foreman (0 percent) could also be worth monitoring in deep formats and dynasty leagues. 

Cordarrelle Patterson vs. Texans (8 percent) - Patterson scored his first rushing touchdown of the season against Detroit and turned 10 carries into 59 yards while the Bears leaned on the run. The Trubisky-led Bears won't often be so in control of a game that they feel safe running down the clock, but Patterson offers underrated appeal as a handcuff to David Montgomery. Chicago's upcoming schedule also consists of four teams incredibly vulnerable against the run in the Texans, Vikings, Jaguars and Packers. 

WIDE RECEIVER

T.Y. Hilton at Raiders (46 percent) - Hilton looks to have recaptured some of his prime form recently with 191 yards and two scores over the last two weeks. He faces two incredible upcoming matchups with the Raiders and Texans before the Steelers in Week 16. 

Allen Lazard at Lions (40 percent) - Lazard hasn't blown up in his three games back from IR, but he appears to have reclaimed the No. 2 role behind Davante Adams. That's worth a substantial amount considering Aaron Rodgers is one of the few quarterbacks with realistic upside to throw multiple touchdowns any given week, especially against a secondary as lackluster as Detroit's. 

Michael Gallup at Bengals (41 percent) - Gallup is finally flashing signs of life and produced had his best game of the year versus the Ravens with seven catches for 86 yards and a score. Andy Dalton has shown a tendency to trust Gallup and targeted the third-year wideout 11 times against Baltimore. A similar performance wouldn't be out of the question against Cincinnati's secondary. 

Tim Patrick at Panthers (21 percent) - Patrick caught two touchdowns versus the Chiefs last week and has taken full advantage of Jerry Jeudy (ankle) playing through injury. It was Patrick's sixth game of the year with double-digit fantasy points, so he's a safe Flex option in positive matchups even though he isn't exactly a household name.

Breshad Perriman at Seahawks (23 percent) - Perriman was a complete bust versus the Raiders with just one 22-yard catch on four targets, but a matchup against Seattle's league-worst pass defense could be just what he needs. Sam Darnold hasn't shown a strong affinity for deep passes, so Perriman has a fairly drastic range in terms of both upside and floor. Denzel Mims (11 percent) is safer, and I might prefer to bet on him even though he hasn't shown Perriman's ceiling this year. 

Nelson Agholor vs. Colts (39 percent) - Despite drawing a season-high 11 targets against the Jets' exploitable secondary, Agholor and Derek Carr couldn't reliably connect. He ended up with only four catches for 38 yards, again proving that some boom-or-bust reputations are well deserved. Against the Colts' secondary, Agholor is only in the mix as a Flex option.

Keke Coutee at Bears (28 percent) - Everything has come up Coutee recently, as the combination of Bill O'Brien getting fired and Will Fuller being suspended have thrust a starting opportunity back into his hands. He broke out with 141 (!) yards on nine catches against the Colts last week, reminding viewers of the upside he flashed as a rookie - which wasn't nearly as long ago as it feels like. In deep formats, Chad Hansen (0 percent) is also worth keeping an eye on, as he hauled in 101 yards on five catches. 

Laviska Shenault vs. Titans (16 percent) - Shenault scored his second receiving touchdown of the season versus Minnesota, but it happened because of a fluky bounce off a defender's hands. Even if Mike Glennon starts again, Shenault is somewhat appealing against the Titans. You're unlikely to get much use out of him beyond this week as the Jags will take on the Ravens, Bears and Colts to close out the season.  

Henry Ruggs vs. Colts (32 percent) - Ruggs capped his day against the Jets with last-second heroics to give the Raiders a win, but prior to his dramatic touchdown the rookie's day was more defined by mistakes and an ugly drop. The Raiders no doubt hope for him to get involved, so there's upside to stashing him. But with just three weeks left for fantasy purposes, will Ruggs reach a point where he can be started with confidence? 

Jakobi Meyers at Rams (43 percent) - Meyers' opportunity is there having received six or more targets in six of the last seven games, but he's now gone three straight games without reaching double-digit fantasy points in half-PPR. The problem for Meyers has been New England's anemic passing offense. And with upcoming games against the Rams and Dolphins - arguably the league's two best secondaries - it's tough to justify taking a chance.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling at Lions (22 percent) - The return of Allen Lazard has tanked Valdes-Scantling's value, to the tune of having gone two weeks without a catch. Against the hapless Lions, he's on the radar as a boom-or-bust Flex option. It's almost too easy to picture he and Aaron Rodgers connecting on a long touchdown, but he may only get two or so opportunities. 

Rashard Higgins vs. Ravens (9 percent) - Higgins compiled by far his best game of the season versus Tennessee with six catches for 95 yards and a score, but he's now set to face one of the toughest defenses of the league. Taking into account a ridiculous three-game stretch of awful weather, Higgins has been fairly solid since Odell Beckham (knee) went down to an ACL tear. It's hard to justify taking a shot on him, as the Browns only have one appealing matchup the rest of the way and that's Week 16 against the Jets. 

TIGHT END

Logan Thomas at 49ers (41 percent) - With Alex Smith (one of the more historically TE-friendly quarterbacks in the league) under center, it was only a matter of time before Thomas broke out. Everyone who was patient enough to hold on to the Washington tight end has finally been able to reap the rewards, with Thomas accumulating 13 catches for 118 yards and two scores over the last two weeks. The 49ers just surrendered four passing TDs to the Bills, but have generally been a tough opponent throughout the season.  

Jordan Reed vs. Washington (26 percent) - Reed salvaged his fantasy day with a score versus the Bills, but his four targets were actually somewhat disappointing as he had six targets in both Week 10 and Week 12. He remains the 49ers' clear top receiving tight end until George Kittle (foot) returns, which puts him firmly on the streaming radar.

Kyle Rudolph at Buccaneers (23 percent) - Rudolph put up a goose egg against Jacksonville, but in the previous two games he had five and eight targets while Irv Smith (back) was out. That still leaves Rudolph with upside as a streaming option, but it also has to be noted he's now dealing with his own foot injury.

Anthony Firkser at Jaguars (8 percent) - Firkser was an appealing option last week with Jonnu Smith (knee) sidelined. And while he did put up 5-51-0, it was MyCole Pruitt who ended up with Ryan Tannehill's obligatory TE touchdown. As long as Smith sits out again, Firkser will be a solid option against the Jaguars. He certainly has upside having gone for 8-113-1 back in Week 6.