Before we get into Week 14 waiver wire additions, can we all agree to let this article serve as a petition requiring any new stadiums to be built with a dome or retractable roof? Football was wild this weekend, but the weather was miserable, as a lot of teams played in the elements. For any and all other complaints, petitions or ideas, be sure to send those to @hoovtube on X.
Teams on bye in Week 14: Arizona Cardinals, Washington Commanders
As always, the players below are rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues.
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 14 Pickups (2023)
(Rostership percentages courtesy of ESPN)
Priority Adds
Tyjae Spears (RB, Tennessee Titans) | 32% Rostered
Tyjae Spears has been featured here before, but always as a “just in case” option should something happen to Derrick Henry. Well, unfortunately, something happened. Derrick Henry was ruled out of Sunday’s contest with a “head injury,” which means there’s a good chance we’ll see Henry enter the league’s concussion protocol.
Per Dr. David J. Chao, players who sustain an in-game concussion have about a 22% chance to return to play the next week. I know that “King Henry” is built differently, but there’s a real chance fantasy managers will need a backup plan off the waiver wire for Week 14, and there may be none better than Tyjae Spears. He racked up 88 yards on 20 total opportunities Sunday. While the Titans do have a tough matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 14, Spears could rack up the volume for a solid fantasy day.
Ezekiel Elliott (RB, New England Patriots) | 34% Rostered
The New England Patriots are a mess. They’ve lost three straight contests, and none of their opponents have scored over 10 points. To make matters worse, it’s been reported that star running back Rhamondre Stevenson is likely to miss extended time with an ankle sprain. If it’s a high-ankle sprain, Stevenson could be done for the season, as he has little reason to rush back.
Insert Ezekiel Elliott from waivers. He totaled 21 opportunities on Sunday for 92 total yards from scrimmage. This accounted for 94% of the RB rush share. “Zeke” will continue to see the bulk of the workload for the Pats. I remember him being a first-round fantasy pick, and here he is, available on the waiver wire in Week 14. I’ve also just remembered that I need to stretch, as I’m old, and my joints get stiff in the cold weather. Pick up Elliott.
Plug-Ins
Jonathan Mingo (WR, Carolina Panthers) | 11% Rostered
A pass-catcher from my favorite team? I’m wary, but rookie Jonathan Mingo has double-digit Points Per Reception (PPR) fantasy points in each of the last two weeks. More telling, Mingo hasn’t gotten fewer than six targets in any game over the last month. Bryce Young is looking for him early and often. The Panthers struggle to move the football consistently, so the ceiling for Mingo isn’t incredible, but he can provide FLEX value down the stretch. The Panthers take on the Saints in Week 14, who are giving up the 12-most fantasy points to wide receivers and could be without starting quarterback Derek Carr.
Michael Mayer (TE, Las Vegas Raiders) | 4% Rostered
The Raiders are fresh off their bye week and will face the Minnesota Vikings in a dome, at home, in super optimal conditions (OK, I’m done with dome talk). Rookie Michael Mayer has 14 targets over his last three games. The Vikings have yielded the 11th-most fantasy points to the TE over the last month. The Raiders see the Chargers in Week 15, who allow the ninth-most. At a position that’s tough to have weekly trust outside of a few names, look for matchups and volume. Mayer has both over the next two weeks and is widely available on the Week 14 waiver wire.
Stashes
Antonio Gibson (RB, Washington Commanders) | 45% Rostered
Antonio Gibson is a stash, as the Commanders are on their bye week and the extent of Brian Robinson’s hamstring injury is still unknown. If you can hold Gibson past his bye week, you may have a FLEX-value RB down the stretch. I’d like to tell you he has more fantasy upside, but the schedule is bumpy. The Commanders will take on the Rams, Jets and 49ers during the fantasy playoffs. Gibson is certainly explosive and has the opportunity to break a big play at any point, but only count on him as a FLEX and be happy if you get more.
Matthew Stafford (QB, Los Angeles Rams) | 32% Rostered
Matthew Stafford is quietly averaging over 23 fantasy points in his last two games. With skill players Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams finally all healthy-ish, Stafford has found the fountain of youth, throwing seven touchdowns over the previous two weeks. While I wouldn’t be thrilled to start Stafford against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14, the Rams take on the Commanders and Saints in the fantasy playoffs, who are both bleeding fantasy points to QBs.
D’Ernest Johnson (RB, Jacksonville Jaguars) | 4% Rostered
D’Ernest Johnson has quietly moved his way into the second slot on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ depth chart. He’s had eight opportunities in each of the last two weeks, and should anything happen to Travis Etienne, Johnson will likely get the first crack at carrying the load for the Jaguars. If your platforms allow you to drop players from your bench, you could pick up Johnson ahead of tonight’s “Monday Night Football” contest against the Bengals and avoid possibly having to scrap for him on Wednesday.
Thanks for reading my favorite fantasy football waiver wire Week 14 pickups. Looking for more fantasy football advice? Follow me on Twitter @ThatMattKelley.
*Photo Credit: Sam Navarro – USA TODAY Sports*