Fantasy Waiver Wire Week 14: Chase Brown among top stashes, Isaiah Likely among top streamers

Matt Lutovsky

Fantasy Waiver Wire Week 14: Chase Brown among top stashes, Isaiah Likely among top streamers image

Whether you're in a must-win matchup or planning ahead for the fantasy football playoffs, you need to know the top Week 14 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds. Between big injuries and surprise breakouts, there are plenty of potential contributors who will be scooped up before and after waivers clear around 4-5 a.m. ET on Wednesday mornings in most ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

Our full waivers list features a bunch of potential starting RBs (Ezekiel Elliott, Tyjae Spears, DeeJay Dallas, Roschon Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell) and a slew of intriguing WRs (Curtis SamuelElijah MooreNoah BrownOdell Beckham Jr.Jonathan Mingo). We also have our usual array of streamer suggestions at QB (it's rough), TE (it's solid), and D/ST (it's overflowing), which can be found at the end of this list. Even though there are just two teams on bye this week, we're still featuring some of the best streamers at each position below for those looking to upgrade their starters.

Elliott might be the only "potential starting RB" who will actually start in Week 14, but this is still the type of week where the high waiver claims will be flying. Elliott is the easy call for the top claim after news of Derrick Henry's non-concussion broke on Monday, but Spears could still have plenty of value down the stretch, making him worth at least a low claim. The same goes for Johnson, Gainwell, and maybe even Chase Brown, who all figure to be more involved for their teams down the stretch. 

The receivers and streamers usually wouldn't be worth a waiver claim -- and definitely not a high one -- but in a do-or-die week for many fantasy owners, you might have to pull the trigger to get your first choice. Chances are, whoever makes it to free agency could be just as good, but you don't want to have any regrets in the final week of the fantasy regular season.

WEEK 14 FANTASY: Full waivers list | FAAB budget planner

Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups and streamers for Week 14

Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues are considered.

Chase Brown, RB, Bengals. Brown was a popular preseason sleeper, but a slow start and hamstring injury rendered him useless through the first 12 weeks. He finally got a chance to do his thing on Monday night, and he made the most of it, rushing nine times for 61 yards. He's still firmly behind Joe Mixon on the RB depth chart, but it's clear the Bengals want to get their speedy rookie involved more. That could lend itself to flex value down the stretch, especially if Cincinnati falls out of playoff contention. Grab him now, especially if you own Mixon.

Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Eagles. Gainwell quietly played 54 percent of snaps in Week 13 compared to 42 percent for D'Andre Swift. Even more important, an ineffective Swift took a brutal hit at the end of Sunday's game, sending him to the medical tent for the final three minutes. Regardless of Swift's health, Gainwell could be in line for more playing time down the stretch. If Swift is active against the Cowboys, Gainwell won't be worth playing, but if Swift is out, Gainwell would have flex value.

WEEK 14 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Elijah Moore, WR, Browns (vs. JAX). Moore received a team-high 12 targets in Week 13, and while he caught just four, he made the most of them, posting 83 yards. Moore has now seen at least seven targets in four straight games, and with Amari Cooper (concussion) constantly banged up, Moore will likely continue operating as Cleveland's 1A or 1B. That makes him a prime stash and Week 14 streamer against a Jacksonville defense that entered last week allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to WRs before getting carved up Ja'Marr Chase.

Gardner Minshew, QB, Colts (@ CIN). Minshew is coming off arguably his best game of the season, completing 26-of-42 passes for 312 yards and two TDs against Tennessee. It's a rough week for QB streamers, with two of the best matchups going to Jets' and Browns' QBs, so if you need a fill-in, Minshew is likely your best bet. The matchup is only slightly above average, but Minshew has a solid floor and a relatively high ceiling.

WEEK 14 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Isaiah Likely, TE, Ravens (vs. LAR). Likely might have been discarded during Baltimore's Week 13 bye, so grab him if he's available. He was involved heavily in the first half in Week 12 (four catches, 40 yards) before taking a backseat in the second half, but he should be in line for a more complete game coming out of the bye. The Rams entered last week allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to TEs, and Likely has the speed to make them pay with at least a couple of big plays. 

Houston Texans D/ST (@ NYJ). Zach Wilson? Tim Boyle? Trevor Siemian? Does it matter? The Jets have been an absolute disaster over the past six games, allowing 31 sacks and 15 takeaways while scoring just 50 total offensive points. Take the free space and enjoy the production.

For additional waiver/free agent suggestions, including top pickups Ezekiel ElliottTyjae Spears, Roschon Johnson, and more, check out our full Week 14 list.

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.