Fantasy playoffs get underway in most leagues in Week 14, so that'll make the Week 14 waiver wire that much more important. There's never been a better time to think ahead and pick up some sleepers ahead of time off our watch list, especially if you've already clinched a playoff spot and maybe even your playoff seed is already decided. You wouldn't want your opponent to have a better waiver claim than you come next week and snag the running back you've already had your eye on.
There'll also be more attention on certain teams than usual because of Thanksgiving. Maybe no one normally watches the Lions or Bears, but they will on Thursday afternoon. That means that Bo Scarbrough and Anthony Miller could vault from your little secret into more mainstream prominence, and then you won't be able to sneak them by as simple free agent pickups next week. Instead, if you've got the roster space to do it, you should add them now.
WEEK 14 WAIVER WIRE: Top pickups
We've been advocating for Sam Darnold for weeks, and his ownership has risen. If you've listened to that advice, it's definitely paid off for you. The same can be said for Bo Scarbrough, who were both on our watch list last week and make it back this week.
The two biggest upsides on this list could be the players in the photo at the top: Rashaad Penny and James Washington. Penny's path to total fantasy domination is a little complicated, because Seattle still has a healthy Chris Carson. But the Seahawks saw what Penny could do in Week 12, meaning the former first-rounder might be in line for a hefty role down the stretch. Washington also has JuJu Smith-Schuster potentially limiting him, but with JuJu extra dinged up, Washington might have a few more long touchdowns up his sleeve.
If this is your first time here, just a refresher on the basic premise before you dig in. Most fantasy rosters have dead weight in a bench spot or two (or at this time of year, you've got a fantasy playoff spot sewn up). Instead of just living with the dead weight, you can plan ahead and pick up players as free agents now instead of having to deal with the uncertainty of waivers next week, after some of these guys have surely made themselves popular waiver adds.
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Watch List
Reminder: This list was put together in the lead-in to Week 13, looking forward to the players that could be waiver-wire targets in Week 14. If you have a roster spot to play with, these are options you could pick up early to beat the waiver buzz.
All these players are below 50-percent ownership on Yahoo unless otherwise specified.
Week 14 Waiver Wire Watch List: Quarterback
Sam Darnold, Jets (47 percent ownership)
The Jets get to take on the Dolphins in Week 14, which means Darnold should continue his stretch of strong games against terrible opponents. He's the safest stream, because it shouldn't blow up against Miami, and he could have a big touchdown day.
Jacoby Brissett, Colts (42)
Indy takes on the Buccaneers' brutal pass defense in Week 14, and especially because Tampa Bay's run defense is so strong, the Colts should rely on Brissett's arm in a game that moving the ball through the air shouldn't be the problem.
Ryan Tannehill, Titans (32)
Tannehill continues to show a willingness to run, which adds a floor to a fantasy value that's been surprisingly stable via his passing, too. Oakland's secondary won't pose much threat in Week 14 (and he gets Houston in Week 15, too, another good matchup).
Daniel Jones, Giants (26)
Jones could be a multi-week fantasy playoffs stream. The Giants play in Philly in Week 14 before hosting the Dolphins in Week 15. That's finished off with a game against the Redskins in Week 16. If you're streaming QBs for the fantasy playoffs for whatever reason, Jones has a good stretch to put up solid numbers.
Kyle Allen, Panthers (19)
Remember when we thought the Falcons were a great matchup for Allen a couple weeks ago and then he threw four interceptions? Well, that's who the Panthers get in Week 14. It's a good matchup on paper if you think that prior result won't affect Allen. Proceed with caution.
WEEK 14 WAIVER WIRE: Top pickups
Week 14 Waiver Wire Watch List: RB
Bo Scarbrough, Lions (44)
It's not often a starting running back who should see 15 touches in every game the rest of the way is available in more than half of leagues and isn't Kalen Ballage, but that's what we have with Scarbrough. Schedule isn't great, upside isn't great, but floor is certainly FLEX worthy.
Rashaad Penny, Seahawks (39)
The former first-rounder could be a frustrating committee back with Chris Carson the rest of the way, but if Penny gets 12 touches a game from here on out, he's explosive enough to have a few big weeks.
Benny Snell Jr., Steelers (18)
James Conner probably will be back soon and tank Snell's value, but if Conner were to be out an extended period of time, Snell would be a workhorse for an offense that'll have no choice but to keep pounding the rock.
Darrel Williams, Chiefs (8)
Damien Williams is dinged up, and LeSean McCoy's workload is being heavily monitored. We might get to one of the next few Sundays and learn that both of those guys are out, meaning Darrel would get 15-20 touches in an explosive offense. He's not really playable when they're active, but he'd be an awesome start if one of the final few games was a double inactive for Damien and Shady.
Jalen Richard, Raiders (3)
Richard's involvement in the passing game is back to last season's levels after six catches in Week 12. PPR owners should take notice if the injury bug has bitten your RBs.
Patrick Laird, Dolphins (1)
Laird has stolen more and more of Kalen Ballage's playing time each of the last three weeks. It feels like the full-on takeover is coming, and Laird would be especially appealing in PPR leagues, as catching passes seems to be his most NFL-level skillset. If we considered picking up Ballage at 15 touches per game, Laird should be more desirable in a similar role if it comes.
WEEK 14 WAIVER WIRE: Top pickups
Week 14 Waiver Wire Watch List: WR
Mecole Hardman, Chiefs (29)
Hardman is pretty irrelevant aside from the random big play if Tyreek Hill is healthy, but if Hill stays dinged up, Hardman can be Hill-lite for fantasy owners.
Darius Slayton, Giants (25)
Especially with Golden Tate concussed, but even as Week 12 showed us with three healthy New York wideouts, Slayton should see seven-plus targets a game as part of a strong rookie connection with Daniel Jones. And we talked about the strong fantasy playoffs schedule for Jones above.
James Washington, Steelers (20)
The Steelers could just shut JuJu Smith-Schuster down at some point, which would mean Washington would see relatively consistent targets to go with his big-play ability.
A.J. Brown, Titans (20)
Tennessee has a friendly schedule and Brown is prone to the occasional long touchdown. There are worse options to play in your FLEX spot, especially if you think you're an underdog in a playoff matchup.
N'Keal Harry, Patriots (14) | Jakobi Meyers, Patriots (1)
These rookies only maintain value if Mohamed Sanu and Phillip Dorsett remain out, but both were usable in fantasy in Week 12 when that was the case. There isn't a huge indication which would be used more or less if only one of the veterans were out, although Meyers' slot chops line up more with Sanu's ability inside, while Harry is more similar to Dorsett on the outside.
Anthony Miller, Bears (13)
Taylor Gabriel is hurting and Miller may have passed him back again for Chicago's No. 2 WR role, which he's shown can have value in the right games, especially in contests where Allen Robinson is taken by a lockdown cornerback.
Russell Gage, Falcons (7)
Gage has proven week after week that the No. 3 WR role in Atlanta can lead to consistent targets. There's not much touchdown or big-play upside here, but PPR owners could do a lot worse than Gage.
John Ross, Bengals (7)
Ross was designated to return from IR, so at this point it's just a question of when the big-play receiver is back.
Zay Jones, Raiders (2)
Jones burned us once earlier this season, but it's at least worth taking note of how WR playing time shakes out in Oakland with Hunter Renfrow out.
WEEK 14 WAIVER WIRE: Top pickups
Week 14 Waiver Wire Watch List: TE
Ryan Griffin, Jets (44)
You can keep riding Griffin's friendly schedule just as you can with Darnold. A Dolphins matchup means another great opportunity for Griffin to find the end zone again.
Jack Doyle, Colts (38)
Two things are working in Doyle's favor: the Buccaneers and Eric Ebron. Tampa Bay is the second-worst defense against tight ends based on fantasy points allowed, and Ebron is on Injured Reserve. Doyle should see decent targets in Week 14 against a defense that should allow him to be open. Also keep an eye on Mo Alie-Cox, in case he takes over Ebron's red zone role.
David Njoku, Browns (30)
Cleveland should still active Njoku from IR before the season is out, and with tight end injuries left and right, he could be a top-10 option a few times down the stretch.
WEEK 14 WAIVER WIRE: Top pickups
Week 14 defense streamers and sleepers
New York Jets (42) | Week 14 opponent: vs. Dolphins
Dallas Cowboys (37) | Week 14 opponent: @ Bears
Tennessee Titans (36) | Week 14 opponent: @ Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers (36) | Week 14 opponent: @ Jaguars
Green Bay Packers (31) | Week 14 opponent: vs. Redskins
Indianapolis Colts (28) | Week 14 opponent: @ Buccaneers
Houston Texans (26) | Week 14 opponent: vs. Broncos
If you've been riding out the Jets' favorable schedule, you're probably sitting pretty, but there are plenty of streamers to use in Week 14. Some of these defenses are probably owned in your league, but surely not all of them. The Colts probably have a little more downside than the rest when you consider the talent of Tampa Bay's offense, but Jameis Winston should also provide some points to Indy, too.