Another Monday doubleheader brought us several more players who figure to be among the top Week 14 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds, including TEs Jordan Reed and Logan Thomas, WR Gabriel Davis, and RBs J.D. McKissic and Peyton Barber, the latter two getting more opportunities because of Antonio Gibson's toe injury. Not all will be must-have claims, but with the fantasy playoffs starting this week, they could at least be highly sought-after free agent pickups once waivers clear around 4-5 a.m. ET on Thursday morning in Yahoo and ESPN leagues.
Our full free agent list features more potential late-season breakouts at RB (Cam Akers, Ty Johnson), WR (T.Y. Hilton, Keke Coutee, Tim Patrick, Rashard Higgins), TE (Cole Kmet), and even QB (Jalen Hurts). We also have a bunch of Week 14 streaming recommendations at QB, TE, and D/ST, which can be found at the end of this list. If you're looking for a new kicker or just in the mood to party, you can check out our Week 14 kicker rankings.
WEEK 14 FANTASY: Top pickups | FAAB budget planner | RB Handcuff Chart
With the playoffs here, there will be fewer teams making pickups, but the competition for the top guys will be even more fierce. That might mean using a high claim on a borderline WR3 or TE1, which is something you probably wouldn't have done in Week 7, but when it's win-or-go-home time, you can't hold anything back. Akers figures to have the most value, while Johnson and both of Washington's backs could be key contributors if Frank Gore (concussion) and Gibson (toe) remain out, but if you don't need an RB and your opponent doesn't need one either, then you can let them pass through waivers and focus on other positions.
If you have absolutely no needs for this week or Week 15, then hold back and save your claim, as there will inevitably be more injuries and late-season surprises next week.
WEEK 14 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 14
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues considered.
J.D. McKissic, RB, Washington. McKissic has been getting a lot of targets most of the year, but with Antonio Gibson (toe) potentially set to miss time, McKissic should see even more action in the passing game, as well as additional rushing opportunities. He caught all 10 of his targets for 70 yards against the Steelers on Monday, and with matchups against the 49ers, Seahawks, and Panthers in the next three weeks, he should be able to rack up more catches and yards, making him a must-start in PPR leagues.
Peyton Barber, RB, Washington. Barber operated as Washington's primary ball-carrier (14 carries) after Antonio Gibson (toe) exited on Monday night, and while that didn't result in many yards (23), it didn't yield a touchdown. Barber has never been an efficient runner, averaging 3.1 yards per carry with Tampa last year and 2.7 with Washington this year, but volume matters. If Gibson misses time, Barber will have some flex value in standard leagues against the 49ers, Seahawks, and Panthers over the next three weeks.
WEEK 14 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Logan Thomas, TE, Washington. Thomas continued his breakout season with the best game of his career on Monday, catching all nine targets for 98 yards and a TD. Thomas has had at least four targets in every game this year, and even though he hasn't had many yards, he's capable of games like this given his steady usage. At the TE position, that's enough to make him a borderline TE1 in all formats, especially PPR.
WEEK 14 FANTASY: Top pickups | FAAB budget planner
Gabriel Davis, WR, Bills. Davis had another good game on Monday filling in for John Brown (ankle), catching three-of-four targets for 68 yards and a touchdown. He's now scored in his three of his past four games and will continue to have WR3 value in standard leagues for as long as Brown is out.
Jordan Reed, TE, 49ers. Yes, it was in garbage time, but Reed scored on Monday night, capping off a three-catch, 32-yard night. Reed's four targets gave him 16 over the past three games, and that's enough to make him a borderline TE1, especially with favorable matchups against Washington and Dallas coming up.
For additional waiver/free agent suggestions, including RBs Ty Johnson and Cam Akers and WRs T.Y. Hilton and Keke Coutee, check out our full Week 14 list.
