With four teams (Patriots, Colts, Eagles, and Dolphins) on bye and a lot on the line in many leagues, Week 14 is one that many have undoubtedly been dreading -- especially Jonathan Taylor owners. Identifying sleepers will be crucial for not only Taylor owners, but also owners of Jalen Hurts, Jaylen Waddle, Mike Gesicki, and Damien Harris -- not to mention those with injured players and many popular D/STs. More than ever, owners will be looking for one-week streamers as we head toward the fantasy playoffs.
As always, we're here to help you identify under-the-radar values specific to this week. Whether it's with players on your roster or those sitting on the waiver wire, there are always guys, such as recent breakouts D'Onta Foreman and Taysom Hill, with sneaky upside ready to enter your lineups and be on our Week 14 fantasy sleeper list.
WEEK 14 FANTASY: Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
It's worth noting that any of our selections could bust this week, but so could bona fide studs. We're taking some chances here, as we don't want to say anyone too obvious. A list of easy choices wouldn't do anyone any good. You aren't going to start the guys below over consistent, proven producers, but you're probably not searching for fantasy sleepers if your lineup is set. However, even if that's the case, our sleepers list can help you find value in DFS contests, as the prices of these players should be affordable.
In Week 13, we struck out at RB with Matt Breida and Boston Scott, though weather and illness certainly played roles in both struggling. Nonetheless, it was our worst sleeper week of the year. Kenny Golladay, Rashod Bateman, Jauan Jennings, Foster Moreau, and Tyrod Taylor were a couple more of our big swings and misses, but we'll move on to the next play and attempt to right our wrongs.
WEEK 14 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Week 14 Fantasy Sleepers: Running backs
D'Onta Forman & Dontrell Hillard, Titans vs. Jaguars (Jackson Sparks). It's virtually impossible to know which Titans' RB has the edge here, but both can be considered flex options in what should be a run-heavy game script combined with plenty of Ryan Tannehill dump downs. This offense is struggling without A.J. Brown (chest), and even if Julio Jones (hamstring) plays, Tennessee should lean on their explosive RBs to salt away this game. The Jags give up the 10th-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to RBs, so both could produce solid numbers as they did against New England in Week 12.
Rex Burkhead, Texans vs. Seahawks (Vinnie Iyer). This doesn’t sound like an inspiring pick, but Burkhead has a chance in the next few weeks to close the season in some more favorable spots for the running game. He also gets some checkdowns in garbage time.
Chuba Hubbard, Panthers vs. Falcons (Matt Lutovsky). We originally had Mark Ingram here, but after he wound up on the reserve/COVID list, we're pivoting to another NFC South running back. With Christian McCaffrey (ankle) out, Hubbard is an obvious pick, but with Ameer Abdullah seeing more playing time lately, some might be worried about Hubbard. We still think he'll see the bulk of the touches, and against an Atlanta defense allowing the 10th-most FPPG to RBs, Hubbard should have RB2-level success.
WEEK 14 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Week 14 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Quarterbacks
Taysom Hill, Saints @ Jets (Sparks). Hill had an awful passing day against Dallas but managed to rush for 101 yards and account for two touchdowns. The Jets' defense is awful against virtually all positions, and any QB who can realistically rush for over 40 yards has a safe floor. Especially if Hill gets red-zone rushing work, he'll be a QB1 once again.
Cam Newton, Panthers vs. Falcons (Iyer). Newton loves playing vs. Atlanta because his hometown team’s defense tends to be bad, and this latest matchup is no exception. He should feel it more in the passing game after the bye in a new offense.
Taylor Heinicke, Washington vs. Cowboys (Lutovsky). Heinicke has been solid, if inconsistent, this year, and his underrated rushing ability gives him just enough of a floor to be playable in matchups like this. Dallas allows the 11th-most FPPG to QBs, so Heinicke should have his chances to build off his solid point totals in two of the past three games.
WEEK 14 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo
Week 14 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Wide receivers
Jamison Crowder, Jets vs. Saints (Sparks). Corey Davis (core) will undergo season-ending surgery, so Crowder should see a boost in his rankings for the rest of the season. He's always liable to draw five-plus targets, and since the Saints give up the fourth-most FPPG to WRs, Crowder not only has a safe floor but also a decent ceiling. (Update: With Elijah Moore also out because of a quad injury, Crowder has even more upside.)
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers vs. Bears (Iyer). The Bears stink in the secondary away from Jaylon Johnson, so this screams of MVS making a long play or two playing off the coverage attention Davante Adams gets.
Jalen Guyton, Chargers vs. Giants (Lutovsky). Guyton had a big game last week, but the reason he’s on this list is because of the increased role he would have if Keenan Allen (reserve/COVID) is out. The Giants are below average against WRs, and we know the Chargers will keep chucking it regardless of the pass-catchers available. (Update: Allen is out.)
MORE WEEK 14 DFS: Best stacks | Best values | Lineup Builder
Week 14 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Tight ends
Gerald Everett, Seahawks @ Texans (Sparks). Everett has drawn 36 targets in six games with Russell Wilson, and he's been right up there in targets with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett over the past few weeks. He was targeted twice in the red zone against Arizona, but he ultimately dropped one pass and fumbled another catch at the one-yard line. Hopefully, Wilson will still trust him, and he should have a big day against the sixth-worst TE-stopping defense in Houston.
Evan Engram, Giants @ Chargers (Iyer). Throwing away from the corners and vs. the linebackers is the best way to move the ball on the Chargers, so Engram should get plenty of short passes in garbage time.
Austin Hooper, Browns @ Ravens (Lutovsky). We picked Hooper as a sleeper against the Ravens two weeks ago, and he was promptly shut out. We’re going back to the well this week – and not just because this is a good matchup. Harrison Bryant (ankle), who caught three passes for 50 yards in that game, is likely out, and David Njoku (reserve/COVID), who caught three passes for 35 yards and a score, could also be inactive. That would leave Hooper to pick up all the slack, which should translate to solid stats.
Week 14 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Defense
Seattle Seahawks @ Texans (Sparks). Seattle would be a top streaming D/ST regardless of Houston's quarterback. The Texans give up the fifth-most FPPG to D/STs and probably has the worst "real life" offense in the league.
Green Bay Packers vs. Bears (Iyer). Fire them up for the emotional home prime-time bump coming off a bye. The Packers should rip into the rivals that they own at night, day, and any other time.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Giants (Lutovsky). The Giants could be down to Jake Fromm at QB, but whether it’s him, a concussed Mike Glennon, or a banged-up Daniel Jones (neck), the Chargers defense should take advantage in this highly favorable home matchup.