Waiver Wire Watch: Week 14 Fantasy Football Targets

Dec 04, 2017

Editor's Note: We're happy to have Brandon Niles on the Waiver Wire Watch this year. He'll work in conjunction with Senior Editor John Paulsen to compile the weekly list of pickups and generate recommended prices for FAAB leagues.

Here is a look at the top waiver wire pickups for Week 14. To be eligible for discussion, the player must be owned in 50% or fewer Yahoo leagues, though we’ll stretch the rules a bit for the RB position, which is usually very thin. We’ll also include suggested bid prices (with a $100 budget) for those leagues that use Free Agent Acquisition Budgets (FAAB). Of course, player value depends on league characteristics and team needs. Players are listed by position in order of importance. For extremely shallow or extremely deep leagues, be sure to review our Rest-of-Season Rankings (updated every Tuesday) to get an idea of how to value players not on this list.

Quarterbacks

Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($8)

Despite the loss, Winston had a nice game against the Packers on Sunday, throwing for 270 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also didn’t throw an interception and looked healthier than he has all season. With matchups against the Lions and Falcons the next two weeks, Winston is a nice option for fantasy owners who have been streaming thus far and need help at the quarterback position. Winston is available in 51 percent of leagues and won’t last long.

Next up: Lions, Falcons, @ Panthers

Josh McCown, New York Jets ($6)

McCown has been a reliable fantasy quarterback all season, and has had two great games in a row. After throwing three touchdown passes against the Panthers in Week 12, he threw for 331 yards and a touchdown, and ran in a pair of scores against the Chiefs on Sunday. McCown doesn’t have a great schedule to close out the season, but he’s been so productive over the course of the season that fantasy owners needing help at the position should scoop him up.

Next up: @ Broncos, @ Saints, Chargers

Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers ($6)

Garoppolo wasn’t great in his first start, but he threw for 293 yards and led the 49ers to their second victory of the season. Garoppolo also threw a pick, but it was good to see him connecting with the young 49ers receivers and moving the ball against the Bears. With the Texans and Titans next up on the schedule, and Garoppolo likely to keep the starting job for the rest of the season, fantasy owners should consider him a nice two-week streaming option, especially in large leagues.

Next up: @ Texans, Titans, Jaguars

Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars ($2)

Bortles had a great game against the Colts on Sunday, putting up 309 yards and a pair of touchdowns in an easy victory for the Jaguars. It was only the second game of the season where Bortles threw for over 300 yards, but with a nice remaining schedule, including the Texans and 49ers during the fantasy playoffs, Bortles should be a good option for needy fantasy owners. This week doesn’t look great against the Seahawks, but owners may need to grab him now if they want him in Weeks 15 and 16.

Next up: Seahawks, Texans, @ 49ers

Blaine Gabbert, Arizona Cardinals ($2)

Gabbert struggled against a tough Rams defense on Sunday, throwing for 221 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions in a Cardinals loss. Gabbert is an interesting option for fantasy owners for the rest of the season however. He faces the Titans, Redskins, and Giants over the final three weeks of the fantasy season, three teams that are hemorrhaging points to opposing quarterbacks. If you need a streaming option, or are in a league that features two quarterbacks, Gabbert has some upside.

Next up: Titans, @ Redskins, Giants

DeShone Kizer, Cleveland Browns ($1)

Jameis Winston just had a nice game against the Packers, and Kizer adds so much value on the ground. He managed 46 yards rushing on Sunday against the Chargers, to go with 215 yards passing, a touchdown, and a pick. As a streaming option with high risk/reward potential, Kizer is worth consideration in what should be a good matchup. It doesn't hurt that he now has another playmaker in Josh Gordon to throw to, either.

Next up: Packers, Ravens, @ Bears

Brett Hundley, Green Bay Packers ($1)

If you’re desperate, Hundley faces the Browns this week, although it’s hard to trust him after 84 passing yards and a pick in a good matchup against the Bucs on Sunday. He did gain 66 yards on the ground, which can help him overcome bad passing days, but he’s very risky for this late in the season. Hopefully there are better options available on the wire in most leagues.

Next up: @ Browns, @ Panthers, Vikings

I’m not buying: Jay Cutler may have looked serviceable in a big win over Denver on Sunday, but I don’t trust him in any matchup, even against the Patriots this week. Nathan Peterman has a great schedule coming up if Tyrod Taylor misses time, but he looked so awful in his only career start that it’s hard to get excited about him.