Beat the Waiver Wire: Week 14

Week 14 Byes:  Broncos, Colts, Patriots, Commanders, Ravens, and Texans

Here are some players to consider picking up this week, if available, to get ahead of the other managers in your league. These players include potential bye-week fill-ins, players who are returning from injury, and defenses to look at in advance. 

As the fantasy playoffs are around the corner, be aware that while some of these players are stashes for later playoff weeks, some are players you could pick up and start immediately. Fewer weeks remaining in the fantasy season equals fewer weeks to plan ahead for. 

Good luck out there!

Beat the Waiver Wire: No-Brainers

In most leagues, these guys aren't available. But if you're fortunate enough to see them on the waiver wire, grab them.

RB Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers (78% rostered on Sleeper)

The house of cards is on the verge of collapse, with CMC and Jordan Mason heading to IR. Head coach Kyle Shanahan will want to see what he has with the rookie Guerendo, and he looks to be the main guy. The matchup against Detroit in Week 17 would be a no-go, but you could play him in the two weeks previous. Grab him immediately if you are lucky enough to be in a league where he is still out there.

Beat the Waiver Wire: Quarterbacks

Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns (37% rostered on Sleeper)

We had the true Jameis Winston experience on Monday night. He threw for almost 500 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. After all that, he will finish as the QB1 this week. You cannot ignore Winston, and although the team doesn't have the best matchups in the fantasy playoffs, they do square off against the Bengals in Week 16. Also, do the matchups even matter when it comes to Winston? He has only attempted less than 40 passes once in his five starts this season. Sometimes, you have to play the odds, and with Jameis, the odds always scream, “Pass the ball.”

Aidan O'Connell, Las Vegas Raiders (10% rostered on Sleeper)

The last play was rough, but until then, O'Connell had control over the Vegas offense and was on the verge of leading them down the field to kick a game-winning field goal to beat the Chiefs. Officiating aside, he managed 340 yards and two touchdowns (almost 20 fantasy points). You could use O'Connell this week in bye-pocalypse part deux, then continue with him through Atlanta, Jacksonville, and New Orleans if you had to.

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (13% rostered on Sleeper)

Don't look now, but Young may be ok at football. At least decent enough to be rostered. This week against the Eagles could be brutal, but Carolina does face Dallas and Tampa Bay in the fantasy playoffs. Both teams have given up at least 2.5 fantasy points over expectation to the quarterback position. Young has something to prove, and my gut says he will go out with a bang.

Just a reminder to check your waiver wire for: Russell Wilson (58%), Justin Herbert (83%), Caleb Williams (64%).

Beat the Waiver Wire: Running Backs

Israel Abanikanda, San Francisco 49ers (4% rostered on Sleeper)

With the promotion of Isaac Guerendo to the team's RB1, the Niners claimed Abanikanda. We saw him last playing for the Jets in 2023, and although the numbers don't show tons of production, we know he will see work in the Shanahan system. And with the luck of that team, you never know what could happen.

Braelon Allen, New York Jets (39% rostered on Sleeper)

Breece Hall did play this week, despite rumors he might not play due to a knee injury. He might still not be 100%, so if Allen is out there, he needs to be rostered. Rumors abound of Aaron Rodgers dipping out before the season ends, and if that happens, the Jets will commit even more to the run. The Jets have the second-best schedule for running backs in the fantasy playoffs, playing the Jags, Rams, and Bills.

Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders (12% rostered on Sleeper)

Austin Ekeler was placed on IR, so the backfield in Washington belongs to Brian Robinson Jr. and Chris Rodriguez Jr.. Rodriguez managed 94 yards on 13 attempts, and you might be able to grab him off the wire as the Commanders go on bye in Week 14. When they return, it's a decent matchup against New Orleans, then a tough one against the Eagles. However, they close out the fantasy playoffs against Atlanta. 

Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints (9% rostered on Sleeper)

Remember Kendre Miller and Dennis Allen's alleged hate for him? Allen is gone, and interim coach Darren Rizzi has made it clear he has no discontent towards Miller. Allegedly, it was reported that Miller did not need to be placed on IR, so when he does return, he should be fresh and ready to go. It was reported on Monday that he is eligible to return, and in an offense that has lost Taysom Hill, Miller could see some carries, especially near the goal line.

Just a reminder to check your waiver wire for: Blake Corum (22%), Jaylen Warren (74%).