Week 14 is here, and for many fantasy managers, it’s the final week before the playoffs, which means every roster decision suddenly feels like a season-defining move.
Unfortunately, the trustworthy streamers are in short supply at this point in the year, but there are a few gems who can steady the ship if you’re fighting for a postseason spot or trying to lock in that final seed. Whether it’s a spot-start quarterback, an emerging rookie, or a touchdown-chasing flex play, the waiver wire still has a handful of options capable of giving your lineup a much-needed jolt.
Of course, this week isn’t doing anyone any favors with the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers all on bye. Between missing key starters and navigating late-season injuries, managers are being forced to dig a little deeper than usual. That’s where this Week 14 Waiver Wire breakdown comes in, by helping you identify the best streamers, sleepers, and priority adds who can help push your squad into the fantasy football playoffs.
Let’s get into it.
HEADS UP: Each player featured is rostered in 50% or fewer leagues on Yahoo! at the time of publication.
FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 14 WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS
QUARTERBACKS
MARCUS MARIOTA, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (10% ROSTERED)
Marcus Mariota put together a strong outing in a tough matchup, but his Week 14 value hinges entirely on Jayden Daniels’ (elbow) availability. Mariota went 28-of-50 for 294 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in Sunday’s overtime loss to Denver, adding 55 rushing yards for good measure, finishing with nearly 25 fantasy points. It wasn’t always efficient, but he pushed the ball downfield and kept Washington competitive from start to finish in a tough matchup.
In Daniels’ absence, Mariota has now made three straight starts and delivered a surprisingly clean 5:1 TD:INT while flashing his trademark mobility. He also benefited from the return of Terry McLaurin, giving this offense a bit more juice heading into a favorable Week 14 matchup against the Vikings. If Daniels sits again, Mariota is firmly in the streaming conversation.
OTHER QBs TO TARGET: Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (52%); CJ Stroud, Texans (39%); Tyrod Taylor, Jets (4%); Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (20%)
RUNNING BACKS
CHRIS RODRIGUEZ JR., WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (24% ROSTERED)
Chris Rodriguez Jr. handled 11 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s 27-26 overtime loss to Denver, adding one target but no receptions. It wasn’t the most efficient day, but he once again operated as Washington’s lead back and punched in an eight-yard score just before halftime, which was his fourth touchdown in his last six games.
Rodriguez has now logged double-digit carries in three of his last four matchups, maintaining a steady role ahead of Week 14’s clash with the Vikings. With Jeremy McNichols and Bill Croskey-Merritt trailing him in touches and Washington committed to keeping the run game involved, Rodriguez remains a volume-based waiver option who can still fall into the end zone. He’s a solid, boring option for those needing a streamer.
BAM KNIGHT, ARIZONA CARDINALS (4% ROSTERED)
Bam Knight took full advantage of Emari Demercado’s absence Sunday, leading the Cardinals’ backfield with 11 carries for 62 yards while catching all three of his targets for 36 yards and a touchdown. He set season highs in yardage and yards per carry (5.6) and even flashed some improvisational magic with a 15-yard receiving score on a broken play in the third quarter. Knight has now logged double-digit carries in two straight games and in five of his last seven, giving him a steady role when the backfield isn’t at full strength.
The only concern is his late-game disappearance, as Arizona shifted to its passing-down personnel with Michael Carter on the field, and Knight’s lingering knee issue is still something to monitor in Week 14 practices. On top of that, Trey Benson (knee) could return from IR and muddy the rotation against the Rams. Still, if Demercado and Benson remain sidelined, Knight has shown he can produce with volume, making him a viable waiver add, even if his workload carries some risk.
OTHER RBs TO TARGET: Blake Corum, Rams (6%); Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars (44%); Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (42%); Tyjae Spears, Titans (32%); Emanuel Wilson, Packers (49%); Keaton Mitchell, Ravens (4%); Ray Davis, Bills (4%)
WIDE RECEIVERS
ADONAI MITCHELL, NY JETS (2% ROSTERED)
Adonai Mitchell finally put the whole package together in Week 13, snagging 8-of-12 targets for 102 yards and a touchdown in the Jets’ win over Atlanta. After weeks of being “the guy with the drops,” he flipped the script with strong hands and his first 100-yard game, punctuated by a gorgeous 52-yard touchdown where he blew past a defensive back and adjusted back to the ball near the goal line.
This was the proof-of-concept game Jets fans have been waiting for: give Mitchell chances, and he’ll eventually make something electric happen. Sure, he will still be volatile down the stretch, but he’s now firmly on the radar as a WR4 with real spike-week upside. With another favorable matchup coming against Miami in Week 14, he’s absolutely worth a waiver look.
JAYDEN HIGGINS, HOUSTON TEXANS (35% ROSTERED)
Jayden Higgins kept his momentum rolling in Week 13, catching all five of his targets for 65 yards in Houston’s win over Indianapolis. The rookie finished second on the team in both receptions and receiving yards, showing he can produce regardless of who’s under center. After flashing strong chemistry with Davis Mills in recent weeks, it was especially encouraging to see him set a new career-high in yardage with CJ Stroud back in control.
Higgins has now put together a 18-200-2 stretch over his last four games and looks increasingly locked into a meaningful role in this passing attack. With his size, reliability, and growing trust from the coaching staff, he profiles as a sneaky WR4/FLEX option moving into a Week 14 matchup against the Chiefs. If he’s still on your waiver wire, he shouldn’t be for long.
OTHER WRs TO TARGET: Jayden Reed, Packers (35%); Isaac TeSlaa, Lions (1%); Hollywood Brown, Chiefs (19%); Pat Bryant, Broncos (2%); Luther Burden III, Bears (10%); Keon Coleman, Bills (35%); Parker Washington, Jaguars (42%); Josh Downs, Colts (48%); Devaughn Vele, Saints (1%), Dontavion Wicks, Packers (1%)
TIGHT ENDS
BRENTON STRANGE, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (32% ROSTERED)
Brenton Strange made the most of his opportunities in Week 13, hauling in 3-of-4 targets for 45 yards and a touchdown in the Jaguars’ win over Tennessee. All of his production came in the first half, highlighted by a smooth 21-yard seam shot where he sliced right through the Titans’ defense for his score.
Since returning from injured reserve, Strange has been quietly efficient and surprisingly explosive, posting eight catches on nine targets for 138 yards and a touchdown across two games. His role is clearly growing, and he’s showing the athleticism that made the Jaguars excited about him in the first place. With tight end getting thin on waivers, Strange offers sneaky Week 14 streaming appeal if this usage sticks.
OTHER TEs TO TARGET: Colston Loveland, Bears (42%); Harold Fannin Jr., Browns (33%); Darren Waller, Dolphins 30%); Dalton Schultz, Texans (46%)
