This article is part of our NFL Waiver Wire series.
Fantasy football differs from almost every other fantasy sport in that it's more of a sprint rather than a marathon (ducks). Many teams will head into this weekend playing in the playoffs, which is what the ultimate goal should be — make the playoffs. Once the playoffs come around it's tough to gauge week in and week out who will win; that can be any team at any time. As long as you're still alive in your league, whether the playoffs are this week or next, try to have some sense of satisfaction that you got there despite the ultimate outcome.
Please read last week's column as many players there might be still available on your waiver wire. As always, hit up the comments section if you have a player mentioned there or someone I've overlooked. I will give my "sage" advice for any of your questions. Let's look at some players to help us out in Week 14.
This columns is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and remaining budget.
Quarterback
PRIMARY TARGETS
Philip Rivers, IND - I wrote about Rivers last week and all he did was score 22.1 fantasy points. He's got another inviting matchup this week at Las Vegas against a team that has allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. His rushing upside is limited, but he
Fantasy football differs from almost every other fantasy sport in that it's more of a sprint rather than a marathon (ducks). Many teams will head into this weekend playing in the playoffs, which is what the ultimate goal should be — make the playoffs. Once the playoffs come around it's tough to gauge week in and week out who will win; that can be any team at any time. As long as you're still alive in your league, whether the playoffs are this week or next, try to have some sense of satisfaction that you got there despite the ultimate outcome.
Please read last week's column as many players there might be still available on your waiver wire. As always, hit up the comments section if you have a player mentioned there or someone I've overlooked. I will give my "sage" advice for any of your questions. Let's look at some players to help us out in Week 14.
This columns is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and remaining budget.
Quarterback
PRIMARY TARGETS
Philip Rivers, IND - I wrote about Rivers last week and all he did was score 22.1 fantasy points. He's got another inviting matchup this week at Las Vegas against a team that has allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. His rushing upside is limited, but he has plenty of receiving options, including a rejuvenated T.Y. Hilton. FAAB: $5-$10
Jalen Hurts, PHI - Is the Carson Wentz era about to close for Philadelphia? Might the brass have seen this coming and made a contingency plan of drafting Hurts? You can blame the lack of talent and injuries at wide receiver, but you look at a similar situation like the one Deshaun Watson has and there really isn't any excuses for Wentz. It seems like it's a matter of "when" and not "if" Hurts takes over for good. FAAB: $5-$10
SECONDARY TARGETS
Mitchell Trubisky, CHI - Do you feel lucky? Using Trubisky is definitely a risk, but it's worth noting the Texans give up the 11th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Trubisky has plenty of weapons at his disposal (and if I have to read about the Bears taking Cole Kmet over Chase Claypool one more time ...). And unlike Rivers he has the ability to score extra points using his legs. FAAB: $3-$6
Running Back
PRIMARY TARGETS
Cam Akers, LAR - I discussed Akers last week and it appears Sean McVay seems ready to make him the featured back. Akers got 23 touches that he turned into 94 yards and, more important, Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson only had nine touches combined. It's a nice playoff schedule for Akers, who faces teams ranked 11th or worse against the run in his last four games. He's 53 percent owned in Yahoo leagues. But check on his stats, as he did not practice Monday. FAAB: $20-$40
Ty Johnson, Josh Adams, NYJ - Neither of these selections instill a lot of confidence as both don't have a ton of pedigree. However, they have the opportunity for volume if Frank Gore misses time after suffering a concussion Sunday. Johnson is the preferred add because he got most of the work Sunday, including goal-line carries. Watch throughout the week for updates on Gore to see how this backfield shakes out. FAAB: Johnson $8-$16; Adams $3-$6
Wide Receiver
PRIMARY TARGETS
T.Y. Hilton, IND - Think about where he was drafted and then realize he's only 45 percent owned in Yahoo leagues. We need to adjust as fantasy owners and realize Hilton is back and looks healthy. He caught eight of 11 targets Sunday for 110 yards and score. This comes after his Week 12 showing in which he caught four of five targets for 81 yards and a touchdown. Rivers loves to throw to Hilton, targeting him 27 times in the last four games. And it's a great matchup at the Raiders. FAAB: $5-$10
SECONDARY TARGETS
Tim Patrick, DEN - I never thought I'd write these words, but Drew Lock being back under center is a huge difference for the Broncos receivers. Patrick had a nice two-touchdown game after getting a goose egg the previous week, and as long as Lock is in, he's worth considering. FAAB: $2-$4
Tight End
HAIL MARY
Anthony Firkser, TEN - Firkser was a trendy play last weekend once Jonnu Smith was ruled out. However, it ended up being MyCole Pruitt who had the big fantasy game with two touchdowns. I still like Firsker better provided Smith is still out. Smith is dealing with a knee injury and those don't typically go away overnight, so I'd guess he misses more time. FAAB: $1-$2
