Week 14 Waiver Wire: Free Agent Pickups to Help Clinch Fantasy Playoffs

It's the final week of the fantasy football regular season and these waiver wire pickups can help ensure your fantasy team makes the post-season.

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Week 13 was not kind in the injury department. The quarterback injuries keep piling up, as Trevor Lawrence is now in doubt for the rest of the season. One of our favorite waiver wire adds for this season, Texans' rookie Tank Dell, is also done for the year.  

Fantasy managers could be looking for temporary replacements for Rhamondre Stevenson, Brian Robinson, Jr., Amari Cooper, Christian Watson, Derek Carr, Hollywood Brown, Christian Kirk, and Kenny Pickett, all of whom could be out this week- and some even longer.

It's the final week of the fantasy football regular season. Let's clinch those playoff berths and start taking stock for your playoff run.

There are only two teams on bye this week- the Cardinals and the Commanders.

Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back, New England Patriots

Paul Rutherford/USA TODAY Sports

Those who picked up Zeke during last week's bye weeks were rewarded with a solid 13.2 PPR point performance vs. the Chargers, setting season highs in rushing and receiving yards. Rhamondre Stevenson left Sunday's contest with an ankle sprain, so Elliott is expected to continue with lead duties in a short week and possibly for longer. The Patriots are unsettled at the QB position and should be expected to continue to lean on the run game. The Patriots have one of the best fantasy playoff schedules for running backs.

FAAB: 11%

Noah Brown, Wide Receiver, Houston Texans

Unfortunately, Tank Dell is done for the season with a fractured tibia. I may have cried a little on Sunday. Now is the time to pick up Noah Brown, who should move into the WR2 role and be the big-play threat the Texans need. Brown has been out with a knee injury, but in Weeks 9-10, the receiver had 325 yards and a touchdown and finished top-6 at the position in both weeks. CJ Stroud leads the league in passing yards, and Brown should be a top target this week as he could be a flex play for the rest of the season.

FAAB 11%

Keaton Mitchell, Running Back, Baltimore Ravens

It's still a three-person committee in Baltimore, but Mitchell looks incredible, averaging more than 9 yards per attempt this season. He played more than 50% of the snaps on Sunday before the bye, and his role could increase in the coming weeks, as he looks like the best option at the position.

FAAB 10%

Tyjae Spears, Running Back, Tennessee Titans

Christopher Hanewinc/USA TODAY Sports

We've been telling you to add Spears for some time as a high-end handcuff, and briefly this looked like the week it could pay off. Derrick Henry was reported to be in concussion protocol, with his status in doubt for next Monday night vs. the Dolphins until Mike Vrabel corrected the report Monday. Spears rushed the ball 16 times for 75 yards on Sunday and also caught four of his six targets for another 13. The Titans don't have another running back on the active roster, and Spears has an excellent playoff schedule, so he could still have plenty of value even with Henry on the field.

FAAB 6%

Elijah Moore, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns

Amari Cooper left the game Sunday with a concussion, and Elijah Moore took over as the offense's focal point with Joe Flacco, seeing 11 targets and catching four for 83 yards. Whether Flacco starts again or not, Moore is worth an add if Cooper remains out for this week's contest vs. a Jacksonville secondary that has allowed the eighth-most PPR points per game to opposing wideouts this year.

FAAB 8%

Gardner Minshew, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts

In the words of Gardner Minshew, III, "It's not always gonna be sexy, but dang, it's good." Minshew Magic was back in action on Sunday as the Colts defeated the Titans in overtime and covered the -1.5 spread for those of us who backed Indianapolis.

Minshew was the QB9 for Week 13 heading into Monday Night Football after throwing for 312 yards and a pair of scores in the victory. This week, Minshew has another favorable matchup vs. the Bengals.

FAAB 6%

Roschon Johnson, Running Back, Chicago Bears

Johnson led the running back room for Chicago on Monday night before the bye, with 10 attempts for 35 yards vs. a tough Minnesota run defense. He also caught all five of his targets for another 40 yards and finished second in fantasy points for the Bears behind only DJ Moore. Johnson showed promise early in the season, but injury and the emergence of D'onta Foreman limited him until this week. Even with a healthy Khalil Herbert, Johnson was more involved in this offense. As long as Foreman remains out, Johnson is a flex play in deeper leagues. The talented rookie out of UT could have the fresh legs fantasy managers need down the stretch. Stash and hold until after the bye week if you are able.

FAAB 8%

Joe Flacco, Quarterback, Cleveland Browns

leveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) celebrates with guard Joel Bitonio (75) after a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA

If Flacco gets the start again Sunday, he is worth a play in Super Flex leagues. Flacco looked better straight off his couch than any Jets QB this season, but I digress-

The veteran passed for 254 yards and two touchdowns vs. a good Rams defense, and this week, the Browns get a Jacksonville team that has been among the most generous to opposing quarterbacks this year. Flacco also has TE Harrison Bryant and WR Elijah Moore looking like waiver wire adds.

FAAB 3%

Baker Mayfield, Quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mayfield isn't an exciting option, but with reliable stud Mike Evans as his WR1, Mayfield offers a solid floor. Baker has been held to no touchdowns only once this season, and this week he has a plus matchup with a Falcons team that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks across the past three contests.

FAAB 3%

Jonathan Mingo, Wide Receiver, Carolina Panthers

The rookie has led the receiving room for Carolina in consecutive weeks, most recently seeing ten targets for 69 yards on Sunday vs. the Buccaneers.

FAAB 5%

Chase Brown, Running Back, Cincinnati Bengals

Brown looked fresh on Monday night gaining 69 yards on just nine attempts behind Joe Mixon. He's a handcuff that could earn some standalone value in the right matchup.

FAAB 5%

Antonio Gibson, Running Back, Washington Commanders

Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com

Brian Robinson, Jr. left the game on Sunday with an ankle injury, and Gibson took over lead duties. Gibson is only a start in PPR leagues, and he is on bye next week.

FAAB 5%

Kenneth Gainwell, Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles

If you read this column regularly, you know I have been advocating for fantasy managers to pick up Tyjae Spears and Kenneth Gainwell as handcuffs for your fantasy playoffs. Swift left in the fourth quarter to the medical tent, but regardless of any injury to Swift, Gainwell should not be left on the wire. Gainwell has been the primary receiving back for the Eagles, and the game script with Dallas could mean he is more involved. After that Cowboys game, the Eagles have easy matchups where Gainwell could take over lead duties to help keep Swift fresh for the playoffs. The Eagles average 130 rushing yards per game, and the Cardinals, the Championship Week matchup, have allowed the third-most PPR points to running backs this year.

FAAB 5%

Matt Stafford, Quarterback, Los Angeles Rams

Stafford threw three touchdown passes vs. a tough Browns defense on Sunday, and he was the QB6 heading into Monday Night Football. With RB Kyren Williams keeping defenses honest, the passing game should only open up more for Stafford who has plenty of able weapons and one of the best playoff schedules for quarterbacks down the stretch.

FAAB 5%

Jake Browning, Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals

Browning looked calm, cool, and collected as he led the Bengals to an upset win vs. the Jaguars on Monday Night Football. In just his second career start, Browning completed 32 of 37 passes for 354 yards and a touchdown, and he also added an other score with his legs. He finished the week as the QB4, and his matchup next week with the Colts is very favorable as the Colts have allowed an average of more than 20 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season.

FAAB: 4%

Jameis Winston, Quarterback, New Orleans Saints

Carr is in concussion protocol, and with his shoulder and back injuries, it seems Winson should be getting the start at least this week. We've seen what Winston can do in the past, and he can elevate his weapons, too.

FAAB 2%

Zach Ertz, Tight End, Free Agent

There are rumors that the veteran tight end could sign with Buffalo, Baltimore, or Philadelphia. If he signs with Baltimore, he becomes an immediate must-start, and wherever he signs, could make an impact.

FAAB 6%

Isaiah Likely, Tight End, Baltimore Ravens

Likely caught all four of his passes for 40 yards to lead all Ravens receivers Sunday night before the bye. He's still one of the top ads available at the position.

FAAB 5%

Gerald Everett, Tight End, Los Angeles Chargers

The receiving room in Los Angeles remains beat up, and Everett has an ideal matchup this week with Denver. The Broncos have allowed the most PPR points to tight ends this season.

FAAB 4%

Chig Okonkwo, Tight End, Tennessee Titans

Okonkwo had a season-high 62 yards on three catches Sunday vs. the Colts. The Titans face the Texans twice during the fantasy playoffs, and they should be expected to throw the ball a lot in those matchups. Houston has allowed the fourth-most PPR points to tight ends this season.

FAAB 4%

Harrison Bryant, Tight End, Cleveland Browns

Joe Flacco is known for targeting his tight ends, so we assumed it would be another day for Njoku. It was Bryant, however, who got the veteran's attention. He caught all five of his targets for 49 yards and a score and has now found the end zone in back-to-back weeks. Bryant is a target in deeper leagues only.

FAAB 2%

Other Players To Consider Adding

QB: Mitch Trubisky, Jake Browning

RB: Michael Carter, Rico Dowdle

WR: DeMario Douglas, Michael Wilson, Alec Pierce, Parker Washington

TE: Brevin Jordan