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Evan O. analyzes Week 14 and fantasy football playoffs wide receivers (WR) - waiver wire pickups, adds and sleepers for both PPR and non-PPR leagues. NFL wide receivers are a key component.
This is it RotoBallers, it’s do-or-die time. Whether you’ve already clinched and are preparing for the fantasy football playoffs or are looking for a wide receiver boost to sneak into your lineups, you can always use some help off the waiver wire.
Below, I will examine some Week 14 wide receiver waiver wire pickups and potential playoff sleepers, based on their current ownership numbers and fantasy outlooks. Good luck hitting that waiver wire for Week 14 RotoBallers.
Special Treat: We've heard your requests for more position specific live advice, so at the bottom of this post you'll find our Week 14 wide receivers waiver wire chat room, where you can discuss the players in this article and other possible running back waiver wire additions.
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Fantasy Football Wide Receivers (WR) - Week 14
Kenny Stills (NO) - 48% owned in Fleaflicker leagues
If anyone needed further proof that Kenny Still was going to benefit from Brandin Cooks absence, then this Sunday’s game gave them just that. One of the most explosive players in the NFL right now, Kenny Stills absolutely lit up Ike Taylor and the Steelers for 162 yards, including a 69 yard touchdown. After last week''s dominant PPR performance, the evidence is there that Stills will be a bonafide WR2 the rest of the way, as he’s provided a spark to the offense that Marques Colston can’t offer at this point in his career.
He has perhaps the easiest fantasy playoff schedule of any receiver with the Panthers, Bears and Falcons. With his explosive playmaking ability, there’s a chance he finishes as a top 10 receiver in the playoff weeks.
Donte Moncrief (IND) - 8% owned in Fleaflicker leagues
I listed Moncrief on my deep league sleepers page last week, and also previously in the season. With Reggie Wayne sharply declining, now is the time to pick up his replacement off the waiver wire before you miss out. The Colts have an extremely favorable playoff schedule against the Browns, Texans, and then Cowboys. It’s more than likely that Luck will be throwing over 30 times in each game, and Moncrief is going to be a huge benefactor of that. While Moncrief’s usage is still slightly disappointing at under 50% this past week, it’s great to see the Colts use him as a big play receiver ahead of Hakeem Nicks.
He’s going to be on the WR3 map next week with T.Y. Hilton being shadowed by elite (yet inconsistent) Joe Haden in a game that’s going to be decently high scoring. It also must be noted that Dwayne Allen will inevitably return to the lineup, but it won’t have too much of an effect on Moncrief other than red zone opportunities, which he hasn’t been a factor in anyways.
Robert Woods (BUF) - 21% owned in Fleaflicker leagues
As far as talent goes, Woods isn’t ever going to be elite, however he’s still an exciting up-and-comer. While he lacks elite speed and fails to be physical, he’s a strong route runner that has a knack for getting open due to his nifty cutting ability. His numbers have improved from his rookie season, but he’s been plagued by inconsistency making him a weaker fantasy option thanks in part to the Bills run-first scheme, the presence of Sammy Watkins and sporadic play from both EJ Manuel and Kyle Orton. However, he’s put together two very strong weeks in a row.
With a decent fantasy playoff schedule of the Broncos, Packers and Raiders, Woods makes for a great bench option in PPR leagues. With Sammy Watkins reeling due to injury and tight coverage, Woods is going to see upwards of 8 targets a game in matchups that Orton is going to likely have to throw at least 20+ times.
Stedman Bailey (STL) - 4% owned in Fleaflicker leagues
Bailey is a guy I’ve been keeping my eyes on since being drafted by the Rams last year. He finally was able to earn a prominent role in the offense this week, and did more than deliver, hauling in over 100 yards in the first quarter in a dominant performance, including a highlight reel catch. Of course, this was against the lowly Raiders, and his quarterback is Shaun Hill. However the Rams have proven to be a team on the rise, and Bailey has by far the best skill set of any Rams receiver.
He has a decent playoff schedule against the burnable Redskins, the Cardinals and the Giants. Shaun Hill should be called upon to throw at least 20 passes in two of those games, and Bailey figures to be the most highly targeted receiver by default. He’d be a decent PPR WR3 with a low ceiling, as he’s not the most explosive player in the world.
Marqise Lee (JAX) - 8% owned in Fleaflicker leagues
After struggling with hamstring injuries to begin the year, Marqise Lee has finally seen his targets rise dramatically the past 2 games to the point where he may be considered fantasy relevant. With a fantasy playoff schedule of the Texans, Ravens and Titans (who just got torched by Fitzmagic), I’m buying him as someone to stash on my bench with the Jaguars in evaluation mode.
Lee’s extremely quick with the ball in his hands, and can make for an explosive option with quick screens and the deep ball. While Cecil Shorts has played ahead of him the past few weeks, expect their snap counts to be similar going forward due to Shorts' disappointing season. Blake Bortles is going to seriously hamper any Jacksonville receivers due to his accuracy woes, but Lee is the best bet out of himself, Hurns and Shorts to have some type of value throughout their joke of a fantasy playoff schedule. I’d keep him in mind as a flex option in PPR as well as a daily league flyer.
More Wide Receivers To Keep An Eye On
- Harry Douglas - If Roddy White sits next week (a possibility), I’d be comfortable starting Douglas as a WR3 with mid-level upside in a mixed-bag matchup against the Packers.
- Nate Washington - With Justin Hunter out for a few weeks, Washington is going to see most of his snaps. Kendall Wright should be the main beneficiary, but Washington should still find value as an underrated deep threat. Mettenberger should find him at least once a game for a 20+ yard pass.
