RADIO
It's Wednesday morning. You dropped a player last night expecting to make some moves on the waiver wire, only to wake up and find out you weren't able to get anyone you put a claim in for. What now?
If you've got an open roster spot, its always a good idea to plan ahead for the future. There are plenty of players in the NFL ripe for a breakout game that will fly up the waiver wire in the following week. This column is here to help you anticipate who that's going to be, and stay a week ahead of your competition.
I'll be giving you a couple players who may be worth grabbing before their stock rises. Here are some players that will help you beat the waiver wire ahead of Week 14, in case they emerge this week.
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Waiver Wire Stashes and Fliers for Week 14
With the playoffs on the horizon, this article will feature a few more streaming-based players than usual:
Blaine Gabbert (QB, AZ) - 4% owned
If you ever told me that Blaine Gabbert would be a legitimate playoff streaming option even three weeks ago I would have laughed in your face, but here we are. Gabbert has thrown five touchdowns in his last two games and has given the Arizona offense new life. He won't be an option against a tough Rams defense in Week 13, but his playoff schedule is very interesting: Tennessee, Washington, and a beautiful championship week matchup with the New York Giants. Gabbert has the weapons around him to succeed and has proven he could put up decent fantasy numbers. For those banking on a Rodgers return in Week 15, consider Gabbert as a backup plan.
Jimmy Garoppolo (QB, SF) - 15% owned
Garoppolo will finally start his first game of the year in Week 13. The young quarterback has a lot to prove over the next few weeks to earn a pay day this summer. San Francisco's offense hasn't been anything special, but we know Garoppolo is talented and we know Head Coach Kyle Shanahan has a history of getting his quarterbacks to overachieve. If Garoppolo can put up a decent game against an underrated Chicago defense this week, he has a juicy Week 14 matchup with Houston and would become a top streaming option heading into the playoffs.
DeShone Kizer (QB, CLE) - 4% owned
Josh Gordon owners aren't the only ones that Christmas came early for. For the next few weeks, Kizer will finally have a chance to prove himself with actual NFL receivers in Gordon and Corey Coleman. Kizer was efficient last week and may finally be looking like he deserves a shot to start in Cleveland next season. This week against the Chargers will be more telling. If Kizer can cut down on the turnovers and produce solid numbers with his new receiving duo, he is worth a look as a streaming option in the playoff run.
Peyton Barber (RB, TB) - 1% owned
Jacquizz Rodgers has become the player to own in the Tampa Bay backfield with Doug Martin out, but to me Barber is the more appealing option. The second year back scored two touchdowns last week and is going to get all of the goal line work in Tampa Bay. If Rodgers is going to be the primary back, what does Tampa Bay have to gain from that? Barber is young enough where he can factor into the future of this team, and deserves a shot prove himself in early-down work. Barber could become a FLEX play if given more work thanks to his touchdown upside.
Aaron Jones (RB, GB) - 26% owned
Aaron Jones has returned to practice this week and will be a game-time decision on Sunday, so his ownership is beginning to rise once again. It remains unclear what the value of Jones will be with Jamaal Williams firmly in the backfield picture. Still, you can't ignore a guy with two 100 plus yard and a touchdown performances in a three week span. Jones should get a chance to produce in the Green Bay offense upon return and could reclaim the job. There is a chance he has a big impact down the stretch.
Dede Westbrook (WR, JAX) - 28% owned
Since his return in Week 11, Westbrook has amassed 16 targets over the past two weeks. The rookie receiver has the talent to break out in Jacksonville, but his quarterback and a crowded receiving core may limit that chance. Westbrook is a nice upside signing for owners with an extra roster spot.
Ricky Seals-Jones (TE, AZ) - 26% owned
Ricky Seals-Jones came out of absolutely nowhere to put up 126 yards and three touchdowns over the past two weeks. Seals-Jones played just one offensive snap in the first 10 weeks, so people like myself were a bit skeptical that he was just a fluke after Week 11. But after Week 12? Seals-Jones has the potential to become a low-end TE1 during the playoff stretch. Seals-Jones has only played in 25 snaps over the past two weeks, but to me that makes his numbers even more impressive. He's been targeted on 44% of his snaps with Blaine Gabbert under center and the duo has proven chemistry. Unless you're rolling out one of the elite TE's, Seals-Jones is absolutely worth picking up.
Green Bay Defense - 32% owned
For those wondering who is playing Cleveland in Week 14, its the Packers.
