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Jackson Sparks' deeper-league waiver wire pickups and fantasy football sleepers for Week 14. His top free agent options for 14-team fantasy leagues or deeper.
As always in Week 14, the waiver wire in deep leagues is ultra-thin with no obvious pickups, so it's time to load up on "handcuff" running backs, wide receivers, and even quarterbacks in superflex or two-QB leagues. These fantasy football waiver wire pickup suggestions are for fantasy managers in deep leagues of 14-teams or more or a higher number of bench spots than traditional fantasy leagues. That said, chalky waiver pickups for shallower leagues won't be featured. Each week sees this list shrink, as we are truly running out of options at this point in the season.
At this point in the season, it's time to trim down on wide receivers who haven't cracked your starting lineup and replace them with high-upside RB handcuffs like Alexander Mattison and Dontrell Hilliard. As always, these players are usually cheap to obtain and can be dropped if it's clear they won't have value after a few weeks. With 13 weeks of data to examine, advanced stats and fantasy statistics carry more weight for the rest of the season.
Without further ado, here are the top deeper league waiver wire targets for Week 14, including Tyler Huntley, DeeJay Dallas, Alexander Mattison, Jordan Mason, and Joshua Kelly.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets for Week 14
Jameis Winston could be the starter in New Orleans any time soon, as Andy Dalton and the Saints' offense has cooled off mightily after a few weeks of competence.
Tyler Huntley posted a 35-point fantasy performance last year when Lamar Jackson was out and produced a respectable 16.6-point performance against the Denver Broncos on Sunday when Jackson went out with a knee injury. Like Jackson, he has real rushing upside, but the passing upside is limited with a weak supporting cast around him. It's unclear how much time Jackson will miss, but there's a good chance he's out for at least a few weeks.
Alexander Mattison has as much upside as any handcuff running back, so he's a must-roster in all deep leagues as the fantasy football playoff approach. He's more worth rostering than a WR2 or WR3 on a low-volume passing offense, so it's time to make that switch. We've seen Samaje Perine step in and pay off in a big way in the absence of Joe Mixon (concussion). Mattison would be an RB1 candidate immediately if Dalvin Cook misses any games.
DeeJay Dallas handled 10 touches for 37 yards when Kenneth Walker left the game against the Los Angeles Rams early with an ankle injury. Dallas and Travis Homer (out with illness in Week 13) have been on this list for weeks, and even though Walker's injury isn't thought to be serious, both are high-upside handcuffs in a great offense.
JaMycal Hasty didn't get to start in Week 13 since Travis Etienne's foot injury wasn't serious, but since Etienne carries plenty of injury risk, Hasty is worth rostering as a high-end handcuff.
Darrynton Evans is the primary backup to David Montgomery in one of the most run-heavy offenses in the NFL. That's all there has to be said this late in the season.
Tyrion Davis-Price and Jordan Mason would likely work as a committee in the 49ers' backfield if the often-banged-up Christian McCaffrey has to miss any time down the stretch. Both guys might have low upside with Brock Purdy at quarterback after Jimmy Garoppolo's season-ending foot injury, but they'd be worth something in fantasy. For now, Mason looks like the guy to roster.
Dontrell Hilliard's workload varies week-to-week so he can't be trusted in fantasy lineups, but Derrick Henry is 28 years old and looks to be slowing down a bit, so there's a chance Hillard could get more involved. If not, he's at least a top handcuff in a premier rushing offense.
Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell should remain on the fantasy radar as handcuffs to Miles Sanders in one of the best offensive attacks in football.
Ty Johnson is a PPR league suggestion only, but he's working as the primary pass-catching running back for New York. He caught six of his seven targets for 38 yards in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings. If Michael Carter (ankle) remains out, he has real flex appeal in PPR leagues.
Joshua Kelley is back from injured reserve and is the clear backup to Austin Ekeler. Sony Michel was a healthy scratch and Isaiah Spiller didn't log a touch, while Kelley rushed 10 times against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Kevin Harris could start to see touches if Damien Harris (thigh) continues to deal with injuries, as the New England Patriots are notorious for unexpectedly featuring a new workhorse running back.
Keaontay Ingram appears to be the clear RB2 behind James Conner in Arizona, and the Cardinals coaching staff liked him enough to feel comfortable releasing Eno Benjamin, so it wouldn't be surprising if he became the workhorse running back if Conner misses any games down the stretch. The Cardinals are falling further away from the playoff bubble, so there's also a chance they'd like to see what the rookie can do before the season concludes.
Chuba Hubbard looks to be relegated to the RB2 role in Carolina, but he did get 17 carries in the win over the Denver Broncos in Week 12. If nothing else, he's at least the handcuff to D'Onta Foreman, and you'd think Carolina will want to see what they have in their second-year back.
Zack Moss and Deon Jackson would fight for touches if Jonathan Taylor either gets hurt or the Colts begin to decrease his role in a lost season. Taylor has already been bitten by the injury bug this season, so it wouldn't be shocking if the Colts play it safe with him as the Colts get further away from the playoff bubble.
Richie James has 12 targets over his last three games as the primary slot receiver since Wan'Dale Robinson tore his ACL, so he's worth taking a look at after a few solid fantasy performances this season.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling is far from a safe fantasy option in a crowded skill group for Kansas City, but he has the boom-or-bust upside that can win weeks, and he's a top "handcuff" wideout in an elite offense.
Jameson Williams made his NFL debut in Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars but didn't catch a pass and saw just one target on eight snaps played. However, Detroit will likely incrementally increase his role, and his deep-threat, splash-play skillset could pay off in a big way in the high-powered Lions' offense.
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