X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 14 Playoffs Waiver Wire - Wide Receivers (WR) & Defenses (DEF)

By BrokenSphere (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

RotoBaller Matt Hartman breaks down some Week 14 playoffs waiver wire pickups for wide receivers (WRs) & defenses (DEF) and your fantasy football teams.

By now if you are reading this article, more than likely you have survived the first wave of the fantasy football season and are into the playoffs, so congratulations!  Now that the playoffs are here, the hard part begins.   Remember that the key to winning a championship is not your current playoff position, because anything can happen.  The key to winning the championship is first making it to the playoffs, and you’ve got that part covered, so right now is the time when strategy really comes into play.  Be wise with your use of your waiver claims, and be sure look at upcoming matchups.  Pick up WRs and DEFs who have great matchups in the following weeks to out-manage your opponents.  I will continue to be recommending waiver defenses that are nice streamer choices based off the matchup for the week.  With that said, let’s get to it.

 

Week 14 (Playoffs) Waiver Wire Pickups - Wide Receivers (WR)

 

Michael Crabtree, WR, SF - Waiver Wire Pickup

BALLER MOVE: Add Immediately (10+ teams PPR, Standard)

ANALYSIS:  I'm going to break my rules because it's the playoffs and it's time to break them.  Crabtree returned this week after being out for most of the season due to injury.  In his first game back, he only had two catches, BUT he had 68 yards.  I expect that Crabtree will get more targets as his season finally begins... and that will help your fantasy team.  If he's available on waivers, he's worth the pickup.

 

Ace Sanders, WR, JAX  - Waiver Wire Pickup

BALLER MOVE: Add Immediately (12+ teams PPR)

ANALYSIS:  When Justin Blackmon was suspended, the Jaguars instantly needed WR help.  They didn't have to look very far, as Ace Sanders has become the player they needed.  Over the past three weeks, he's caught 20 balls on 26 targets  for 189 yards (~7 catches and 63 yards/game).  While these aren't great statistics in standard leagues, this is golden in PPR leagues.  One downfall with Sanders is that he hasn't had a TD yet, So I'm down on recommending him as a waiver pickup for standard leagues.  If you are looking for a PPR WR, though, Sanders is a nice choice.

 

Andre Holmes, WR, OAK  - Waiver Wire Pickup

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep Leagues only (12+ teams PPR)

ANALYSIS: Andre Holmes had a career-best game last week with 7 catches on 11 targets and 136 yards.  The week before, Holmes started to get more looks with 5 targets with the Raiders WR corps banged up.  So the question is why am I recommending this guy?  Raiders Head Coach Dennis Allen stated that Holmes is a guy they "are very comfortable with" and Denarius Moore (whom Holmes has been filling in for) has been out with a shoulder injury.  As I've said all season, QB chemistry is the key with WRs.  Matt McGloin and Holmes have a rapport, probably largely because they've had a lot of practice reps together.  If Moore is out another week, Holmes is a nice 'plug and play' WR option, though probably not much more than that.

 

Previously Mentioned Players: Julian Edelman, WR, NE; TEN; Kendall Wright, WR, TEN
Honorable mentionJerome Simpson, WR, MIN; Dexter McCluster, WR, KC

 

Players I recommend beyond rules (above 25% ownership or previously recommended).  Add these WR players immediately if they are somehow still available in your leagues (in priority order):

 

  • Josh Gordon, WR, CLE -  Gordon is on FIRE.  If this guy is somehow still available, you are not playing in a fantasy football league… you are dreaming.
  • Keenan Allen, WR, SD -  Great week with 8 catches and 106 yards.
  • Harry Douglas, WR, ATL - Decent week with 6 catches for 73 yards.
  • Emmanuel Sanders, WR, PIT - had a huge game with 6 catches on 11 targets after a disappointing last week.
  • TY Hilton, WR, IND - Mediocre game with 5 catches for 46 yards.  I'm not sure what's going on with the Colts offense right now.  The past two weeks haven horrible.
  • Michael Crabtree, WR, SF - Nice game for his first one of the season-- had 68 yards on two catches. He can go only up from here!
  • Golden Tate, WR, SEA - game not complete as of this writing
  • Doug Baldwin, WR, SEA - game not complete as of this writing
  • Jarret Boykin, WR, GB - Big goose egg this week.  Flynn is awful and Rodgers may not be back soon.
  • Percy Harvin, WR, SEA - It’s safe to say it’s time to say goodbye to Harvin for fantasy purposes... his value has diminished to nothing

Week 14 (Playoffs) Waiver Wire Pickups - Defenses (DEF)

 

No-brainer Defense Options: KC (vs WAS)

 

OAK, DEF - Waiver Wire Pickup

BALLER MOVE: Add in Standard Leagues (12+ teams)

ANALYSIS:  Have you seen a trend this year for my defense picks?  Any team defense that plays the Jets is a solid waiver choice.  Here's how opposing defenses have been the last three weeks 19, 16, and 17 in standard leagues.  With Geno Smith starting again (and I have no idea why... other than that they must think Sims won't improve), expect the Raiders defense to pile on points.

 

BAL, DEF - Waiver Wire Pickup

BALLER MOVE: Add in Standard Leagues (12+ teams)

ANALYSIS: I am going on a limb here, but I see this as an opportunity for the Ravens to make a statement.  Currently the Ravens defense is the sixth-best versus the run, while the Vikings are the sixth-best running offense.  If the Ravens contain Peterson, it will mean that the Vikings must throw the ball.  If that happens, it will give the advantage to the Ravens to force turnovers.  Additionally, the Ravens are playing for a playoff spot, as they are currently bubble.  The defending champions will come to this game hungry to make a statement.

 

Eric Weddle, IDP - FS, SD  - Waiver Wire Pickup

BALLER MOVE: Add in Standard Leagues (12+ teams IDP Leagues)

ANALYSIS: Eric Weddle is coming off another solid week of football with his first interception of the season, along with six solo tackles and one assist.  In the last five weeks, Weddle's worst week was with five solo tackles.  If you are in a league looking for an IDP player, Weddle is very consistent, which of course is key in this position.

 

My Guidelines

1. I will not repeat waiver selections.  All mentioned players prior to week 4 will apply to the current waiver options and going forward.

2. I will only recommend players that are lower than 25% ownership in Yahoo! or ESPN leagues.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Rafael Devers

Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

Browns Still Counting on Dustin Hopkins
Demarcus Robinson

Sentenced to Three Years of Probation
Jalen Nailor

In Line for WR3 Role in Minnesota
Andrew Thomas

Could Miss Start of 2025 Season
Alex Bregman

Expected to Return on Friday
Julio Rodríguez

Julio Rodriguez Won't Suit Up for Midsummer Classic
Trey Smith

Chiefs, Trey Smith Expected to Work Out Long-Term Extension
Bernhard Raimann

a Candidate for an Extension This Summer
C.J. Stroud

Could Sign Multi-Year Deal Before 2026 Season
Kyle Juszczyk

Says Christian McCaffrey Looks Healthy, Explosive
Kyren Williams

Showing Improved Explosiveness
Christian Barmore

"Dominant" this Spring
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Homers Twice, Drives in Three
Brice Matthews

Joining Astros
MLB

White Sox-Guardians Postponed on Thursday
Brandon Aiyuk

Likely to Begin Season on PUP List, but Not Ruled Out for Week 1
Jameson Williams

Not in the Team's Long-Term Plans?
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Micah Parsons

Plans to be Present for Start of Training Camp
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Ikem Ekwonu

Next Up for Extension in Carolina?
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF