RADIO
Are you liberal or conservative? No, I'm not talking politics. Trust me, that's the last thing I want to debate at this time of year. Or any time, for that matter. The question is do you stick with the safe, high-floor players as you fight to stay in the fantasy playoffs or do you roll the dice on boom-bust types that might pull out an early Christmas miracle for you? I've never been one to play it safe, so you'll see quite a few variations in my rankings this week. If these are too bold for your taste, you'll have to use your best judgment to pick the right starters. When in doubt, trust your gut. That's my mantra, after all.
As an expert ranker for RotoBaller and FantasyPros, I'll put my own personal rankings out on the table for you here and show you how they stack up against the consensus of the other 100+ experts at FantasyPros. Each week, I'll list my Top 10 per position, plus a few notable players that have risen or fallen in my rankings more than the expert consensus this week. In other words, it's where I zig when the others zag.
Note: all rankings are for standard leagues and all opinions are my own. If you have questions, comments, or incoherent ramblings related to fantasy sports, hit me up on Twitter @pfunk00 to continue the conversation.
Featured Promo: Get any full-season NFL Premium Pass for 50% off and win big in 2022. Exclusive access to our Premium articles, 15 lineup tools, new Team Sync platform, Lineup Optimizer, Premium DFS tools and cheat sheets, and much more! Sign Up Now!
Week 14 Quarterbacks - Rankings Analysis
My Top 10
Matthew Stafford has not been a consistent top-five fantasy quarterback this season, unlike Carson Wentz or Russell Wilson, but he is the overall QB7. He's also playing Tampa Bay this week, who have allowed the second-highest yardage total through the air this season. Some might be scared away because of the hand injury he suffered last week, but this is not the same as last year's delinquent pinky that hampered him throughout the second half. He was practicing without limitations on Friday and should be good to go.
Do you dare bench Russell Wilson against the top-ranked Jags pass defense? I wouldn't and neither should you. It's bad timing for sure, but knowing that Wilson can and has done damage with his legs (432 rushing yards, third among all QBs) should give you some comfort.
Deviation from expert consensus
I won't expound on Derek Carr's upside in this space because I did that in yesterday's column. I will say that I have a slight bit of belief in Eli Manning having a comeback game of value in two -QB leagues. Personal motivation aside, the firing of Ben McAdoo is addition by subtraction for the value of that offense. Do you really trust DeShone Kizer instead?
Whether to start Alex Smith will be one of the biggest conundrums many fantasy owners face this week. One big week doesn't make up for four straight letdowns. Then again, the last time he played Oakland, he threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns. I'm keeping him in the top 10, but am putting Carr just a tick higher because these defenses are going in opposite directions.
Week 14 Running Backs - Rankings Analysis
My Top 10
No big surprises here... wait, how did Rex Burkhead jump into the top 10? Simply put, Burkhead is getting red zone work, faces a sad Dolphins team, and will get even more work without Gronk around.
I truly don't love Samaje Perine enough to put him in the top 10, but there he is. The Chargers have given up the third-most rushing yards this season and there is still no threat to his workload, so he must be considered a risk-free RB1 this week.
Deviation from expert consensus
Jordan Howard has truly been a boom-bust play this season, with four games over 100 rushing yards and six games under 55 yards. After a huge letdown against the 49ers, he could be a surprise boom on the road this week. The Bengals don't allow many rushing touchdowns (seven all year) but they have given up the fifth-most rushing yards as a defensive unit. This team won't lean pass-heavy any time soon, so expect another heavy workload and high-end RB2 production.
On the other side, it looks like Joe Mixon may be a no-go this weekend. Giovani Bernard stands out as a nice potential waiver wire add, but he won't suddenly become a stud. There is a reason he's played second-fiddle to the rookie all season. Week 13 was the first time Bernard saw double-digit carries all season long. He ran well, but simply isn't built for heavy usage. Even before Mixon arrived, Bernard has only carried more than 15 times in a game on six occasions over his four-year career.
Week 14 Wide Receivers - Rankings Analysis
My Top 10
Picking DeAndre Hopkins to outscore Antonio Brown this week is a bit of a risk, but unless you're paying up for their services in a DFS cash game, it doesn't make a difference. Hopkins simply has a better matchup, that's all.
Keenan Allen is suddenly the player who is leading many a fringe fantasy team to the playoffs single-handedly. Only Antonio Brown has outscored him over the last three weeks. He should avoid Josh Norman for most of the day, so feel confident riding Allen once again as your WR1.
Deviation from expert consensus
I won't expand my analysis of Josh Gordon again, so let's just say he looks good and should be started everywhere.
My current ranking of Amari Cooper comes with the assumption that he actually plays. Seeing as how he missed practice altogether on Thursday, it's looking less likely that he is fantasy relevant this week, which would further boost Michael Crabtree's value.
There is some skepticism as to whether Martavis Bryant will do anything while occupying his former job again, now held by younger, better receiver and superior Tweeter, Juju Smith-Schuster. Bryant didn't do anything in the first half of the season, but there's something about the Steelers at home in December... He's still a flex play at best and that's just for standard leagues.
The potential return of Chris Hogan (finally!) knocks Danny Amendola out of flex consideration. It's not as if the Pats will need to pass the ball very often to squash the Dolphins anyway.
Davante Adams will be shadowed by a very good Jason McCourty this week, so I've bumped him closer to the WR3 tier. His targets, receptions and yards have gone down each of the last two weeks since his newfound connection with Brett Hundley began. If the Packers can keep running the ball effectively, it might neutralize all their receivers.
Week 14 Tight Ends - Rankings Analysis
My Top 10
Evan Engram jumps back into the Top 10 now that Eli Manning is back. Engram took a two-week hiatus, but showed that he hasn't hit the rookie wall, with 99 yards and a touchdown last week, even with Geno Smith at QB.
You know why Jason Witten is on this list. He's going to obviously score a touchdown against the Giants. He'll also get exactly seven receptions, if you believe in discernible patterns. The last five weeks, here are his receptions totals: 1, 7, 1, 7, 1. Even if he squashes all our hopes and dreams by only catching six, he's a TE1 in this matchup.
Deviation from expert consensus
If you're the type who streams this position, you'll be looking toward someone like Stephen Anderson on the wire, but he actually has a tough matchup in San Francisco, as they shut down the tight end pretty well. Someone like Julius Thomas or David Njoku could step in and perform well enough instead.
Greg Olsen is just too risky to stick your neck out for in a playoff game. Unless the waiver wire is completely depleted in your league and you have no better backup, keep Olsen shelved one more week.
More Week 14 Lineup Prep
Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.
