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It only took 13 weeks but bye weeks are finally over! Oh, and the fantasy playoffs are about to start for most of you. Ideally, you're not looking to plug in streamers or in desperate need of help as the postseason arrives but injuries and matchup concerns will always be an issue.
Working the waiver wire is more important this season than ever before. The players suggested here should be your top priorities for early-week waiver claims but we will also list others as possible stash options. As always, check our NFL news feed for the latest injury updates. This column will also be updated through mid-week.
Players listed include only those rostered in approximately 50% or fewer Yahoo leagues. For a deeper look at each position, check out our separate weekly waiver wire columns at QB, RB, WR, and TE.
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Running Backs - Waiver Wire Options
Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams - 52% rostered
It goes without saying that not everyone can make the playoffs, so there are many teams out there that have no purpose for the waiver wire any longer. Still, it's hard to believe Cam Akers is available in half of all Yahoo leagues at this point. He should have been stashed weeks ago, was my top priority add last week, and now belongs in starting lineups going forward. It took long enough but Akers has finally become the main back for Sean McVay, taking 21 carries against Arizona while Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown took three apiece. He paid off with 72 yards and a touchdown, adding 22 yards through the air. Looking ahead, Akers has an average matchup on paper versus the Patriots Defense in Week 14 but then gets the Jets Defense in Week 15 before heading to Seattle in Week 16.
Adrian Peterson, Detroit Lions - 48% rostered
The D'Andre Swift situation has taken an unfortunate turn for the worse, as he was ruled out for a third straight week and may not "get right" soon enough to contribute much this season. Adrian Peterson intimated that Swift hasn't looked the same since entering the concussion protocol and his reaction time has been lacking. We certainly wish the best for Swift personally and have to now turn eyes to the veteran for fantasy. It's Peterson's backfield, as Kerryon Johnson only took three handoffs in Week 13 and turned them into three yards. Meanwhile, AP has scored four touchdowns in the last two games and is looking like a solid RB2 in standard leagues. His ceiling is lower, especially in PPR due to his lack of receiving work, but he is more than serviceable against a Packers Defense that came into the week allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to running backs and 4.65 yards per carry.
Ty Johnson, New York Jets - 1% rostered
It's tempting to jump all over the player who comes out of nowhere to seemingly become a revelation but Johnson's impressive Week 13 doesn't necessarily make him the top RB add. If Frank Gore (concussion) returns next week, the starting job is his and Johnson isn't worth a roster spot. Even if that isn't the case, Johnson could be due for a massive letdown. He took advantage of the Raiders' stumbling defense which is bottom-five against the run but will have to face the Seahawks Defense next week. They aren't a shutdown run-stopping unit but are improving each week and rank top-12 against RBs. If you're desperate for a running back, he could be added but is not a player to start in a playoff matchup.
Cordarrelle Patterson, Chicago Bears - 7% rostered
We've known he was the backup running back in Chicago for a while, we just didn't care. Other than in Week 10 when David Montgomery was out, Patterson he hadn't seen double-digit touches in a game. That is, until Week 13 when he suddenly took 10 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown. This was a case of a favorable matchup against the Lions Defense that is statistically the worst at stopping running backs. Fortunately, the Bears will square off with the Texans next, who are the second-worst against running backs. He's a desperation flex only but one with hidden upside in deep leagues.
Others to consider: Phillip Lindsay, Denver Broncos (45% rostered); Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens (36% rostered); Carlos Hyde, Seattle Seahawks (32% rostered); Ito Smith, Atlanta Falcons (5% rostered); Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers (5% rostered)
Wide Receivers - Waiver Wire Options
Keke Coutee, Houston Texans - 26% rostered
A Monday afternoon announcement that Will Fuller was suspended for six games, effectively the remainder of the 2020 season, made Coutee the new poster boy for this column ahead of Week 13. His new role as the WR2 on Houston with Deshaun Watson throwing his way promised to make him an intriguing pickup despite the tough matchup with Indianapolis. If you didn't take advantage of the low-cost window last week, you'll be forced to pony up precious FAB this time around. Coutee delivered with eight receptions and a career-best 141 yards against Indy after catching all of six passes the entire season. His target share for the rest of the season is all but guaranteed. Even though a road contest with Chicago isn't ideal, we just saw Marvin Jones have himself a day while Matthew Stafford threw for 402 yards on them. Coutee is a solid WR3 going forward.
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts - 45% rostered
Those who made a successful claim for Hilton based on last week's results and advice in this column were rewarded handsomely with an eight-catch, 110-yard game that included a second straight game with a touchdown. Why Hilton has suddenly turned back the clock is unclear, although it did happen to come the week after Michael Pittman Jr. seemingly emerged as the top receiver in this offense, so maybe he is simply trying to reclaim his WR1 status on this team or audition for a job next year in free agency. Either way, Hilton has now delivered consecutive big games and is still available in many fantasy leagues. He faces the struggling Raiders defense in Week 14, which puts him firmly on the WR3 radar.
Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers - 41% rostered
Lazard's return to glory has been a steady crawl so far. He gained only 18 yards in his first game back from IR in Week 11, followed by 23 yards in Week 12 and 50 in Week 13. That ascent could take off in Week 14 when the Pack play the Lions, who bleed out fantasy points to every single position except tight end, weirdly. Lazard will always be well behind Davante Adams in target share and end-zone looks but being the number two option is still a really good spot.
Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos - 22% rostered
If I've been banging the drum for Akers all year, Patrick is next up as the most underrated player that not enough fantasy GMs are paying attention to. While Jerry Jeudy will be the top receiver in Denver soon and Courtland Sutton will be back in 2021, Patrick is the man in this offense for the time being. He caught two touchdowns on Sunday night, showing great athleticism by tiptoeing to stay inbounds on the second one. Patrick hasn't seen fewer than four targets in a game all season except for the Week 12 debacle when they didn't have an actual quarterback. He brings a high floor into a Week 14 matchup with Carolina.
Collin Johnson, Jacksonville Jaguars - 0% rostered
It turns out last week wasn't a fluke after all. The rookie from UT-Austin hadn't topped 30 yards in a game until Mike Glennon arrived at QB and targeted him eight times, resulting in 96 yards and a touchdown against Cleveland. He didn't reach those marks at Minnesota, but he did come away with a team-high 66 receiving yards and that came with D.J. Chark, Chris Conley, and Laviska Shenault all back in the lineup. There isn't a clear standout among this group, as they seem to rotate whoever gets the bulk of the targets, but the fact that the current QB seems to favor Johnson is consequential. Johnson could be a streaming consideration in Week 14 as they face a Titans Defense that allows the fifth-most FPPG to wide receivers.
Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles - 22% rostered
What do we make of this Eagles offense now that Carson Wentz has been officially benched for Jalen Hurts, at least for the time being? Reagor's big contribution in Week 13 was on special teams with a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown. Otherwise, he only caught one ball for 34 yards. While the upside remains, it's risky business trusting any receiver in this offense for now.
Chad Hansen, Houston Texans - 0% rostered
This week's tournament buster, at least he would have been if anyone had actually played him, was a former fourth-round pick of the Jets in 2017 who hadn't registered an NFL catch since that rookie season. Elevated from the practice squad a day before the game, Hansen wound up as one of the leading receivers on the day with five catches for 101 yards. There is a real chance Hansen continues to see enough targets to make him viable in 14+ team leagues.
Josh Reynolds, Los Angeles Rams - 8% rostered
If you are in a deep-enough league, now is the time that someone like Reynolds enters the WR4 conversation. The Rams have to face the Patriots this week, but then get the Jets and Seahawks which are among the worst pass defenses in the league. There is some concern that Van Jefferson outproduced Reynolds this past week but they both saw a near-equal snap share at 48% and 46% respectively. Reynolds had been targeted regularly in the weeks preceding, at least six times for five straight games, so it doesn't mean he's been passed on the depth chart. He's a risky streamer with upside.
Others to consider: Breshad Perriman, New York Jets (24% rostered); Laviska Shenault Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (16% rostered); Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons (8% rostered); Rashard Higgins, Cleveland Browns (8% rostered); Danny Amendola, Detroit Lions (2% rostered)
Tight Ends - Waiver Wire Options
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears - 5% rostered
The Bears are trying to figure things out offensively, which in recent weeks has meant a change in playcalling responsibilities and starting quarterback. It also seems to be affecting the tight end hierarchy, as veteran Jimmy Graham has been phased out. In the past three contests, Graham has a total of seven targets and went without a reception in two of those games. Meanwhile, the rookie saw seven targets against Detroit and caught five balls for 37 yards and a touchdown. If Kmet can approach the same level of productivity Graham had early in the year, he can deliver low-end TE1 production.
Anthony Firkser, Tennessee Titans - 9% rostered
Jonnu Smith is out, Firkser becomes a thing. It happened in Week 6 when Smith was knocked out of the game and Firkser went off for 113 yards and a touchdown. It wasn't as pronounced this time around but he did go for five receptions and 51 yards. Smith's status must be checked but seeing as how his injury is to the knee area, it wouldn't be surprising if he missed more time. Slot receiver Adam Humphries is on IR, which may also bump up targets for the tight end. Firkser's value as a streamer could be great in Week 14 with the lowly Jaguars Defense up next. It would help if MyCole Pruitt didn't vulture scores.
Tyler Eifert, Jacksonville Jaguars - 6% rostered
Since the bye week, Eifert has been involved regularly with at least four targets in five straight games. It didn't do much for his fantasy value until he caught his second touchdown of the year in Week 12. He caught a season-best six passes in Week 13 albeit it for a mere 45 yards. His ceiling is surely limited but he seems to be connecting better with Mike Glennon at QB and gets to face a Tennessee Titans Defense that is bottom-10 against the tight end.
Dan Arnold, Arizona Cardinals - 0% rostered
Scott "The King" Engel must have been smiling as he saw Arnold catch a pair of touchdowns in Week 13. The first one got Arizona on the board early in the game with a 59-yard play where he was left all alone. That's the luxury of playing with DeAndre Hopkins hogging the defensive attention. Arnold doesn't get many looks, averaging 2.5 targets per game, but he has three touchdowns over the last three weeks and has that big-play ability of a former wide receiver.
Others to consider: Trey Burton, Indianapolis Colts (49% rostered); Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams (48% rostered); Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (40% rostered); Jordan Reed, San Francisco 49ers (26% rostered)
Quarterbacks - Waiver Wire Options
Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts - 40% rostered
The veteran threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns in Week 13, marking the fourth straight game he's reached at least that many yards through the air. He is locked in and has finally found a connection with T.Y. Hilton, making this offense more dangerous. Better yet, he isn't turning the ball over. Rivers has only two INT and no fumbles over the past four games. Rivers brings a high floor into Week 14 when the Colts face the Raiders.
Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers - 33% rostered
The good news is that a week off will allow Teddy B to return to full health and should bring Christian McCaffrey back into the fold. This may seem like a negative factor for a passer when a bell-cow RB is on the field but McCaffrey isn't the traditional running back. His receiving ability will just make it easier for Bridgewater to pile up stats without risking turnovers. Denver isn't in the business of forcing many INT anyway. The ceiling isn't as high for Bridgewater in this matchup but he is a fairly risk-free high-end QB2.
Sam Darnold, New York Jets - 12% rostered
Darnold put up his best game of the season in a shocking-but-not-really last-second loss to the Raiders. He only passed for 186 yards but threw for two scores and ran another one into the end zone. A road game at Seattle used to be terrifying for opposing quarterbacks but they are allowing an average of 302 passing yards per game without the 12th man to spur them on. There isn't a very high ceiling and we can't realistically expect a 300-yard game from a player who has a season-high of 230 yards but he could be serviceable in two-QB leagues.
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles - 1% rostered
There is some buzz surrounding Hurts now that we know he is starting in Week 14. As exciting as it will be to watch what he can do with a full game's worth of snaps, we have to slow our roll for fantasy purposes. Hurts didn't lead his team back to victory, nor were his stats particularly impressive in Week 13; he completed five out of 12 passes for 104 yards with one touchdown and an interception. He was also sacked three times. Hurts is intriguing because he brings a rushing component and was at least able to move the ball and make a big play, which is something Carson Wentz has struggled to do all season. Still, it is a tough matchup with the Saints, so he is a risky Superflex stream at best.
Others to consider: Andy Dalton, Dallas Cowboys (12% rostered); Mike Glennon, Jacksonville Jaguars (3% rostered)
Team Defense - Waiver Wire Options
San Francisco 49ers Defense - 48% rostered
Last year's top unit has struggled all year due to numerous injuries, although the same could be said for the offense. They did a number on the Rams following their bye but many fantasy GMs backed off them due to a matchup with Buffalo on Monday Night. It remains to be seen whether they can repeat that performance but they'll have a great matchup with Washington in Week 14.
New York Giants Defense - 15% rostered
The most impressive defensive performance of the week goes to Joe Judge's unit after holding the Seahawks to 12 points, sacking Russell Wilson five times, and forcing two turnovers in Seattle. That makes four straight games where the G-Men have held an opponent under 21 points. They'll be put to the test by Arizona, which just put up 28 points on the Rams and ranks eighth in points scored. Kyler Murray has been prone to turnovers, so while this isn't the best matchup to stream against, it isn't one to avoid either. Among low-owned DST, the Giants are one of the safer choices.
Carolina Panthers Defense - 5% rostered
For those in a bind, the Panthers are freely available coming off their bye and get to face Drew Lock and Denver. The Broncos held their own against the Chiefs on Sunday night but Lock did throw a pair of picks, as he's apt to do. When we last saw Carolina in action, rookie Jeremy Chinn was running back fumble returns for scores twice. That isn't to be expected again but it's good to know that Carolina is developing young playmakers on this defense.
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