The final week of byes is upon us and the NFL saved the worst for last. We wont have use of our Broncos, Colts, Patriots, Commanders, Ravens or Texans in Week 14, when many of us are headed into must-win fantasy matchups. So the timing of this particular six-team bye is not ideal.
But dont abandon hope, because we have a wide assortment of waiver wire options for your consideration. Each week, we highlight the top potential pickups who remain available in at least 50% of Yahoo fantasy football leagues. Add aggressively. Its winning time, people.
Recommended FAB offer (assuming $100 budget): $9
Russ was dealing on Sunday at Cincinnati, passing for 257 yards and two scores in the games first-half. He tossed a pick-six as well, but the turnover was more the result of a curious non-call by the officials. Wilson eventually finished with 414 yards and three touchdown passes, connecting with 10 different receivers. He went 6-for-7 for 164 yards and two scores on throws traveling 15-plus yards according to PFF, so the moonball was activated.
Also, Wilson benefits from the fact that George Pickens is occasionally unfair:
(At other times, Pickens makes things pretty weird. Every game is a journey for No. 14.)
Wilson gets a beatable home matchup this week with Cleveland, a middle-of-the-pack pass defense thats intercepted only two passes on the season. If his team can manage to contain Myles Garrett (at least partially), Wilson should deliver his fourth multi-touchdown performance of the year. He then has another favorable matchup ahead with Baltimore in Week 16, so consider keeping him on the roster through the fantasy semi-finals.
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FAB: All of it.
We opened the 2024 season with a Christian McCaffrey fantasy fire drill, and, unfortunately, were experiencing another one right now. CMC exited with a potentially season-ending knee injury (PCL) in the first half against Buffalo on Sunday night, resulting in a return to relevance for Mason.
Not surprisingly, Mason was effective and efficient in the snow, carrying 13 times for 78 yards. He averaged 95.3 rushing yards per game and 5.2 per carry over the first seven weeks of the season, dominating backfield touches while McCaffrey was sidelined. Mason ranked among the NFL leaders in missed tackles (19) and yards after contact per carry (3.39) during that seven-game stretch, so the underlying numbers were every bit as impressive as the surface stats. Hes legit. Mason gave us a brief injury scare in the Buffalo loss leading to second-half work for Isaac Guerendo but he was eventually cleared to return.
Mason obviously lacks McCaffreys receiving ability and upside, but there are no open questions about his talent as a ball-carrier. This is clearly an empty-the-wallet waiver situation. You should all know what to do.
FAB: $11
Guerendo is pretty clearly behind Mason in the backfield hierarchy for the Niners, but hes flashed obvious talent at various points this season. He made a house call on Sunday night, finishing with 19 yards on four carries. We can expect Guerendo to have at least a rotational role moving forward with McCaffrey sidelined. He doesnt quite have Masons wrecking ball running style, but he does have 4.33 speed and ludicrous athleticism. Hes certainly worth stashing in leagues in which Mason is long gone.
FAB: $11
Bigsby had a quiet afternoon in his return from injury, converting eight touches into 35 scrimmage yards against Houston. However, he did split snaps in a relatively even way with Travis Etienne (32 vs. 37) in a game in which Jacksonville fell behind by multiple scores. So thats an encouraging development. Bigsby has been one of the leagues most elusive backs throughout the year, entering the week averaging 5.5 YPC and a ridiculous 4.3 yards after contact per attempt. Hes a solid option in the upcoming matchup with the Titans, a team that isnt likely to force the Jaguars into negative game script. Whenever the run is in play for Jacksonville, Bigsby is a Mjölnir-level weapon.
FAB: $9
Mattison was sidelined by an ankle issue in Vegas previous two games, but he returned to limited practices last week, so hes a decent bet to be available on Sunday at Tampa Bay. Lets recall that he was routinely playing over 60% of the snaps prior to the injury, running as his teams clear lead back. He averaged 20.3 touches per game in Weeks 5-8.
Its unclear how the backfield touches will be distributed for the Raiders moving forward, but Mattison should retain a sizable role. The Bucs D certainly hasnt been a stay-away matchup this season, so Mattison can be flexed as needed, assuming he returns.
FAB: $7
Kyren Williams was looking suspiciously like a third-down back for over a quarter of football on Sunday against the Saints, as Corum took five early carries for 32 yards. Williams ultimately reasserted himself, delivering 113 total yards and one spike on 16 touches, but Corum offered a solid proof-of-concept performance. The rookie finished with 42 yards on eight carries, seeing plenty of playing time throughout. Hes now firmly established as a premium understudy back, a player who would have must-start status if Williams were to miss time.
FAB: $21
Well, this is something of a gift.
Tillman was mass-dropped in Yahoo leagues last week while navigating the leagues concussion protocol, yet theres no reason to think of him as anything less than Clevelands No. 1 or 1A receiving option. He was targeted 40 times in a four-game stretch between Weeks 7 and 11, delivering 302 yards and three touchdowns, breaking out in an emphatic way with Jameis Winston at the controls. Tillman was on his way to another significant target total in Week 12 against the Steelers before being removed from the game.
Simply put, Tillman belongs on someones roster in any league with 10 or more teams. He should be viewed as a top-30 fantasy receiver with WR1 upside when healthy. He gets a Sunday rematch this week at Pittsburgh, followed by dates with Kansas City, Cincinnati and Miami.
FAB: $9
Thielen delivered a vintage performance on Sunday, hauling in seven balls for 83 yards and a late go-ahead score. He probably caught a second touchdown, but replay officials didnt see it that way. Nevertheless, hes clearly reestablished himself as a volume receiver in a suddenly dangerous passing game. He gave us a catch-of-the-year candidate in overtime, too:
Bryce Young is playing the best ball of his pro career, and Thielen is clearly a prime beneficiary. Hes approved for use down the stretch, although the game ahead at Philly is gonna be a challenge.
FAB: $7
OK, fine, we give. We are late to the Westbrook-Ikhine party. His name has been buried in the Additional WRs bullets for several weeks, but its past time to give this man credit for one of the wildest receiving seasons in recent memory. After Sundays three-catch, two-TD performance at Washington, hes up to 20 receptions and eight scores on the season. Obviously, thats a ridiculous ratio, and this scheduled-weekly-touchdown thing should be unsustainable.
And yet, well these things just keep happening:
Its time to simply accept that which we cannot explain.
Westbrook-Ikhine played every snap on Sunday and hes actually seen 19 targets over his last three games, so the usage is not a problem. Ideally, you will not need to tie your fantasy fate to a Will Levis-led offense, but tough decisions must be made when six teams are on bye. The Titans have a series of friendly matchups on deck, for what its worth (JAC, CIN, at IND).
FAB: $2
After a less-than-ideal start to the season, Arizonas defense has truly played well over the past month. This group has delivered 19 sacks over its last four games, allowing only 13.5 PPG during that stretch. The Cards are headed into a critical home matchup with Seattles high-volume passing attack, so there are plenty of dropbacks ahead. Arizona will then face the Patriots and Panthers in Weeks 15-16, so this is a D you can comfortably use as we reach the cant-lose portion of our fantasy schedule.
FAB: $1
Whatever else you may think about the Titans, please know this teams defense had actually played reasonably well over the seasons first three months at least until Washington picked them apart on Sunday.
Tennessee entered Week 13 ranked ninth against the run and first overall against the pass, allowing only 276.4 total yards per game. The Titans still have both matchups ahead against Jacksonville including a home date in Week 14 plus they face the Colts in the fantasy semis. This unit should provide a satisfactory number of sacks and takeaways over the next four weeks, with a decent chance of a defensive TD or two along the way.