Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups: Sleepers Who May Be Available After Box Score Analysis
While the fantasy playoffs may have already begun in some larger leagues, Week 15 will be the start date for most. This makes Week 14 a pivotal one for managers hoping to sneak in or secure a top seed.
Unfortunately, many managers may be without top options this week. Six teams will be on bye—the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots and Washington Commanders—meaning some legitimate league-winners will be out of action.
If your team features Jayden Daniels, Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, Courtland Sutton, Nico Collins and Hunter Henry, well, you're probably out of luck. For managers only missing a piece or two, however, some quality players should still be available on the waiver wire.
All picks and analysis here are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.
QB Aidan O'Connell, Las Vegas Raiders
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Managers looking for a deep sleeper at quarterback might want to consider Las Vegas Raiders signal-caller Aidan O'Connell. The second-year player returned to the starting lineup last week and had a fantastic outing against the Kansas City Chiefs.
O'Connell finished 23-of-35 for 340 yards and two touchdowns. While his playing history would suggest that O'Connell won't produce those numbers regularly, he has a strong matchup in Week 14.
The Raiders will visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season.
Las Vegas' offense has been better since Scott Turner took over the play-calling duties, and O'Connell still gets to throw the ball to Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers. The Bucs defense has struggled to slow anyone, so O'Connell could be in store for another 300-yard day.
And O'Connell is still available in over 90 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
RB Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills
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It's worth checking in on San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo, who is rostered in nearly 70 percent of ESPN leagues but less than 20 percent of Yahoo leagues. With Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason on injured reserve, Guerendo should be San Francisco's starter for the rest of the season.
Buffalo Bills rookie runner Ray Davis isn't the starter, but he could see a sizeable workload against the Los Angeles Rams this week. He saw a good amount of work during last week's blowout win over the 49ers, finishing with a catch, 67 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.
James Cook will remain the lead back against L.A., but Buffalo should be inclined to split the workload after seeing the rookie shine (again) in Week 13. The Bills are hoping to earn a first-round bye in the playoffs, but i they can manage Cook's workload before then, they should.
The Bills should also look to run early and often against a Rams defense that has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing RBs. Davis is still available in over 80 percent of ESPN leagues and in over 60 percent of Yahoo leagues.
WR Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys
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Dallas Cowboys receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) returned from injured reserve in Week 13 and quickly made an impact. He only caught three passes for 16 yards against the New York Giants, but he did find the end zone.
Cooks should have a bigger role in his second game back, and he has an enticing matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season.
The Bengals have also surrendered 22 passing touchdowns, third-most in the league.
It should be noted that Cooks has missed practice this week, though that may only be precautionary. With Dallas not playing until Monday night, Cooks' availability shouldn't be a significant concern.
It'll be worth tracking Cooks' status, obviously, but it's also worth taking a flier on him for Week 14. The 31-year-old is still available in over 80 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
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TE Grant Calcaterra, Philadelphia Eagles
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Philadelphia Eagles tight end Grant Calcaterra hasn't been regularly featured in the offense this season. When he's had opportunities, however, he's shown some solid fantasy potential. Against the Bengals in Week 8, for example, he caught three passes for 58 yards.
Calcaterra is likely to get multiple opportunities against the Carolina Panthers this week, as starter Dallas Goedert is dealing with a knee injury.
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Goedert's injury isn't considered season-ending, but Philadelphia has considered injured reserve. This suggests that Calcaterra may have some value beyond this week.
Adding Calcaterra would give managers a strong handcuff/backup option for the playoffs, and he should be considered a risk-reward play against Carolina. No team has allowed more fantasy points to opposing tight ends than the Panthers.
Calcaterra is still available in over 90 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.
*Fantasy roster and scoring information via FantasyPros.
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