Christian Watson and the Best Week 14 Fantasy Football Waiver-Wire Pickups

With the final week of the 2025 fantasy football regular season upon us, you won't find a more important time to play the waiver wire.

While Week 14 represents a make-or-break situation for countless managers embroiled in heated races for playoff spots and seeding, it also unfortunately coincides with the NFL's final set of bye weeks.

A handful of fantasy stars and plenty of serviceable starters will be out of commission when four teams—the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers—get a much-needed break at this late point in the campaign.

Week 14's top waiver-wire targets project to be hotly contested not only due to these byes and injuries but also the added sense of the urgency from managers desperate to secure a win.

Don't be surprised to see some of your rivals splurge with all of their remaining FAAB dollars or blow a top waiver priority to secure their preferred free agent. You'll want to have contingency plans in place in case you need a fill-in pickup to get through the season finale.

With that in mind, let's highlight the best free agents to target on waivers in Week 14.

Suggestions are available in approximately half or more of all Yahoo! Sports leagues. Fantasy points and rankings courtesy of FantasyPros' PPR data. Suggested free-agent acquisition budget (FAAB) bids are based on a $100 dollar starting budget.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Meagan Leverone

New York Jets QB Tyrod Taylor

Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets (5 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $2-4

Taylor's dual-threat capabilities make him an intriguing spot starter for managers who will be forced to go without Drake Maye, Jaxson Dart or Brock Purdy in Week 14.

The New York Jets signal-caller has finished as the QB9 or better in two of his three starts this year, including this past week when he put up a season-high 21.3 points.

The Jets looked competent against a quality defense with Taylor at the helm, getting a respectable performance from their QB to secure a 27-24 win over the Falcons. The veteran backup started his second consecutive contest, finishing with 172 yards and a touchdown through the air and another 44 yards and a score on the ground.

While it's not optimal to stake your season on Taylor having another 20-plus point outing against a hot Dolphins defense, managers who didn't plan ahead and secure a better backup won't find a better option.

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints (8 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $1-2

Shough is grinding through a rough patch that has seen his team lose in three of his first four career starts, but he's performed admirably for a rookie stuck on one of the league's most depleted rosters.

He's notched top-12 finishes in two of the last three games, including in Week 13 when he put up 18.4 points against an improving Dolphins defense.

While Shough ideally wouldn't be started outside of deeper formats, managers could do worse than firing up the 26-year-old against a Tampa defense that hasn't figured out a way to stop opposing QBs.

With the Bucs giving up 19.4 points per game on average to the position—the fifth-most in the NFL—Shough will be deployable as a low-end, high-risk QB1 candidate.

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (39 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $0-1

Stroud has been a middling fantasy quarterback for the better part of the last two seasons and his 10-point outing against the Colts in Week 13 wasn't great, but there should at least be better days ahead for the third-year passer.

The 24-year-old will get a chance to get back on track against a Chiefs defense that has been subpar in 2025. Kansas City allowed him to tally 18.1 fantasy points when it faced him last season and rates below-average this year with 16 points per game given up to opposing QBs.

While Stroud is likely the biggest name available on waivers in your league, note that he hasn't posted a top-10 finish since Week 5 and looked rusty following a three-game layoff. You'll only want to make this risky start if you have no other option.

Running Back

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Washington Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders (24 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $6-9

Rodriguez's status as Washington's preferred running back was cemented on Sunday night when he helped the Commanders keep pace with a tough Broncos foe.

The veteran had more totes (11) than backfield mates Jeremy McNichols (six) and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (four) did combined while scoring his third touchdown of the last four games.

Although his 41 rushing yards weren't too impressive and he failed to reel in the lone target he saw in the passing game, Rodriguez's status as Washington's early-down and goal-line back gives him decent fantasy value.

He should see a good bit more usage against a downtrodden Vikings in Week 14. He may not be a league-winner, but he's more than serviceable as a plug-and-play waiver pickup with a decently high floor.

Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams (16 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $5-8

It seemed Corum would finally get his chance to step into the spotlight after Kyren Williams left Sunday's loss to the Panthers.

Williams exited with a hamstring injury suffered near the end of the first half, resulting in Corum scoring a touchdown on the next play.

While Corum finished with a respectable 81 yards and the aforementioned score on seven carries, his volume remained low due to Williams' return to action in the third quarter. It remains to be seen if the ankle issue will limit the starter going forward, but Corum should be rostered regardless.

Corum is arguably one of the league's most valuable handcuffs as the clear-cut No. 2 in L.A.'s explosive offense. He would be a weekly RB1 if Williams did miss time during the fantasy playoffs. Don't hesitate to clear a bench spot and claim Corum for that upside alone.

Bam Knight, Arizona Cardinals (25 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $3-5

Knight is seizing his opportunity in Arizona, emerging as the leader of a backfield that was reeling from the absences of both James Conner and Trey Benson.

Knight has finished as the RB18 or better in each of the last three games, including in Week 13 when he matched his career high with 16.8 points to secure his first top-15 finish of 2025.

It's been an impressive run for a player who spent the early portion of the campaign glued to the Cardinals' bench. With potential for solid contributions in both the rushing and passing attack, he is a good waiver target for any managers needing RB help in Week 14.

Don't expect Knight to remain on the fantasy radar much longer, however, as Benson could return as early as Week 14.

Benson will likely need at least one ramp-up game before reemerging as Arizona's lead back, though, so Knight should still have some value regardless of his teammate's status.

Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars (44 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $2-4

Tuten has been heating up in recent weeks, scoring in three contests since Jacksonville came off a Week 8 bye. His latest touchdown effort occurred during Week 13's victory over the rival Titans, a game that the Jaguars dominated from start to finish.

Although Tuten has been struggling to generate yardage on the ground, he's scored at least 8.9 fantasy points in two of the past three games and is seeing enough snaps to warrant a desperation flex start in deeper formats.

Since he's the obvious choice to take control of Jacksonville's backfield if Travis Etienne Jr. were to miss time, Tuten is a stash candidate with high-end RB2 potential in any game the starter is absent for.

Nick Chubb, Houston Texans (40 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $1-3

Chubb hasn't had a great start to his tenure with the Texans. Despite having a clear shot at returning to stardom with Joe Mixon sidelined, he wound up losing his starting job to rookie Woody Marks midway through the campaign.

Marks spent a portion of Week 13's win over the Colts on the sideline with a foot injury, though, and Chubb capitalized with a 9.4-point outing—his best fantasy line since Week 5.

While Chubb only rushed for 34 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, the veteran proved he still had a little tread left on his tires and could be worth deploying if Marks was limited or forced to sit out while recovering from an injury.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

Green Bay Packers WR Christian Watson

Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (53 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $13-18

Watson's rostership percentage may have finally ticked over 50 percent, but he somehow remains available in an alarmingly large number of leagues. Be sure to scan the waivers to see if he's still up for grabs in yours, as the Packers pass-catcher should be considered a must-add in nearly every format.

Watson shook off a middling Week 12 performance to show out on Thanksgiving against the rival Lions, torching Detroit's secondary for 80 yards and a score on four catches. He logged a season-high 10 targets in the contest, marking an increase in looks for the fourth consecutive week.

With Watson healthy and clearly atop the pecking order in Green Bay's receiving corps, he's a high-floor, high-ceiling option who can be safely started throughout the fantasy playoffs.

You don't find these types of contributors on the wire often at this point in the season, so capitalize by making the claim even if you aren't particularly hurting for receiver help.

Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans (35 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $7-10

After posting three top-25 finishes in the last four weeks, this should be the last call on Higgins. He's too big of a factor in Houston's offense to remain a free agent in well over half of all fantasy leagues.

Although he only saw five targets in Week 13—just the second time he's drawn less than eight looks since Week 8—he still moved the needle by hauling in all of them for 65 yards.

The Colts managed to keep Higgins from scoring in a defensive battle, but it wouldn't be a shock to see the talented rookie find paydirt for the fourth time in seven games when the Texans take on the Chiefs in Week 14.

Get him in your lineup if you need a high-floor WR to round out your squad.

Adonai Mitchell, New York Jets (2 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $4-7

Mitchell has ascended to the No. 1 receiver role in a Jets offense that is displaying signs of life with Tyrod Taylor at the helm.

Mitchell was a huge factor in the team's win over the Falcons on Sunday, reeling in eight of his 12 targets for 102 yards and a touchdown.

Since joining Gang Green at the trade deadline, he has steadily seen his usage increase. He just had his breakout game and will have ample opportunity to build on that going forward. While New York's offense is full of fantasy landmines generally worth avoiding, his combination of talent and potential make him an intriguing flex play.

Even if you don't plan to plug Mitchell into your starting lineup right away, he's worth stashing if you can swing the roster spot. Should he show out in Week 14, he will become one of Week 15's top waiver targets and a valuable addition to any playoff roster.

Devaughn Vele, New Orleans Saints (1 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $1-2

Vele has burst onto the scene as one of Tyler Shough's favorite weapons. In two games since the team's Week 11 bye, the second-year wideout has tallied a hefty 15 targets.

Although he failed to capitalize on an uptick in volume the prior week, Vele was this week's WR7 after catching all eight targets for 93 yards and a score. That line puts him firmly on the fantasy radar while his recent usage makes him a viable flex starter in deeper formats.

Isaac TeSlaa, Detroit Lions (1 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $1-2

TeSlaa is amid one of the more intriguing rookie campaigns in recent history. Despite having a niche role with minimal volume, he has managed to record three touchdowns on a mere six catches.

The Arkansas product added to his scoring tally in Week 13 while also catching both targets that came his way for 35 yards. The playmaker could see an increase in targets with Amon-Ra St. Brown potentially sidelined for a couple weeks, although only the most desperate managers in deep leagues should trust him in Week 14.

Consider TeSlaa more of a stash candidate with potential to crack a starting lineup during the fantasy playoffs if his target count increases against the Cowboys and St. Brown remains sidelined through Week 15.

Tight End

AP Photo/John Raoux

Jacksonville Jaguars TE Brenton Strange

Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars (32 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $3-5

Strange has returned from an injury layoff with a vengeance, posting back-to-back top-eight finishes in his first two games back.

The rising Jacksonville star kept his hot streak going in Week 13 by scoring his first touchdown since Week 5 of last season, salvaging what would have otherwise been a disappointing outing.

Strange's nine targets over the past two weeks may not be an indicator of sustained success, but an injury to Parker Washington—one of the team's leading wideouts with Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. missing in action—could result in far more looks heading the tight end's direction in Week 14.

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (47 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $4-6

Despite posting four top-10 finishes in a five-game span, Schultz remains available in over half of all fantasy leagues. It's confounding given he's one of the more reliable options at a position that has a notorious lack of consistent contributors.

He is coming off a solid Week 13 showing in which he racked up seven catches for 55 yards. His eight targets in the contest were double the amount he saw the prior week and represent a return to normalcy for a player who has logged at least eight looks in five of the Texans' past seven games.

Shrewd managers who have been streaming the tight end position shouldn't hesitate to scoop up Schultz and deploy him ahead of and throughout the fantasy playoffs.

Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens (5 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $0-1

Likely has blipped on and off the fantasy radar over the years. Despite failing to emerge as a reliable option, he's capable of some impressive performances. He recently led all Baltimore pass-catchers with six targets and 95 receiving yards in Week 13.

While it's risky to trust him repeating as a top-12 TE for the second consecutive week, the Ravens could look to him again to jump-start an offense that desperately needs to get in sync with the season slipping away.

Darren Waller, Miami Dolphins (30 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $0-1

Waller was back in action this weekend after an extended layoff. A 2/47/0 line on three targets didn't move the fantasy needle, but it wasn't uncharacteristic for the veteran tight end who scored a whopping four touchdowns on a mere 10 catches between Weeks 4-6.

Although he offers little in the way of production outside of his penchant for finding paydirt, he could be a week-winning pickup for desperate managers facing long odds of beating a favored opponent in the regular-season finale.

D/ST

AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh

Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Lavonte David

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (28 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $2-4

The Bucs are shaping up to be one of the best D/ST starts a manager can make not only in Week 14, but throughout the initial two rounds of the fantasy playoffs. The team has a dream schedule that includes the Saints, Falcons and Panthers in consecutive weeks.

While Tampa hasn't been a strong D/ST choice since its Week 9 bye (scoring just 11 combined points over the last four games), this unit exploded for 26 points when it last faced New Orleans in Week 8.

Expect more big outings from the Buccaneers when they take on each of their offensively-challenged NFC South rivals over the next three weeks.

Miami Dolphins (20 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $1-2

The Dolphins delivered yet another impressive D/ST performance in Week 13, ringing up 11 fantasy points on the Saints. It was the third consecutive game in which Miami's D/ST tallied at least nine points.

The Dolphins shouldn't have too many problems keeping their hot streak going when they square off with the Jets in Week 14.

Gang Green has struggled throughout the year to generate consistent offense and allowed eight points to Miami's D/ST when they squared off earlier this season.

Washington Commanders (5 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $0-1

As poor as the Commanders have fared on the defensive side of the ball this season, they aren't bad enough to make J.J. McCarthy and the rest of Minnesota's dysfunctional offense look good.

This pickup is solely based on targeting the spiraling Vikings, a group that failed to score a single point during a crushing Week 13 loss to the Seahawks.

While McCarthy was inactive for that contest, he's trending towards a Week 14 return. The second-year signal-caller has coughed up a concerning 10 interceptions and taken 20 sacks in his six starts, opening the door for the Commanders to post their first double-digit D/ST scoring line since Week 5.