Week 14 Waiver-Wire Pickups: Sleepers Who May Still Be Available

The top seed in your league probably doesn't need to be scouring the waiver wire. After all, that player probably has a strong roster since, you know, he or she ended up in first place.

Ah, but those of you who are lower seeds heading into playoff matchups will probably take all the help you can get. So let's take a look at some sleepers—players owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues—who might benefit you in your postseason contests.

Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans

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It's fairly surprising that Mariota is owned in just 41.8 percent of ESPN leagues. After all, he's now posted 17 or more fantasy points in four of his last fives games, with a 32-point game and a 35-point game coming during that time.

Yes, a lot of his value comes from his ability to run the ball. But he also has six touchdown passes in the last two weeks. Mariota isn't a player who will only have value when he has big rushing days. Those will help, but much like Russell Wilson, he can also produce for fantasy owners with his arm.

If he's available in your league for some reason, nab him.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, New York Jets

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Fitzpatrick isn't a sexy option, but he's a solid option in deeper leagues. He has 25 or more fantasy points in two straight weeks and 18 or more points in five of his last eight games. He also has an excellent rapport with Brandon Marshall and another excellent option in Eric Decker, so his success is sustainable. 

If nothing else, he's a very nice QB2 to have at your disposal. Considering he's 13th in fantasy points at the position this year, pick him up.

Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Smith always seems to be sparsely owned but is always hovering around the QB1 conversation. This year, he's 11th in the quarterback ratings and has 45 fantasy points in the past two weeks. 

Having legitimate weapons in Charcandrick West and Travis Kelce certainly helps. Smith is generally reliable for 15 points, but if you are streaming options based on matchups, Smith is worth owning.

Jameis Winston QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Winston has come on for fantasy owners, posting 17 or more fantasy points in five of his last seven outings. He's most valuable in dynasty leagues, obviously, but in deeper leagues he's worth a spot start or two if you are playing matchups, especially with weapons like Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson at his disposal.

James White, RB, New England Patriots

OK, we move away from the bounty of quarterbacks to other positions of note. 

Because the running back position has again been beset by injuries and platoon situations, the options have been picked pretty clean at this point. But everyone in your league will likely be gunning for one player this week: James White. 

Yes, trusting New England running backs is tough. White is evidence of that, as he had 16 points three weeks ago, a whopping zero points in Week 12 and 17 points against the Eagles. But he's clearly fulfilling the role Dion Lewis occupied earlier in the season, making an impact in the passing game and thereby making him a nice option for fantasy owners.

He reminded Bleacher Report's Matt Miller of a former Patriots running back:

He's probably a flex consideration at this point, but if you are hurting at running back, White should be your top priority this week.

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Tennessee Titans

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The rookie wideout hasn't done much for fantasy owners this season, but he broke out Sunday, catching five passes for 119 yards and a score. One game might not be enough for some fantasy owners, but I have a feeling that game was an indication of big things to come for Green-Beckham.

For one thing, his role continues to increase in Tennessee's offense. But more importantly, Green-Beckham is an unbelievable physical specimen and a matchup nightmare.

“He’s got the physical gifts,” quarterback Marcus Mariota told Jason Wolf of the Tennessean. “I hope this game gives him all the confidence in the world, because he can do this week in and week out. He did a great job at keeping his head."

He added, "He was able to keep his cool and was able to make big plays.”

This is a speculative pickup, yes. But a player of Green-Beckham's size, strength, agility and speed is going to be very dangerous if he continues to grow in the offense and continues to build a rapport with Mariota. Especially in deeper leagues, he's worth taking a flier on.

DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins

It took an injury to Rishard Matthews to get Parker involved in the offense, but the first-rounder has started to show his ability, notching seven catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns in the last two weeks. That should instill some confidence in the player and grow his workload, though the eventual return of Matthews may diminish his targets.

In deeper leagues or dynasty leagues, however, Parker is worth owning.

Markus Wheaton, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

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Everybody is worth owning in Pittsburgh's offense right now, and Wheaton is no exception. He has 12 catches for 251 yards in his last two games and a touchdown in each of his last three contests.

Yes, his fantasy worth is going to be tied to touchdown production. But for players in a bind at the position in deeper leagues, he's worth a look.

Cecil Shorts III, WR, Houston Texans

Shorts isn't the most exciting pick, no, but he does have 29 total fantasy points in his last three games. With teams having to game-plan around DeAndre Hopkins, Shorts may have an opportunity to produce decent numbers down the stretch.

Ryan Griffin, TE, Houston Texans

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Let's stick with the Texans. Seven catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns in the past two weeks have put Griffin on the fantasy radar, and he's clearly a trusted target for Brian Hoyer in the red zone at this point.

Griffin spent most of the season sidelined with a knee injury, so it's hard to know if his positive output is a fluke or indicative of how he would have played all year long had he been healthy. If you are hurting at tight end, adding him on the hope that the latter is true is worthwhile. 

All fantasy stats, ownership percentages and points-against totals via ESPN standard leagues. You can find Timothy Rapp on Twitter and on Twitch.