Streamers For The Desperate - Week 14

Week 14 Fantasy Football Waiver Adds

Dominating The Dynasty Schedule - December

Week 14 Fantasy Football Waiver Adds

Alex Ciulla

With just one week remaining until the fantasy playoffs, this upcoming matchup could feel like a playoff game for many teams on the bubble. Now, more than ever, securing a win is crucial. However, Week 13 brought some significant injuries that could impact fantasy rosters, and after enjoying some good injury luck, we were quickly reminded of how rapidly things can change.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) was placed on injured reserve Monday as he deals with a PCL injury that has likely ended his season. Additionally, San Fran placed backup running back Jordan Mason (ankle) on IR with a sprained ankle. Both players picked up their injuries in the 49ers' 35-10 loss to the Bills in Week 13 and will be inactive for the foreseeable future.

Jags QB Trevor Lawrence (concussion, shoulder) received an unnecessarily late hit during the team's Week 13 game. Per HC Doug Pederson, a decision has yet to be made as to whether Lawrence will continue playing this season. Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (knee) was forced from the team's win over the Falcons in the fourth quarter. Per head coach Jim Harbaugh, he's "working through a few things," it remains to be seen if he will practice this week. 

New Orleans Saints do-it-all player Taysom Hill (knee) will also miss the remainder of the year after sustaining a severe knee injury in Sunday's loss to the LA Rams. It's a definite blow to New Orleans' offense, as he and running back Alvin Kamara had been the lone bright spots for the Saints for the season. Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) exited his team's 24-19 victory over the Baltimore Ravens and did not return. Reports from Monday suggest that Goedert is a candidate for injured reserve and is currently considered week-to-week.

Finally, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (knee) tweaked his knee in Week 13's victory, missing two plays but returning to the game. According to head coach Mike Macdonald, he "thinks he's [Metcalf] alright right now."

As always, this column assumes PPR scoring and will only feature players around or under 50% ownership on Yahoo!. Let's dive into this week's waiver adds.

If the players mentioned in this article are unavailable or you’re looking for more options, be sure to check out "Streamers for the Desperate - Week 14" by ASL Founder Leonard LaPadula!

Streaming Quarterbacks

Will Levis, Tennessee Titans (12% Owned)

With another six teams on bye in Week 14, being able to stream QBs in favorable matchups is few and far between. However, if you're not so averse to a bit of risk, Titans QB Will Levis could be a strong stream in one of the week's best matchups, which is an outing against the Jacksonville Jaguars at home.

Levis has actually been pretty decent over the last few games. He's thrown two touchdowns in three of his last four, while Sunday was the second time all season that the second-year QB didn't turn the ball over. He gets a favorable spot against a Jaguars defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks leading up to Week 13 (23.7). The best part is that you might not even need to use a waiver priority to add him.

The Kentucky alum hasn't been afraid to push the ball downfield and has found wide receiver Calvin Ridley more often than not since the departure of WR DeAndre Hopkins. Contrary to popular belief, Levis isn't as scary of a stream as you might think.

Running Backs

Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers (6% Owned)

This situation is straightforward. With 49ers RBs Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle) likely out for the rest of the season, rookie Isaac Guerendo steps in as the next man up. With RB Elijah Mitchell already on IR and McCaffrey and Mason expected to join him, Guerendo is poised to take on the bulk of the 49ers' backfield work. While the team may utilize RB Kyle Juszczyk more often and could potentially bring in veteran help, Guerendo is set to lead the charge.

Regardless of the team's roster moves, the 24-year-old is the back-to-own and should get his first start next Sunday against a Chicago Bears team at home. While the Bears aren't the best matchup for a starting rookie RB, it could be much worse, and the Louisville product has shown the ability to shake free on more than one occasion.

To that end, Guerendo is worth picking up even if you don't need a running back, as simply blocking someone else from getting him is reason enough to do so. He's the premier add this week.

Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers (49% Owned)

Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks technically debuted last week, and this week, was given a larger role. The rookie handled nine touches, including three receptions, while lead back Chuba Hubbard had 12 touches but didn’t receive any targets in the passing game. Brooks, the former Texas Longhorn, displayed impressive burst and vision, showing little sign of the serious injury he had previously recovered from.

The 21-year-old's snap share is on the rise, playing 15 snaps on Sunday compared to just five the week before. It was also promising to see him more involved in the passing game. Brooks and Hubbard could eventually form a "lite" version of Lion's RBs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, though that seems more like a future possibility.

For now, the second-round pick is a valuable handcuff with a huge upside if Hubbard misses time or if the Panthers shift their focus. While the latter seems unlikely (especially with quarterback Bryce Young showing improvement), Brooks is still worth rostering as insurance.

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Wide Receivers

Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers (32% Owned)

Just two games back from a lengthy hamstring injury, Carolina WR Adam Thielen turned back the clock, turning in a vintage performance in his team's 26-23 Week 13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 34-year-old caught 8-of-10 targets for 99 yards and a touchdown in the one-score defeat, leading the Panthers in targets, receiving yards, and receptions.

With QB Bryce Young playing significantly better than earlier in the season, the Panthers' offense is becoming a more appealing source of fantasy production. While it’s unclear if this level of involvement will continue, it’s hard to overlook what the veteran wideout just accomplished.

In their matchup against division rivals, the 12th-year wideout impressed, showing strong chemistry with Young on short slants and curls from the slot. It wasn’t just easy catches—Young also connected with him on a 25-yard crosser for a touchdown, as Thielen made an incredible one-handed grab on an out route during the fourth quarter.

Last week, I'd have told you Thielen was washed. Now, I can't say that with confidence.

Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars (1% Owned)

The Jaguars are falling apart as injuries continue to pile up. With franchise QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder, concussion) likely out for at least one more week, it might seem like all Jacksonville fantasy options should be avoided. However, that’s not the case. Backup QB Mac Jones stepped up well against the Houston Texans when Lawrence went down, and another fantasy option emerged.

Enter WR Parker Washington. The second-year wideout saw 12 targets in the loss, catching six for 103 yards and a touchdown—leading the team in all categories and setting career highs. It was his first time with double-digit targets, and he played a solid 80% of snaps.

Additionally, Washington has had a few strong performances over the last two years. While he's not a priority add and can likely be left on waivers in shallower leagues, he could be a useful one-week rental, especially with another "bye-pocalypse" approaching. Also, with another productive outing, he could work his way into low-end WR3 consideration in PPR formats.

Tight Ends

Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers (42% Owned)

Tight ends are in short supply on waivers this week, as many teams are on bye. However, Chargers TE Will Dissly is a strong streaming option if you need one. The 28-year-old has been modestly involved in the offense this season and stands to benefit if rookie teammate Ladd McConkey (knee) is forced to miss time.

Even with McConkey’s potential injury, Dissly could see an expanded role. The veteran tight end has been a surprisingly consistent fantasy contributor in 2024, ranking as a fringe TE1 since Week 6 (TE13), just slightly behind Jags TE12 Evan Engram in fantasy points. Additionally, while 2nd-year wideout Quentin Johnston is QB Justin Herbert's top target, it's a lot for him to handle alone. As a result, Dissly should continue to see solid volume and quality opportunities, and if McConkey is sidelined for the Chargers' upcoming game against the Chiefs, could also become a key check-down option.

With injuries wreaking havoc on the fantasy landscape, Week 14 presents a critical opportunity to make pivotal roster moves. Stream Titans QB Will Levis for potential upside, grab 49ers RB Isaac Guerendo as a key addition to a depleted San Fran backfield, and consider veteran WR Adam Thielen for reliable production. Keep an eye on players like Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks and Jags WR Parker Washington who could emerge as valuable assets with the right opportunities. As fantasy playoff spots tighten, these waiver wire targets could be the key to keeping your team competitive and ultimately claiming victory!