We’re at the point in the season when this article might seem like a rerun every week. Half of the owners in most leagues have checked out, and the ones still gunning for postseason glory usually have solid rosters. As such, some emerging players who should be added can remain on the wire, only to find themselves among the highlighted pickups again the following week. That’s the case with some of our top Week 14 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds, including Zonovan Knight, Greg Dulcich, James Cook, and Cam Akers.
We know what you’re thinking, deep-league owners: “Those guys have been on teams for weeks in my league! This isn’t helping.” Don’t worry, our full free agent list features some deeper pulls, including DeeJay Dallas and Nico Collins, and a ton of potential Week 14 streamer recommendations. With six teams on bye next week (Bears, Packers, Commanders, Colts, Falcons, Saints), plenty of fantasy teams will need reinforcements. The pickings are somewhat slim at QB, TE, and D/ST, but we have a lot of viable WR candidates. The streamer suggestions are grouped by position and can be found at the end of the list.
After their Week 13 performances, Knight and Akers seem worthy of high waiver claims, but neither is a sure thing to receive 12 touches next week. The same is true for Dallas and Cook. How high do you want to go with those guys? That’s up to you, and it probably depends on how badly you need an RB. Dulcich is similar at TE.
MORE WEEK 14 PICKUPS: Full waiver list
One thing is certain: There’s no reason to save your high waiver claim if you’re on the playoff bubble. You have to do whatever it takes to secure a win next week, so burn all your claims and FAAB if you need to. If you’ve already secured your spot in the postseason, you’ll likely want to hold back your claims this week and work the free-agent wire for your stashes and streamers.
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 14
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues are considered.
Zonovan Knight, RB, Jets. Knight was one of last week’s top pickups, but he’s still unowned in 53 percent of Yahoo leagues. Initially, it looked like those who passed on him were smart, as he was having a relatively quiet day until a late 41-yard run inflated his numbers. He continued to pad his stats and finished with 90 yards on 15 carries and 28 yards on five catches (five targets). James Robinson managed just 10 yards on three carries, so it certainly seems like this is Knight’s backfield until Michael Carter (ankle) returns. Even when Carter is back, Knight will still be involved, so he’s worth a pickup and can work as a low-end flex next week against Buffalo.
Cam Akers, RB, Rams. Many were touting backup Kyren Williams over the past couple of weeks, but Akers emphatically reclaimed the Rams’ backfield in Week 13, rushing 17 times for 60 yards and two TDs. Williams still played a decent number of snaps, but Akers had 14 more carries and the same number of targets. He won’t be this good every week, but he should at least have flex value in most matchups, including next week against the Raiders.
MORE WEEK 14 PICKUPS: Full waiver list
DeeJay Dallas, RB, Seahawks. Dallas took over as Seattle’s primary running back after Kenneth Walker III (ankle) exited in the first half, though he was slowed in the second half by an ankle injury of his own. It’s also worth noting that usual backup Travis Homer missed the game entirely because of a knee injury and illness. Got all that? Dallas finished with just 37 yards on 10 touches, but it’s anyone’s guess as to which Seahawks’ back will receive the most touches next week, as it’s impossible to know which combination will be healthy. Dallas is the priority pickup since he’s technically the healthiest of those three, and even with just 10-12 touches, he should work as a flex in a favorable Week 14 matchup against the Panthers. Tony Jones Jr. (32 total yards, nine touches) is also worth adding, as he’d start if Walker, Dallas, and Homer are all out next week.
Greg Dulcich, TE, Broncos. Dulcich had a big bounce-back game in Week 13 (six catches, eight targets, 85 yards) after his ownership had dropped under 50 percent, and he should see a healthy number of targets again in Week 14 as Denver tries to keep up with the Chiefs. Kansas City has been a slightly favorable matchup for TEs all season, so Dulcich is worth a stream-and-stash if he’s available in your league.
James Cook, RB, Bills. Cook racked up 64 yards on a team-high 14 carries last week, and perhaps more encouraging, he hauled in all six of his targets for 41 yards. Overall, he played just one fewer snap than Devin Singletary, and it looks like he’ll continue to be Buffalo’s 1B back as opposed to the traditional backup he had been most of this season. There’s a chance he continues to see more playing time and supplants Singletary down the stretch, making Cook a must-add. Consider him a flex for next week’s game against the Jets.
For more waiver/free agent suggestions, including a host of potential streaming options, check out our full Week 14 list.
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