11 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets Heading Into Week 14

With Week 13 almost behind us, the final week of the fantasy football regular season is about to begin. For many, the playoffs essentially start this week, with teams facing must-win scenarios.

There are two teams on a bye in Week 14 -- the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders.

As we move through the final week of the regular season, it is time to start planning for the playoffs if your record is good enough.

If you still have some work to do to make the postseason, short-term production is the name of the game; if you have FAAB remaining, spend it. If you have a top waiver pick, use it. You can't take it with you if your team is eliminated.

With that in mind, here are some of the best additions you can make to your squads heading into Week 14.

11 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

Quarterbacks

Joshua Dobbs, Vikings

The last time we saw Joshua Dobbs he was authoring a disastrous four-interception performance against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football in Week 12. That game caused Minnesota Vikings' head coach Kevin O'Connell to say the team is considering making a change at the quarterback position.

If Minnesota decides to stick with Dobbs, and he was dropped during the bye week, he is worth considering against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14. While our most recent memory of Dobbs is a negative one, Week 12 was his worst game since Week 1 and only his third game with fewer than 10 fantasy points this season. Before Week 12, he had scored a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown in five consecutive games.

Dobbs will also greatly benefit from the expected return of superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson who could return in Week 14 after missing more than half the season with a hamstring injury. If Dobbs is under center, he will be throwing to Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Addison and is a threat to score fantasy points on the ground, as well.

After Week 12, there is risk associated with Dobbs, but if he remains the starter, he carries a higher floor and ceiling combination than the other signal-callers likely to be available.

Gardner Minshew, Colts

Since the Indianapolis Colts' Week 11 bye Gardner Minshew has posted back-to-back games with more than 15.0 fantasy points against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans.

In Week 14, he will face a Cincinnati Bengals' defense that has allowed 26.6 points per game over their last eight contests. That stretch included difficult games against the 49ers, Ravens, and Texans, but the Bengals also allowed 34 points to the Cardinals and 27 to the Titans.

While not to the same level of Minnesota's pass-catchers, Minshew is working with a solid group in Indianapolis. In Week 13, both Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce recorded over 100 yards receiving, and Josh Downs has shown big-time ability already this season.

There is some risk that the Cincinnati Bengals offense could falter and allow the Colts to lean on Zack Moss and the run game, but Minshew still has a positive outlook in this one.

Others to Consider:

Jameis Winston (vs. Carolina), Baker Mayfield (at Atlanta), Matthew Stafford (at Baltimore), Desmond Ridder (vs. Tampa Bay)

Running Backs

Tyjae Spears, Titans

Tyjae Spears has been included in this piece multiple times, and if he is still available in your league, he is a good addition heading into Week 14.

Spears has been involved in the Tennessee Titans' offense all season, playing on 52% of their snaps and handling 23% of the rushing attempts in addition to a key role in the passing game -- 49% route participation and a 13% target share. Derrick Henry left Week 13's game early in the fourth quarter and did not return. As of Monday afternoon, he is not in the NFL's concussion protocol, but it's possible his status for Week 14 will still be impacted.

Henry's exit this past Sunday resulted in Spears posting career highs in snaps (65%), rushing attempts (40%), route participation (65%), and target share (19%).

If Henry ends up missing Week 14, Spears would be set for a big role against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football.

With the Titans playing on Monday, Henry has an extra day to recover, but the Monday game also adds a wrinkle to starting Spears this week. We may not find out Henry's status until Monday, at which point nearly everyone else on your roster will have already played -- meaning if you planned on starting Spears, you'll likely be stuck starting him even if Henry is active.

That said, the ceiling outcome for Spears -- read: Henry sitting -- makes that risk worth taking, and even if Henry suits up, Spears' pass-game role should ensure that he sees the field plenty in a game where the Titans are 13.0-point road 'dogs, per the NFL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson left Week 13's game in the first quarter with an ankle sprain and did not return. In his absence, Ezekiel Elliott stepped into a feature back role for the New England Patriots.

Elliott played on 69% of the snaps, handled 59% of the rushing attempts, recorded a 52% route participation, and commanded a 21% target share. After Stevenson left, the only other running back to record a touch was Ty Montgomery, who finished with one carry for two yards.

Zeke finished with 17 carries for 52 rushing yards and caught 4 of 5 targets for 40 receiving yards.

Elliott's opportunity is the good news. The bad news is the Patriots' offense is the worst in the league right now with just 13 total points over the last three weeks combined, and in Week 14, they are on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

That said, Elliott's projected role is so large that it makes up for the poor offensive environment. His role in the passing game should keep him involved in negative game scripts, which the Patriots will see against the Chiefs, Broncos, and Bills in Weeks 15 through 17.

Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles

D'Andre Swift left Week 13's game late in the fourth quarter after a huge hit and did not return. The extent of his injuries are unknown at this time, the Philadelphia Eagles only ran a couple more plays after his exit, so this is a fluid situation.

Swift could be fine, or he could miss some time. Either way, Kenneth Gainwell should not be on waiver wires in any league. Even before Swift's exit, Gainwell was heavily involved in Week 13, finishing with a 54% snap share, 15% of the team's rushing attempts, a 57% route participation, and a 12% target share.

In Week 14, Philadelphia travels to Dallas for a critical showdown with the Cowboys. If Swift is unavailable, Gainwell could handle some early down work in addition to his role in the passing game. He would be the lead back in one of the league's best offenses.

If Swift has a longer absence, Gainwell could keep that role for games against the Seahawks, Giants, and Cardinals in the fantasy playoffs. While we wait to see how this situation plays out, add Gainwell if he is available. If Swift doesn't miss time, Gainwell is still an important bench stash for the rest of the season.

Roschon Johnson, Bears

Before entering their bye in Week 13, the Chicago Bears changed things up in their backfield. In their Week 12 win over the Vikings, Chicago opted to give rookie Roschon Johnson the majority of the team's carries. That resulted in a smaller role for Khalil Herbert who, when healthy, had been the team's lead back.

Johnson finished with 10 carries for 35 rushing yards and caught all five of his targets for 40 receiving yards. He posted career-highs in snap share (75%) and rushing attempt share (44%) and tied his career-best in route participation (51%).

It's possible Chicago reverts back to Herbert as the lead back, or the potential return of D'Onta Foreman turns this into a three-man committee. It is also possible that the Bears opt to roll with Johnson down the stretch to see what they have moving forward.

If that is the case, Johnson could be in an excellent position to take advantage matchup with the Cardinals in Week 16 -- the semi-finals of most fantasy football leagues.

If you have space on your bench, add Johnson while we see how this situation plays out.

Others to Consider:

Keaton Mitchell (vs. Los Angeles Rams), Ty Chandler (at Las Vegas), Antonio Gibson (bye), DeeJay Dallas (at San Francisco), Zamir White (vs. Minnesota)

Wide Receivers

Elijah Moore, Browns

Amari Cooper left Week 13's game with a concussion and did not return. In his absence, Elijah Moore was the top option in the Cleveland Browns' passing game.

Moore finished with a 78% route participation and 28% target share, drawing a target on 31% of his routes, resulting in 4 catches on 12 targets for 83 yards. Moore led Cleveland in targets and receiving yards.

Moore and Joe Flacco have an established connection from their time together on the New York Jets, and that was on full display in this one. If this utilization continues for Moore, huge games could be in his future.

Assuming that Cooper misses Week 14, Moore is set up for success as the focal point of Cleveland's passing offense against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Beyond that, Cleveland has games against the Bears and Texans in Weeks 15 and 16.

With Flacco under center, Moore's outlook moving forward is bright.

Romeo Doubs, Packers

Time is a flat circle. 14 weeks into the season and we have circled back to Romeo Doubs as a priority add.

Early in the season, Doubs benefited from the absence of Christian Watson, emerging as a key target for Jordan Love as he began his career as an NFL starter.

Entering Week 14, some things are the same -- Watson has a hamstring injury -- but others, like Love's level of play, are different.

Assuming Watson misses time, Doubs, alongside rookie Jayden Reed, are set up to be the focal point of a Packers' passing game that is thriving with Love under center.

After excellent games against vulnerable defenses in Weeks 11 and 12, Love faced the biggest test of his young career in Week 13 and aced it, completing 25 of 36 attempts for 267 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions against a formidable Chiefs defense.

The rest of the way the Green Bay Packers face the Giants, Buccaneers, Panthers, and Vikings. Doubs stands to benefit from Watson's injury, Love's improved play, and the Packers' favorable schedule.

Jonathan Mingo, Panthers

Through nine weeks, Jonathan Mingo recorded a target share above 20% just two times. Since then, he has reached that threshold in each of the Carolina Panthers' four games.

In Week 13, he set a career-high in target share (38%) and was targeted on 31% of his routes. The result was 6 catches on 10 targets for 69 yards. Mingo led Carolina in all three categories.

Mingo's increased involvement has coincided with Adam Thielen posting two of his lowest target share games of the season (13% and 19%).

It's certainly possible that Thielen will go back to being the focal point of Carolina's passing game. It is also possible that Mingo, the 39th overall pick in April's draft, follows the path of numerous rookie wide receivers before him and continues to ascend in the final games of the season.

The Panthers' offense is not a positive environment for fantasy production, but we have seen Thielen succeed this year as the team's go-to option. Mingo is worth adding to see if he can solidify his role as Carolina's top pass-catcher. In Week 17, he faces the Jaguars.

Others to Consider:

Noah Brown (vs. New York Jets), Demario Douglas (at Pittsburgh), Rashid Shaheed (vs. Carolina), Dontayvion Wicks (at New York Giants), Khalil Shakir (at Kansas City)

Tight Ends

Isaiah Likely, Ravens

If Isaiah Likely was dropped during the Baltimore Ravens bye in Week 13, consider adding him if you need help at tight end.

Likely underwhelmed in an excellent spot against the Chargers in Week 12, catching four of six targets for four yards, but he remains a key pass catcher in one of the most explosive offenses in the league.

Despite coming up small in the box score, Likely's underlying metrics were solid. He ran a route on 83% of the Ravens' dropbacks, was targeted on 13% of his routes, and finished with a 14% target share. Likely's six targets were second on the tea, behind only Zay Flowers.

Likely should benefit from the Ravens' bye, providing an additional week to continue to learn his new full-time role in the offense. Week 12 was a solid starting point for Likely to build off in the final weeks of the season. Starting in Week 14, Likely faces the Rams, Jaguars, 49ers, and Dolphins the rest of the way.

A Week 17 shootout between the Dolphins and Ravens will likely decide numerous fantasy championships, and Likely could be a key part of that clash.

Others to Consider:

Gerald Everett (vs. Denver Broncos), Chigoziem Okonkwo (at Miami), Brevin Jordan (at New York Jets), Michael Mayer (vs. Minnesota)

Defenses

Indianapolis Colts

In Week 14, the Colts' defense will face a Bengals offense that has, understandably, struggled since losing Joe Burrow for the season.

Indianapolis has allowed their opponents to score this season. Their 24.6 points allowed per game ranks 27th, but they enter this weekend on a fantastic sack streak. Over the past four games, the Colts have recorded 21 sacks to go along with 6 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries, and 3 defensive scores.

That stretch was against the Panthers, Patriots, Buccaneers, and Titans -- a favorable slate of opponents, but one that the Bengals, with Jake Browning under center, are similar to.

If the Colts offense can carry over their production from Week 13's win over the Titans, Indianapolis could force the Bengals to throw in this one and add to their sack total.

Others to Consider:

Packers D/ST (at New York Giants), Texans D/ST (at New York Jets), Saints D/ST (vs. Carolina), Patriots D/ST (at Pittsburgh), Vikings D/ST (at Las Vegas)

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.