Week 13 of the NFL season has just about wrapped up. Whether winning or losing in Week 13, it’s time to make some moves to help your team reach the ultimate goal. In this article, we will talk about the key players worth picking up to help improve your roster. We will discuss what they have done and why they are important players to pick up on rosters. We will also talk about whether they are worth spending that number one waiver claim and how much FAAB percentage you should use on them.
The Week 14 waiver wire is starting to have some names that you will want to pick up to help your fantasy roster. There is a nice mix of players who all produced in Week 13 and should have value moving forward.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR – TEN
Our first player to add is wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine from the Titans. Westbrook-Ikhine continues to be a solid FLEX option in fantasy football. He has been a touchdown machine in fantasy as he has eight touchdowns since the Titans’ Week 5 Bye. The veteran receiver is playing much different than he was in years past. In past seasons, Westbrook-Ikhine would be a one-to-two target receiver who had 100 yards and a touchdown at times. He is averaging five targets per game and is a big part of this new-look Titans offense. He’ll face off against the Jaguars, who have struggled in the secondary all season. I’d take my shot on Westbrook-Ikhine on the final big Bye week in Week 14.
- Top Waiver Priority – Yes
- FAAB % – 13%
Aidan O’Connell, QB – LV
Our quarterback pick-up of the week is Aidan O’Connell. The Raiders quarterback returned from injury just in time as Gardner Minshew landed on IR. In O’Connell’s first game back, he had the team’s first 300-passing yard game with 340 yards. He also threw two impressive deep touchdown passes in a tough environment in Kansas City. O’Connell helped the Raider’s offense move the ball quickly down the field, which was something they have been struggling with this season. This week, O’Connell will face off against the Buccaneers, who have struggled in the secondary. They are a bottom-two defense in stopping fantasy quarterbacks this season, as they have allowed plenty of passing yards and touchdowns. If O’Connell can produce like he did this week, he will be a solid Bye Week replacement quarterback for Week 14.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 5%
Parker Washington, WR – JAX
Parker Washington is another receiver in the AFC South that should be considered as a pick-up. The second-year receiver came out with a big game, finishing 100 yards and a touchdown. He did have three targets that got him two receptions for 36 yards with Trevor Lawrence. The rest of his game came with Mac Jones, who is likely to start in Week 14 as Lawrence suffered a bad injury. The biggest thing is that neither quarterback is really targeting Evan Engram as the second option, and Washington has taken over the role. He is playing as the second receiver since Gabe Davis went on IR before their Week 12 Bye. It took Jones and Washington time to link up, but they figured it out with his last three receptions, which were all 15-plus gains. They do face off against the Titans, who have struggled in recent weeks against receivers. Washington could play a one-week FLEX play if you need it.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 6%
Noah Gray, TE – KC
Our tight end pickup has to be Chiefs, Noah Gray. While Gray is the backup tight end, he is very involved in the Chiefs offense. Gray has eight or more fantasy points in 4 of the last seven games. He has been great in the last three weeks, with 147 yards and four touchdowns. Gray has become an important piece of the Chief’s offense, as Mahomes seems to trust him over the middle. The lack of a strong run game has forced the Chiefs to use the tight ends in the short area and allow them to produce. They do face off against the Chargers in Week 14. The Chargers will try to stop Travis Kelce and DeAndre Hopkins in the passing game. Last time, Gray had four targets and four receptions for 40 yards in LA. Gray should be able to see at least four targets and produce with them. It’s only for one week, but Gray can fill in for your lineup in Week 14.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 3%
Ameer Abdullah , RB – LV
Our top running back pick-up isn’t the best, but Ameer Abdullah could see another start in Week 14. It will depend on Alexander Mattison and Zamir White missing another week, which there is a chance. Abdullah did decently against a tough matchup and managed to finish with seven fantasy points in PPR. Abdullah would face off against the Buccaneers, who allow the second most receiving yards to fantasy running backs. He has 118 yards over the last two games and seven receptions. It’s not pretty, but it could help fill in a Bye Week replacement, especially those who play in PPR leagues. Their Week 14 games will likely be high-scoring, so there will be plenty of targets to go around for the Raiders offense next week.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 3%
High-End Handcuffs, RB – ANY
Since the season is nearing the end, the waiver wire market is not all that great, especially with six teams on Bye. If you are nearing a playoff spot, you may want to secure your backups or the other team’s backups. You want to look at teams that run the ball well or usually allow them to start running back with a high workload. I’d also look at running backs who have a good playoff schedule. My top three who are likely available are Kenny Gainwell, Braelon Allen, and Sean Tucker. Of course, you should also look at Blake Corum, Jordan Mason, and Trey Benson.
Those top three I mentioned would be heavily involved in their offenses and have a top 5 easy playoff schedule. Gainwell has seen more work recently, and the Eagles may look to rest Barkley to make a playoff run. Braelon Allen could see some work if the Jets feel Breece Hall is too banged up and want to rest him for next year. Bucs running back Bucky Irving is dealing with an injury, and Rachaad White isn’t a healthy running back. Sean Tucker has already shown with an increased workload, he can produce for fantasy lineups.
- Top Waiver Priority – Yes
- FAAB % – 10%