fantasy-football-tiers-josh allen-austin ekeler-cooper kupp-travis kelce-week 14-rankings-2021

Fantasy Football Rankings: Austin Ekeler, Cooper Kupp, Travis Kelce Top Our Expert’s Latest Week 14 Tiers

You can get fantasy football advice from anywhere these days — we all know that. But if you’re looking for insights from FantasyPros’ top-two most-accurate experts for Week 13, you’ve come to the right place.

Our Director of Predictive Analytics, Sean Koerner, breaks down the latest version of his fantasy football rankings into his final “tiers” for Week 14. Fresh off a second-place finish in that accuracy contest, Koerner also walks you through key start/sit decisions — whether you’re a favorite coasting to the fantasy playoffs or an underdog in need of a Hail Mary.

These tiers are based on rankings as of Saturday night, so if any situations are unclear below, you can consult his real-time rankings here.

Fantasy Football Tiers

Jump To
QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF

Fantasy Football CTA for PRO


Fantasy QB Tiers

Tier Player
1 Josh Allen (@ TB)
2 Patrick Mahomes (vs. LV)
Tom Brady (vs. BUF)
Kyler Murray (vs. LAR)
Lamar Jackson (@ CLE)
Justin Herbert (vs. NYG)
3 Dak Prescott (@ WAS)
Aaron Rodgers (vs. CHI)
4 Taysom Hill (@ NYJ)
Matthew Stafford (@ ARI)
Russell Wilson (@ HOU)
Ryan Tannehill (vs. JAX)
5 Cam Newton (vs. ATL)
Kirk Cousins (vs. PIT)
Joe Burrow (vs. SF)
Teddy Bridgewater (vs. DET)
Jimmy Garoppolo (@ CIN)
Taylor Heinicke (vs. DAL)
6 Derek Carr (@ KC)
Ben Roethlisberger (@ MIN)
7 Matt Ryan (@ CAR)
Baker Mayfield (vs. BAL)
Trevor Lawrence (@ TEN)
Justin Fields (@ GB)
8 Zach Wilson (vs. NO)
9 Mike Glennon (@ LAC)
Davis Mills (vs. SEA)
Jared Goff (@ DEN)

Justin Herbert will be without Keenan Allen, which means we should lower our expectations, but Herbert is still a must-start as he still has Austin Ekeler and Mike Williams at his disposal.

Taysom Hill will play through an injury to his middle finger on his throwing hand. For any other quarterback, this would be a massive downgrade. However, considering it’s an injury that could force Hill to use his legs even more, I’m still treating him as a low-end QB1 option against the Jets.

Cam Newton carries a wide range of outcomes for Week 14. He has QB1 upside in an easy matchup against the Falcons but carries an in-game benching risk that gives him a low floor. If you’re a sizable underdog in your head-to-head matchup(s), I would start Newton to tap into his upside. However, if you are a comfortable favorite, I would prefer to go with a safer option like Teddy Bridgewater or Taylor Heinicke.

Justin Fields has been cleared to return from his rib injury, and I doubt the Bears would trot him out there if he weren’t close to 100%. He’s playable as a low-end QB2 in his return.


Return to the table of contents

Fantasy RB Tiers

Tier Player
1 Austin Ekeler (vs. NYG)
2 Alvin Kamara (@ NYJ)
3 Leonard Fournette (vs. BUF)
Ezekiel Elliott (@ WAS)
Najee Harris (@ MIN)
Antonio Gibson (vs. DAL)
Joe Mixon (vs. SF)
4 Aaron Jones (vs. CHI)
Javonte Williams (vs. DET)
5 Cordarrelle Patterson (@ CAR)
Sony Michel (@ ARI)
Nick Chubb (vs. BAL)
Josh Jacobs (@ KC)
6 Dalvin Cook (vs. PIT)
Saquon Barkley (@ LAC)
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (vs. LV)
Chuba Hubbard (vs. ATL)
James Conner (vs. LAR)
7 Devonta Freeman (@ CLE)
Jeffery Wilson (@ CIN)
David Montgomery (@ GB)
A.J. Dillon (vs. CHI)
Melvin Gordon (vs. DET)
James Robinson (@ TEN)
Kareem Hunt (vs. BAL)
8 D’Onta Foreman (vs. JAX)
Alex Collins (@ HOU)
Alexander Mattison (vs. PIT)
Dontrell Hilliard (vs. JAX)
Ty Johnson (vs. NO)
Darrel Williams (vs. LV)
Godwin Igwebuike (@ DEN)
Jermar Jefferson (@ DEN)
Ameer Abdullah (vs. ATL)
9 JaMycal Hasty (@ CIN)
Chase Edmonds (vs. LAR)
Devin Singletary (@ TB)
J.D. McKissic (vs. DAL)
10 Austin Walter (vs. NO)
David Johnson (vs. SEA)
Tony Pollard (@ WAS)
Zack Moss (@ TB)
Rashaad Penny (@ HOU)
Mike Davis (@ CAR)
Tony Jones Jr. (@ NYJ)
Rex Burkhead (vs. SEA)
Samaje Perine (vs. SF)
11 Devontae Booker (@ LAC)
Carlos Hyde (@ TEN)
DeeJay Dallas (@ HOU)
Justin Jackson (vs. NYG)
Peyton Barber (@ KC)
Latavius Murray (@ CLE)
Jeremy McNichols (vs. JAX)
Matt Breida (@ TB)

I’ve been banging the table for Javonte Williams for more than a month now, and we finally got to see him operate as a true workhorse with Melvin Gordon inactive last week. And sure enough, Williams posted the RB1 overall score of Week 13. Gordon should return this week but could be limited, so I’m treating Williams as a low-end RB1 against the Lions.

Sony Michel went off for 121 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries in a spot start for Darrell Henderson last week. With Henderson out again this week due to COVID, I’m treating Michel as a low-end RB1. As I hinted last week, Michel may be the lead back even once Henderson returns to action.

Chuba Hubbard is a volume- and matchup-based low-end RB2 this week. Cam Newton lowers Hubbard’s touchdown upside, while Ameer Abdullah lowers Hubbard’s receiving upside. Consider Hubbard a high-floor, low-ceiling play.

James Conner’s rank drops with Chase Edmonds’ potential return this week. If Edmonds is ruled out, look for Conner’s rank to shoot back up into the high-end RB2 range (check my real-time rankings here).

Kareem Hunt returned to action in Week 12 but saw only seven touches, but I expect him to be closer to 100% following the Browns bye and consider him a low-end RB2 option this week.

D’Onta Foreman and Dontrell Hilliard have been solid the past two games, and I consider them RB3/Flex options in a plus matchup against the Jaguars. Jeremy McNichols’ return could complicate the Titans’ backfield, but I’m not expecting him to see more than a few touches as long as Foreman and Hilliard continue to play well.

Godwin Igwebuike and Jermar Jefferson will form a two-way committee for the Lions with D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams out. Igwebuike offers the best floor/ceiling combo as he’ll operate as the main pass-catching back. The Lions are 11-point underdogs (check real-time NFL odds here), which means it should be a game script that favors Igwebuike’s role more.


Return to the table of contents

Fantasy WR Tiers

Tier Player
1 Cooper Kupp (@ ARI)
Davante Adams (vs. CHI)
Tyreek Hill (vs. LV)
Justin Jefferson (vs. PIT)
2 Chris Godwin (vs. BUF)
Diontae Johnson (@ MIN)
Stefon Diggs (@ TB)
3 CeeDee Lamb (@ WAS)
Ja’Marr Chase (vs. SF)
Mike Evans (vs. BUF)
Mike Williams (vs. NYG)
4 D.K. Metcalf (@ HOU)
Tyler Lockett (@ HOU)
Tee Higgins (vs. SF)
Jarvis Landry (vs. BAL)
Deebo Samuel (@ CIN)
Hunter Renfrow (@ KC)
Terry McLaurin (vs. DAL)
D.J. Moore (vs. ATL)
DeAndre Hopkins (vs. LAR)
5 Marquise Brown (@ CLE)
Jerry Jeudy (vs. DET)
Amari Cooper (@ WAS)
6 Odell Beckham Jr. (@ ARI)
Brandon Aiyuk (@ CIN)
Brandin Cooks (vs. SEA)
Chase Claypool (@ MIN)
Russell Gage (@ CAR)
Michael Gallup (@ WAS)
Jamison Crowder (vs. NO)
Cole Beasley (@ TB)
Julio Jones (vs. JAX)
Van Jefferson (@ ARI)
Darnell Mooney (@ GB)
Sterling Shepard (@ LAC)
Amon-Ra St. Brown (@ DEN)
Christian Kirk (vs. LAR)
Emmanuel Sanders (@ TB)
Tyler Boyd (vs. SF)
7 Marquez Valdes-Scantling (vs. CHI)
K.J. Osborn (vs. PIT)
Courtland Sutton (vs. DET)
Josh Reynolds (@ DEN)
Marvin Jones (@ TEN)
Laviska Shenault (@ TEN)
Tre’Quan Smith (@ NYJ)
Rondale Moore (vs. LAR)
8 Robby Anderson (vs. ATL)
Donovan Peoples-Jones (vs. BAL)
Tim Patrick (vs. DET)
Jalen Guyton (vs. NYG)
A.J. Green (vs. LAR)
Allen Robinson (@ GB)
Marquez Callaway (@ NYJ)
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (vs. JAX)
DeSean Jackson (@ KC)
Kenny Golladay (@ LAC)
Laquon Treadwell (@ TEN)
Josh Palmer (vs. NYG)
Kalif Raymond (@ DEN)
9 Zay Jones (@ KC)
Allen Lazard (vs. CHI)
Byron Pringle (vs. LV)
Darius Slayton (@ LAC)
Keelan Cole (vs. NO)
Bryan Edwards (@ KC)
Rashod Bateman (@ CLE)
Denzel Mims (vs. NO)
Olamide Zaccheaus (@ CAR)
DeAndre Carter (vs. DAL)

Mike Williams has an elevated floor/ceiling combo with Keenan Allen set to miss Week 14. I’m projecting Williams as a low-end WR1 option this week.

Jamison Crowder gets a boost with Corey Davis and Elijah Moore getting placed on the IR. Crowder is a high-floor WR3 option for the rest of the season.

Julio Jones has returned from the IR and is expected to play this week. However, he’s a dicey WR3 option who could be limited and/or at risk of an in-game aggravation of his nagging hamstring injury. Nevertheless, he carries WR2+ upside in a plus matchup against the Jaguars without A.J. Brown in the lineup. It’s worth trying to tap into Jones’ upside if you’re an underdog this week.

Sterling Shepard returns to action this week, and his playing style is a good fit with an ultra-conservative QB like Mike Glennon. Glennon attempted a pass into a tight window at only a 6.8% rate last week, per NFL NextGenStats, which means I expect him to be more comfortable targeting Shepard and Evan Engram over Kenny Golladay and Darius Slayton. As a result, I’m treating Shepard as a high-floor WR4/Flex option this week.

Amon-Ra St. Brown is coming off his best game as a rookie, going for 10/86/1 in last week’s win over the Vikings. Goff will have to lean on St. Brown even more with T.J. Hockenson expected to miss. Brown is an ideal WR4/Flex play if you are a heavy favorite this week.

If you are a heavy underdog this week, I would roll the dice on Marquez Valdes-Scantling as a high-ceiling WR4 option. Randal Cobb is expected to miss the next few games, so we can bank on MVS to have a routes run rate north of 75%, making him more likely to “boom” than to “bust” most weeks.

This week, Josh Palmer is a compelling “what the heck” WR flier with Allen out of the Chargers’ lineup. The fourth-round rookie offers a ton of upside, and with the massive increase in playing time this week, he has a chance to breakout. I would roll the dice on him in deeper leagues for which I’m a sizable underdog and don’t have access to MVS or DeSean Jackson.


Return to the table of contents

Fantasy TE Tiers

Tier Player
1 Travis Kelce (vs. LV)
2 George Kittle (@ CIN)
Rob Gronkowski (vs. BUF)
3 Mark Andrews (@ CLE)
4 Dawson Knox (@ TB)
Kyle Pitts (@ CAR)
Dalton Schultz (@ WAS)
5 Zach Ertz (vs. LAR)
Pat Freiermuth (@ MIN)
Austin Hooper (vs. BAL)
Tyler Higbee (@ ARI)
Tyler Conklin (vs. PIT)
6 Noah Fant (vs. DET)
7 Jared Cook (vs. NYG)
Foster Moreau (@ KC)
Gerald Everett (@ HOU)
C.J. Uzomah (vs. SF)
Cole Kmet (@ GB)
James O’Shaughnessy (@ TEN)
Ricky Seals-Jones (vs. DAL)
Evan Engram (@ LAC)
8 Ryan Griffin (vs. NO)
Brevin Jordan (vs. SEA)
Brock Wright (@ DEN)
Geoff Swaim (vs. JAX)
Albert Okwuegbunam (vs. DET)
9 Pharaoh Brown (vs. SEA)
Juwan Johnson (@ NYJ)
Josiah Deguara (vs. CHI)
Donald Parham (vs. NYG)
Anthony Firkser (vs. JAX)
Nick Vannett (@ NYJ)

Dawson Knox and the entire Bills offense should bounce back after playing in extreme windy conditions last Monday Night Football. Backup TE Tommy Sweeney has been ruled out, and it doesn’t look like Buffalo called up any TEs from the practice squad, which means Knox should play every snap this week. I’m viewing him as a top-five option.

Austin Hooper should see a considerable increase in routes run and targets with Harrison Bryant and David Njoku out this week. Hooper is a high-floor, low-end TE1 option.

Jared Cook will benefit from the extra targets with Keenan Allen out of action this week. Cook is a fringe TE1/2 option.

Foster Moreau flopped as a low-end TE1 option last week. I expect him to bounce back with much better performance this week, but we should treat him more as a high-end TE2 option with Darren Waller out again.

Ricky Seals-Jones will take over as the starting TE for Washington with Logan Thomas on the IR. However, rookie John Bates has played well enough to eat into RSJ’s playing time, making him more of a dicey low-end TE2.

Brock Wright is worth a flier in deeper, TE-premium formats. He will start for the injured T.J. Hockenson this week. While he is nowhere near the same caliber tight end as Hockenson, Wright should see enough playing time and targets to be considered a low-end TE option.


Return to the table of contents

Fantasy Kicker Tiers

Tier Player
1 Harrison Butker (vs. LV)
Brandon McManus (vs. DET)
Ryan Succop (vs. BUF)
Matt Prater (vs. LAR)
2 Tyler Bass (@ TB)
Matt Gay (@ ARI)
Greg Zuerlein (@ WAS)
Dustin Hopkins (vs. NYG)
Mason Crosby (vs. CHI)
Evan McPherson (vs. SF)
Jason Myers (@ HOU)
Robbie Gould (@ CIN)
Randy Bullock (vs. JAX)
3 Brett Maher (@ NYJ)
Brian Johnson (vs. DAL)
Zane Gonzalez (vs. ATL)
Younghoe Koo (@ CAR)
Chris Boswell (@ MIN)
Greg Joseph (vs. PIT)
Justin Tucker (@ CLE)
Eddy Pineiro (vs. NO)
Daniel Carlson (@ KC)
Graham Gano (@ LAC)
Chase McLaughlin (vs. BAL)
4 Ka’imi Fairbairn (vs. SEA)
Matthew Wright (@ TEN)
Riley Patterson (@ DEN)
Cairo Santos (@ GB)

Return to the table of contents

Fantasy Defense Tiers

Tier Player
1 Green Bay Packers (vs. CHI)
Seattle Seahawks (@ HOU)
New Orleans Saints (@ NYJ)
Los Angeles Chargers (vs. NYG)
Denver Broncos (vs. DET)
Tennessee Titans (vs. JAX)
2 Cleveland Browns (vs. BAL)
Dallas Cowboys (@ WAS)
Carolina Panthers (vs. ATL)
Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LV)
3 Minnesota Vikings (vs. PIT)
Baltimore Ravens (@ CLE)
San Francisco 49ers (@ CIN)
Atlanta Falcons (@ CAR)
New York Jets (vs. NO)
4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. BUF)
Arizona Cardinals (vs. LAR)
Pittsburgh Steelers (@ MIN)
Houston Texans (vs. SEA)
Cincinnati Bengals (vs. SF)
Los Angeles Rams (@ ARI)
Washington Football Team (vs. DAL)
New York Giants (@ LAC)
5 Detroit Lions (@ DEN)
Jacksonville Jaguars (@ TEN)
Buffalo Bills (@ TB)
Las Vegas Raiders (@ KC)
Chicago Bears (@ GB)
Return to the table of contents