Week 14 Fantasy Rankings & Tiers
Fantasy QB Rankings & Tiers
Tier 1
Josh Allen (vs. NYJ)
Jalen Hurts (@ NYG)
Tier 2
Patrick Mahomes (@ DEN)
Joe Burrow (vs. CLE)
Justin Herbert (vs. MIA)
Tier 3
Tua Tagovailoa (@ LAC)
Tier 4
Geno Smith (vs. CAR)
Kyler Murray (vs. NE)
Kirk Cousins (@ DET)
Dak Prescott (vs. HOU)
Tier 5
Deshaun Watson (@ CIN)
Jared Goff (vs. MIN)
Derek Carr (@ LAR)
Trevor Lawrence (@ TEN)
Kenny Pickett (vs. BAL)
Daniel Jones (vs. PHI)
Mac Jones (@ ARI)
Tier 6
Tyler Huntley (@ PIT)
Tom Brady (@ SF)
Brock Purdy (vs. TB)
Mike White (@ BUF)
Ryan Tannehill (vs. JAX)
Tier 7
John Wolford (vs. LV)
Russell Wilson (vs. KC)
Sam Darnold (@ SEA)
Tier 8
Davis Mills (@ DAL)
I expected Deshaun Watson to be rusty in his return, but he was exceptionally bad in his debut, only managing for a 131/0/1 passing line against the Texans. The Browns were still able to win thanks to three defensive/special teams touchdowns. Cleveland is unlikely to be that fortunate against the Bengals, meaning Watson should see his overall volume go up here. He’s a low-end QB1 thanks to his rushing upside, but he has a dangerously low floor until we see him actually have a productive game.
Jared Goff is this week’s top streaming option. The Lions have the second-highest team total, and he’s coming off a solid 340/2/0 outing against the Jaguars. Assuming Jameson Williams playing time gets a significant boost this week, it’ll be the first time all season Jared Goff has all four of his top WRs at his disposal. He’s a low-end QB1 option against the Vikings.
Trevor Lawrence came back down to Earth after having the best three-game stretch of his young career in Weeks 9-12. He suffered a toe injury in the first half against the Lions, which could have been the reason for his underwhelming 179/1/0 passing line. The toe injury could limit his mobility and his rushing upside, but he has a plus matchup against the Titans‘ pass funnel defense. He’s a fairly risky high-end QB2 option for Week 14.
Tyler Huntley is expected to start for the injured Lamar Jackson this week. He is one of the most valuable backup QBs in the league because he has a similar skillset to Lamar and the Ravens will likely be able to use the same playbook. He’s a midrange QB2 option this week, but has a much higher ceiling than other QBs in that range thanks to his massive rushing upside. He posted the QB1 overall score in Week 15 last season.
Jimmy G suffered a broken foot and is expected to miss the rest of the season. seventh-round rookie Brock Purdy is expected to get the first crack at replacing him. He played well in relief last week but will have a much tougher time now that teams can now prepare for him.
While Purdy hasn’t shown it at the NFL yet, he does carry sneaky rushing upside. Now that Kyle Shanahan has time to prepare the offense for Purdy, I would not be surprised if they design a few run plays for him this week and/or for him to have the freedom to scramble. He’s a low-end QB2 with sneaky upside given his rushing ability and the plethora of weapons he has at his disposal. Remember, Kyle Shanahan was able to turn Nick Mullens into a QB2 in fantasy.
Fantasy RB Rankings & Tiers
Tier 1
Josh Jacobs (@ LAR)
Tier 2
Derrick Henry (vs. JAX)
Dalvin Cook (@ DET)
Rhamondre Stevenson (@ ARI)
Austin Ekeler (vs. MIA)
Christian McCaffrey (vs. TB)
Tier 3
Saquon Barkley (vs. PHI)
Nick Chubb (@ CIN)
James Conner (vs. NE)
Travis Etienne (@ TEN)
Tier 4
Tony Pollard (vs. HOU)
D’Andre Swift (vs. MIN)
Joe Mixon (vs. CLE)
Ezekiel Elliott (vs. HOU)
Miles Sanders (@ NYG)
Jamaal Williams (vs. MIN)
Tier 5
Isiah Pacheco (@ DEN)
Kenneth Walker (vs. CAR)
D’Onta Foreman (@ SEA)
Najee Harris (vs. BAL)
Dameon Pierce (@ DAL)
Tier 6
Raheem Mostert (@ LAC)
Latavius Murray (vs. KC)
Jeffery Wilson (@ LAC)
Samaje Perine (vs. CLE)
Devin Singletary (vs. NYJ)
Zonovan Knight (@ BUF)
Leonard Fournette (@ SF)
James Cook (vs. NYJ)
Tier 7
Rachaad White (@ SF)
Cam Akers (vs. LV)
Jerick McKinnon (@ DEN)
Tier 8
Kareem Hunt (@ CIN)
Damien Harris (@ ARI)
Kyren Williams (vs. LV)
Chuba Hubbard (@ SEA)
Michael Carter (@ BUF)
J.K. Dobbins (@ PIT)
Michael Boone (vs. KC)
Tier 9
Gus Edwards (@ PIT)
Joshua Kelley (vs. MIA)
Jaylen Warren (vs. BAL)
Dontrell Hilliard (vs. JAX)
Kenneth Gainwell (@ NYG)
Ameer Abdullah (@ LAR)
Jordan Mason (vs. TB)
Tier 10
DeeJay Dallas (vs. CAR)
Alexander Mattison (@ DET)
Justin Jackson (vs. MIN)
Keaontay Ingram (vs. NE)
Boston Scott (@ NYG)
Travis Homer (vs. CAR)
Nyheim Hines (vs. NYJ)
Ty Johnson (@ BUF)
D’Andre Swift appears to be 100% healthy and is playing at a very high level right now. Jamaal Williams will continue being the lead back and command most of the goal-line work, but Swift is getting enough overall volume to be considered a high-end RB2 option right now.
Kenneth Walker suffered a right ankle injury and his Week 14 status is currently up in the air. Unfortunatley, both of his backups are also injured, so there isn’t a clear option if Walker ends up missing this week. I’m avoiding this situation until we get more clarity.
Najee Harris has been a disappointment this season considering his first-round draft capital, but he has been heating up over the last four games. In fact, the Steelers have been a run heavy team during their four-game win streak, averaging 35 rush attempts per game. Harris should see 15-20 touches again this week, but as long as his routes run rate continues to be below 50%, his upside is going to be capped as a mid-range RB2.
Raheem Mostert dominated touches in the Miami backfield against the 49ers, and for now it looks like both he and Jeff Wilson could be in a true 50/50 committee that will be more of a “hot hand” approach. However, with a great matchup against a weak Chargers run defense and six teams on bye this week, both are low-end RB2 options. But this is a situation we will need to monitor closely in the coming weeks.
We have seen a few other backfields devolve into murky RBBCs over the past week. The Bills (Devin Singletary/James Cook), the Bucs (Leonard Fournette/Rachaad White), and the Rams (Cam Akers, Kyren Williams) have all turned into tricky backfields to project.
None were more frustrating than the Rams in Week 13, who featured Cam Akers and relegated Williams to a mere change of pace role. It’s too soon to drop Williams, as it would not surprise me for Sean McVay to eventually unleash the talented rookie. However, we should not be using him in our starting lineups until we are 100% sure he is going to see 10-15 touches.
Jordan Mason continued to operate as Chrisitan McCaffery’s direct backup. However, this is the 49ers and Shanahan we are talking about here and at any given point, we could see Tyrion Davis-Price take over as the No. 2 back. If you are in a deeper league, have the bench space and want to take a flier in striking gold with the 49ers backfield, Davis-Price is still a decent stash.
Fantasy WR Rankings & Tiers
Tier 1
Tyreek Hill (@ LAC)
Davante Adams (@ LAR)
Justin Jefferson (@ DET)
Tier 2
Ja’Marr Chase (vs. CLE)
Stefon Diggs (vs. NYJ)
Amon-Ra St. Brown (vs. MIN)
A.J. Brown (@ NYG)
Tier 3
CeeDee Lamb (vs. HOU)
Jaylen Waddle (@ LAC)
DeAndre Hopkins (vs. NE)
Tier 4
Tee Higgins (vs. CLE)
Keenan Allen (vs. MIA)
D.K. Metcalf (vs. CAR)
Garrett Wilson (@ BUF)
Amari Cooper (@ CIN)
Tyler Lockett (vs. CAR)
Christian Kirk (@ TEN)
Deebo Samuel (vs. TB)
Tier 5
Chris Godwin (@ SF)
Marquise Brown (vs. NE)
DeVonta Smith (@ NYG)
Diontae Johnson (vs. BAL)
Mike Evans (@ SF)
Tier 6
D.J. Moore (@ SEA)
JuJu Smith-Schuster (@ DEN)
Adam Thielen (@ DET)
Michael Gallup (vs. HOU)
Josh Palmer (vs. MIA)
Mike Williams (vs. MIA)
Darius Slayton (vs. PHI)
Gabriel Davis (vs. NYJ)
Jakobi Meyers (@ ARI)
Zay Jones (@ TEN)
Mack Hollins (@ LAR)
Tyler Boyd (vs. CLE)
Brandon Aiyuk (vs. TB)
Donovan Peoples-Jones (@ CIN)
Courtland Sutton (vs. KC)
George Pickens (vs. BAL)
Tier 7
Robert Woods (vs. JAX)
Nico Collins (@ DAL)
Van Jefferson (vs. LV)
Laviska Shenault (@ SEA)
D.J. Chark (vs. MIN)
Jerry Jeudy (vs. KC)
Isaiah McKenzie (vs. NYJ)
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (@ DEN)
DeVante Parker (@ ARI)
Corey Davis (@ BUF)
Terrace Marshall (@ SEA)
Devin Duvernay (@ PIT)
Tier 8
Quez Watkins (@ NYG)
Marvin Jones (@ TEN)
Ben Skowronek (vs. LV)
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (vs. JAX)
Julio Jones (@ SF)
Trent Sherfield (@ LAC)
Demarcus Robinson (@ PIT)
Isaiah Hodgins (vs. PHI)
Brandon Powell (vs. LV)
Elijah Moore (@ BUF)
Brandin Cooks (@ DAL)
Noah Brown (vs. HOU)
Tier 9
Richie James (vs. PHI)
Nelson Agholor (@ ARI)
Jameson Williams (vs. MIN)
David Bell (@ CIN)
Tutu Atwell (vs. LV)
Kendall Hinton (vs. KC)
K.J. Osborn (@ DET)
All 49ers pass catchers likely get a downgrade with Purdy replacing Jimmy G. However, Deebo Samuel should be able to still provide mid-range WR2 value considering the 49ers may be compelled to give him more designed rush attempts and high-percentage targets. Purdy had the lowest average intended air yards (5.3) of Week 13, which means Brandon Aiyuk, who has the highest aDot (10.0) of the 49ers starters, could see the biggest downgrade from the change at QB. He is a very dicey WR3 option until we see how the offense shakes out with Purdy under center.
George Pickens proved why he’s a boom/bust WR3 option after posting just a 1/2/0 line against the Falcons. To be clear, I love Pickens as an up-and-coming talent, but the Steelers have become a very run-heavy team during their four-game win streak, as I mentioned with Harris above. Pittsburgh is a three-point favorite against a Lamar Jackson-less Ravens team this week, which means they’re likely going to continue to lean on their run game. Plus, Kenny Pickett has only thrown for three TDs over his past six starts and has been held to under 200 yards in four of those starts. So, this isn’t a passing attack that is providing much value overall.
I was extremely high on Michael Gallup against consensus last week and while he only finished with four catches for 23 yards, he managed to find the end zone twice. It goes to show that having a WR in a potent offense gives that player multiple different paths to hitting value. This week, the Cowboys may not need to throw much against the Texans to win, but Gallup’s chances of finding the end zone again are the 14th highest among WRs, according to my projections. He looks to be 100% over his ACL injury and should be viewed as a high end WR3 option in a plus matchup.
Laviska Shenault operated as a top-three WR for the Panthers in Week 12 after Shi Smith was benched. He ran a route on 75% of Sam Darnold’s dropbacks and while he only cashed in with a 2/19/0 receiving line, his underlying usage makes it more likely he averages 3-4 receptions a game with that sort of playing time. The Panthers may have used the bye week to get Shenault, who was acquired midseason, more integrated in the offense. Since trading Christian McCaffery, Carolina is yet to really replace his production and Shenault is essentially a RB/WR hybrid, so he has the best chance at absorbing some of the touches CMC left behind. He’s a sneaky WR4 option in PPR formats for teams that are hurting for options in a bye-heavy week.
Jameson Williams only ran a route on 5% of Jared Goff dropbacks in his debut, but the Lions have been limiting WRs coming back from injury the past few weeks: DJ Chark (19%) and Josh Reynolds (8%) before playing them at a 75%+ rate the following week. It remains to be seen if they will unleash Williams in a similar fashion this week, but we can’t trust Williams in our starting lineups until that happens. For now, the rookie is just a high-upside bench stash.
Fantasy TE Rankings & Tiers
Tier 1
Travis Kelce (@ DEN)
Tier 2
T.J. Hockenson (@ DET)
Mark Andrews (@ PIT)
Tier 3
Pat Freiermuth (vs. BAL)
Dalton Schultz (vs. HOU)
Tier 4
George Kittle (vs. TB)
Greg Dulcich (vs. KC)
Tier 5
Hunter Henry (@ ARI)
Evan Engram (@ TEN)
Gerald Everett (vs. MIA)
Tyler Higbee (vs. LV)
Dawson Knox (vs. NYJ)
David Njoku (@ CIN)
Foster Moreau (@ LAR)
Tyler Conklin (@ BUF)
Austin Hooper (vs. JAX)
Tier 6
Daniel Bellinger (vs. PHI)
Noah Fant (vs. CAR)
Chigoziem Okonkwo (vs. JAX)
Tier 7
Jordan Akins (@ DAL)
Mitchell Wilcox (vs. CLE)
Mike Gesicki (@ LAC)
Will Dissly (vs. CAR)
Noah Gray (@ DEN)
Tier 8
Trey McBride (vs. NE)
Cade Otton (@ SF)
Cameron Brate (@ SF)
Harrison Bryant (@ CIN)
Jack Stoll (@ NYG)
Tommy Tremble (@ SEA)
T.J. Hockenson sneaks past Mark Andrews this week as my No. 2 tight end. He had a fairly underwhelming stat line (4/33/0) but logged a routes run rate of 92%. Hockenson will post elite TE1 numbers if he’s going to average a 90% routes run rate the rest of the season. This week, he has a nice matchup in a #RevengeGame spot against his former team.
The first week I end up being down on Greg Dulcich, he ends up posting his best game of the season (6/85/0). To be fair, I was only down on him due to Russell Wilson’s struggles, but I believe Dulcich has top-five upside if he can ever get consistent QB play. He’s back in my top 10 this week and with Courtland Sutton banged up and a potential pass-heavy game script on tap against the Chiefs, Dulcich is a mid-range TE1 option.
Chigoziem Okonkwo has been ready to erupt for more than a month now, and it finally happened in Week 13 when he posted season highs in receptions (four), receiving yards (68) and routes run rate (57%). With Treylon Burks likely to miss this week due to his concussion, there is a chance we see Okonkwo’s role expand even more. He’s a no-brainer add in TE-premium leagues and a great dart throw option in DFS tournaments this week. However, we will need to see him clear a 70% routes run rate in order to reach TE1 status, but that time could be coming for the talented fourth-round rookie.