Weekly Positional Rankings: Week 14

In this series, I’ll give you my top 30 quarterbacks, 60 running backs, 60 wide receivers, and 30 tight ends each week to help you with your start/sit decisions in your leagues. To generate this list each and every week, I examine team trends, Vegas over/unders, implied points, pace of play, among various other factors to build a projection for each player and subsequently adjust rankings for upside and more detailed matchup specifics.

Among the rankings, there will surely be some that surprise you or that you may disagree with. At the end of each position section, I’ll give you my thoughts on some players that perhaps are ranked higher/lower than you might expect and insights as to why they are a good/bad play this week. Ultimately, these rankings should help your start/sit dilemmas and ensure you have the requisite resources to make an informed decision. It’s finally time; the fantasy football playoffs are here! Needless to say, start/sit decisions can make or break a season at this point. Here’s everything you need to know about week 14’s best plays.

Without further ado, let’s dive into Week 14’s positional rankings!

Quarterbacks

Start ‘em: Ryan Tannehill, QB TEN

Since week seven, Tannehill is the QB5 in points per game. That’s right – he’s the fifth-best quarterback in fantasy football since taking over the starting role in Tennessee. Having thrown at least two touchdowns in all but one game over this stretch, he has shown the consistency needed for a confident start in the fantasy football playoffs. The Titans are a road three-point favorite this week against Oakland and have an implied team total of 25 points. The Raiders are one of the more generous defenses to opposing quarterbacks, allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to the position. He has shown to be a QB1 this season, and while it may feel wrong to push the button and start him in a fantasy playoff matchup, all signs point to another solid game. He’s a mid-range QB1 in this week’s rankings.

Sit ‘em: Kyler Murray, QB ARI

Murray has been phenomenal for fantasy in his rookie season, so far finishing as the QB6 overall. He’s been everything dynasty players wanted him to be when, often, selecting him in the first round of rookie drafts. This sit ‘em for is more of a “temper expectations” than anything, as he comes in this week’s rankings as QB13, just outside of QB1 territory. As we’ve seen, his rushing upside sustains his bad passing games such that he is still a solid QB2 even at his lowest.

In week 14, though, Murray’s upside projects to be limited. His opponent, the Steelers, have not allowed more than 300 total yards in each of their past three games. Overall, the Steelers have allowed just 16.2 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. With just 20.25 implied team points, Arizona has one of the lower scoring projections this week. Ultimately, he is a low-ceiling option this week, and if you need more upside, look for better options.

If you’re desperate: Jacoby Brissett, QB IND

Brissett was once the league leader in passing touchdowns early on this season, but injuries and regression have hit in recent weeks. Last week, he threw for 313 yards and a touchdown, and he looked healthy doing it. While he isn’t among the best quarterbacks in the NFL, he’s a quarterback that can thrive in a good matchup. Early this season, he put up over 20 fantasy points against Atlanta and Oakland, two plus matchups for quarterbacks. This week, he faces a Tampa Bay defense that allows the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

Brissett has a wide range of outcomes given both his recent play, weapons on his team, and matchup, but he has a solid chance of finishing as a QB1 in week 14. Start him if you’re desperate.

Running Backs

Start ‘em: Kareem Hunt, RB CLE

Since his return, Hunt has been a solid contributor for fantasy teams. Getting between 10-12 touches per game, many of which in the receiving game, he has performed as the RB17 in points per game since week 10. The Browns take on the Bengals this week, and game script should be in favor for him to see increased usage alongside teammate Nick Chubb.

The Bengals have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs on the year, and Hunt’s increased usage in the Browns offense should make him a solid RB2 play in week 13. The Browns, with an implied team total of 25 points on the day, should have plenty of scoring opportunities for him to get into the endzone as well. Start him as an RB2 play with upside this week.

Sit ‘em: Tevin Coleman, RB SF

Coleman was flat-out outplayed by Raheem Mostert on Sunday against Baltimore. There’s no other way to put it. While Coleman got the start, Mostert played 40 snaps on the day to Coleman’s 10. Coach Kyle Shanahan put it simply as a game-flow decision, otherwise meaning that Mostert game them the better chance to win. In your week 14 fantasy playoff matchup, Coleman is one of the riskiest options there is. He has shown flashes this season of being the fantasy RB2 many had hoped for, but since his week eight explosion for 37.8 fantasy points against Carolina, he has just 41.4 fantasy points combined.

With Mostert becoming a legitimate threat for touches, downgrade Coleman to a risky RB4 play this week against a solid Saints defense. Bench him where you can.

If you’re desperate: Jamaal Williams, RB GB

Perhaps one of the most surprising, consistent running backs this season has been Jamaal Williams. The third-year back has scored at least ten fantasy points in six of his last seven games. Since week six, he is the RB10 in points per game. He’s been an RB1 in fantasy football. Despite this, Williams is started in just 20.3% of ESPN fantasy leagues. Part of the reason why fantasy gamers don’t quite trust him is that much of his production has come through receiving touchdowns. He has five scores through the air on the season, which leads all of Green Bay playmakers. He hasn’t scored a touchdown since week nine, however.

In a matchup against Washington, though, he will have plenty of opportunity to thrive. Washington has given up 92 targets to running backs this season which is only eight off from the league high total. They are one of the friendliest defenses to opposing running backs in the passing game, and Williams should stand to benefit. He’s an RB2 play with upside this week, and if you’re needing help at running back this week, there are few better options.

Wide Receivers

Start ‘em: Alshon Jeffery, WR PHI

After his multi-week injury absence, Jeffery returned to the number one receiver spot for Carson Wentz and the Eagles in week 13. His 16 targets last week were the second-most he’s ever seen in his career in one game. One might attribute his success to matchup, as the Miami Dolphins are among the worst defenses in the NFL. However, Jeffery gets another great matchup in week 14 against the Giants who allow opposing WRs to score then second-most fantasy points per game. He has an elite combination of projected volume and plus matchup, making him a solid WR2 play on the week with upside for more. Start him anywhere you have him this week.

Sit ‘em: Non-Julian Edelman Patriots WRs

The Patriots are a mess to figure out each week, and as far as wide receivers go, the only constant the whole season has been Edelman. As the WR5 overall on the season, he has been a fantastic player for fantasy this season. As a team, however, the Patriots have been searching for a second option in the passing game for what seems like the entire season. Whether it be Phillip Dorsett, Josh Gordon (earlier in the season), Mohammed Sanu, N’Keal Harry, Jakobi Myers, or anyone else, no one has made a claim to be Tom Brady’s consistent number two receiver. This week, the Patriots play the Chiefs, who have allowed opposing wide receivers to score just the second-fewest fantasy points per game this season. In a difficult matchup in your fantasy playoffs, I would avoid playing any Patriots wide receiver not named Julian Edelman. None crack this week’s top 60 rankings.

If you’re desperate: Zach Pascal, WR IND

If it seems like Pascal either scores 15 or more fantasy points or barely does anything at all, that’s because – well – it’s true. Since week seven, he has scored at least 15 fantasy points in three games, but in his other four games, Pascal was held under five fantasy points in every game. He is the true definition of a boom/bust wide receiver. In week 14, though, the odds play favorably to another “boom” week for the second-year pro. The Colts face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. With no TY Hilton nor Eric Ebron, Pascal once again will have the opportunity to command a significant target share. While he’s hard to trust, especially in your fantasy playoffs, as that boom/bust profile, Pascal has a high ceiling this week. Start him as a volatile WR3 if you’re desperate.

Tight Ends

Start ‘em: Jack Doyle, TE IND

Doyle is the third Indianapolis Colt to make headlines in this article, but he’s the only one of the three that is a confident must-start. In the first week after teammate Eric Ebron went to injured reserve, Doyle posted a TE2 overall finish in week 13 with 19.3 fantasy points. Doyle earned a 28% target share on Brissett’s 40 attempts and finished with six receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. In week 14, expect much of the same from Doyle. Teammate TY Hilton is expected to be sidelined yet again, and Doyle gets a matchup with the Buccaneers who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends on the season. Jack Doyle is a top five play for the first week of the fantasy football playoffs. Start him confidently.

Sit ‘em: Jared Cook, TE NO

Cook has been great since returning from injury after the Saints’ week nine bye. The veteran tight end has scored at least 11 fantasy points in every game, good enough to put him at TE5 in points per game over this stretch. In week 14, though, the Saints take on the 49ers and their stout defense. Although the 49ers let Mark Andrews into the endzone on Sunday, they have been fantastic against tight ends this season as a whole. This defense has allowed a league-low 26.75 yards receiving to tight ends on the season and have allowed just three touchdowns to the position. Cook is a risky play in week 14 due to his matchup, but he still comes in as a high-end TE2 this week due to his recent usage in the Saints’ offense. Overall, Cook doesn’t have as much upside as many of the options in front of him. He can be on your bench for the fantasy playoffs in favor of these higher ranked tight ends.

If you’re desperate: Vance McDonald, TE PIT

This week’s tight end to face the Arizona Cardinals is Vance McDonald. Naturally, he is at least a desperation play given the lack of depth at the tight end position and the matchup against this defense that has allowed by far the most point to opposing tight ends on the season. McDonald is a bit riskier than previous plays, so he finds himself as a desperation play rather than a clear start. Over the last two weeks, McDonald has just an 8% target share and a 1% team air yard share. His usage has been non-existent. Start McDonald with caution as a desperation play in week 14, but there’s no denying his upside is matchup-winning.

That concludes this week’s rankings article! As this series is released on Thursdays, be sure to follow any lingering injuries and changing injury status updates for players as Sunday approaches. If you’re wondering about a player I didn’t dive into detail about, feel free to reach out to me @FFzinger on Twitter. Best of luck in your fantasy playoffs this week, and I’ll be back next week to give Week 15’s positional rankings.

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Michael Zingone

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