Week 14 Positional Rankings

We did it; we made it to the fantasy football playoffs! If you’re one of the fortunate (or should I say, skilled) to have received a first-round bye, sit back and enjoy a worry-free week of football. You earned it. For others, this is the single most important week of fantasy football this season. It’s all or nothing from this point out; win or go home.

Every start/sit decision is even more impactful when the season is on the line. Taking the time to analyze key matchups can be the difference in grabbing that coveted dynasty championship or getting eliminated in the first round.

One of the most challenging aspects of providing this article each week is the possibility of COVID delays. Hence, I will assume that – as of this writing – all games will be played. That way, I can provide the most information possible for you in case these games do wind up occurring.

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.

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

Quarterback

Pos	Player	Matchup	Rank
QB	Patrick Mahomes II	@MIA	1
QB	Russell Wilson	NYJ	2
QB	Aaron Rodgers	@DET	3
QB	Ryan Tannehill	@JAC	4
QB	Justin Herbert	ATL	5
QB	Lamar Jackson	@CLE	6
QB	Kyler Murray	@NYG	7
QB	Josh Allen	PIT	8
QB	Deshaun Watson	@CHI	9
QB	Tom Brady	MIN	10
QB	Ben Roethlisberger	@BUF	11
QB	Taysom Hill	@PHI	12
QB	Matt Ryan	@LAC	13
QB	Matthew Stafford	GB	14
QB	Kirk Cousins	@TB	15
QB	Philip Rivers	@LV	16
QB	Cam Newton	@LAR	17
QB	Baker Mayfield	BAL	18
QB	Mitchell Trubisky	HOU	19
QB	Derek Carr	IND	20
QB	Teddy Bridgewater	DEN	21
QB	Jalen Hurts	NO	22
QB	Jared Goff	NE	23
QB	Andy Dalton	@CIN	24
QB	Drew Lock	@CAR	25
QB	Tua Tagovailoa	KC	26
QB	Daniel Jones	ARI	27
QB	Nick Mullens	WAS	28
QB	Mike Glennon	TEN	29
QB	Sam Darnold	@SEA	30
QB	Alex Smith	@SF	31
QB	Brandon Allen	DAL	32

Start ‘em: Justin Herbert, QB LAC

The Chargers star rookie likely burned you last week if you chose to start him against a tough New England defense. I certainly don’t blame you; Herbert ranked seventh on this rankings list last week, based mostly on his historic rookie campaign. While last week was certainly rough for the rookie, fantasy managers should not hesitate to put him right back in their lineups in week 14. Last week, we highlighted Derek Carr as a solid option, noting that quarterback play is not something to be overly reactional from one bad week.

Herbert and the Chargers face the Falcons this week whose defense continues to let up big games to opposing quarterbacks. While the Chargers are slight underdogs, expect Herbert to need to throw to keep up with Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ solid offense. From weeks three through 12, Herbert ranked as the fourth-best quarterback in fantasy football. Against a defense that has allowed the most points this season to opposing quarterbacks, Herbert should be closer to what we’ve seen throughout the season.

Sit ‘em: Derek Carr, QB LV

Make it three weeks in a row that Carr has made this article. As week 12’s start choice (yuck), week 13’s desperation choice (woohoo!), Carr now finds himself squarely on the sit ‘em list for your fantasy playoffs. Carr exploded for over 35 fantasy points in week 13 against the clearly tanking New York Jets organization, helped tremendously by that long touchdown to Henry Ruggs at the end of the game.

Carr and the Raiders won’t have such an easy time moving the ball in week 14, however, as they face a strong Colts defense. The Raiders have an implied team total of 24.5 as slight underdogs, and the Colts have allowed the fifth-fewest points to opposing quarterbacks in 2020. They have allowed just 15 total passing touchdowns: slightly over one per game. Ultimately, Carr just doesn’t have the upside to help you win your fantasy playoff game.

If you’re desperate: Philip Rivers, QB IND

Rivers doesn’t quite bring the ceiling that many other quarterbacks do, primarily due to the Colts’ conservative gameplan and his lack of rushing upside, but few have been more consistent than Rivers over the last few months. Since week six, Rivers ranks solidly as the QB13 in points per game, scoring at least 16 fantasy points in all but one game over that stretch. The former Charger veteran has thrown for at least 300 yards or two touchdowns in six of his last seven games.

On the other side of the Raiders-Colts matchup from sit ‘em selection Carr, Rivers is in line for success given the team’s solid 27-point implied team total. Additionally, the Raiders have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks on the year. While he may not win you the week, Rivers won’t lose it for you either. Start him if you’re desperate.

Running Back

Pos	Player	Matchup	Rank
RB	Derrick Henry	@JAC	1
RB	Aaron Jones	@DET	2
RB	Christian McCaffrey	DEN	3
RB	James Robinson	TEN	4
RB	Dalvin Cook	@TB	5
RB	Nick Chubb	BAL	6
RB	David Montgomery	HOU	7
RB	Austin Ekeler	ATL	8
RB	Jonathan Taylor	@LV	9
RB	Chris Carson	NYJ	10
RB	Ezekiel Elliott	@CIN	11
RB	J.K. Dobbins	@CLE	12
RB	Ronald Jones II	MIN	13
RB	Alvin Kamara	@PHI	14
RB	D’Andre Swift	GB	15
RB	Kenyan Drake	@NYG	16
RB	Wayne Gallman	ARI	17
RB	Myles Gaskin	KC	18
RB	Melvin Gordon III	@CAR	19
RB	Clyde Edwards-Helaire	@MIA	20
RB	Raheem Mostert	WAS	21
RB	Cam Akers	NE	22
RB	David Johnson	@CHI	23
RB	Giovani Bernard	DAL	24
RB	Miles Sanders	NO	25
RB	Kareem Hunt	BAL	26
RB	James Conner	@BUF	27
RB	Nyheim Hines	@LV	28
RB	Devontae Booker	IND	29
RB	Damien Harris	@LAR	30
RB	J.D. McKissic	@SF	31
RB	Devin Singletary	PIT	32
RB	Peyton Barber	@SF	33
RB	Gus Edwards	@CLE	34
RB	James White	@LAR	35
RB	Chase Edmonds	@NYG	36
RB	Todd Gurley II	@LAC	37
RB	Sony Michel	@LAR	38
RB	Leonard Fournette	MIN	39
RB	Duke Johnson Jr.	@CHI	40
RB	Tony Pollard	@CIN	41
RB	Le’Veon Bell	@MIA	42
RB	Benny Snell Jr.	@BUF	43
RB	Latavius Murray	@PHI	44
RB	Brian Hill	@LAC	45
RB	Boston Scott	NO	46
RB	Mike Davis	DEN	47
RB	Zack Moss	PIT	48
RB	Mark Ingram II	@CLE	49
RB	Jamaal Williams	@DET	50
RB	Darrell Henderson	NE	51
RB	Jordan Wilkins	@LV	52
RB	Anthony McFarland Jr.	@BUF	53
RB	Jerick McKinnon	WAS	54
RB	Adrian Peterson	GB	55
RB	Phillip Lindsay	@CAR	56
RB	Carlos Hyde	NYJ	57
RB	Kalen Ballage	ATL	58
RB	Kerryon Johnson	GB	59
RB	Jalen Richard	IND	60

Start ‘em: Jonathan Taylor, RB IND

Paired with this week’s quarterback desperation play, Taylor has an equally good matchup against a bad Raiders defense. Las Vegas has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs on the season, so the matchup for Taylor and the other Colts running backs is one of the best of the week. More importantly, however, is that over his last two active games, Taylor has been the workhorse running back for the Colts.

Since week 11, Taylor ranks as the RB5 in PPR points per game; he has been a top tier RB1. With back to back games played of over 15 total touches and over 100 total yards, Taylor has shown that fantasy managers can trust him in the playoffs. Start him as a mid-tier RB1 in a very solid matchup.

Sit ‘em: Devin Singletary, RB BUF

Second-year back Singletary has actually come to life as of late, racking up over 80 yards in back to back games. The running back position as a whole in fantasy football is a mess right now, so Singletary’s position on the rankings does not necessarily mean avoid at all costs. However, Singletary and the Bills project to be in tough sledding this upcoming week against a very good Steelers defense.

The Bills as a team have an implied team total of just 24.25 points, which ranks middle-of-the-road for week 14. Furthermore, the Steelers have been one of the best teams against opposing running backs this season, allowing the second-fewest points to the position. While Singletary’s projected opportunity share in the Bills backfield keep him as a flex play, I would look to other running backs or perhaps a wide receiver to fill in that spot over Singletary, who doesn’t appear to have fantasy-playoff-winning upside in week 14.

If you’re desperate: Giovani Bernard, RB CIN

With teammate Joe Mixon slated to be out once again in week 14 (and perhaps the season), Bernard will continue his role as lead back of the Bengals. Although this isn’t the most coveted role with star rookie Joe Burrow out for the season, Bernard continues to see good volume. The veteran back has not seen fewer than ten total touches since five, and he’s involved in the receiving game for this Bengals offense. This hasn’t necessarily translated into fantasy points in the Bengals’ woeful post-Burrow offense, but the opportunity is there in week 14.

The Bengals take on the Dallas Cowboys, who have allowed the sixth-most points to opposing running backs on the season. Even with the Bengals dreadful 19.25 implied team total, there could be some opportunity for Bernard to score some fantasy points in a good matchup. He’s merely a desperation play, but you could do worse.

Wide Receiver

Pos	Player	Matchup	Rank
WR	Davante Adams	@DET	1
WR	Tyreek Hill	@MIA	2
WR	D.K. Metcalf	NYJ	3
WR	A.J. Brown	@JAC	4
WR	Keenan Allen	ATL	5
WR	Tyler Lockett	NYJ	6
WR	Calvin Ridley	@LAC	7
WR	Adam Thielen	@TB	8
WR	Julio Jones	@LAC	9
WR	DeAndre Hopkins	@NYG	10
WR	Stefon Diggs	PIT	11
WR	Allen Robinson II	HOU	12
WR	Mike Evans	MIN	13
WR	Michael Thomas	@PHI	14
WR	Justin Jefferson	@TB	15
WR	Terry McLaurin	@SF	16
WR	Chris Godwin	MIN	17
WR	Robby Anderson	DEN	18
WR	Robert Woods	NE	19
WR	Corey Davis	@JAC	20
WR	Amari Cooper	@CIN	21
WR	Diontae Johnson	@BUF	22
WR	Cooper Kupp	NE	23
WR	Marvin Jones Jr.	GB	24
WR	DeVante Parker	KC	25
WR	Brandin Cooks	@CHI	26
WR	Chase Claypool	@BUF	27
WR	Deebo Samuel	WAS	28
WR	Jamison Crowder	@SEA	29
WR	Antonio Brown	MIN	30
WR	D.J. Chark Jr.	TEN	31
WR	JuJu Smith-Schuster	@BUF	32
WR	Brandon Aiyuk	WAS	33
WR	Cole Beasley	PIT	34
WR	Jarvis Landry	BAL	35
WR	CeeDee Lamb	@CIN	36
WR	Tee Higgins	DAL	37
WR	T.Y. Hilton	@LV	38
WR	Mike Williams	ATL	39
WR	Tyler Boyd	DAL	40
WR	Marquise Brown	@CLE	41
WR	Keke Coutee	@CHI	42
WR	Michael Pittman Jr.	@LV	43
WR	Michael Gallup	@CIN	44
WR	Tim Patrick	@CAR	45
WR	Allen Lazard	@DET	46
WR	Breshad Perriman	@SEA	47
WR	Darius Slayton	ARI	48
WR	Christian Kirk	@NYG	49
WR	Denzel Mims	@SEA	50
WR	Jakobi Meyers	@LAR	51
WR	Jerry Jeudy	@CAR	52
WR	Sterling Shepard	ARI	53
WR	Nelson Agholor	IND	54
WR	Henry Ruggs III	IND	55
WR	Gabriel Davis	PIT	56
WR	Jalen Reagor	NO	57
WR	Sammy Watkins	@MIA	58
WR	Rashard Higgins	BAL	59
WR	Josh Reynolds	NE	60

Start ‘em: Corey Davis, WR TEN

If you haven’t heard, either by following fantasy football or DLF’s Peter Howard (@pahowdy)’s Twitter feed, it is indeed Corey Davis “szn”. Believe it or not, Davis has had just one game of fewer than ten fantasy points all season long (when active). When he has been on the field, Davis has produced as a fantasy WR2 for dynasty leaguers who had faith and held onto him for the 2020 season. With four consecutive games of at least 67 yards, Davis has been performing for fantasy managers heading into the playoffs.

Week 14 brings a matchup against the Jaguars, and the Titans team total is a whopping 30 points on the day. The Jaguars allow the fifth-most points to opposing wide receivers on the season, and Corey Davis ought to be a fantasy starter for the fantasy playoffs. What a way to end 2020.

Sit ‘em: New England Patriots WRs, Philadelphia Eagles WRs

With your fantasy playoff on the line, there is absolutely no reason to be starting any wide receivers on the New England Patriots nor the Philadelphia Eagles. The Patriots take on a great Rams defense, who have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers on the season. Coupled with Cam Newton’s low-volume passing attack and the Patriots 20-point implied team total, stay away from these receivers at all costs.

Similarly, the Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver group should not sniff your fantasy lineups in week 14. The Eagles plan to start rookie Jalen Hurts against the Saints, and while this game should be interesting to watch, you don’t want to rely on any Eagles receivers with the team’s implied team total of just 18.5 points. I would not trust any receiver on either of these teams to bring my team to the next round of the playoffs, even if desperate.

If you’re desperate: Antonio Brown, WR TB

Through his first three games as a Buccaneer, Brown seemed to be steadily increasing his role, culminating in a massive 13 target game against the Rams in week 11. While in week 12 this trend did not continue, with Brown seeing just three targets, fantasy managers should be comfortable starting Brown as a desperation option in the fantasy playoffs.

Teammates Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are both dealing with injury, the Buccaneers have a massive 29-point implied team total, and Minnesota has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. If Godwin and Evans are playing, consider Brown a high-end desperation play with good upside. If even just one of his teammates sits out on Sunday, Brown could find himself as a top 20 option on the week.

Tight End

Pos	Player	Matchup	Rank
TE	Travis Kelce	@MIA	1
TE	Darren Waller	IND	2
TE	T.J. Hockenson	GB	3
TE	Robert Tonyan	@DET	4
TE	Hunter Henry	ATL	5
TE	Eric Ebron	@BUF	6
TE	Rob Gronkowski	MIN	7
TE	Dallas Goedert	NO	8
TE	Noah Fant	@CAR	9
TE	Mike Gesicki	KC	10
TE	Mark Andrews	@CLE	11
TE	Logan Thomas	@SF	12
TE	Dalton Schultz	@CIN	13
TE	Hayden Hurst	@LAC	14
TE	Evan Engram	ARI	15
TE	Jordan Reed	WAS	16
TE	Zach Ertz	NO	17
TE	Austin Hooper	BAL	18
TE	Jared Cook	@PHI	19
TE	Anthony Firkser	@JAC	20
TE	Kyle Rudolph	@TB	21
TE	Tyler Higbee	NE	22
TE	Cole Kmet	HOU	23
TE	Tyler Eifert	TEN	24
TE	Trey Burton	@LV	25
TE	Jordan Akins	@CHI	26
TE	Gerald Everett	NE	27
TE	Drew Sample	DAL	28
TE	Mo Alie-Cox	@LV	29
TE	Dawson Knox	PIT	30

Start ‘em: Eric Ebron, TE PIT

Last week marked Ebron’s second consecutive game of 11 targets in the Steelers offense, and he has now scored at least double-digit fantasy points in six of his last seven games. He is a legitimate TE1 option every week, and his matchup for week 14 dictates he should be in your fantasy lineups.

The Steelers take on the Bills as they look to get back on track from a surprising week 13 loss. The Bills have been a great matchup for opposing tight ends, allowing the fourth-most points to the position. A strong matchup for Ebron combined with his recent play make him a clear-cut top tight end option on the week.

Sit ‘em: Tyler Higbee, TE LAR

Higbee does not look like he’ll be repeating last year’s fantasy playoff glory, when he had arguably the best stretch of games in tight end history. Higbee, while having scored a touchdown last week, has surpassed 25 yards receiving just once in his last five games. The Rams offense simply hasn’t used Higbee like they did towards the end of 2019, and it’s showing that way in the box scores.

Higbee and the Rams take on the New England Patriots this week, who rank as the fourth-best teams against opposing tight ends this season. At the end of the day, there just simply isn’t enough positive momentum for Higbee to be worthy of a start in your fantasy playoffs.

If you’re desperate: Dalton Schultz, TE DAL

After Blake Jarwin’s season-ending injury, Schultz stepped up and showed he can be a legitimate threat as a receiving tight end. While his overall fantasy production has been lacking since Dak Prescott’s injury, as have many of the Cowboys players’ fantasy points, Schultz has consistently been targeted week after week. Over his last seven games, Schultz has not seen fewer than four targets, and he has hauled in four or more receptions in six of those seven games.

With Dallas as a favorite with an implied team total of 22.75, and the Bengals being the second-best matchup for opposing tight ends, Schultz can be thought of as a low-end TE1 desperation play for the all-important week 14.

That concludes this week’s rankings article! 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 this week, and I’ll be back next week to give week 15’s positional rankings.