Dynasty Waiver Wire: Week 14
I cannot believe we are already here, the fantasy playoffs! It has been a crazy year and I am sure we are not done with craziness yet. Since we are entering week 14, it is getting harder and harder to recommend players to be added from waivers because, realistically, you are probably not playing any of these guys, maybe one or two, maybe. I wish everyone who is reading this good luck in your fantasy playoffs (unless you are playing me)! To those of you on the outside looking in, let’s work towards 2021 and get you where you belong! I’m running out of things to say in this intro, can you tell? But I know you’re not even reading this, you just want names.
In case you are reading this, there is one bit of information to know before you start reading names. New to this year’s series and the DLF site is player rostership percentages, courtesy of dynasty rosters from SafeLeagues and the great Scott Fish. Using that data, I developed an app to view rostership data from over 400 SafeLeagues dynasty leagues, all using the same format and scoring (2 PPR tight end premium). While this may not be entirely accurate for every individual league, it is very reflective of how managers view who is worthy or not of a roster spot. Now that that is covered, let’s dive into the waiver wire after Week 13!
Players to double-check availability and immediately add:
- Myles Gaskin, RB MIA
- Wayne Gallman, RB NYG
- Devontae Booker, RB LV
- Russell Gage, WR ATL
- Nelson Agholor, WR LV
- Cole Kmet, TE CHI
Ito Smith, RB ATL
I highlighted Smith in last week’s article as well, but really want to drive the point home on a backup running back. Smith is still only rostered in 70% of dynasty leagues, but has established himself as the better backup to Todd Gurley on the Falcons depth chart. He was the best back last week without Gurley, and was the best back this week with Gurley. It’s not a fantastic situation, but I love me some backup running backs with a role when the starter goes down, and this is one of those situations.
Ty Johnson, RB NYJ
After Frank Gore left the game on the first drive with a concussion, Johnson took over the backfield and actually did very well. He rushed for 104 yards and a score on 22 carries and added an additional 13 yards on two receptions. This was the first week the Jets had a 100-yard rusher since Isaiah Crowell in week five of 2018. Assuming Gore misses at least next week, with Lamical Perine sitting on IR with a high ankle sprain, Johnson is the new starting running back for the Jets.
I know it will be tough to trust Johnson, especially in the fantasy playoffs, but he could offer a spot start as a flex player with RB2 upside. Gore has had three RB2 weeks since week six and Perine also had one in week seven. More information will be needed heading into week 14, but Johnson could be a nice replacement for managers who were also playing Kalen Ballage, Giovani Bernard or Salvon Ahmed.
Keke Coutee, WR HOU
RIP Will Fuller 2020. In the first game without Fuller, Deshaun Watson had to rely on an even worse receiving corps, but what else is new for him? Stepping up in a big way, Coutee filled the Fuller role beautifully (leaving managers even sadder watching Coutee do what Fuller should have done), hauling in eight receptions for 141 yards on nine targets, leading the Texans in every receiving category. This Texans team is awesome for fantasy, with a terrible defense, an elite quarterback, and weapons good enough to handle what is thrown to them. I would feel comfortable throwing Coutee in my flex during the fantasy playoffs and put my trust in Watson.
Rashard Higgins, WR CLE
Not only are we entering the fantasy playoffs, but this time of year is also great for looking at next year for dynasty purposes. Higgins is one player who could see a massive bump in value in 2021 and can be found on waivers in a fair percentage of leagues, or could be traded for now for super cheap. Baker Mayfield was dealing this week and Higgins had a career day, totaling six receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. Mayfield looks so much better without trying to target Odell Beckham and Higgins is the primary beneficiary of OBJ’s absence.
It’s highly possible OBJ is gone next year and Higgins could fill the Browns WR2 role nicely. Additionally, Higgins himself is an unrestricted free agent in 2021, and could find a new home with a better opportunity as well. There’s really no downside to stashing Higgins through next summer to see what happens, and if you get him off waivers now, it’s like getting a free lottery ticket in your Christmas stocking.
Collin Johnson, WR JAC
Like Ito Smith, I also highlighted Johnson in last week’s article. I mentioned last week that Johnson has an opportunity on a weak receiver depth chart to carve out a role, and it seems Mike Glennon is willing to make that happen. Johnson again led the Jaguars in yards with 66 on four receptions and six targets. Laviska Shenault was the lucky one with the lucky tip drill touchdown, but for the second week in a row, Johnson was the team’s best wide receiver.
Drew Sample, TE CIN
Remember this guy? Sample was a waiver wire favorite very early in the season, then kind of fell off the radar, only to come back into our lives again. In two games without Joe Burrow, Drew Sample is averaging 5.5 receptions, 45 yards, and ten fantasy points per game and has actually been a consistent receiving option over the past two weeks. I know, it’s not great and it’s not much, but some managers out there may need a warm body at the position and Sample could be your guy.
Other players to keep an eye on:
- Chad Hansen, WR HOU
- Jalen Guyton, WR LAC
- Anthony Firkser, TE TEN
Deep stashes:
- Lynn Bowden, RB/WR MIA
- Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR CLE
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