Dallas Cowboys

Fantasy Football Week 14: Waiver-Wire Pickups

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The fantasy football waiver-wire is where seasons are won and lost, especially late in the year. Here are a few players that could help you in Week 14.

I’m not one of those owners who believes in “playing the guys who got you there.” It’s not to say I’m above loyalty but instead, I’m more concerned about winning. If there’s a player on the waiver-wire who I believe increases my odds of winning this week, I’m going to do everything in my power to pick him up and start him. Not to mention, this is all fake anyways. I’m not hurting any of “my players” feelings by sending them to the bench.

But I wouldn’t care if somehow it did.

For these purposes, we will being using Yahoo! Fantasy Football as a guideline. Any player that is 50 percent owned or less is eligible.

Here are the players you should be targeting on the fantasy football waiver-wire for Week 14.

Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Alfred Morris (46) scores a touchdown during the game against the Miami Dolphins at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys defeat the Dolphins 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

5. Alfred Morris, RB – Dallas Cowboys (12% Owned)

The regular season is over, so there is no excuse for Ezekiel Elliott owners not to have Morris on their benches. The Cowboys have the best offensive line in the NFL and Morris has three seasons with 1,000+ rushing yards on his resume. If Elliott were to suffer an injury, Morris would immediately become a RB1 behind that offensive line.

The injury wouldn’t even have to a significant one. If Elliott were to get a minor hamstring injury this week, the Cowboys could conceivably play it safe with Elliott and rest him for the playoffs. Not to mention, those odds become increasingly likely every week they get closer to clinching home-field advantage.

I know Jerry Jones said the Cowboys won’t rest their starters even if they do clinch the No. 1 seed. Just remember, he’s also the same guy who said Tony Romo was their starter once he was healthy.

Dec 4, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon (30) gains yards against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

4. Kenneth Dixon, RB – Baltimore Ravens (46% Owned)

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Nothing about Dixon’s stats won’t necessarily jump out at you, but he’s still worth an add and possibly a start for some owners. Right now, Dixon has 10+ touches in four of his last five games and seven fantasy points in three out of his last four games in standard scoring leagues. Last week he set a season high in rushing yards (56) and yards per carry (9.3).

This week, the Ravens will travel to Foxboro to take on the New England Patriots. There’s a possibility the Patriots could jump out to an early lead behind Tom Brady. If that does happen, Dixon very well could see a lot of time in the passing game. Dixon currently has four receptions or more in three out of his last four games while Terrance West hasn’t had four receptions in a game since Week 6. Keep in mind in two of those three games, the Ravens weren’t trailing and won by at least three touchdowns.

If they are trailing in this game, there’s a chance Dixon could set a season (and career) high in receptions. For owners who play in PPR leagues or half-PPR leagues, Dixon is somebody to strongly consider if you are desperate for a RB2 this week.

Aug 26, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (88) catches a touchdown pass in as Buffalo Bills cornerback Kevon Seymour (45) defends during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

3. Pierre Garcon, WR – Washington Redskins (32% Owned)

Going into Week 14, the Redskins have the second-most passing yards in the NFL only behind the New Orleans Saints. Garcon currently is tied for the team-lead in receptions (59) and ranks second on the team in targets (76) and receiving yards (714). He has also led the team in targets in three out of the last four games.

This week, the Redskins will travel to Pennsylvania to take on the Philadelphia Eagles. In case you haven’t been following the Eagles, they arguably have the worst secondary in the entire NFL. Last week they gave up 322 passing yards to Andy Dalton, who didn’t even have A.J. Green to throw the ball to. More importantly, Garcon has a pretty good track record against the Eagles.

In Garcon’s last four games against the Eagles with Kirk Cousins throwing him the ball he has averaged 12 targets, eight receptions and 88 yards and has a touchdown in three out of the four games. Although he doesn’t have the same high-ceiling as teammate DeSean Jackson, he does have an extremely higher floor. In PPR leagues, he has 12+ points in six out his last eight games.

You can be certain Garcon’s strong history against the Eagles will continue especially if tight end Jordan Reed misses his second-straight game with a shoulder injury.

Dec 4, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Ladarius Green (89) runs the ball against the New York Giants during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

2. Ladarius Green, TE – Pittsburgh Steelers (24% Owned)

In last week’s game agains the New York Giants, Green finally broke out. He led the team in targets (11) and receiving yards (110) while tying for a team lead in receptions (6) and touchdown receptions (1). There is no reason to believe this was a fluke either.

Green is one of the most athletic tight ends in the NFL who flashed various times during his four years with the San Diego Chargers. The fact is, he is too fast for linebackers and he is too big for most safeties and cornerbacks. He’s a matchup nightmare. However, defense coordinators can’t afford to give most of their attention to Green.

The Steelers have Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell (heard of them?) who are two of the best players in the NFL at their respective positions. With these two forcing so much attention from opposing defenses, Green is going to get plenty of one-on-one opportunities. With his athletic ability in that offense, not many other tight ends in the NFL have a higher upside than Green week-to-week.

If/when he gets open, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be sure to find him just like he did last week.

Nov 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (19) celebrates with wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) after a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi

1. Malcolm Mitchell, WR – New England Patriots (30% Owned)

If you went ahead and added Mitchell to your fantasy team last week, give yourself a nice pat on the back. You earned it. If you didn’t and he’s still on the wavier-wire, be sure to make this guy your first priority.

The rookie out of Georgia has been one of the best and most consistent fantasy wide receivers over the last three weeks. In that span he has totaled 22 targets, 17 receptions, 222 yards and three touchdowns. At that rate, he would average 117 targets, 91 receptions, 1,184 yards and 16 touchdowns over a full NFL season. Although that touchdown-rate would be hard to keep up over the course of 16 games, the receptions and receiving yards are not.

The Patriots have been without Rob Gronkowski over the last three games. This has given Mitchell an opportunity to be a major contributor in the Patriots offense and he’s taken advantage of the situation. Based on the fact he set season highs in targets (10) and receptions (8) last week, it’s safe to say Tom Brady has put his trust in him.

With Gronk on I.R. and wide receiver Danny Amendola expected to miss the rest of the regular season with an injury, Mitchell’s playing time and statistics appear to be sustainable. He’s a WR3 with WR1 upside as long as Brady is throwing him the ball.

Sep 12, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) rushes for a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Other Receiving Votes

Here are a few more names you want to consider when you go through your fantasy football waiver wire.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams (21% Owned) – I know I’ve said this over and over, but I’ll say it again: Williams needs to be owned by all Le’Veon Bell owners. Heck, even if you’re not a Bell owner and you can afford the roster spot, I would still recommend stashing him.

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (45% Owned) – Just like with DeAngelo Williams, Henry is a backup running back to a RB1 who has a history with injuries. Roster him now if you’re a DeMarco Murray owner.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (48% Owned) – You might think I’m crazy, but I still believe Kaepernick is still valuable despite his horrendous performance last week. This week, he plays at home against the awful New York Jets. I doubt it’ll be snowing in San Francisco like it was in Chicago last week.

Washington Redskins tight end Vernon Davis (36% Owned) – If Jordan Reed misses his second straight game, Davis will be in the backend TE1 discussion. He gets a tough matchup against the Eagles, but they have given up a touchdown to an opposing tight end in two out of their last three games.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims (13% Owned) – He should be returning from injury as soon as this week. If you recall, he was very much involved in this offense last year and this year before he was injured.

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