Reading the Week 14 Waiver Wire column means one of two things: you are one game away from the playoffs or you have just qualified for the playoffs.
Either way, congratulations.
Most fantasy owners are looking for that one small lineup change that can make a difference in the "win or go home" scenario.
Let's take a look a which waiver wire players you should be considering for the most important week of the fantasy season.
Note: We've limited their recommendations to players owned in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues. All data as of Monday.
Running Back Targets
Alexander Mattison, Vikings
Ownership: 31%
Dalvin Cook's injury has set up Mattison as a potential Week 14 winner.
Mattison totaled 9.3 fantasy points after Cook exited in the second half of Monday night's game with a shoulder injury. If Cook is indeed out this week, Mattison inherits a fantastic matchup at home against Detroit. The Lions have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to running backs, including the third-most receiving yards to opposing backfields.
If Cook is out, Mattison is the overall top waiver wire target for Week 14, though it's worth noting that Cook told reporters he'll "definitely" be ready to play.
Adrian Peterson, Redskins
Ownership: 39%
While Peterson finished with 13 carries for 99 yards and one touchdown in Week 13, it was his teammate Derrius Guice who stole the show. Guice finished with 129 yards and two touchdowns.
Peterson should be in line for double-digit carries at Green Bay, but he is strictly a touchdown or bust play with Guice likely to get the majority of the touches.
Benny Snell, Steelers
Ownership: 34%
Snell is simply a plodder, but has certainly been effective. The rookie rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in the Steelers' 20-13 win over the Browns.
With 37 carries over the past two weeks, Snell is a very viable RB2 option in Week 13 against Arizona, provided James Conner is again out.
Nyheim Hines, Colts
Ownership: 21%
With Marlon Mack still sidelined, Hines was the most productive Colts running back in Week 13. He totaled 39 yards and one touchdown against a tough Tennessee defense.
Teammate Jonathan Williams served as the lead running back in Mack's absence, but he failed to record a fantasy point in the entire second half. If the Colts are trailing, Hines is worth flex consideration.
That will likely be the case in Week 13 on the road against an explosive Buccaneers offense.
Peyton Barber, Buccaneers
Ownership: 21%
Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians stayed true to his word and fed the "hot hand" at running back in Tampa Bay's 28-11 win at Jacksonville. Barber quickly replaced Ronald Jones in the Buccaneers backfield and tallied two touchdowns and a two-point conversion.
The Bucs host the Colts, who just allowed 149 rushing yards to Derrick Henry. If you feel like gambling at your RB2 or Flex position, Barber could produce a similar stat line in Week 14.
Raheem Mostert, 49ers
Ownership: 37%
Mostert was once again the 49ers' most productive running back rushing for 146 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers 20-17 loss at Baltimore.
In the four games earlier this year when teammate Matt Breida has been active, Mostert failed to top a 24% Snap Share (PlayerProfiler).
Mostert has been so productive, it's fair to wonder if he has earned more carries regardless of Breida's status. With a home game against the Saints, it may be worth a speculative play for a Flex position in either scenario.
Patrick Laird, Dolphins
Ownership: 1%
In what is the biggest waiver wire lottery ticket available, Laird became fantasy relevant with four receptions, 43 rushing yards, one touchdown, and a two-point conversion in Miami's 37-31 win over Philadelphia.
Starting running back Kalen Ballage left this game with an injury, so Laird could be positioned for a big increase in workload this week at the Jets. Monitor the situation, but if Ballage is out, Laird becomes a decent Flex play in PPR formats.
Wide Receiver Targets
Cole Beasley, Bills
Ownership: 32%
Beasley produced six receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown against a Broncos defense focused on stopping his teammate John Brown. With All-Pro cornerback Chris Harris Jr. on Brown, Beasley led the Bills with nine targets.
With an upcoming home game vs. the Ravens, it is unlikely Beasley has a boom fantasy performance, but he's always worth consideration in PPR formats.
Darius Slayton, Giants
Ownership: 27%
The Giants rookie wide receiver fared better than expected against a stiff Packers secondary. Slayton had four receptions for 44 yards on nine targets in Week 13.
With four touchdowns in his last five games, he merits serious consideration as a WR3 against an Eagles secondary that was just blowtorched by Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker for seven receptions, 159 yards, and two touchdowns. The Eagles have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.
A.J. Brown, Titans
Ownership: 25%
The mercurial Brown disappointed fantasy owners with just three receptions for 45 yards in the Titans 31-17 win.
While Week 14 may not be the best time to gamble on Brown’s production, he does have a great matchup at Oakland, who is allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.
James Washington, Steelers
Ownership: 22%
Washington has formed an instant connection with rookie quarterback Devlin Hodges. He produced four receptions, 111 receiving yards, and a touchdown in the Steelers' 20-13 win over the Browns. It was his second consecutive week with a touchdown and third in the last four weeks.
Washington is a viable WR3 at Arizona in Week 14 against a Cardinals team that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts.
Zach Pascal, Colts
Ownership: 17%
With T.Y. Hilton sidelined, Pascal assumed the lead wide receiver role and produced a stellar receiving line. He tallied seven receptions (10 targets) and 109 receiving yards. He has a plum Week 14 matchup at Tampa Bay, which allows the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. It may be worth a waiver claim just in case Hilton is again sidelined.
Kenny Stills, Texans
Ownership: 17%
The traditional boom or bust play, Stills benefitted from the Patriots’ focus on fellow wideout Will Fuller. He totaled three receptions, 61 yards, and a touchdown in the Texans' 28-22 win.
The Texans are home against the Broncos, which is a difficult matchup. With Fuller likely to have a bigger impact in the box score, it is too difficult to trust Stills in a Week 14 fantasy matchup.
Anthony Miller, Bears
Ownership: 17%
The Bears slot receiver has come alive at exactly the right time for fantasy owners. Miller tallied nine receptions and 140 yards in a huge Thanksgiving performance. He now has 33 targets and 21 receptions over the past three weeks.
Miller faces a Cowboys defense in Week 14 that just allowed fellow slot man Cole Beasley to reach 110 yards with a touchdown last Thursday. Consider Miller as a PPR WR3 for this critical Week 14.
Russell Gage, Falcons
Ownership: 11%
Gage is an interesting Week 14 play. He produced five receptions, 52 receiving yards, and a touchdown in the Falcons' 26-18 loss to the Saints. However, this was without Julio Jones available due to a shoulder injury.
In Week 12, Gage still tallied eight receptions for 76 receiving yards even with Jones on the field. In a Week 14 home game against Carolina, he merits consideration as a WR4 or WR5.
Alan Lazard, Packers
Ownership: 5%
Lazard has appeared to become the WR2 in Green Bay after his 103 receiving yards and one touchdown against the Giants.
With Davante Adams and running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams squarely in the receiving mix, it is tough to trust Lazard in Week 14 even in a superb home matchup against the Redskins.
Tight End Streaming Targets
Darren Fells, Texans
Ownership: 38%
Fells is strictly a touchdown or bust tight end play with only two games above 50 receiving yards. However, Fells did catch his seventh touchdown of the season in the Texans' win over the Pats.
The Texans host a Broncos team that is middle of the league in fantasy points allowed to tight ends. Fells is desperation play for those teams in need of tight end.
O.J. Howard, Buccaneers
Ownership: 32%
It is so hard for fantasy owners to trust Howard, but his five reception, 61 receiving yard stat line against the Jaguars keeps him in play for Week 14.
The Buccaneers face a Colts team that has allowed the ninth-most receptions to opposing tight ends this season. Howard only has one touchdown on the season, but there are certainly worse plays at fantasy's most thin position.
Mike Gesicki, Dolphins
Ownership: 19%
The Dolphins' second-year tight end has now scored in consecutive weeks after his five receptions, 79 receiving yards, and one touchdown line against the Eagles.
This week the Dolphins face the Jets on the road, who are the ninth-stingiest against the position. I would still temper expectations with the mercurial Gesicki, who brings a low floor in every week.
Tyler Higbee, Rams
Ownership: 11%
Seeing a huge increase in snap share due to Gerald Everett's injury, Higbee took advantage of the opportunity with seven receptions, 107 yards, and a touchdown.
If Everett returns, Higbee cannot be trusted. However, if Everett is out again in Week 14, Higbee gets a very favorable home matchup against the Seahawks coming off a short week.
