Thomason: Top Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 14
By Jack Thomason-
(CBS) Congratulations to those teams that have made the playoffs. It's a long season to fight, scratch and claw only to come up short in the end. For the teams that did come up shy, I hope your league has something in place like a "Toilet Bowl" or a "Loser's Bracket." These options can soften the blow of falling shy of the tournament. You can play to determine draft order or possibly for an additional pick in next year's draft.
There are lots of ideas to continue the fun. Tweet me for more if you're interested in hearing more (@jthomason77).
For those who did make the dance, I hope these waiver articles have been helpful in your success. Here are Week 12's top 10 waiver adds with an eye on 10- or 12- team leagues.
1. Kenny Stills (WR, New Orleans Saints, available in 29% of CBS leagues) -- Since Brandin Cooks landed on injured reserve with a broken thumb, Stills has been on fire. He has hauled in 17 of 19 targets for 292 yards and two touchdowns over three games. He has been a trusted target for Drew Brees and can slot in on your team as an immediate WR2 with upside. Stills can stretch the field with his deep speed, or he can take a short pass to the house. Take those skills and add it to a premier quarterback finding you when open, and we have our top grab of the week.
2. Dan Herron (RB, Indianapolis Colts, 33%) -- While Trent Richardson stumbled his way to 12 yards on eight carries, Herron ripped off a 49-yard touchdown run and totaled 88 yards on his eight carries. In the last two games, Herron has carried the rock 20 times for 153 yards (7.7 yards per carry) to Richardson's 21 for 64 (3.0 per). I'm not sure what more the Colts need to see to admit the Richardson trade was a bust, but it's clear from the production that Herron will continue to receive at least half of the work. One thing to watch for with Herron is the fumbling. He's going to have to clean that up quickly or the bench could be calling.
3. Jordan Reed (TE, Washington Redskins, 49%) -- Go get Reed if he's available. In Colt McCoy's two starts, Reed has been targeted 18 times and has pulled in 16 of them for 163 yards. He's McCoy's binky and at a position that's extremely top heavy, Reed has the talent to be a top-tier player. He just needed the right quarterback targeting him early and often.
4. Johnny Manziel (QB, Cleveland Browns, 91%) -- The Browns haven't committed to a starting quarterback yet, but there's good reason to believe Manziel will get the call. His dual-threat ability should get fantasy owners excited, and it could be a huge boost for teams struggling at quarterback. He entered Sunday's game in the fourth quarter and led the Browns on an 80-yard touchdown drive, which he capped off with a 10-yard scamper for a score. Manziel also completed five of eight attempts for 63 yards. He could very well be the spark both you and the Browns are looking for to make a title run.
5. Latavius Murray (RB, Oakland Raiders, 38%) -- Let's not forget about Murray after he didn't pass concussion testing last week. It came to a surprise to many that he failed, but with another week off, he should be OK. That being said, we are still talking about an Oakland run game that's historically horrific. The only time it has been good is when Murray has been in the game. When you make this pick-up, keep in mind the eight carries, 155 yards and two scores that Murray had over two-and-a-half quarters before his injury.
6. Jarvis Landry (WR, Miami Dolphins, 33%) -- Landry had already emerged as the No. 2 receiver to Mike Wallace, but Brian Hartline's knee injury should mean even more targets. Landry saw 11 looks on Monday night and caught eight for 68 yards. That gives him five straight games with five or more receptions and three of four with double-digit targets. He is a WR2 in PPR leagues and a WR3 in standard.
7. Donte Moncrief (WR, Indianapolis Colts, 92%) -- Reggie Wayne has been subpar, having topped 35 yards just twice in his last six games; meanwhile, Moncrief looks to have passed Hakeem Nicks for third receiver duties. If at any point there's a changing of the guard between Moncrief and Wayne, you won't want to miss on the upside. For that fact alone, he belongs on this list. Moncreif snagged three balls for an insane 134 yards and two scores in Sunday's victory. He reached the promise land from 48 and 79 yards, which should give you a good idea about the ability this kid has. He could become fantasy gold for the stretch run.
8. Jonathan Stewart (RB, Carolina Panthers, 45%) -- DeAngelo Williams may have broken his hand, and the injury allowed Stewart to dominate touches in the second half last week. Stewart had 14 touches and totaled 110 yards in Sunday's loss to the Vikings. He has averaged 4.3 yards per carry even though Carolina's offensive line has been abysmal, and he has a date with New Orleans' terrible defense in Week 14. If Williams misses time, look for Stewart to carry the load in a nice matchup.
9. Doug Martin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 46%) -- So Martin showed us all that he's still the lead back in Tampa this past week by totaling 19 touches, a meager 61 yards and a score. I will be the first one to admit that I buried this guy after the first few weeks of the season, but if he's going to dominate the work, he should be owned -- and I'll eat my words. This is the second week in a row in which Martin has led the backfield in touches; he has totaled 31 over that span. I wouldn't expect much out of any Buccaneers' runner, but the carries are there to warrant a roster spot. He's a cheap starter if you're in need.
10. Stedman Bailey (WR, St. Louis Rams, 98%) -- Well, he's performed in back-to-back weeks now. Bailey grabbed five of six targets on Sunday, totaling 100 yards, and has been the go-to-receiver for Shaun Hill. Over the last two weeks he has pulled down 11 receptions, 189 yards and a score. Bailey looks to be entrenched atop the depth chart for the Rams and a focal point of their passing offense. He is a WR3 with an unproven track record but worth a pick-up.
Just missed: Colt McCoy, Marion Grice, Stepfan Taylor, Andre Williams, Roy Helu, Juwan Thompson, Marqise Lee, Davante Adams, Andre Roberts, Robert Woods and Kyle Rudolph.
Jack Thomason is the winner of the 2014 Bud Light Fantasy Expert Contest, co-host of Fantasy Streamers and co-host of the Nerd Herd. You can listen to Fantasy Streamers every Sunday from 8-9 a.m. CT at 670thescore.com/listen. The Nerd Herd is on every Friday, starting at 11 p.m. and lasting until 1 a.m. on 670 The Score and online here. Follow him on Twitter @jthomason77 and feel free to ask fantasy questions.
