Fantasy Football Week 14: Rankings, Projections and Waiver-Wire Tips

Week 13 of the 2016 NFL season is almost at its end. In mere days, Week 14 will begin. This means that your fantasy league is likely playing its postseason or is about to get started.

Either way, Week 14 is going to be a critical week for fantasy enthusiasts. One wrong roster decision or waiver-wire add could send you home or keep you there throughout the playoffs.

We’re here to help you make the right choices with our early Week 14 positional fantasy rankings. We’ll be running down the top players at each position based on our point projections. We will also look at some potential waiver-wire options for each skill position.

All of our choices are based on factors like past performances, team and player health, projected role and matchups. For waiver-wire candidates, we’ll be picking from players available in at least 50 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues.

Good luck!

Quarterbacks

Hot Start: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees may have had a down week in Week 13—326 yards and three interceptions—but he is still one of the top fantasy quarterbacks in the NFL.

So far this season, Brees has amassed 3,913 yards with 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Expect him to get back on track in Week 14 when the Saints visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Pro Football Focus rates Tampa Bay just 28th in overall defense for the season.

        

Waiver-Wire Add: Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith hasn’t exactly been a fantasy stud throughout the 2016 season. In fact, he has just over 2,500 yards passing with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions.

However, Smith seems to have found a bit of a groove in recent weeks. He has at least 220 yards and a touchdown in each of his last three games. He isn’t likely to be a top-10 quarterback in Week 14, but if you need a fill-in or streamer, Smith could be your guy.

The Chiefs will host the Oakland Raiders, who are rated 20th in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus and allow an average of 264.8 yards passing per game (24th in the NFL).

Smith is owned in just 27 percent of ESPN leagues.

     

Running Backs

Hot Start: Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers

It’s no secret that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is supremely talented. In just nine games, he has amassed 817 yards rushing, 63 receptions, 501 yards receiving and four total touchdowns. 

If you own Bell, you’re starting him this week.

It’s worth noting, though, that Bell could be in store for a strong day …

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