Week 14 brings the final round of byes for fantasy football, and it’s a tough one with six teams unavailable: the Broncos, Colts, Patriots, Commanders, Ravens, and Texans. For many fantasy managers, this week could determine their playoff fate, and the timing of these byes couldn’t be worse. However, there’s still hope with a strong list of waiver wire options to help keep your fantasy team competitive during this critical time.
One of the top pickups of the week is Isaac Guerendo of the San Francisco 49ers (7% rostered). With both Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason injured, Guerendo is primed to take on a significant role in the 49ers’ offense. He had a promising performance in Week 13, rushing for 19 yards and a touchdown on four carries, showing his speed and athleticism. Despite not having McCaffrey’s all-around skillset or Mason’s power running, Guerendo’s 4.33 speed and impressive efficiency make him an excellent pickup, especially with San Francisco facing Chicago next. He’s the clear priority for your remaining FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget), so don’t hesitate to use it all.
Tank Bigsby (45% rostered) of the Jacksonville Jaguars is another solid pickup, particularly after his even snap split with Travis Etienne in a Week 13 game. Bigsby has been elusive this season with 5.5 yards per carry and 4.3 yards after contact. With the Jaguars likely in a favorable game script against Tennessee, Bigsby is a good option for those in need of running back depth.
Alexander Mattison (46% rostered), despite being sidelined with an ankle injury, should be available for Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay. He’s been a reliable lead back for the Raiders when healthy, seeing over 60% of the snaps in previous games. He remains an option for flex play, especially against a defense that hasn’t been dominant this season.
Blake Corum (14% rostered) of the Los Angeles Rams showed promise in Week 13 with 42 yards on eight carries, making him a good backup option should Kyren Williams miss any time. Similarly, other running backs such as Jonathon Brooks, Ray Davis, and Sincere McCormick are worth considering as deep-league fliers.
In the wide receiver and tight end categories, Cedric Tillman (44% rostered) should be a top priority. Despite being dropped in many leagues after a concussion, Tillman has been Cleveland’s No. 1 receiving option and has shown strong production. With favorable matchups ahead, he’s a top-30 fantasy receiver when healthy. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (17% rostered) of the Titans is another intriguing pickup, with his ability to score consistently despite limited targets.
For quarterbacks, Russell Wilson (35% rostered) had a standout performance in Week 13 and is a viable streaming option, especially with matchups against Cleveland and Baltimore in the coming weeks. Other quarterbacks to consider include Jameis Winston, Aidan O’Connell, and Will Levis for deeper leagues.
Lastly, defenses like the Arizona Cardinals (15% rostered) and Tennessee Titans (5% rostered) have favorable schedules and could offer valuable points as we enter the fantasy playoff stretch.
Despite the tough bye week, there are still valuable options available to help you push toward the playoffs. Be aggressive on the waiver wire and consider using your remaining FAAB to secure these key players.