2012 Fantasy Football: NFL Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups

By Dustin Barkley

Fantasy Analyst

T.Y. Hilton - photo by Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

T.Y. Hilton has become a popular target for Andrew Luck and has three 100-yard games in the last five weeks. (photo by Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports)

Each week during the NFL season FST brings you our Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups, which breaks down players available in many leagues that could have an immediate impact on your fantasy roster, or simply just players to keep on your radar. Let’s take a look at some players at each position that might be worthy of scooping off the waiver wire heading into Week 14 of the NFL season. If you have any waiver wire questions, feel free to post them in our Fantasy Football Forum.

Running Backs

Jonathan Dwyer PIT | RB

It looks like the Steelers running back situation may have finally been resolved for fantasy owners. It now seems pretty clear that Dwyer is the guy to own from here on out. His playoff matchups aren’t amazing, but he is still a featured back on a NFL team, so he needs to be owned in all leagues. (about 55% owned)
Recommendation: Add in all leagues

Montell Owens JAC | RB

The Jags can’t seem to keep any of their running backs healthy. They lost Parmele to injury week 12, and Jennings suffered a concussion week 13 against the Bills. This leaves Owens as the guy for the Jags, and if MJD is unable to return then Owens should be in line for a heavy workload. (about 5% owned)
Recommendation: Add in deeper leagues

David Wilson NYG | RB

Wilson didn’t look that amazing Monday night against the Skins, but he is still a high upside backup that is worth a bench spot. If Bradshaw ends up getting hurt then Wilson has the potential of being a top 15 fantasy running back. The Giants have solid playoff matchups, so if Wilson does get a chance to start he would probably be in your fantasy lineup. (about 25% owned)
Recommendation: Add in deeper leagues

Vick Ballard IND | RB

I have always liked Ballard more than Brown, but his value is limited due to the timeshare. Brown rolled his ankle late in the game week 13, so this could lead to more touches for Ballard if Brown misses any time. The Colts play Tennessee week 14, and if Ballard gets close to 20 touches he could have a big week. (about 40% owned)
Recommendation: Add in deeper leagues

Wide Recievers

Danario Alexander SD | WR

I would love for someone to explain to me why Alexander is still available in so many leagues. I know he kind of came out of nowhere to have value for the Chargers, but he has been amazing. He was over 100 yards again week 13, and that now makes 5 solid games in a row for him. His playoff matchups aren’t the best, but I still think he needs to be owned in more leagues. (about 50% owned)
Recommendation: Add in all leagues

T.Y. Hilton IND | WR

The rookie continues to have big weeks, and I am a fan of his playoff matchups. Hilton is a boom or bust type player, but his upside from week to week is higher than most receivers that might be available in your league. If you are looking for a high upside receiver with solid playoff matchups then you find your guy. (about 60% owned)
Recommendation: Add in all leagues

Kendall Wright TEN | WR

Wright has yet to have a game with 100 receiving yards, but he is still putting together a solid rookie year. He has 18 targets in the last two games, and Locker seems to be looking his way early and often. His playoff matchups could be better, but they are decent enough to where I think he is still a solid option to consider off the wire. (about 35% owned)
Recommendation: Add in deeper leagues

Josh Gordon CLE | WR

Gordon continues to impress, and his playoff matchups make him a very interesting add. He has Kansas City and Washington over the next two weeks, and I think he is a solid flex option during those two weeks. He has 7 targets in each of the last 3 games, and he is clearly the most talented part of the passing game for the Browns. (about 35% owned)
Recommendation: Add in deeper leagues

Quarterbacks

Nick Foles PHI | QB

Foles has looked a lot better since his first start against the Redskins. He threw for over 250 yards and had a TD against the Cowboys week 13, and he has solid matchups for the fantasy playoffs. If you are in a really deep league or any type of two quarterback league, then you need to give Foles a serious look. (about 10% owned)
Recommendation: Add in deeper leagues

Tight Ends

Brandon Myers OAK | TE

I know there are more than 45% of teams that need an upgrade at TE, but Myers continues to sit on waiver wires in almost half of all leagues. He has a ton of value in PPR leagues but even in standard leagues I think he is worth a look. In a full point PPR league Myers is a top 5 tight end so far this year, and it’s shocking to me that more teams aren’t picking this guy up. (about 55% owned)
Recommendation: Add in all leagues

Tony Moeaki KC | TE

When Moeaki came into the league a couple of years ago it looked like he was going to be a solid fantasy tight end for years to come. However, after missing the entire year last season and a slow start to this year, he has been forgotten about. I think it’s time that he gets put back on fantasy radars though. He has had 4 straight solid games, and his playoff schedule isn’t terrible. If you are looking for a decent tight end down the stretch he could be worth a look. (about 5% owned)
Recommendation: Add in deeper leagues

Jacob Tamme DEN | TE

Tamme was one of my favorite preseason fantasy tight ends, but he got off to a really slow start. He has started to get things going as of late though, with 3 straight solid games. The Broncos play the Raiders week 14 and he could be in line for a solid game. If the Raiders can keep the game close enough for Peyton to have to keep throwing, then I think Tamme could be a top 10 option at tight end this week. (about 35% owned)
Recommendation: Add in deeper leagues

Team Defenses

Tampa Bay TB | DEF

The Bucs haven’t been that great this year on defense, but they have a chance for a solid game week 14. They have a matchup against the Eagles who seem to give up double digit points to pretty much every opposing defense. Foles has looked better for the Eagles, but I still expect him to make some mistakes. (about 30% owned)
Recommendation: Pickup and play

New York Jets NYJ | DEF

The Jets D wasn’t a big as I was hoping for week 13, but they still had a solid game against the Cardinals. They have another solid matchup against the Jags week 14, so if you had them for last week you might want to consider starting them again. (about 65% owned)
Recommendation: Pickup and play

Individual Defensive Players

Bobby Wagner SEA | LB

Wagner continued his amazing rookie season adding 11 more total tackles and a sack against the Bears. He has at least 8 total tackles in each of his last 7 games, and I see no reason why he can’t keep up this pace. He is one of those linebackers that just always seems to be around the ball. (about 15% owned)
Recommendation: Add in all IDP leagues