Welcome to Week 14, aka Money Week. This is the final week of what has been a long and winding road for fantasy managers, but the finish line is now in sight. If you are reading this article, congratulations. Your team is still playing for something meaningful.
This week’s Sleeper List is a lot more fun than what we had to deal with last week. Only two teams are on bye, and several players look like must-stash types heading into the fantasy playoffs. There are also a few players who can be spot starters for fantasy managers in a jam.
Quarterbacks
Jake Browning – Cincinnati (26-percent)
Jake Browning is my favorite QB Sleeper this week, and with another strong performance, he will go from Sleeper to playoff streamer. The Bengals won a huge Monday Night Football game, with Browning having his career game. Really, it was a coming out party for him and the Bengals offense. He displayed a strong connection with Ja’Marr Chase, alleviating fears from Chase managers, and finished with the highest completion percentage of any quarterback in their first or second game played.
Gardner Minshew – Indianapolis (26-percent)
In a week jam-packed with low Vegas totals, the Indianapolis and Cincinnati game looks pretty fantasy-friendly. Gardner Minshew passed for 312 yards and two TD passes in Week 13’s win over Tennessee, and now faces off against a Bengals secondary that has allowed the sixth-most passing yards in the league. Could we get some December Minshew Magic?
Joe Flacco – Cleveland (5-percent)
Joe Flacco and the Browns get Jacksonville on a short week. Flacco passed for 254 yards in his first game as the Browns starting quarterback, including two TD passes. Jacksonville has allowed the fifth-most passing yards in the league.
Jameis Winston – New Orleans (2-percent)
If Derek Carr misses, Jameis Winston becomes a fun streaming option. Carolina has been far far more generous against the run than the pass, but with Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara and an occasional Winston YOLO downfield pass, the Saints could put up higher passing totals than expected.
Running Backs
Jerick McKinnon – Kansas City (22-percent)
Jerick McKinnon is suddenly thrust right into our streaming discussion with Isaiah Pacheco missing multiple practices this week with a shoulder injury.
Last season, McKinnon had his strongest fantasy stretch of the season this time of year, with numerous December RB1 finishes. Could history repeat itself? The Buffalo-Kansas City game will have points on the board. McKinnon could help propel fantasy managers to the playoffs or first-round byes if he Pacheco misses.
Joshua Kelley Los Angeles Chargers (18%)
Austin Ekeler‘s struggles have gotten so bad that Brandon Staley has openly discussed getting Joshua Kelley more carries. Staley even used the C-word: Competition. The Chargers are desperately in need of an offensive spark, and Ekeler is just not getting it done. Fantasy managers in need of a dice roll can consider Kelley. He is a must stash heading into the playoffs.
Kenneth Gainwell – Philadelphia (31-percent)
Kenneth Gainwell could see a larger than normal role this week in a massive NFC East showdown with Dallas. In Week 13, Gainwell had five catches for 42 yards in Philadelphia’s loss to San Francisco. Gainwell also scored in Philly’s last game against Dallas. D’Andre Swift should play, but he was knocked out of last week’s game in the fourth quarter. Could there be potential for a lighter load? Gainwell is one of the most valuable handcuff running backs in the league. Pick him up if available.
Tight Ends
Tucker Kraft Green Bay (8-percent)
Tucker Kraft is starting to find his role in an ascending Green Bay offense. This week, Kraft is firmly on the TE streaming radar. In Week 13, Kraft had a career-high six targets – the second most on the Packers. Kraft’s stat line could have been even higher, but fellow TE Ben Sims ended up catching a one-yard TD. Look for Kraft to stay involved for the rest of the season.
Brevin Jordan – Houston (12-percent)
Brevin Jordan had his best game of the season last week. Filling in for the injured Dalton Schultz, Jordan caught three passes for 64 yards and played 51 snaps. The Jets have been generous to opposing TEs. Falcons TEs combined for seven catches and a TD last week. Jordan is a top-15 option if Schultz misses another game.
Chig Okonkwo – Tennesee (33-percent)
Chigoziem Okonkwo is starting to see more downfield looks, and has been targeted 11 times over the past two games. Last season, Okonkwo was strong down the stretch and had his best fantasy performances. In Week 13, Okonkwo had Tennesee’s longest reception (39 yards).
Wide Receivers
Jalin Hyatt – New York Giants (6-percent)
In Week 12’s win over New England, Jalin Hyatt posted career highs in targets (six), catches (five) and receiving yards (109). New York could come out of their bye with some self-scouting and get the speedy rookie a consistent Target Share moving forward.
There is considerable risk with Hyatt, but he has the boom-bust profile to flip a fantasy matchup on its head.
Dontayvion Wicks – Green Bay (2-percent)
Dontayvion Wicks should step right into Christian Watson‘s role as Green Bay’s downfield threat. Watson should miss some time with a hamstring injury, and while Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs should also see an uptick in targets, Wicks could be the biggest beneficiary. He has had at least 43 receiving yards in four straight games.
Khalil Shakir – Buffalo (14-percent)
In a week with so many sub-40 point totals, attacking the Bills-Chiefs matchup makes a lot of sense for fantasy managers in a jam. Khalil Shakir has had six catches for 162 yards and a TD over his last two games combined.
Parker Washington – Jacksonville (4%)
Parker Washington is a must-stash player, at the very least. With Christian Kirk‘s fantasy season finished, look for Washington to step into Kirk’s role as Jacksonville’s slot receiver. Washington caught all six of his targets and scored a touchdown last week. We cannot expect this sort of weekly production, but Washington should be a near every down player.
Alec Pierce – Indianapolis (3-percent)
Alec Pierce has had back-to-back six target games. Last week against Tennessee, he had his best game of the season, with three catches for 100 yards and a TD. Pierce makes for a fun dart throw against a generous Bengals secondary.
