Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups: James Cook, Zonovan Knight, and Jahan Dotson Can Help Your Playoff Push

Week 13 of the 2022 fantasy football season is nearly in the books! And it’s time to improve our rosters on the Week 14 waiver wire. Let’s take a look at the top Week 14 waiver wire pickups and targets that fantasy managers should consider adding to their rosters, which include James Cook and Zonovan Knight.

Note: All roster percentages are from Yahoo, and players are listed by position in order of priority.

Waiver Wire Pickups To Target in Week 14

James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills (23% Rostered)

Has there been a changing of the guard in the Bills’ backfield? Not exactly, but we might be on the precipice. Of course, the idea is to get out in front of these things, but evidently, only 23% of fantasy managers did.

James Cook played just one fewer snap than Devin Singletary on Thursday night against the Patriots. However, Cook ran more routes, saw more targets, and had more carries. In fact, his ascent helped me win Singletary’s rushing + receiving yards lower on Underdog Fantasy.

The only hiccup is Singletary remains the clear goal-line back. Even so, Cook’s receiving upside (6-41) makes him startable if this usage continues. He is this week’s top waiver wire add. I would spend nearly all of my remaining FAAB on him.

Zonovan Knight, RB, New York Jets (47% Rostered)

This one is a bit surprising, as Zonovan Knight was last week’s top waiver wire pickup. Knight was the clear lead back after Michael Carter left last week’s game with a sprained ankle. Unsurprisingly, he was the lead back again this week.

Knight played 55% of the snaps and out-carried Ty Johnson and James Robinson 15-5. Johnson was the clear third-down back, but he only ran two more routes than Knight. Simply put, Knight is the only guy startable.

The only hiccup here is Carter’s injury is very minor. It’s possible he returns this week. If that happens, Knight will maintain a role, but he won’t be a must-start. We won’t know enough by Tuesday night, so bid on Knight as if he’s the guy for another week. That’s 20-30% of FAAB for me.

Jerick McKinnon, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (41% Rostered)

The Chiefs’ backfield was back to a two-man show against the Bengals. Ronald Jones did not touch the ball. I’m not sure if he even played a snap.

MORE: Early Fantasy RB Rankings Week 14

Isiah Pacheco is the clear lead back, but Jerick McKinnon is involved plenty. He carried the ball eight times and caught both of his targets for nine yards and a touchdown. Investing in the Chiefs is never a bad idea. McKinnon doesn’t have much upside, but he’s worth having on your roster. I would throw a 5-10% FAAB bid at him.

Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams (45% Rostered)

This week certainly felt like the Rams’ “Super Bowl.” They desperately wanted to beat their division rivals…and they almost did if not for late heroics from Geno Smith and DK Metcalf.

Most notably for the Rams was Cam Akers’ resurgence. After splitting work with Kyren Williams, LA turned the backfield over to Akers. He carried the ball 17 times for 60 yards and two touchdowns. However, he only caught one pass for no yards.

Akers will remain a touchdown-or-bust RB3. Given the abundance of injuries at the running back position, fantasy managers can use that. He’s worth a 10-15% FAAB bid.

Jahan Dotson, WR, Washington Commanders (14% Rostered)

All of sudden, Jahan Dotson is back as a regular part of the Commanders’ offense. He played 78% of the snaps and ran just two fewer routes than Terry McLaurin. Dotson caught five of nine targets for 54 yards and a touchdown.

It’s worth noting the Commanders ran 85 plays in this game due to the game going to overtime. Nevertheless, Dotson’s usage is very encouraging. He’s a young player who could continue to improve down the stretch for a very competitive team. I would take a 5-7% FAAB shot on him.

Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans (29% Rostered)

With Brandin Cooks out, Nico Collins continued operating as the Texans’ WR1. He led the team in snaps, routes run, and targets. Although Collins caught just three of his 10 targets, he did find the end zone. That’s now four straight games with just about 10 PPR fantasy points.

MORE: Where Does Nico Collins Land on the Early WR Rankings for Week 14?

Collins is never going to win you a week, but he’s a serviceable WR4. You can certainly do worse. He can probably be had for a 3-5% FAAB bid.

DJ Chark, WR, Detroit Lions (16% Rostered)

I really don’t buy DJ Chark, but I am obligated to mention him. Chark was the clear WR2 behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, catching five of his six targets for 98 yards.

Chark actually ran two more routes than the Sun God and seven more than Josh Reynolds. His six targets were second on the team.

If you’re desperately in need of a wide receiver, Chark at least has talent and proven production in the past. I wouldn’t spend more than 3-5% of my FAAB though.

Demarcus Robinson, WR, Baltimore Ravens (12% Rostered)

It’s difficult to invest in any Ravens now that Lamar Jackson is likely to miss multiple weeks, but I would be remiss to not mention Demarcus Robinson. The Ravens severely lack playmakers, and while I wouldn’t call Robinson one, he did lead the team with eight targets this week, catching seven for 41 yards.

Robinson and Devin Duvernay were the only wide receivers to play more than 35% of the snaps. They ran double the routes of every other player not named Mark Andrews. That’s at least worth something. You can throw $1-2 of FAAB on Robinson.

Corey Davis, WR, New York Jets (13% Rostered)

With Mike White running the show, the Jets’ offense actually has some oomph to it. Garrett Wilson is an every-week must-start WR2, but he can’t catch every pass.

Corey Davis was second on the team with 10 targets and caught half of them for 85 yards.

Davis did a whole lot of nothing last week against the Bears. So, he will likely remain inconsistent. But the Jets have a pretty favorable fantasy playoff schedule, with the Lions and Jaguars on tap for the first two weeks. You can take a 3-5% FAAB shot on him.

Seattle Seahawks Running Backs

I really have no idea who exactly to recommend fantasy managers add off the waiver wire here.

Kenneth Walker III left the game with an ankle injury and was ruled out relatively quickly. Travis Homer was inactive due to an injury. DeeJay Dallas also hurt his ankle and was listed as doubtful to return, but was forced to finish the game because Tony Jones Jr. took a huge hit, and the Seahawks literally did not have another healthy RB.

Someone has to play running back for this team, and he’s probably worth rostering in fantasy. As soon as we get an idea of who that is, put in a claim for him. Right now, my guess is that it will be Dallas.