Entering Week 14, let’s take a look at the top wide receivers to target on the waiver wire in your fantasy football league. All players listed below are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo, ESPN, and/or Sleeper leagues.
Note that I have eliminated FAAB recommendations this year, as there are too many variables to account for. Instead, I replaced them with my opinion on how aggressive fantasy managers should be in pursuing the player on a scale of 1-10.
Looking for other positions? Check out our Week 14 Waiver Wire article, which covers a plethora of players from all positions.
Brandin Cooks, WR | DAL
Rostered: 10%
If not for a touchdown grab, Brandin Cooks’ return after a two-month absence would have been quite uneventful. But this recommendation actually has nothing to do with his touchdown, or really his performance at all.
The Cowboys won another game. They are now 5-7 and certainly clinging to a false hope of playoff contention. Eventually, that will fade.
Meanwhile, CeeDee Lamb continues to get banged up. Over the past month, he’s dealt with injuries to his shoulder, foot, and back. Against the New York Giants on Thanksgiving, Lamb fell the wrong way on his shoulder and aggravated his preexisting injury, resulting in him missing most of the second half.
It feels like Lamb getting shut down at some point is inevitable. If he does, Cooks would be the presumptive WR1 on an offense that still should be trailing and throwing most of the time. If you have a bye, now is a great time to look to stash Cooks.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.0
Parker Washington, WR | JAX
Rostered: 1%
I have no idea how legitimate Parker Washington is. But whenever a player who is seeing significant snaps catches six of 12 targets for 103 yards and a touchdown, we have to take notice.
.@CPW11_ with an acrobatic grab and tightrope finish!#HOUvsJAX on FOX pic.twitter.com/HZcTN8xCjN
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars)
The Jaguars are without Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis for the remainder of the season. Brian Thomas Jr. is the clear WR1, but there is an opening at WR2. It could very well be Washington.
Perhaps there’s something to his rapport with Mac Jones. Either way, Washington is worth a look.
Aggressiveness Rating: 2.0
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR | TEN
Rostered: 17%
I’ve ignored Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for far too long. I still don’t buy what he’s doing, but he has eight touchdowns in his last eight games. At the very least, I need to mention him.
Westbrook-Ikhine’s usage has really not been reliable. He just keeps scoring. If you want to chase that, I understand it. The upcoming schedule is extremely soft.
With that said, NWI has caught more than three passes just once all season. That presents a scarily low floor. Proceed with caution.
Aggressiveness Rating: 1.0
Ray-Ray McCloud III, WR | ATL
Rostered: 14%
Ray-Ray McCloud III has not seen more than six targets in a game since Week 6. But over the past four weeks, he’s posted at least 10.6 fantasy points in three of them. Against the Los Angeles Chargers, he gave fantasy managers a solid 13.3 points.
McCloud is purely a floor play, but if you need someone to not get you zero, he’s an option.
Aggressiveness Rating: 1.0
Adam Thielen, WR | CAR
Rostered: 31%
Is Adam Thielen the oldest WR in the NFL? He’s certainly the oldest fantasy-relevant WR in the NFL. At 34 years old, Thielen can still get it done. He almost won the game for the Panthers twice, catching eight passes for 99 yards and a touchdown.
ADAM THIELEN WOW
📺: #TBvsCAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/KNAGqBEbUk— NFL (@NFL)
After one game to get reacclimated, Thielen has resumed his role as the Panthers’ WR1. Given how frequently this team is trailing and throwing, Thielen sure has the potential to be a weekly fantasy starter. He needs to be added everywhere.
Aggressiveness Rating: 9.0