Can you believe we have reached the final week of the fantasy football regular season? As chaotic as the season is, it sure seems to fly by. Hopefully, you found yourself managing a competitive team this year. Whether you are locking up a bye, fighting for a playoff spot, or playing spoiler, there are numerous reasons to give it your all in the last week. But, as the saying goes, it’s not over till it’s over. So go out with a bang in the last week of the regular season, as this could be the last week you set a fantasy football lineup for nine months.
Remember, we are listing players available in less than 50% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues.
Running Back
James Cook 25.3% Rostered in ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (20% FAAB)
Is the James Cook takeover happening before our eyes?
— Jesse Moeller (@JMoeller05) December 2, 2022
After months of waiting, the James Cook takeover has finally begun. Singletary saw a season-low in snap and opportunity share, whereas James Cook saw a high in both categories. The second-round rookie has shown his talent in limited opportunities and was finally given an extended run for Buffalo on Thursday night. Cook will continue to carve out a more paramount role in this offense and given the fact he sees the high-value touches, Cook is the Buffalo running back to roster rest of the season.
Zonovan Knight 39.3% Rostered in ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (10% FAAB)
What a day it was for Bam. He took the job and ran with it, seeing 55% of the snaps and 62.5% of the opportunities against Minnesota. Even with a matchup against Buffalo, that type of volume is what fantasy managers dream of finding on the waiver wire. As long as Cater is out, you have a locked and loaded RB2 rest of the season.
Seahawks Running Back Rostered in <1% ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (Travis Homer/Tony Jones) (5% FAAB)
The situation is TBD with the Seahawks backfield, but it is currently the walking wounded in the Pacific Northwest. The matchup against Carolina is a juicy one. Carolina allows the fourth most fantasy points to running back, so we want whoever is healthy in Seattle. Ken Walker strained his ankle, and it’s unlikely he will make it back for Sunday’s game. DeeJay Dallas suffered a high ankle sprain, and there is no chance he will return in Week 14. Travis Homer (0.2% rostered) would be the guy, except his knee issue kept him out of the Week 13 matchup, and Pete Carroll told us we would know more later in the week. That leaves Tony Jones as the guy most likely to be healthy for Sunday. Seattle loves Travis Homer, and if he is healthy he will be the guy. Make a cheap claim for both backs and follow the news to know which back to play on Sunday.
Wide Receiver
Darius Slayton Rostered in 33.4% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (7% FAAB)
What more must this man do finally crest the 50% rostered mark? Here are Slayton’s targets and yardage totals since Week 7 – 6 for 58, 6 for 66, 4 for 95, 10 for 86, 6 for 63, and 8 for 90. In that span, Darius Slayton is the WR25 in PPG with 13.8. That is a wide receiver you want on your fantasy roster. He doesn’t carry name value, but points are what win championships in fantasy football. So pick up, Darius Slayton.
Treylon Burks Rostered in 47.5% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (5% FAAB)
Burks SZN continues, even though the concussion keeps it in the to-be-decided holding pattern. If Burks were not dealing with the injury, he would be my top WR on the list this week. However, in limited work, he still managed to make the most of his opportunities and found the endzone on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Tannehill. Burks next three matchups (JAX, LAC, HOU) are all bottom 10 in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. So go out and get the rookie that all other managers will envy.
Jameson Williams Rostered in 30.3% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (3% FAAB)
It may seem as if Williams first NFL game was a fantasy disappointment, but feel free to give Jamo some time to stretch out his legs before casting him aside. Detroit is being cautious with the 12th overall pick, easing him back into paying time. The best-case scenario for Williams was always a late-season fantasy push. Everything you liked about Williams coming out still holds true. Let us see the incredible talent unlocked before casting him aside. Oh ya, and Detroit plays Minnesota this week. It’s about to go down in week 14.
Quarterback
Jared Goff Rostered in 29.6% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (5% FAAB)
Goff has the Lions offense rolling. The Lions have an offense built to maximize Goff’s strengths, and it’s paying dividends. If you can give Goff time, he knows how to carve up NFL defenses, and that was certainly on display against the Jaguars. Goff was a red-hot 31/41, 340 yards, and two touchdowns. Now Goff and the Lions get Minnesota’s defense that cannot cover a sloth. Goff will be a QB1 for the 4th time this year.
Ryan Tannehill Rostered in 8.8% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (2% FAAB)
Tannehill may not have the same cache as the player who finished as top 12 fantasy QB the last three years, but he can be positive in your starting lineup, given the right matchup. Look at his next three matchups. Tannehill plays Jacksonville, Los Angeles, and Houston. Fantasy points will be aplenty in those games. So pick up Tannehill for next to nothing and enjoy the profit he will bring to your team.
Kenny Pickett Rostered in 9.9% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (1% FAAB)
Pickett goes up against the same Baltimore Ravens defense that has allowed 248 passing yards per game. (25th in the NFL) Add in the Konami aspect Pickett brings each week (23 rush yards/game), and you have a rookie QB set up for fantasy success in Week 14.
Tight End
Greg Dulcich Rostered in 38.6% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (8% FAAB)
At this point, what not to love about Dulcich? Even being a rookie tight end in Denver, attached to Russell Wilson, is not stopping the tight end breakout. Dulcich has four TE1 games in his first seven NFL games. Dulcich had the best game of his young NFL career and plays Kansas City before excellent playoff matchups with Arizona and Los Angeles in weeks 15 and 16. Do what it takes to get this player on the roster.
Hunter Henry Rostered in 26.1% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (3% FAAB)
It’s as simple as Henry plays the stone worst NFL defense versus tight ends in Week 14. The Arizona Cardinals are allowing 20 ppg to tight ends. Stream Henry and lock in fantasy success this week.
Evan Engram Rostered in 35.0% of ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues (2% FAAB)
We are once again doing this song and dance with Evan Engram. The Titans have one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL, and Engram is top 3 in Slot Snaps among the position. So allowing Engram to get outside and work against the Titans secondary is a mismatch and one Engram should take advantage of.
Jesse Moeller
Jesse Moeller is a fascinating character. By day, he's a restaurant manager, but during his free time, he transforms into a fantasy football analyst. He's been playing fantasy football since 1999, which means he's been around the block a few times. But his passion for the game has never waned. Jesse is a devoted husband to his wife Andrea, whom he's been married to for five years. They have a lovely daughter Cecilia, who is now four years old. Jesse's journey into content creation began with The League Winners in 2021, and he hasn't looked back since. Dynasty is his passion, and his love for the game is infectious. Jesse is a true degenerate who loves the fantasy football and the community that supports it.