The roster percentages for this column are updated every Friday morning, and any players from Thursday's Patriots-Rams game have been taken out.
Each week of the NFL season, we will identify fantasy football waiver-wire pickups specifically for those of you looking for streaming options in deeper formats (including IDP leagues). These are players available in a majority of ESPN Fantasy leagues (or close) who have enticing matchups in the week ahead that make them worthy of consideration for your lineup.
While you might notice some overlap with Field Yates' pickup column that publishes on Mondays, an important distinction is that the options mentioned in this column are focused solely on this week's matchup and not the players' values for the remainder of the season.
Do you need replacement options for injured or bye-week players? Or are you merely dealing with depth issues? A roundtable of fantasy analysts will join me to identify some choice names to consider each week.
Here are some of our favorites for Week 14:
Quarterback
Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts (17.0% rostered; at Raiders)
Among the widely available signal-caller class this week, Rivers stands out as a stable option given he's delivered at least 16.3 fantasy points in four straight outings and six of his past seven. The Raiders, meanwhile, have surrendered 19.25 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. With the Raiders ranked 30th in sack rate and ceding 264 passing yards per game to enemy arms and this contest set with a healthy point total above 50 points at most books, Rivers enters Week 14 in a good spot to deliver a solid fantasy floor. -Jim McCormick
Running back
Ty Johnson, New York Jets (14.0% rostered; at Seahawks)
The Seahawks' run defense has been better than most realize, but if Frank Gore misses time (an easy sell given his age and the state of the Jets), a running back with a strong role is worth a look in Week 14, no matter the matchup. Johnson ran for 104 yards last week and looked good doing so by picking up yardage on 19 of 22 totes. Game flow is naturally a concern here, but do you remember the last time Seattle won a game by more than 10 points? Week 1. It's been a while. -K.S.
Wide receiver
Collin Johnson, Jacksonville Jaguars (0.7% rostered; vs. Titans)
The Titans allow touchdown passes at the fourth-highest rate in the league (5.7% of pass attempts), so targeting them is standard protocol when you have a receiver trending up. The 6-foot-6 Johnson certainly checks that box, as he has racked up more than 100 air yards in consecutive games. The Jags pass game leaves plenty to be desired, but as a touchdown underdog in a game with a projected total hovering around 53 points, there is enough reward potential here to take the risk.. -K.S.
Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos (19.8% rostered; at Panthers)
Don't let the nondescript name fool you, Patrick can flat-out play. He's gone over 10 fantasy points in seven of his past nine games and should have another efficient afternoon against the fourth-worst defense in terms of opponent completion percentage. Whether it's a big play (he has three games with a 40-yard reception) or a score (five for the season, two last week), there are multiple ways for Patrick to fill your flex spot in deeper formats this weekend. -K.S.
Tight end
Drew Sample, Cincinnati Bengals (1.2% rostered; vs. Cowboys)
The sample size for successful fantasy outings for Sample is, well, a bit small. Then again, tight end is a notoriously fickle fantasy position this season, while Sample has drawn at least four targets in three straight and has 11 receptions in his past two games. With the Cowboys allowing nearly 13 fantasy points per game to tight ends in ESPN PPR scoring and the Cincinnati ground game stalling of late, Sample could provide a respectable result this week. -J.M.
Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (41.0% rostered; at 49ers)
Season highs in yardage, targets and fantasy points against a Steelers defense that entered Week 13 allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends proved immensely impressive for Thomas. This former quarterback has tallied at least four targets in every game this season and just played every offensive snap on Monday evening. Thomas has clearly become a key target in the Washington passing game. Another challenging matchup awaits Thomas this week against the 49ers, but such steady usage and strong chemistry with his quarterback signals solid streaming value. -J.M.
Defense/special teams (D/ST)
New York Giants (23.4% rostered; vs. Cardinals)
Arizona's Kyler Murray is a bit banged-up with a shoulder ailment, while the Giants' surprisingly effective defense ranks seventh in pressure rate and ninth in sacks. With enough defensive talent and scheming to slow down the Cardinals' offense, the Giants make for a sneaky streaming option for those in deeper leagues. -J.M.
Washington Football Team (49.3% rostered; at 49ers)
Flush with several menacing edge rushers and some of the better pass defense metrics in the league, Washington is well positioned to produce a solid fantasy showing. With the 49ers having allowed 27 sacks this season, Washington's prolific pass rushers could enjoy a strong outing. -J.M.
Individual defensive players (IDP)
Defensive line
Leonard Williams, New York Giants (6.6% rostered; vs. Cardinals)
With six sacks in his past five games and four across his past two appearances, Williams has emerged as a solid spot-starter for fantasy managers. The floor is somewhat low given a modest tackle rate, but Williams' ceiling is quite high given his multi-sack upside. -J.M.
Linebacker
Harvey Langi, New York Jets (5.3% rostered; at Seahawks)
A strong string of games for this inside 'backer includes at least eight tackles in four straight appearances. Against a strong Seattle offense that could control time of possession, Langi has a viable shot at double-digit tackles this week. -J.M.
Defensive back
Kenny Vaccaro, Tennessee Titans (8.0% rostered; at Jaguars)
A versatile safety who patrols the passing and running lanes, Vaccaro has tallied at least six tackles in four straight games and could deliver a big fantasy line against a mistake-prone Jacksonville passing game. -J.M.