Week 14 is here and with six teams on bye, it is pivotal to make the right start sit decision at the wide receiver position. Playoffs for most fantasy managers are either a week away or are here, as it is key to finishing strong for a higher chance at seeding. But before that, will review last week’s Thanksgiving and Black Friday slate, along with week 13 in general for the position.
Week 13 Thanksgiving Slate Review
If you started either DJ Moore or Keenan Allen or somehow both for the Thanksgiving early game, the Bears tandem delivered in a big way with top-10 finishes in PPR. Chicago and Caleb Williams have been more pass-happy with offensive coordinator Thomas Brown now elevated as their head coach.
For Dallas in the afternoon game, CeeDee Lamb underdelivered massively and Malik Nabers finished with a decent game for the Giants with Drew Lock under center. For the night game in Green Bay, Jayden Reed paid off in efficiency with the 2 touchdowns, while the Dolphins struggled in the cold again. However not the pass catchers, as Tyreek Hill finally had a boom game in PPR off a fluke touchdown. For Black Friday, Jakobi Meyers for the Raiders is a solid wide receiver starter in PPR with good volume from Aidan O’Connell now in the lineup.
Wide Receiver Must Starts Week 14
Here are a few of the players that we are leaning on heavily in this game. These players are in a good spot to put together a solid performance and have a favorable matchup.
DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears
Moore has had back-to-back games with over 20 PPR points and has been the leading pass-catcher for Caleb Williams. The Bears have leaned on him and veteran Keenan Allen, who has also gone over 20 in back-to-back games. Both are starts against a flailing San Francisco 49ers unit that has an exposable secondary. Even with Nick Bosa against a porous Chicago offensive line, I still expect one or both wide receivers to get home like the past two weeks despite the tough matchups on paper.
Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns
After his performance against his former team, the Denver Broncos, Browns’ receiver Jeudy is the 14th ranked receiver in PPR on the year according to Fantasy Pros. However ever since Winston has been in the lineup, he has been the top-ranked receiver for fantasy football. Even with a tough Steelers secondary, they were exposed against the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland throws the ball way too much to bypass the AFC North rematch.
Wide Receiver Must Sits Week 14
On the flip side of things, here are a few of the players we are sitting in this one.
DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
While on paper this looks like a smash spot, it is unclear when DeVonta Smith will return from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for a few weeks. The Eagles may also choose to run the ball against a Panthers unit that can’t stop the run whatsoever. Philadelphia will likely lean on Saquon Barkley early and often till the game gets out of reach for Carolina. AJ Brown has also been the one Jalen Hurts trusts and targets when needed, especially with Dallas Goedert also likely out this week.
Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers’ versatile weapon has not been utilized the same way, as he has dealt with multiple injuries prior and doesn’t seem like himself. Although he is the top receiver in San Francisco, Brock Purdy has looked toward Jauan Jennings more often lately as the reliable consistent option through the air. The Bears’ run defense gives up more then their secondary, so it is a smash spot on paper for rookie running back Isaac Guerendo with both Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason now on injured reserve. George Kittle has also been more involved than San Francisco’s wide receivers.
Lock for Week 14
Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
If McConkey is good to go, it is clear he is a top-10 wide receiver in fantasy for PPR especially this week against the Chiefs. Their secondary has been way more beatable than years past and gives up more points to pass catchers than running backs. The Chargers’ reliable option has either been tight end Dissly, who didn’t record a catch last week, or the rookie Ladd. Quentin Johnston and Josh Palmer have been way too inconsistent and dropping multiple passes from Justin Herbert. In a must-win AFC West divisional matchup, Herbert will look to the rookie as long as he is healthy.
Fade for Week 14
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
Historically, DK Metcalf struggles against the Cardinals and has ceded targets to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. In a game that could decide the NFC West, Geno Smith may go back to JSN, who had a big game the last time they played. This is a must-win for both teams, as it may be a high-scoring affair once again with the Seattle Seahawks now in Arizona this week for a key divisional showdown.
Sleeper for Week 14
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
While Justin Jefferson can easily go off as a top wide receiver against the Falcons, I see this as another potential blowup spot for Jordan Addison. He has had multiple games where Sam Darnold targets the one-on-one coverage with attention drawn to Jetty. Atlanta gives up the second most yards to receivers, while the Vikings also give up the most. With Kirk Cousins facing his former team at home, I expect a shootout like the Thursday Night Bucs game earlier on in the season in Atlanta.
Conclusion
Coming off that insane Monday Night Football game, Jeudy exploded with a 40-plus point performance in PPR for the Browns, as he is the wide receiver one in fantasy on the week. Mike Evans had a typical top 3 finish along with Commanders’ Terry McLaurin. Titans’ Nick Westbrook-Ikhine looks to keep his hot streak of touchdowns alive against the Jaguars as a top waiver commodity at receiver this week, along with Panthers’ Adam Thielen, who has a tough matchup against the Eagles.
