Lineup decisions are often tough calls, so here are my Week 14 flex rankings listing the top-100 PPR options at running back, wide receiver, and tight end. With a lot of injured players questionable to play, including big names like James Conner, T.Y. Hilton, and more, make sure to check back for injury updates before finalizing lineups. Congrats if you’re still in the hunt, and best of luck in the first week of the fantasy playoffs!
For more help getting ready for Week 14, check out our Waiver Wire Recommendations and our FAAB Guide.
Shooting for Shootouts
Kansas City at New England is one of the most anticipated games of the entire season after a thrilling overtime victory for the Patriots in the AFC Championship game this past January. This game has the highest projected point total per Vegas with a combined 49 points expected to be scored, so clearly New England’s defense isn’t being considered too much for Patrick Mahomes and company to handle. However, the big fantasy stars in this game may not be the usual go-to names. Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are a lethal duo to defend against, but Bill Belichick has successfully limited them in the past. Most recently in the AFC Championship game, Hill was held to just one reception for 42 yards, and though Kelce contributed a touchdown, he managed just three catches for 23 yards in total. Although Stephon Gilmore commonly shadows opposing no. 1 receivers, against the Chiefs, Belichick has opted to put Gilmore on Sammy Watkins or even Kelce at times, instead covering Hill with Jonathon Jones with help over the top.
It’s hard to ever bench Hill in fantasy given the fact that he could break a long score at any time, but with a low floor and ceiling in this tough matchup, I have downgraded Hill to WR10 this week. Likewise, with Kelce, it’s unlikely that most teams have a better option at the tight end position. However, Kelce is my TE6 this week. In the rare instances where a team with Kelce also picked up Darren Waller early in the season, or where Jack Doyle is available on waivers, I would start both those options over Kelce this week. Kelce will likely need to score a touchdown to break into double-digit fantasy points against the Patriots.
So where will the Chiefs’ production on offense come from if Hill and Kelce are indeed limited in Week 14? Well, Watkins seems like the best candidate given his four receptions and 114-yard day against New England in the AFC Championship game, but it’s hard to rely on him repeating that performance. Most of Watkins’s yardage in that game came from two plays, a 54-yard catch where a scrambling Mahomes found Watkins, and a 38-yard catch and run on a pick play. The more likely scenario is that two X factors who weren’t on Kansas City’s roster this past January will have the opportunity to make big impacts.
Although New England has allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season, Andy Reid has schemed his backs open in space and on downfield throws with success against the Patriots. In fact, Damien Williams had a career day last January, rushing for 30 yards and a touchdown and adding five catches for 66 yards and two scores through the air. With Damien Williams likely out with his rib injury and Darrel Williams likely out with a hamstring injury, this leaves the veteran LeSean McCoy, the rookie Darwin Thompson, and the recently-signed Spencer Ware. While McCoy is still the best runner in this backfield, he’s lost much of that game-breaking speed that made him a fantasy superstar. Though he’ll no doubt be involved, it’s hard to see McCoy eclipsing more than 50 or so yards, and his fantasy production will probably be reliant on a rushing touchdown near the goal line. Ware could immediately contribute, but the most likely rationale behind his signing is veteran depth to make up for the absence of the two Williams-es, especially given Ware’s familiarity with the offense.
This leaves Thompson as the most likely candidate to surprise. Thompson is a good runner but also an agile athlete who can be dangerous in space, as we saw in the preseason and during his time at Utah State. And while running backs have struggled against the Patriots on the ground, they’ve found mismatches against the linebackers as receivers, as we saw Duke Johnson find success against them this past Sunday night. Reid has tended to utilize a committee backfield this season, but he’s also gone with the hot hand. All it could take is one big Thompson run or catch for him to see expanded usage in this crucial road game, and it’ll be too much to put the genie back in the bottle. Thompson is my 25th ranked running back this week with a moderate floor and big upside.
And then there’s the dynamic Mecole Hardman. The rookie out of Georgia has already displayed his 4.33 speed on a few highlight-reel plays this season. Reid will likely have a couple of plays designed to get Hardman in space on a pick or screen, and on plays where New England brings pressure with just a single high safety or no safeties, Hardman will have the opportunity to catch a long touchdown. We saw Kenny Stills reel in a 35-yard touchdown on Sunday with Deshaun Watson scrambling to buy time, and we could very well see a similar score for Hardman this week. He is ranked as just my WR40 though, as Hardman remains a risk/reward play. Hardman, Thompson, Hill, and Kelce are all dangerous weapons with enough speed and savvy to overcome stifling coverage. All of these vectors converge at Mahomes, who remains a top-three fantasy quarterback option this week despite the difficult matchup. The only options I’d consider benching Mahomes for would-be Lamar Jackson against Buffalo or Aaron Rodgers against Washington.
On the Patriots’ side, they’ll aim to repeat what they accomplished during the AFC Championship game, which is to run the ball and limit Mahomes’s time on the field. This approach would also make sense since Kansas City ranks third-worst in rushing DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) per Football Outsiders but boasts the sixth-best pass defense. New England actually found success on the ground early on against Houston this past week but went away from the ground game after falling behind by multiple scores early in the second quarter. They would be wise to give Sony Michel a heavy workload in this game, and I’m projecting Michel as a top-20 fantasy running back this week accordingly with a shot at 100 yards and a score. He’s still a risky start though if the Patriots once again need to play catch-up as they did against the Texans.
As for Julian Edelman, he’s been getting open despite tough coverage and should see enough target volume as Tom Brady’s go-to option to remain a safe fantasy option this week. In fact, I have him ranked as my WR12, not very far behind Hill. It’s hard to project much production through the air for any of the other receivers though, as Phillip Dorsett, Mohamed Sanu, N’Keal Harry, and Jakobi Meyers are all off the fantasy radar this week. None are receiving consistent target volume, and all have struggled to gain separation and are oftentimes not on the same page as Brady when it comes to scramble drills or option routes. With the expectation for most of the Patriots’ points coming from the ground game, Brady is also just a high-end QB2 play this week.
Per Boston Sports Info on Twitter, the Patriots haven’t lost a regular-season game at Gillette Stadium to an AFC opponent in over 10 years when both Brady and Edelman are active. But New England will be relying on their third-string center, and their kicking woes could continue if Nick Folk isn’t healthy enough to return following an appendectomy. Against all odds, even facing an elite Patriots defense in Foxborough, I am projecting the Chiefs to prevail on the road in a narrow 30-26 victory.
Benching Big Names?
Fantasy teams who have been missing Marlon Mack for the past two games may be rejoicing that he is expected to return in Week 14 just in time for the first week of the fantasy playoffs. However, Mack is probably best left on the bench this week against Tampa Bay even if he suits up. The Buccaneers have the best-run defense in the league per rushing DVOA, allowing just 76.3 rushing yards per game and just four rushing touchdowns all year to opposing running backs. Another risk to starting Mack is the possibility that the Colts may ease him back in during his first game back, mixing in Nyheim Hines, Jordan Wilkins, and Jonathan Williams. There’s not much upside in this contest for Mack, who doesn’t even make it into my top-100 flex options this week. He’s just a touchdown-dependent RB4 to be avoided outside of deep leagues.
The same recommendation goes for all the 49ers running backs. I cautioned against starting Tevin Coleman last week against a strong Baltimore run defense, and he predictably disappointed with just five carries for six yards on the ground and one reception for nine yards. Coleman is an even worse start this week after Raheem Mostert seemingly outplayed him for most of the game against the Ravens, receiving a far higher snap share and touching the ball a season-high 21 times. Muddying the waters further for this committee backfield in San Francisco is the expected return of Matt Breida, who has missed the last three games with an ankle injury. Though Mostert was a hot waiver wire addition, he’s far from a must start this week. Without knowing how the snaps will be split, I prefer Mostert as the best option of the group at RB30, but he’s not far ahead of Coleman at RB34 or Breida at RB36. It’s a situation to avoid, as none of these three backs is more than a middling RB3 or flex option, especially against a tough Saints defense that ranks sixth in rushing DVOA.
Week 14 Flex Rankings (PPR)
Notable injured players currently assumed to be OUT in Week 14 include James Conner, Damien Williams, Darrel Williams, Jordan Howard, Adam Thielen, T.Y. Hilton, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Taylor Gabriel, A.J. Green, and Gerald Everett. Rankings will be updated as injury news and practice updates are received.
Last updated on Thursday, December 5th at 3:36 PM CST.
| Rank | Player | Pos | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian McCaffrey | RB | |
| 2 | Davante Adams | WR | |
| 3 | Nick Chubb | RB | CIN allows the most rushing yards in the league, and CLE is sure to give Chubb a heavy workload to limit the risk to Mayfield's injured hand. |
| 4 | Leonard Fournette | RB | |
| 5 | Michael Thomas | WR | |
| 6 | D.J. Moore | WR | Moore has been a consistent WR1 averaging 11 targets per game since CAR's bye. It's time to rank him as an every-week WR1 unless Grier starts. |
| 7 | Melvin Gordon | RB | |
| 8 | Ezekiel Elliott | RB | |
| 9 | Derrick Henry | RB | |
| 10 | Josh Jacobs | RB | |
| 11 | Le'Veon Bell | RB | |
| 12 | Mike Evans | WR | With Chris Godwin facing a tough matchup vs slot CB Kenny Moore, Winston should look to Evans more this week vs IND. |
| 13 | Devonta Freeman | RB | Freeman has returned as the clear starter in ATL's backfield, and he has high upside vs a CAR def allowing the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing RBs. |
| 14 | Todd Gurley | RB | |
| 15 | DeVante Parker | WR | Parker has been a top-5 fantasy WR since MIA's bye. He's a high floor, high ceiling play given his immense target volume from Fitzpatrick. |
| 16 | Alvin Kamara | RB | |
| 17 | George Kittle | TE | |
| 18 | Aaron Jones | RB | |
| 19 | Miles Sanders | RB | |
| 20 | DeAndre Hopkins | WR | |
| 21 | Saquon Barkley | RB | Barkley has struggled to create big plays lately, but the likelihood of check down passes with Eli Manning back gives him a high PPR floor and ceiling. |
| 22 | Joe Mixon | RB | Mixon is finally getting involved as a pass-catcher, and CIN's offense is viable again with Andy Dalton back at the helm over Ryan Finley. |
| 23 | Austin Ekeler | RB | |
| 24 | Alshon Jeffery | WR | NYG allows the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing WRs, and he could see even more targets if Ertz's hamstring still isn't 100% healthy. |
| 25 | Courtland Sutton | WR | |
| 26 | Chris Godwin | WR | |
| 27 | Tyreek Hill | WR | Hill is likely to see double coverage all game. Expectations should be lowered, but all it takes is one broken coverage for Hill to score. |
| 28 | Evan Engram | TE | For the same reasons Barkley could see target volume with Eli Manning back, Engram could be the beneficiary of similar check down passes. |
| 29 | Amari Cooper | WR | |
| 30 | Kareem Hunt | RB | |
| 31 | Julian Edelman | WR | |
| 32 | Allen Robinson | WR | |
| 33 | Mark Ingram | RB | |
| 34 | Austin Hooper | TE | |
| 35 | Sony Michel | RB | With NE's WRs struggling and KC tougher vs the pass than the run, Josh McDaniels should feature Michel like he did in the AFC Championship game. |
| 36 | Julio Jones | WR | The shoulder injury and likely coverage from James Bradberry makes Jones more of a risk/reward WR2 start this week than a WR1. |
| 37 | Keenan Allen | WR | |
| 38 | Jarvis Landry | WR | It's time to rank Landry over Beckham. He's been connecting with Mayfield more often despite the risk of lower passes due to Mayfield's hand injury. |
| 39 | Darren Waller | TE | |
| 40 | Stefon Diggs | WR | |
| 41 | Rashaad Penny | RB | |
| 42 | D.K. Metcalf | WR | |
| 43 | Odell Beckham Jr. | WR | |
| 44 | Chris Carson | RB | |
| 45 | Jack Doyle | TE | Doyle saw a team-high 11 targets vs TEN with both Hilton and Ebron out. Expect another double digit target day for him vs a porous TB secondary. |
| 46 | Robert Woods | WR | |
| 47 | Travis Kelce | TE | |
| 48 | John Brown | WR | |
| 49 | Tyler Boyd | WR | |
| 50 | Robby Anderson | WR | Anderson has reasserted himself as the no. 1 Jets WR and faces a great matchup vs a MIA def allowing the 6th most fantasy points to WRs. |
| 51 | Dalvin Cook | RB | Supposedly Cook will play, but usage and effectiveness are concerns. MIN would be wise to not risk their star RB much in an easy matchup vs DET. |
| 52 | James White | RB | |
| 53 | Cooper Kupp | WR | |
| 54 | Alexander Mattison | RB | There are plenty of scenarios in which Mattison could out-touch Cook this week vs a DET def allowing the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing RBs. |
| 55 | Zach Ertz | TE | |
| 56 | Darwin Thompson | RB | NE is tough vs RBs, but we've seen receiving backs find success in space against NE's LBs. Thompson could have RB1 potential if he usurps McCoy. |
| 57 | Deebo Samuel | WR | |
| 58 | Calvin Ridley | WR | |
| 59 | Mark Andrews | TE | |
| 60 | Golden Tate | WR | |
| 61 | Christian Kirk | WR | |
| 62 | Devin Singletary | RB | |
| 63 | D.J. Chark | WR | Chark has been inconsistent with the constant QB changes in JAX, and he faces a difficult matchup vs Casey Hayward this week. |
| 64 | Tyler Lockett | WR | Lockett may not be 100% healthy from the shin injury and/or the flu, and he'll likely see a lot of tight coverage from Jalen Ramsey in this game. |
| 65 | Kyle Rudolph | TE | |
| 66 | Benny Snell Jr. | RB | Conner is likely out again, so in a game where PIT is favored, Snell should see double digit carries and have a shot at another TD vs a bad ARI run def. |
| 67 | Anthony Miller | WR | |
| 68 | Tyler Higbee | TE | Assuming Everett is out again, Higbee will play a major role vs a SEA def that's allowed the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing TEs this season. |
| 69 | Michael Gallup | WR | |
| 70 | Emmanuel Sanders | WR | |
| 71 | Phillip Lindsay | RB | Lindsay is dominating touches over Freeman since DEN's bye, and he faces a HOU def that just gave up 8 rec for 98 yards and 2 TDs to James White. |
| 72 | Tarik Cohen | RB | |
| 73 | Jared Cook | TE | |
| 74 | Jamison Crowder | WR | |
| 75 | Russell Gage | WR | Gage has 19 targets over the last two games. Julio Jones's shoulder might not be 100% even if he plays, so Gage could continue seeing target volume. |
| 76 | Hunter Henry | TE | |
| 77 | Kenny Golladay | WR | |
| 78 | Raheem Mostert | RB | Mostert may be the lead back, but it's still a messy RBBC in SF, and there's not much upside vs a NO def allowing the 4th fewest fantasy points to RBs. |
| 79 | James Washington | WR | |
| 80 | Zach Pascal | WR | Like Doyle, Pascal benefited from added targets with Hilton and Ebron out. He has high upside vs TB's struggling secondary given the target volume. |
| 81 | David Montgomery | RB | |
| 82 | Mecole Hardman | WR | Hardman is as boom or bust as they come, but he could see added opportunity with NE likely to focus on shutting down Hill and Kelce. |
| 83 | Marvin Jones Jr. | WR | |
| 84 | Allan Lazard | WR | |
| 85 | A.J. Brown | WR | |
| 86 | Nyheim Hines | RB | |
| 87 | Randall Cobb | WR | |
| 88 | Brandin Cooks | WR | Goff has been unable to find Cooks downfield with the offensive line not giving him much time. Cooks doesn't have much of a ceiling at this point. |
| 89 | LeSean McCoy | RB | |
| 90 | Curtis Samuel | WR | |
| 91 | Sterling Shepard | WR | |
| 92 | Nelson Agholor | WR | Agholor's drops have become a meme, but he still has upside vs this NYG secondary as the no. 2 WR behind Jeffery in what could be a shootout. |
| 93 | Tevin Coleman | RB | |
| 94 | Chris Conley | WR | |
| 95 | Derrius Guice | RB | |
| 96 | Matt Breida | RB | |
| 97 | Dede Westbrook | WR | |
| 98 | Kenyan Drake | RB | |
| 99 | Darius Slayton | WR | Slayton gets a big downgrade with Eli Manning back, as he had chemistry with Daniel Jones, and Manning is unlikely to take as many deep shots. |
| 100 | Patrick Laird | RB |
For more fantasy football content or specific questions about your lineup, follow me on Twitter @FFA_Meng.
For a look at how the rankings break down at each position, take a look at Mick Ciallela’s Week 14 Rankings.
Fantrax was one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites of 2019 and things are only getting better! With multi-team trades, designated commissioner/league managers, and drag/drop easy click methods, Fantrax is sure to excite the serious fantasy sports fan – sign up now for a free year at Fantrax.com.