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Fantasy Football 2020: Week 14 FAAB Guide

By Peter Chung
J.D. McKissic Week 6 sleepers

Welcome to the Week 14 FAAB Guide!

With another thrilling week officially in the books, we’re eager for an exciting new slate of games in the National Football League. But from the aftermath of last week, there is a new batch of readily available players that could provide a much-needed boost to your roster. Which one(s) should you grab? Are they starters that you can rely on for the rest of season (ROS), or just another batch of one-hit wonders? This Week 14 FAAB Guide will help you with these decisions and serves as a resource on how to manage your FAAB, i.e. Free Agent Acquisition Budget.

Each week, I outline available players (with <70% Fantrax availability) that should be picked up and my recommendations on how much of your FAAB should be used on your bids for them. If you don’t see a popular name mentioned below, then they are likely already rostered on over 70% of Fantrax leagues (e.g. Cam Akers, Allen Lazard, Corey Davis, Brandon Aiyuk, Henry Ruggs, Marvin Jones, T.Y. Hilton). If your league utilizes standard waiver claims instead of the FAAB system, then you can still use these recommendations to prioritize your waiver claims. Also, make sure to catch our weekly Waiver Wire report as well.

Since each Fantasy Football league’s format is different, I will suggest bid amounts by percentage rather than dollar amount. Also, since each league is different, use this guide as general advice but apply it with your knowledge of your own league mates. For example, if you want to bid on J.D. McKissic but your league is full of Washington Football Team fans, then you should probably bid higher than suggested below.

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Week 14 FAAB Guide

QUARTERBACKS

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (31% rostered in Fantrax Leagues)
It was inevitable, but head coach Doug Peterson finally pulled the trigger and benched the troubled Carson Wentz for rookie Jalen Hurts in the third quarter. The Oklahoma product was a breath of fresh air, completing five of 12 passes for 109 yards and a TD in just four drives, adding five rushes for an additional 29 yards. The TD — his first in the NFL and the team’s ONLY score that week — was a gorgeous bomb to WR Greg Ward.

He may have padded his stats in “garbage time,” but nevertheless Hurts clearly rejuvenated the offense and should be the starting QB going forward. However, Peterson has yet to declare the starter for Week 14’s matchup against a formidable Saints defense. But assuming the keys are handed to Hurts, he will be a decent yet risky option for those in 2QB or SuperFlex leagues. His scrambling abilities alone automatically increases his floor, and if he can continue dropping dimes to his (finally) healthy receiving arsenal, then he could become a reliable fantasy starter for ROS.

Recommended Week 14 FAAB Bids: 5% in regular leagues, 15% in 2QB or SF leagues.

 

RUNNING BACKS

J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team (65% rostered)
Guess who’s back? After surging rookie Antonio Gibson injured his toe early in the first quarter and broke the hearts of fantasy GMs worldwide, scatback J.D. McKissic was once again given the reins of the Washington backfield. And boy oh boy, did he take advantage of the opportunity, rushing five times for eight yards plus catching all 10 targets for an additional 70 yards. His receptions were a career-high, serving as demonstrable proof that he’s a PPR cheat code as Alex Smith’s favorite checkdown option. He was out on the field for 73.6% of snaps. Fun fact: his best games this year were ones where he saw at least 70% of snaps.

https://twitter.com/PFF_NateJahnke/status/1336123849587515393

Turf toe has been known to be a lingering injury that requires multiple weeks to recover from. If this holds true, then McKissic will be the top FAAB/waiver wire candidate for Week 14. Any time there’s a highly targeted player available who could lead a lucrative backfield, then they deserve a hefty bid — especially in PPR formats. If news comes out that Gibson will be out for more than a week (essentially the remainder of the fantasy season), then break the bank for McKissic. Luckily, Tuesday Night Football will allow an extra day for news to develop on the extent of Gibson’s injuries. He just might be 2020’s last “league-winner” pickup that carries your team to the fantasy championships.

Recommended Week 14 FAAB Bids: 20%

 

Ty Johnson, New York Jets (8% rostered)
Pour one out for those poor souls that started Frank Gore. The immortal one was expected to see near bellcow usage as the lead back and love of Adam Gase’s eye. However, he suffered a concussion that knocked him out of the game after just one carry, leaving the spotlight open for either Ty Johnson or Josh Adams to snatch. But it was the Maryland product that rose to the occasion, rushing 22 times for 104 yards in a heartbreaking loss to the Packers. He also caught all two targets for an additional 13 yards.

Though Gore should return to action sooner than later, Johnson may have carved a prominent role on the offense, and possibly cemented himself as the team’s goal-line back. And while the offense (i.e., the coaching staff) is hard to trust, they showed signs of life last week and will look to keep the ball rolling against the Seahawks. Johnson will be an RB2 who has a decent chance to score if Gore is ruled out for Week 14. There are certainly worse options out there.

Recommended Week 14 FAAB Bids: 10%

 

Peyton Barber, Washington Football Team (17% rostered)
If you miss out on McKissic (or don’t have enough FAAB to win him), then it might be worth bidding a few bucks on Peyton Barber. Gross, I know, but the plodding bruiser did see 14 carries in relief of Gibson. Though he only managed 23 meager yards, they were valuable goal-line touches that led to a rushing score. Barber will likely remain the goal-line back if Gibson is inactive, making him a matchup-based Flex with TD upside that is more suitable for deeper non-PPR leagues.

Recommended Week 14 FAAB Bids: 3-5%

 

Benny Snell, Pittsburgh Steelers (64% rostered)
It hasn’t looked great, but RB Benny Snell has now led the Steelers backfield two games in a row with James Conner inactive. Sure, he didn’t do that well against the Washington Football Team, but not many do as they boast one of the toughest D-lines in football. However, his usage confirms that he’s the clear backup in the RB room. Though Conner is eligible to return after testing positive for COVID-19, it’s entirely possible that he could be held out yet again. That possibility alone makes Snell an OK stash in deeper leagues if you have the bench space, but definitely don’t reach for him unless you’re absolutely desperate.

Recommended Week 14 FAAB Bids: 2%

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Keke Coutee, Houston Texans (49% rostered)
If you didn’t listen to the Week 13 FAAB Guide, then please listen to this one before it’s too late. To put it succinctly, GRAB KEKE COUTEE. As mentioned last week:

Though Coutee is more of a direct replacement for the injured Randall Cobb (IR, toe), his established rapport with Watson will likely be leaned on in Fuller’s absence, leading to an increased target share and a more prominent role with the offense. However, that doesn’t mean Coutee will automatically become a must-start play, as I expect Watson to involve his TEs more. But he could evolve into a reliable Flex player in PPR leagues with occasional scoring upside. After all, Watson has to throw it to someone, so why not the guy that he already likes and trusts?

And how did he do? Coutee notched eight receptions for 141 yards in a close loss to the Colts. His nine targets led the team, as did his catches and receiving yards, proving the value of his established rapport with the electric Deshaun Watson. In fact, his yardage was a career high for the third-year receiver. His workload increased as newly anointed lead receiver Brandin Cooks suffered another unfortunate concussion — his sixth thus far in his illustrious career.

Though Cooks was later cleared to return, it wouldn’t be unheard of if the team decides to sit him out this week to ensure his safety. That leaves even more opportunities for Coutee to hog all of Watson’s valuable targets to another strong fantasy performance. He’s already surpassed expectations, finishing as Week 13’s WR6 (barring Tuesday Night Football). With a tough Chicago secondary on deck, Coutee may struggle to build momentum on his impressive numbers. But a role as Watson’s primary receiver is one worth reaching for, regardless of matchup. At this point of the season, there won’t be much more players on waivers that will have more value than Coutee, so feel free to go big with a very generous bid for him.

Recommended Week 14 FAAB Bids: 20%

 

Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos (57% rostered)
It’s been tough sledding for undrafted WR Tim Patrick. He was previously a waiver wire hero that unexpectedly rose to fantasy relevance but has since struggled mightily, most recently putting up a fat donut in Week 12. His season has been similar to the Eagles’ Travis Fulgham, who also had a sizzling start to the year until everything came crashing down. But unlike Fulgham, Patrick appears to have found his way back into Fantasy Football glory.

He caught all four targets for 44 yards and two TDs in a narrow loss to the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. It appears that all it took was getting QB Drew Lock back, though his Week 12 goose-egg should obviously be excused as the team was being captained under practice squad receiver Kendall Hinton. Patrick will have an AMAZING playoff schedule, facing the vulnerable Panthers in Week 14, followed by cake matchups against the porous Bills and Chargers’ secondaries. If you miss out on Coutee, then spend up on Patrick. Just temper expectations as he his target share has swung wildly week-to-week.

Recommended Week 14 FAAB Bids: 10%

 

Rashard Higgins, Cleveland Browns (28% rostered)
As mentioned in the Week 13 Wrap-up:

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention fellow wideout Rashard Higgins, who caught six of nine targets for 95 yards and a score. The oft-injured receiver looked impressive at times and could be a desperate dart-throw option going forward. But don’t expect consistency with the Colorado State product. His nine targets were the most he’s seen this year. After Cleveland lost superstar Odell Beckham Jr. to a torn ACL, savvy managers expected Higgins to see an uptick in usage alongside Landry. Yet, his average targets per game only increased from 2.4 to a miserable 3.3 leading up to Week 13. Could Higgins become a steady favorite for Mayfield? Sure, but with a run-heavy offense, I wouldn’t count on it, especially during fantasy playoffs.

Recommended Week 14 FAAB Bids: 5-7%

 

Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills (41% rostered)
It’s usually not ideal to roster the third receiving option on an offense headlined by a rushing QB, but the Bills are not your usual team. While veteran WR John Brown has been on IR, rookie Gabriel Davis has quietly become a steady WR2 option in real life and Fantasy Football. He most recently recorded three catches from four targets for 68 yards and a TD against a tough 49ers defense.

That coincidentally followed a similar performance against an even tougher Chargers secondary, where he also caught three of four targets for 79 yards and a TD. Though his usage and subsequent production is contingent on Brown’s status, Davis is emerging as a player to watch in his own right. It also helps to have primary coverage focused on lead receivers Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley instead. If you lack options at WR, consider a modest bid on Davis.

Recommended Week 14 FAAB Bids: 5%

 

Quintez Cephus, Detroit Lions (17% rostered)
This is a risky, dart-throw option that is not for the faint of heart. But with Kenny Golladay seemingly inactive for months with no end in sight, there’s a chance that rookie Quintez Cephus could become a “Great Value” version of the star wideout. In a tough fought victory over the Bears, Cephus caught two of four targets for 63 yards and a TD. This was his first NFL score and highest yardage to date, which is equally promising and worrisome. What’s encouraging is that fellow WR Marvin Hall was unexpectedly waived, cementing Cephus’ place in the offense. With favorable matchups on the horizon, Cephus is a Flex play at best only if Golladay is out.

Recommended Week 14 FAAB Bids: 5%

 

TIGHT ENDS

Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (60% rostered)
This may be your last chance to grab him. TE Logan Thomas has been a frequent mainstay on numerous installments of the FAAB Guide. While his fantasy results have been hit or miss, he’s certainly produced more often than not. Week 13 was by far his BEST performance yet, as he reeled in all nine targets for 98 yards and a TD. Simply put, Thomas was on fire in a shocking upset victory over the previously undefeated Steelers.

Thomas has evidently garnered the trust of QB Alex Smith, who is a lock for “comeback player of the year.” His next game against the 49ers is a foreboding one, but he just dominated against the WORST matchup for opposing TEs, so there’s not much cause for concern. Unless you have Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, Mark Andrews, or maybe T.J. Hockenson, then you’re probably not doing so hot in the TE position. If that describes you and your team, then place a serious bid on Thomas.

Recommended Week 14 FAAB Bids: 10%

 

Dan Arnold, Arizona Cardinals (11% rostered)
As mentioned in the Week 13 Wrap-up:

Who? The undrafted Wisconsin-Platteville product, Dan Arnold, finds himself as the TE4 in Week 13. What’s even more surprising is that he did so with just two receptions from three targets against the Rams. But each of those catches went for a TD, totaling 61 yards altogether. He will be a curious waiver wire/FAAB addition for Week 14, but that just screams “chasing points.” Arnold’s only averaged 2.5 measly targets per game. Like with most lower-ranked TEs, you’re banking on a fluky TD for any sort of fantasy relevance. Time will tell if Arnold develops into a prominent mainstay, but I wouldn’t hold your breath.

Recommended Week 14 FAAB Bids: 2%

 

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