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Waiver Wire Advice: Week 14

Many of you are in leagues (including the monster FFLibrarian League) where the playoffs start here in Week 14. So there's no time to waste if you're in need of some waiver wire help. Mike is here to give you your Week 14 links and some sage advice to boot. 


If you’re reading this, you either made your fantasy football playoffs, or you just can’t get enough of my writing. I will assume the former is the most likely, so congratulations are in order!

Now that you’re in the playoffs, waiver wire strategy changes a little bit. Depth is not a concern, although I would recommend adding the handcuff to a couple of your top players, particularly at running back. I would also encourage you to try and identify emerging players that could be difference-makers in the coming weeks. Every year, there is a player or two that comes out of nowhere to help carry a team to a fantasy title. Obviously you’ll want these key players on your roster, and more importantly, not on your opponent’s roster. Along those same lines, if you have the roster space and the opportunity is there, grab a key handcuff of one of your opponent’s key players.

If you read last week, hopefully you decided to add Donte Moncrief to your squad. If not, make sure you do it this week. The Colts WR went off for two long touchdowns against the Redskins last week, and appears to have taken a firm hold of the valuable #3 WR role ahead of the woefully unproductive Hakeem Nicks.

Everyone will be talking about Johnny Manziel this week, as he appears poised to be the new starting QB in Cleveland. There will be plenty of further information in the links below about Johnny Football, but I will simply say that in fantasy terms at least, I see him making an immediate impact. His rushing ability and willingness to take shots downfield (at Josh Gordon no less), means big fantasy numbers are likely to happen. I wouldn’t feel comfortable starting him right away over any reliable options, but if you’re carrying a backup QB on your roster, I would quickly jettison them for the potential of Manziel.

One final thought as you head into the playoffs…I prefer a strategy of loading up your bench with players like Moncrief and Manziel that have the potential to blow up on any given week. Low-ceiling players like Darren McFadden, Eric Decker, or Greg Jennings are useless to have on your roster unless you’re in a deep enough league that you are starting them weekly.

On to the links…
Christopher Harris of ESPN has a nice list of key RB handcuffs.
Adam Levitan from Rotoworld suggests Andre Williams is potentially a nice play versus the Titans this week.
Brad Evans of Yahoo is aboard the Manziel Express.
NikBonaddio of Numberfire recommends adding Kenny Stills if he happens to still be available
Find me on Twitter with any questions or feedback!

May your transactions be fruitful.

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