Week 13 kept the chaos rolling. Backups ripped off splash plays, a few rookies finally cashed in on their usage, and we got yet another reminder that the late-season waiver wire is less about chasing every random spike week, and more about building contingency plans for the stretch run.
As always in the StatChasers Waiver Wire Watch, the players highlighted here are widely available in Yahoo leagues (generally under ~50% rostered, often much lower). FAAB recommendations are based on 12-team formats so bump the bids in deeper or sharper leagues where replacement value is thinner.
This week’s theme is straightforward:
- Lock in tight ends and receivers with stable usage
- Stash running backs who become league-winners if injuries hit
- Grab defenses with playoff-friendly schedules
With that in mind, here are the top waiver targets heading into Week 14.
Overall Top 10
- Brenton Strange
- Jayden Higgins
- Chris Rodriguez Jr.
- Blake Corum
- Adonai Mitchell
- Devin Neal
- Dontayvion Wicks
- Zonovan “Bam” Knight
- Chris Godwin
- Buccaneers, Dolphins & 49ers – Team Defenses
Brenton Strange – TE, Jaguars
Rostered: 32% | FAAB: 10–12%
Recommendation: Add in all 10-team leagues
Two games back from injury, two games with 11+ fantasy points. Brenton Strange is quietly giving mid-range TE1 production, yet he’s still available almost everywhere.
Heading into Week 13, Strange was already showing strong underlying usage:
- 60.5% route share
- 14.6% target share
- 49.5 receiving yards per game
- 2.23 YPRR
- 14.7% first-read share
Against Tennessee, he turned a 14.8% target share into 3/45/1, finally pairing the usage with a touchdown. The return of Brian Thomas Jr. didn’t hurt him at all, Thomas played limited snaps, confirming Strange is a featured part of the offense.
With IND, NYJ, and DEN up next, he’s one of the few TEs you can confidently start through the fantasy playoffs.
Jayden Higgins – WR, Texans
Rostered: 35% | FAAB: 4–5%
Recommendation: Add in all 12-team leagues
Jayden Higgins has carved out a real WR2 role behind Nico Collins, and the breakout feels like it’s right around the corner.
Since Week 11, Higgins has logged two top-24 finishes (WR22, WR23). In Week 12, he posted elite usage:
- 67.7% route share
- 30% target share
- 51.3% air-yard share
- 1.81 YPRR
- 38.9% first-read share
Week 13 wasn’t a blow-up, but the peripherals remained strong: 63.1% route share, 14.2% target share, 65 yards: second-most on the team.
The role is sustainable, the schedule is friendly, and Houston can support multiple fantasy-relevant receivers. Higgins should be a WR3/FLEX the rest of the way.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. – RB, Commanders
Rostered: 23% | FAAB: 8–10%
Recommendation: Add in 10-team leagues
Chris Rodriguez has been Washington’s lead back for weeks — the rostership just hasn’t caught up.
He continues to share snaps with Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols, but Rodriguez is:
- The starter
- The goal-line back
- The only Commanders RB with RB2 upside
His Week 13 touchdown was his third in four games, and he reliably handles double-digit carries when the script cooperates. He’s also been the most efficient runner in this backfield.
Upcoming schedule:
- Week 14 @ MIN – rare game where Washington could play from ahead
- Week 15 @ NYG
- Week 16 vs PHI – a run defense softening lately
Rodriguez is a locked-in RB3 with RB2 potential in Weeks 15–16. A starting RB with TD equity should never be on waivers in December.
Blake Corum – RB, Rams
Rostered: 16% | FAAB: 2–4%
Recommendation: Add in 12-team leagues
Corum is your classic premium handcuff with spot-start FLEX value.
He saw 13+ touches for three straight games earlier this season, and in Week 13 he reminded everyone why he’s such a great stash, posting 81 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries.
For weeks, the backfield has been roughly a 65/35 split between Kyren Williams and Corum. As long as Williams is healthy, Corum is a bench piece with occasional FLEX appeal. But if Williams tweaks anything, Corum becomes an every-week RB2 with upside in a productive offense.
You’re not overspending, but he’s exactly the kind of player who can swing leagues if an injury hits.
Adonai Mitchell – WR, Jets
Rostered: 2% | FAAB: 2–4%
Recommendation: Stash in 12-team leagues
Mitchell had been flashing strong usage with bad box scores… until Week 13.
From Weeks 11–12, he posted:
- 23.6% target share
- 35.5% first-read share
- 62.5% air-yard share
…but averaged only 26 yards per game due to drops and missed connections.
Then Week 13 hit:
- 36.3% target share
- 8 receptions
- 102 yards
He’s operating as the Jets’ WR1 with Garrett Wilson out. Even when Wilson returns, Mitchell’s air-yard dominance and perimeter role give him staying power.
He’s a stash, not a Week 14 play (Miami is a tough matchup), but Weeks 15–16 (@JAX, @NO) are extremely attractive for perimeter WRs.
Devin Neal – RB, Saints
Rostered: 58% | FAAB: 2–4%
Recommendation: Stash in 12-team leagues
Neal is a volume play in a bad offense, but volume still matters.
He handled 17 opportunities in Week 13 and turned them into 69 yards. Not flashy, but perfectly serviceable. As long as Alvin Kamara is out, Neal will be the lead back and can function as a low-end FLEX in deeper formats.
Think of him less as a league-winner and more as useful depth for injury/bye weeks.
Dontayvion Wicks – WR, Packers
Rostered: 35% | FAAB: 2–4%
Recommendation: Add in 12-team leagues
Yes, trusting a Packers WR has been a headache… but Wicks is earning real roles and real targets.
His 6/94/2 line on Thanksgiving wasn’t fluky. He can earn volume, win downfield, and the team trusts him in high-leverage situations.
The target competition is messy (Jayden Reed’s return complicates things), but Wicks’ talent and usage are good enough to make him a worthwhile WR3/FLEX over the next few weeks. Two matchups vs Chicago in the next three weeks make him even more appealing.
Zonovan “Bam” Knight – RB, Cardinals
Rostered: 25% | FAAB: 2–4%
Recommendation: RB2/RB3 streamer until Trey Benson returns
Knight has quietly delivered three straight double-digit fantasy games and looked sharp again in Week 13 with:
- 11 carries for 62 yards
- 3 catches for 36 yards and a TD
With Emari Demercado banged up and Benson not yet ready, Knight has handled most of the early-down and goal-line work.
If Benson misses another week: Knight is a viable RB2/RB3 streamer.
If Benson returns: Knight becomes more of a stash-and-see depth piece.
Either way, he’s worth adding.
Chris Godwin – WR, Buccaneers
Rostered: 55% | FAAB: 6–7%
Recommendation: Add in 12-team leagues
Godwin isn’t the volume-heavy monster he once was, but he showed in Week 13 that he still has fantasy juice — posting 78 yards on just three catches, all of which went for 20+.
With Emeka Egbuka cooling off and Mike Evans dealing with health/coverage attention, Godwin’s intermediate-deep role has value.
He’s a matchup-dependent WR3/FLEX who can still pop for splash plays when needed.
Buccaneers, Dolphins & 49ers – D/ST
Rostered: Buccaneers 28% | Dolphins 20% | 49ers 33%
Suggested FAAB: 1–3%
Recommendation: Stream any depending on availability
If you’re streaming defenses into the fantasy playoffs, these three are the most interesting widely available options, each fitting different needs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Best Full-Stretch Option
They’ve been average on the season, but the schedule is amazing:
- Week 14 vs NO
- Week 15 vs ATL
- Week 16 @ CAR
- Week 17 vs MIA
Three smash spots and one upside shootout. They’re the preferred add if you want a defense you can hold rest-of-season.
Miami Dolphins – Best Short-Term Streamer
Nine or more points in three straight, and now:
- Week 14 @ NYJ
- Week 15 @ PIT
Two great spots before things get tougher.
San Francisco 49ers – Premium Playoff Strike
They’re on bye in Week 14, but if you can afford that, the payoff is massive:
- Week 15 vs TEN — currently the best matchup for D/ST scoring
If you’re already playoff-bound, stashing them now is a winning move.
