With six teams on bye this week, we need to find some potential streaming options for your fantasy lineups. The running back position is a little light this week but I focused on two rookies who are producing on the tape. I do like the wide receivers in here given their matchups, plus the vertical ability they bring to the field. We'll also look at the quarterbacks and tight ends too and a D/ST that could surprise.
I've identified some key players -- all rostered in less than 50% of ESPN leagues -- who can be picked up for this week's slate of NFL games. While you might notice some overlap with Eric Moody's waiver wire column that publishes on Mondays, an important distinction is that the options mentioned in this column are focused solely on this week's matchup and not the players' values for the remainder of the season.
So, let's start in Detroit, with quarterback Jared Goff, who gets the Vikings defense in Week 14.
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (39.8% rostered; vs. Vikings)
Goff finished as QB4 in Week 13. He dropped 21.4 fantasy points on the Jags defense and has now posted back-to-back games with multiple touchdowns and at least 17 fantasy points. Goff draws a Week 14 matchup against a Vikings defense that plays zone coverage 65.1% of the time and ranks near the bottom of the league in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Given the route tree in Detroit and the perimeter talent he has in the passing game, Goff is one of the top streaming options at the position this week.
Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens (21.5% rostered; at Steelers)
If Lamar Jackson sits out this week, Huntley is a potential streamer given the offensive structure in Baltimore and his traits as a runner. Huntley relieved Jackson in Week 13 against Denver and finished the game with 15.57 fantasy points. While we didn't see explosive plays in the passing game, he was efficient, completing 27-of-32 attempts. He also rushed for 41 yards (10 carries), including the game-winning touchdown on a designed run in the red zone. Huntley should find success against the Steelers defense on schemed play-action throws to the middle of the field and designed runs that will boost his fantasy profile. Remember, he logged 38 total carries in his four starts last season. With six teams on a bye this week, Huntley has value in 12 and 14 team leagues.
Other potential options: Mike White, New York Jets (15.0% rostered; at Bills); Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers (9.6% rostered; at Ravens); Mac Jones, New England Patriots (7.5% rostered; at Cardinals)
Running backs
Zonovan Knight, New York Jets (52.4% rostered; at Bills)
While Michael Carter's injury status must be monitored before we set the fantasy ceiling for Knight in Week 14, we also have to look at the rookie's recent production. Knight has posted over 100 total yards -- with double digit PPR points - in each of his past two games. He can handle rushing volume, and he gives you something in the pass game, too (eight receptions over his past two games). Even if Carter is back in the mix this Sunday against Buffalo, I still believe Knight will factor into the game plan based on his tape. He's another deep league option this week.
Other potential options: Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers (4.3% rostered; vs. Bucs); Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles (8.6% rostered; at Giants); Ty Johnson, New York Jets (4.6% rostered; at Bills); Tony Jones Jr., Seattle Seahawks (0.5% rostered; vs. Panthers)
Wide receivers
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys (53.3% rostered; vs. Texans)
I really like Gallup in a prime matchup against the Texans defense. He's posted back-to-back games with at least seven targets and double-digit PPR production and is a vertical stretch option for Dak Prescott. We know Gallup can be isolated into the boundary or schemed on deep in breaking routes. He'll see Cover 2 and some single-high man, but also caught two touchdown passes in Week 13 on red zone targets. Gallup is a WR3 this week.
DJ Chark, Detroit Lions (21.3% rostered; vs. Vikings)
With 11 targets over his past two games and 14.8 PPR points in the Week 13 win over the Jags, I like Chark this week against the Vikings. The Lions are going to see a lot of quarters and two-deep zone in this game. I think Chark can attack the voids in coverage, working to open turf at Ford Field on deep over routes, dig routes and more. There's big play upside in Week 14 with the Lions wide receiver.
Other potential options: Darius Slayton, New York Giants (37.8% rostered; at Eagles); Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns (44.3% rostered; at Bengals); Corey Davis, New York Jets (16.2% rostered; at Bills); Devin Duvernay Baltimore Ravens (30.8% rostered; at Steelers); Isaiah McKenzie, Buffalo Bills (21.8% rostered; vs. Jets)
Tight ends
Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks (38.9% rostered; vs. Panthers)
We'll go with Fant this week against the Panthers. He excels on checkdowns in the flat, crossers on boot concepts and seam routes to split the defenders in zone coverage. Fant has logged 14 or more PPR points in two of his past four games and caught at least three passes a game during that stretch. He's a viable option this week given his recent run-on target volume and the pretty bare landscape of tight ends available to play in Week 14.
Other potential options: Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos (55.3% rostered; vs. Chiefs); Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (28.3% rostered; at Cardinals)
Defense/special teams
Kansas City Chiefs (55.4% rostered; at Broncos)
The Chiefs didn't play their best football in the Week 13 loss to the Bengals, but I simply like the matchup against Russell Wilson and the Broncos in Week 14. Wilson has only thrown two touchdowns over his past four games. He doesn't use his legs to create outside of the pocket consistently anymore and Denver's rushing attack lacks efficiency, averaging only 3.97 yards per carry (28th in the league). Kansas City has notched 17 sacks over their past five games, and we know the blueprint for this defense. They rotate late to Cover 2 - and bring plenty of pressure. That will work against Denver this week.
Other potential options: Pittsburgh Steelers (46.6% rostered; vs. Ravens)