Fantasy Football Start/Sit: Week 14

The return of six byes in Week 14 may throw your fantasy football playoff preparations into flux. But they don’t need to stress your fantasy lineup decisions. My Week 14 start and sit column uses comprehensive weekly fantasy projections to rank players and provide discrete fantasy values to help you set your lineups with confidence no matter your format or depth of fantasy league. Read on to find your best bye-week replacements.

The positional rankings and projected fantasy point totals rely on half-PPR scoring. The listed start/sit calls assume a 12-team league with 2 running back, 3 wide receiver, 1 tight end and 1 flex starting lineup spots. If your league is different, I recommend you start my higher ranked players over my lower ranked players.

You can find my weekly rankings and those of other FTN writers here.

Fantasy Football Start/Sit: Week 14

Quarterbacks

5. Jameis Winston, CLV at PIT: 40.1-306-1.81-1.20 and 2.2-7-0.07 = 18.2
6. Jared Goff, DET vs. GB: 29.6-260-2.14-0.68 and 1.5-2-0.04 = 18.1
7. Tua Tagovailoa, MIA vs. NYJ: 35.7-273-1.82-0.64 and 1.9-6-0.03 = 17.7
8. Matthew Stafford, LA vs. BUF: 35.7-269-1.93-0.64 and 1.3-1-0.02 = 17.4
9. Baker Mayfield, TB vs. LV: 33.3-248-1.77-0.87 and 2.7-14-0.11 = 17.4
10. Sam Darnold, MIN vs. ATL: 29.9-247-1.79-0.81 and 3.5-13-0.07 = 17.1

11. Brock Purdy, SF vs. CHI

29.9-250-1.44-0.72 and 3.2-16-0.17 = 17.0

Purdy threw a fantasy-unfriendly 18 pass attempts in Week 13. But that was likely a result of the heavy snow he saw in Buffalo Sunday night. Over the rest of the season, Purdy has averaged a palatable 30.6 attempts per game. And with his 29.9 projected attempts in Week 14, he clings to a fantasy starter spot.

12. Kyler Murray, ARZ vs. SEA

30.3-220-1.15-0.52 and 4.3-34-0.16 = 16.7

More than the Kliff Kingsbury effect, Murray had me nervous for his fantasy prospects because of what looked like another marked decline in his second-half rushing production. But the former No. 1 pick bounced back from some modest rushing totals in Weeks 8-12 with seven attempts and 48 yards in Week 13. And with a projected 34 yards in Week 14, Murray just makes the QB1 fantasy cutoff.

13. Caleb Williams, CHI at SF

34.1-217-1.26-0.44 and 5.2-33-0.07 = 16.6

Williams has produced much better as a passer with his new playcaller Thomas Brown’s lower-air-yard approach the last few weeks. But the rookie’s QB1 fantasy case may hinge on his legs. Williams leads quarterbacks with 142 rushing yards since Week 11. And if he can steal a few carries inside the 5-yard line in the coming weeks, he may make it inside the top 10 at the position in fantasy.

14. Russell Wilson, PIT vs. CLV

31.2-256-1.62-0.56 and 2.6-4-0.10 = 16.6

Wilson’s 414-yard, three-touchdown outburst in Week 13 will likely prove to be an outlier. But the veteran’s career revival with the Steelers in 2024 seems deucedly real. Wilson has a 5.3% highlight throw rate that is tied with Josh Allen for the best among regular quarterbacks, and that pair is well clear of the rest of the field at the position. I’m not sure he’s a fantasy starter without his rushing contributions from his 20s. But Wilson is close to his old QB1 standard.

15. Jordan Love, GB at DET

30.9-253-1.79-0.96 and 1.8-5-0.10 = 16.5

Love looked like a no-brainer fantasy QB1 when he was averaging 3.0 passing touchdowns per game in the first seven weeks. I don’t think he’s any worse as a player now. But the Year 2 starter has thrown a modest five touchdowns in his last five starts as the Packers have shifted more of their red zone focus to the run. Josh Jacobs is tied for the positional lead with 24 red zone carries since Week 8. And the Packers’ newfound balance may render Love a high-end QB2 given his own lack of rushing contributions.

16. Justin Herbert, LAC at KC

29.5-224-1.21-0.21 and 4.2-18-0.11 = 15.8

Herbert has continued to play well in recent weeks. But he crashed back to earth with a meager 23 pass attempts in Week 13 after back-to-back season-high totals of 36 attempts in Weeks 11 and 12. For the season, Herbert has averaged a modest 28.0 pass attempts per game. And his projected 29.5 attempts are fifth lowest of the Week 14 starters. Jim Harbaugh does not run a fantasy-friendly offense for his quarterback.

17. Derek Carr, NO at NYG: 29.9-232-1.44-0.51 and 1.5-5-0.10 = 15.1
18. Geno Smith, SEA at ARZ: 34.9-259-1.15-0.94 and 2.5-13-0.10 = 14.9
19. Aaron Rodgers, NYJ at MIA: 35.1-220-1.58-0.67 and 0.9-3-0.02 = 14.2
20. Kirk Cousins, ATL at MIN: 33.4-256-1.37-1.04 and 1.2-0-0.04 = 13.9
21. Will Levis, TEN vs. JAX: 29.9-207-1.26-0.96 and 4.1-19-0.05 = 13.6
22. Aidan O’Connell, LV at TB: 34.1-229-1.23-0.68 and 1.2-1-0.04 = 13.0
23. Drew Lock, NYG vs. NO: 30.7-189-0.92-0.83 and 3.5-21-0.10 = 12.3
24. Bryce Young, CAR at PHI: 32.0-189-1.06-0.74 and 2.2-11-0.09 = 12.0

Running Backs

8. Bucky Irving, TB vs. LV: 13.5-74-0.55 and 3.6-3.3-27-0.08 = 15.5
9. Aaron Jones Sr., MIN vs. ATL: 15.4-69-0.52 and 3.4-2.8-23-0.16 = 14.7
10. Kenneth Walker III, SEA at ARZ: 15.1-57-0.62 and 4.0-3.4-24-0.10 = 14.1
11. James Conner, ARZ vs. SEA: 15.3-65-0.51 and 3.7-3.0-26-0.07 = 14.0
12. Kyren Williams, LA vs. BUF: 17.1-71-0.74 and 2.2-1.7-11-0.09 = 14.0
13. David Montgomery, DET vs. GB: 13.7-60-0.74 and 2.5-2.2-21-0.04 = 13.8
14. James Cook, BUF at LA: 13.4-62-0.51 and 3.4-2.7-22-0.12 = 13.5
15. Najee Harris, PIT vs. CLV: 17.0-68-0.46 and 3.4-2.7-21-0.06 = 13.3
16. Breece Hall, NYJ at MIA: 14.1-60-0.35 and 4.3-3.2-28-0.12 = 13.1
17. Chuba Hubbard, CAR at PHI: 13.7-67-0.52 and 3.1-2.4-12-0.07 = 12.6
18. Rico Dowdle, DAL vs. CIN: 15.7-70-0.31 and 3.2-2.6-16-0.12 = 12.5
19. D’Andre Swift, CHI at SF: 14.1-55-0.40 and 2.9-2.4-21-0.05 = 11.5
20. Tony Pollard, TEN vs. JAX: 14.0-61-0.31 and 4.0-2.9-17-0.06 = 11.5
21. Tyrone Tracy Jr., NYG vs. NO: 12.9-63-0.32 and 2.6-2.1-15-0.06 = 11.2
22. Isiah Pacheco, KC vs. LAC: 11.5-51-0.41 and 2.2-1.9-13-0.07 = 10.2
23. Isaac Guerendo, SF vs. CHI: 11.8-61-0.37 and 1.2-0.9-7-0.03 = 9.6
24. Nick Chubb, CLV at PIT: 14.3-51-0.52 and 1.3-0.9-6-0.03 = 9.5
25. Jaylen Warren, PIT vs. CLV: 8.6-38-0.21 and 3.7-3.1-23-0.08 = 9.3
26. Travis Etienne Jr., JAX at TEN: 10.5-42-0.33 and 2.6-2.0-12-0.05 = 8.7

27. Kareem Hunt, KC vs. LAC

10.0-37-0.44 and 2.0-1.5-10-0.07 = 8.4

In Isiah Pacheco’s return from his Week 2 broken fibula, he and Hunt saw a more even 37 and 38% snap share split than I anticipated. Maybe Pacheco will reassert his former definitive No. 1 backfield role over the next few weeks. But at least for now, I think you can start both Chiefs backs in fantasy.

28. Rachaad White, TB vs. LV

8.1-32-0.22 and 2.6-2.3-18-0.12 = 8.2

Bucs rookie Bucky Irving submitted a 152-yard breakout performance in Week 13. And with his increasingly stellar efficiencies, he may never look back. But Irving’s success doesn’t mean that his teammate White is finished as a fantasy asset. The relative veteran has played decent 49 and 52% snap shares the last two weeks and could continue to play similar snaps and see targets over the rest of the year with his better size for pass protection.

29. Gus Edwards, LAC at KC

11.3-43-0.43 and 1.1-0.8-6-0.02 = 8.1

He may not have reached a J.K. Dobbins sort of workload. But with Dobbins sidelined, the veteran Edwards outsnapped his teammates Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins 52% versus 26 and 15%. That amounted to a meager six carries, but Edwards should see more when the Chargers see more typical play totals. An Edwards flex start is still mostly a bet on a touchdown, but I think that’s worth it in Week 14 with six teams on bye.

30. Ameer Abdullah, LV at TB

7.7-33-0.23 and 2.9-2.4-15-0.10 = 7.9

I would only consider Abullah or his teammate Sincere McCormick in fantasy if former starters Alexander Mattison and Zamir White continued to miss time. But without those veterans the last two weeks, Abdullah paced the Raiders backfield with 90 and 62% snap shares and with seven combined catches.

31. Tank Bigsby, JAX at TEN

7.2-37-0.26 and 0.9-0.7-5-0.02 = 6.2

Bigsby came close to a 50/50 snap share split with his teammate Travis Etienne Jr. in Week 13, and I would consider starting both backs this week if the Jaguars were at full strength. But with Trevor Lawrence landing on injured reserve, I don’t think you can. Bigsby doesn’t contribute as a receiver the way that Etienne does. He has just four catches all season. And with Mac Jones as the primary quarterback, the Jaguars have generated just 20.0 rushing attempts per game since Week 10.

32. Tyler Allgeier, ATL at MIN: 7.0-32-0.23 and 1.0-0.9-7-0.02 = 5.8
33. Sincere McCormick, LV at TB: 8.2-37-0.20 and 0.9-0.7-4-0.02 = 5.7
34. Jerome Ford, CLV at PIT: 5.2-23-0.10 and 2.7-2.2-13-0.06 = 5.7
35. Zach Charbonnet, SEA at ARZ: 4.5-17-0.18 and 2.7-2.2-14-0.05 = 5.6
36. Raheem Mostert, MIA vs. NYJ: 5.3-23-0.23 and 1.6-1.2-10-0.04 = 5.5
37. Jonathon Brooks, CAR at PHI: 4.8-20-0.15 and 1.6-1.3-10-0.05 = 4.8
38. Devin Singletary, NYG vs. NO: 4.9-20-0.14 and 1.5-1.2-8-0.03 = 4.4
39. Cam Akers, MIN vs. ATL: 6.9-27-0.16 and 0.7-0.6-3-0.02 = 4.4
40. Tyjae Spears, TEN vs. JAX: 3.1-13-0.07 and 2.4-2.0-13-0.05 = 4.3
41. Roschon Johnson, CHI at SF: 4.1-15-0.22 and 1.3-1.0-7-0.03 = 4.2
42. Ray Davis, BUF at LA: 5.9-25-0.17 and 0.4-0.3-3-0.01 = 4.1
43. Braelon Allen, NYJ at MIA: 5.1-19-0.14 and 1.1-0.8-6-0.03 = 3.9
44. Jamaal Williams, NO at NYG: 4.8-18-0.16 and 1.2-0.9-6-0.02 = 3.9
45. Kimani Vidal, LAC at KC: 5.4-20-0.14 and 0.8-0.6-5-0.02 = 3.8
46. Trey Benson, ARZ vs. SEA: 4.7-21-0.12 and 0.4-0.3-3-0.01 = 3.3
47. Chris Brooks, GB at DET: 2.5-11-0.06 and 1.6-1.3-8-0.03 = 3.1
48. Kenneth Gainwell, PHI vs. CAR: 2.8-13-0.10 and 1.0-0.8-5-0.02 = 2.8
49. Emanuel Wilson, GB at DET: 3.7-17-0.08 and 0.6-0.5-3-0.01 = 2.8
50. Cordarrelle Patterson, PIT vs. CLV: 2.2-10-0.06 and 1.0-0.8-5-0.02 = 2.4
51. Blake Corum, LA vs. BUF: 3.7-15-0.10 and 0.1-0.1-1-0.00 = 2.3
52. Jaylen Wright, MIA vs. NYJ: 3.3-14-0.07 and 0.4-0.3-2-0.01 = 2.3
53. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL vs. CIN: 2.7-9-0.08 and 0.8-0.6-4-0.02 = 2.2

Wide Receivers

13. Ladd McConkey, LAC at KC: 7.8-5.6-78-0.35 = 12.7
14. Jauan Jennings, SF vs. CHI: 7.6-5.4-73-0.42 = 12.5
15. Jerry Jeudy, CLV at PIT: 8.5-5.0-80-0.32 = 12.4
16. George Pickens, PIT vs. CLV: 7.9-4.8-75-0.38 = 12.3
17. Jakobi Meyers, LV at TB: 8.8-6.0-70-0.35 = 12.2
18. Jayden Reed, GB at DET: 6.0-4.5-66-0.39 = 12.1
19. DK Metcalf, SEA at ARZ: 8.0-4.8-72-0.39 = 11.9
20. Malik Nabers, NYG vs. NO: 9.9-6.4-63-0.36 = 11.9
21. Garrett Wilson, NYJ at MIA: 9.0-5.7-59-0.42 = 11.3
22. DJ Moore, CHI at SF: 7.9-5.1-57-0.39 = 11.1
23. Brian Thomas Jr., JAX at TEN: 6.4-4.0-64-0.37 = 10.9
24. DeAndre Hopkins, KC vs. LAC: 6.3-4.3-54-0.51 = 10.6
25. Tyreek Hill, MIA vs. NYJ: 6.9-4.6-59-0.37 = 10.4
26. Khalil Shakir, BUF at LA: 6.8-5.6-61-0.24 = 10.3
27. Deebo Samuel Sr., SF vs. CHI: 6.2-3.9-53-0.25 = 9.9
28. Cedric Tillman, CLV at PIT: 7.7-4.5-53-0.36 = 9.7
29. Jordan Addison, MIN vs. ATL: 5.7-3.7-54-0.37 = 9.7
30. Keenan Allen, CHI at SF: 8.4-4.7-50-0.38 = 9.6
31. Marvin Harrison Jr., ARZ vs. SEA: 7.2-3.8-54-0.39 = 9.6
32. Jameson Williams, DET vs. GB: 5.5-3.4-56-0.26 = 9.5
33. DeVonta Smith, PHI vs. CAR: 5.9-4.3-55-0.30 = 9.4
34. Darnell Mooney, ATL at MIN: 6.7-3.9-55-0.28 = 9.1
35. Calvin Ridley, TEN vs. JAX: 7.3-3.6-53-0.29 = 9.0
36. Jaylen Waddle, MIA vs. NYJ: 5.2-3.8-54-0.22 = 8.6

37. Christian Watson, GB at DET

5.1-3.0-50-0.30 = 8.4

Watson played an easy season-high 94% snap share on Thanksgiving with his outside receiver teammate Romeo Doubs sidelined by a concussion. And Doubs has already been ruled out for the Packers’ Thursday night game.

38. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, TEN vs. JAX

5.4-3.0-47-0.36 = 8.3

Westbrook-Ikhine has a 3.86 expected touchdown surplus since Week 9 that is the highest among all wide receivers. He almost certainly will face some touchdown regression. But my system moderates its touchdown projections with expected touchdown regression, and Westbrook-Ikhine still pops with a 12.1% touchdown per reception rate that is effectively tied with Mike Evans’ 12.0% rate at second highest at the position. Westbrook-Ikhine is a totally reasonable flex option for Week 14.

39. Elijah Moore, CLV at PIT

7.2-4.7-45-0.23 = 8.3

Moore may not match his total of 14 targets from Week 13 the rest of this season, especially if Cedric Tillman can return from his concussion Sunday. But new Browns quarterback Jameis Winston is averaging a ridiculous 43.6 pass attempts per game in his five starts. There are plenty of targets to go around.

40. Rome Odunze, CHI at SF

6.7-3.6-47-0.26 = 8.1

It has yet to translate to much fantasy production. But the rookie Odunze has seen 26 combined targets in three weeks since Thomas Brown took over playcalling from fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. And Odunze has a 18.6% target share since Week 8 that is 29th at his position and within shouting distance of his Bears teammates Keenan Allen (22.3%) and DJ Moore (20.2%). Odunze is on the precipice of a fantasy breakout.

41. Xavier Worthy, KC vs. LAC

5.5-3.0-38-0.27 = 7.4

The Rashee Rice rookie breakout comparisons are hopefully debunked by now. But Worthy has made some subtler progress with four, four, and five catches the last three weeks. The speedster had four or more catches just once in Weeks 1-10. His flex starter status may hinge on an explosive touchdown catch. But Worthy has been a bit unlucky in that department with a 0.1 expected touchdown shortfall over the last month. With six teams on bye, I would flex Worthy in Week 14.

42. Xavier Legette, CAR at PHI

5.2-3.3-36-0.27 = 7.1

Legette may not have a definitive No. 1 receiver target share since the Panthers deactivated and then traded Diontae Johnson in Week 8. The rookie’s 17.5% share trails the veteran David Moore at 18.1%, and Adam Thielen and Jalen Coker have alternatingly threatened the lead when they’ve played. But Legette’s rate does rank 33rd highest among receivers in that time and makes him a reasonable flex option with the Bryce Young renaissance.

43. Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG vs. NO

6.5-4.5-33-0.19 = 7.0

Robinson looked like a real second Giants fantasy option behind Malik Nabers with a 24.7% target share in Weeks 1-7 that ranked sixth highest among wide receivers. But since Week 8, Robinson has slipped to a 13.1% target share that is outside the top 50 at the position. And that diminished share and a presumedly lesser quarterback in Drew Lock costs Robinson his former flex starter status.

44. Ray-Ray McCloud, ATL at MIN: 4.8-3.5-38-0.14 = 6.8
45. Adam Thielen, CAR at PHI: 4.6-3.3-38-0.22 = 6.8
46. Quentin Johnston, LAC at KC: 4.8-2.6-36-0.27 = 6.6
47. Sterling Shepard, TB vs. LV: 5.3-3.3-32-0.23 = 6.5
48. Demarcus Robinson, LA vs. BUF: 4.3-2.4-34-0.30 = 6.4
49. Michael Wilson, ARZ vs. SEA: 4.4-2.9-35-0.22 = 6.3
50. Amari Cooper, BUF at LA: 3.8-2.4-36-0.22 = 6.1
51. David Moore, CAR at PHI: 4.9-2.9-33-0.21 = 6.0
52. Parker Washington, JAX at TEN: 4.9-2.8-34-0.20 = 6.0
53. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, NO at NYG: 3.8-2.1-36-0.20 = 5.8
54. Keon Coleman, BUF at LA: 3.5-2.2-34-0.20 = 5.7
55. Joshua Palmer, LAC at KC: 3.8-2.3-34-0.16 = 5.5
56. Jalen Coker, CAR at PHI: 3.9-2.5-32-0.16 = 5.3
57. Tyler Lockett, SEA at ARZ: 3.7-2.5-30-0.17 = 5.3
58. Jalen Tolbert, DAL vs. CIN: 3.8-2.4-28-0.19 = 5.2
59. Tre Tucker, LV at TB: 3.5-2.2-27-0.13 = 5.1
60. Darius Slayton, NYG vs. NO: 3.7-2.2-31-0.12 = 5.0
61. Tyler Boyd, TEN vs. JAX: 3.6-2.6-27-0.13 = 4.8
62. Dontayvion Wicks, GB at DET: 4.2-1.9-25-0.19 = 4.5
63. Ricky Pearsall, SF vs. CHI: 3.1-1.9-24-0.14 = 4.2

Tight Ends

4. Jonnu Smith, MIA vs. NYJ: 7.6-6.0-67-0.38 = 11.9
5. Travis Kelce, KC vs. LAC: 8.8-6.5-58-0.36 = 11.2
6. David Njoku, CLV at PIT: 8.0-5.3-43-0.43 = 9.6
7. Cade Otton, TB vs. LV: 6.6-4.5-42-0.36 = 8.6
8. Evan Engram, JAX at TEN: 7.3-5.4-43-0.25 = 8.6
9. Sam LaPorta, DET vs. GB: 5.3-3.8-43-0.37 = 8.4

10. Tucker Kraft, GB at DET

4.9-3.6-46-0.32 = 8.3

Like his teammate Christian Watson, Kraft enjoyed a bit of a workload bump with a silver-medal total of seven targets in Week 13 with Romeo Doubs sidelined. Don’t let his rogue zero-catch Week 11 deter you. Even the best tight ends have meager fantasy days from time to time. And Kraft ranks 14th at his position with a 13.5% target share this season.

11. T.J. Hockenson, MIN vs. ATL

5.7-4.2-44-0.23 = 7.9

Hockenson played a consistent 45-48% of snaps in his first three games since his late-2023 ACL tear. But in Weeks 12 and 13, the veteran ramped up to 68 and 64% snap shares and saw 15 total targets. He may not be fully back to his pre-injury fantasy value, but Hockenson is at least back to his traditional TE1 standard.

12. Kyle Pitts, ATL at MIN

4.6-3.0-40-0.22 = 6.8

I have a harder time advocating for Pitts after his zero-catch Week 13 than I did arguing for Tucker Kraft after his blanking. But with Mark Andrews, Hunter Henry, Zach Ertz, and Dalton Schultz all out on bye this week, Pitts is competing with some uninspiring fantasy contemporaries for the No. 12 tight end spot. And Pitts still has a top-12 route participation rate of 80.2%. You may not have a better option this week.

13. Cole Kmet, CHI at SF

4.1-3.4-36-0.22 = 6.7

Kmet hasn’t lost any playing time as the Bears have reinvented their receiver room with Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze this year. But he’s lost his featured red zone role. Last year, Kmet tied for 11th among tight ends with nine end zone targets. This year, he has just one.

14. Pat Freiermuth, PIT vs. CLV: 4.0-3.4-36-0.22 = 6.6
15. Jake Ferguson, DAL vs. CIN: 5.2-3.9-34-0.20 = 6.5
16. Mike Gesicki, CIN at DAL: 4.3-3.2-35-0.22 = 6.5
17. Juwan Johnson, NO at NYG: 4.4-3.3-34-0.23 = 6.4
18. Dalton Kincaid, BUF at LA: 5.5-3.2-33-0.21 = 6.1
19. Will Dissly, LAC at KC: 4.4-3.4-33-0.15 = 6.0
20. Noah Gray, KC vs. LAC: 3.0-2.5-29-0.20 = 5.3
21. Foster Moreau, NO at NYG: 3.2-2.2-26-0.20 = 4.9
22. Noah Fant, SEA at ARZ: 3.3-2.7-28-0.11 = 4.8
23. Chig Okonkwo, TEN vs. JAX: 3.3-2.3-25-0.14 = 4.5
24. Ja’Tavion Sanders, CAR at PHI: 2.8-2.2-24-0.15 = 4.4
25. Grant Calcaterra, PHI vs. CAR: 2.8-2.2-24-0.11 = 4.2
26. Tyler Conklin, NYJ at MIA: 3.4-2.3-21-0.14 = 4.1
27. Tanner Hudson, CIN at DAL: 2.9-2.2-20-0.12 = 3.8
28. Darnell Washington, PIT vs. CLV: 2.3-1.7-17-0.11 = 3.2
29. AJ Barner, SEA at ARZ: 2.1-1.6-15-0.11 = 2.9
30. Tommy Tremble, CAR at PHI: 2.2-1.5-15-0.10 = 2.8
31. Dawson Knox, BUF at LA: 1.9-1.3-15-0.10 = 2.8