Methodology
In this weekly article, I’m going to look ahead to the following week. I’ll point out a few players below 40% owned on ESPN who have strong matchups next week that you can pick up ahead of time to beat the waiver run. I’ll also try and get ahead of breakouts that could happen in the current week, as predicting breakouts is the best way to save your FAAB budget.
With added IR spots in most leagues, you can also shift injured players there, opening up a roster spot for these options. This season more than any other, it’s essential to remain active and stay ahead of your league mates. I hope you find value in this column and that it helps you succeed on a week-to-week basis.
At this point, we’re looking ahead to the fantasy playoffs in most leagues. For this column, I will assume that you need these players to win in Week 14 specifically. However, I might mention Week 15 or 16 matchups if relevant. Also, I hope you don’t play fantasy football in Week 17, and I won’t worry about that week whatsoever.
I won’t limit myself to any specific number of players or force myself to choose specific positions, outside of a few exceptions. Each week, I’ll provide one look ahead streamer at quarterback and D/ST, as those positions are easy to predict every week. Quarterback streaming mostly comes from the opposing defense and D/ST from the opposing offense, and we know those schedules ahead of time.
I’ve listed the players in the order I would add them to my roster. Let’s jump right in!
Must Adds
There are no players this week that I have as “must-adds.” Every single one of my suggested pickups has some question marks or isn’t necessary for all fantasy owners. Let’s move on to the additions.
Deeper Options
Alexander Mattison, 39.6% owned
Usually, I would say that Mattison is a must-add at this point in the season. He’s one of the best handcuffs in fantasy football, and Dalvin Cook seems to have some injury concerns right now. However, Mattison flopped in his one start in Cook’s place in Week 6, with 10 carries for 26 yards. The Vikings also face the Buccaneers and Bears in Weeks 14 and 15, capping Mattison’s upside. I would add Mattison to my roster, but I don’t think he’s a must-add in all leagues.
Logan Thomas, 35.2% owned
Thomas can’t be a must-add because not every fantasy owner requires a tight end. If you have a top player like Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, or T.J. Hockenson, you don’t need to bother adding Thomas to your team. Thomas also faces a tough matchup in Week 14 versus the 49ers, although he does see the Seahawks in Week 15. Only add Thomas if you have no alternatives and need his guaranteed volume. He’s had four targets in every game this season.
Cam Akers, 26.1% owned
At this point, I prefer Akers over the other Rams’ running backs, Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown. Akers took nine carries for 84 yards in Week 12, and he dominated touches in the second half after an ineffective start from Henderson. However, I can’t imagine trusting any of the Rams’ running backs in my fantasy playoffs unless there’s at least one injury in the backfield. I’d be fine adding Akers to my bench just in case he somehow entirely breaks out in Week 13, but I’m not going to get my hopes up.
Frank Gore, 30.2% owned
I can’t believe that I’m suggesting adding Gore to your roster, but he’s a decent fantasy play over the next few weeks. La’Mical Perine is on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain, and I doubt he returns in 2020. Gore saw 18 carries for 74 yards and had three receptions for 12 yards in his first full game without Perine in Week 12. It’s not even like Gore draws easy matchups, as he faces the Seahawks and Rams in Weeks 14 and 15. But, running back volume is hard to find, and Jets’ head coach Adam Gase loves Gore.
Devontae Booker, 10.0% owned
Starter Josh Jacobs has struggled with various injuries throughout 2020, leaving playing time open for Booker. Booker has 59 carries for 326 yards and three touchdowns so far, averaging 5.5 YPC. While Booker isn’t on Jacobs’ level, he would become an instant RB2 if Jacobs misses time. Booker is essentially like Mattison, although he’s in a slightly less run-focused offense.
Denzel Mims, 7.2% owned
I don’t think there are many flier wide receivers worth adding right now. At this point, you need to focus on rostering high-upside running backs, not depth wide receivers. But, I wanted to highlight Mims for just a second.
Mims has played 90% or more of snaps in his previous four games, and he has 42 or more receiving yards in every game he’s played. The Jets draw an excellent Week 14 matchup against the Seahawks, who struggle immensely versus opposing quarterbacks. It’s going to be tough to trust Mims in your fantasy playoffs, but he’s not a bad option if you’re short-handed at WR.
QB of the Week
Mitchell Trubisky, 5.4% owned
He is purely a desperation play, but Trubisky faces a cupcake matchup against the Texans in Week 14. Trubisky managed a decent 18.78 fantasy points in Week 12 against a tough Packers’ defense, and he now faces an easy matchup in Week 13 against the Lions. I bet that you have better options than adding Trubisky a week in advance, but there are no other streamers to choose.
D/ST of the Week
49ers, 32.8% owned
The 49ers face Washington in Week 14. While Washington’s offense has looked better lately with Alex Smith, I believe the 49ers’ D/ST can put up points against them. They scored 17 points in ESPN standard scoring against the Rams in Week 12 and nine points versus the Saints in Week 10. I have no trouble rolling out the 49ers in my fantasy playoffs, and you can likely also use them in Week 15 against the Cowboys as a bonus.
Thanks for reading this article. You can find me on Twitter at @DFF_Karp. I love to interact with anyone in the community, so reach out at any time! I take fantasy questions and help with all formats, so keep sending those questions my way.
Previous Look Ahead Articles: Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12, Week 13
