Fantasy football free agent picks Week 14: Who can replace Christian McCaffrey?

The NFL is a “next man up” league. In a broader sense, this also applies to your fantasy football league. You assembled your team during the draft, but it’s the moves you make over the course of the season that will ultimately determine whether you make the playoffs or plan for next season. Each week, we’ll help you identify the players available in more than 50% of ESPN leagues whose value has improved and who you should add to your roster as starters or as smart reserves for your bench.

It’s the next man’s turn

Guys, get ready because Bye-mageddon is back with a sequel. The Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots and Washington Commanders are all paused this week. That’s a lot of firepower that will remain on the fantasy sideline as teams look to solidify their playoff position.

Sunday night also gave us the biggest fantasy headline of the week. Christian McCaffreyThe San Francisco 49ers’ star running back suffered a suspected PCL injury in his right knee against the Bills. This could jeopardize the rest of his season. That’s bad news, especially since McCaffrey had just returned in Week 10 after missing most of training camp and the first eight games of the season with Achilles tendonitis.

Jordan Mason (used in 41.7% of ESPN leagues) stepped up while McCaffrey was sidelined earlier in the year, averaging 18 touches per game and also scoring the 10th-most fantasy points as the 49ers’ starter despite playing the majority of the missed sixth week. On Sunday Mason delivered again with 13 carries for 78 yards. beginner Isaac Guerendo (1.3%) also found the end zone for the 49ers’ only touchdown.

Mason is a must-have in all leagues. The 49ers have a great running back schedule over the next three weeks, putting Mason in position to post top-10 fantasy RB numbers once again. Guerendo is also worth a look in deeper formats.

Other RB options

Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (32.5%): Against the Texans, Bigsby and Travis Etienne Jr. played a similar number of snaps, but Etienne had more touches (16-8). Bigsby was effective with limited touches in his first game since Week 10. With QB Trevor Lawrence now dealing with a concussion, the Jaguars could opt to rely more on the run, meaning Bigsby could very well see a larger role in the fantasy playoffs.

Jeremy McNichols, Washington Commanders (11.1%): Austin Ekeler’s fantasy season is essentially over, as he won’t return from IR until Week 18 at the earliest. On Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, Brian Robinson Jr. and McNichols split the first three quarters (approx. 60/40), helping the Commanders to a commanding lead. Thanks to that lead, Chris Rodriguez Jr. took over in the fourth period and finished the game with 13 touches and 15.4 fantasy points. Robinson’s 17.9 fantasy points on 17 touches drew attention, but it was McNichols who showed efficiency with his touches, rushing for 32 yards on just six attempts. He is the defensive player who can attack off the back line, especially considering Robinson’s injury history.

Sincere McCormick, Las Vegas Raiders (0.1%): McCormick was the Raiders’ most effective runner this season, rushing for 64 yards on just 12 carries. With this performance he should play a role in the further rotation. However, it’s difficult to trust a Las Vegas running back in fantasy until we have more clarity on the distribution in the backfield, especially with Zamir White and Alexander Mattison returning.

Braelon Allen, New York Jets (22.0%): Breece Hall just doesn’t look 100 percent due to a knee injury. With the Jets’ season all but over, there’s a chance they could close Hall to protect his long-term health. This opens the door for Allen to be a champion in the league. The Jets have the most favorable schedule for running backs on the road, making Allen worth a spot in all formats.

The next QB is coming up

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (37.0%): Williams has been impressive, scoring 20-plus fantasy points in two of his last three games while showcasing his dual-threat ability as a passer and runner. He has now thrown 232 consecutive passes without an interception – a remarkable feat for a rookie. His second-half performance against the Detroit Lions last Thursday was particularly impressive, as he corrected first-half problems with poise and precision. That kind of mental toughness is exactly what you want in a quarterback. Looking ahead, Williams faces the 49ers in Week 13, followed by matchups with the Minnesota Vikings, Lions and Seattle Seahawks. He is a reliable QB2 with QB1 advantage.

Other QB options

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Is Russell Wilson a quality fantasy option at QB?

Eric Karabell breaks down Russell Wilson’s fantasy performance against the Bengals.

Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (43.1%): On Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, Wilson scored a season-high 26.8 fantasy points and threw for more than 400 yards for the third time in his career and first time as a Steeler. He became only the third Steelers QB, joining Ben Roethlisberger and Tommy Maddox, to rush for 400 yards and three touchdowns in a game. While he’s a solid QB2 with upcoming games against the Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs, this was only his second game this season with more than 30 pass attempts, so volume continues to be an issue for his fantasy prospects represents.

Drake Maye, New England Patriots (18.9%): Maye posted his third-best fantasy performance of the season with 19.4 points against the Colts on Sunday. The Patriots’ dual-threat QB has scored more than 17 fantasy points in four of eight games since becoming a starter and has recorded at least five rushing attempts in half of those matchups. After the bye in Week 15, Maye will face an Arizona Cardinals defense that is allowing the 12th-most passing yards per game, making him a solid QB2 option, especially in Superflex leagues.

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (3.8%): Young has made significant progress recently and had one of his best games last Sunday with 23.6 fantasy points. He is the first Panthers QB since Cam Newton in 2012 to record back-to-back 250-yard games without a turnover. With the Dallas Cowboys, Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the fantasy playoff schedule (Weeks 15-17), Young could be a crafty player in deeper Superflex formats. Dallas and Tampa Bay both rank in the top six for most fantasy QB points allowed, making him worth considering in deeper leagues.

Next WR

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans (19.9%): Westbrook-Ikhine has been consistent despite the boom or bust label. He has scored more than 12 fantasy points in five of his last six games (including three with more than 16 points) and has scored more than six goals in three of those meetings – including a season-high eight on Sunday. With favorable playoff matchups against the Jacksonville Jaguars (twice), Bengals and Colts – three defenses in the top 15 for WR fantasy points allowed – he is a solid addition for managers making a playoff push.

More WR options

Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (47.6%): Doubs was ruled out for last week’s Thanksgiving Day game against the Miami Dolphins. However, he practiced for Green Bay on Sunday, suggesting he will return for the Week 14 game against a Lions defense that is giving up the fifth-most WR fantasy points per game. The Packers have the fifth cheapest remaining season schedule for receivers.

Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (35.9%): Bryce Young’s strong play has buoyed Legette and the upcoming schedule is favorable. In his last five games, Legette has caught at least four passes in four of them. He also scored more than nine fantasy points in three of those matchups.

Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers (27.3%): Thielen scored 10 goals and collected 23.9 fantasy points while working primarily from the slot on Sunday against the Buccaneers. It will be interesting to see if that role and volume continues when Jalen Coker returns from his quadriceps injury. For now, though, it’s clear that Young trusts Thielen, making him a top WR pickup this week.

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Parker Washington’s Week 13 fantasy recap

Check out some stats behind Parker Washington’s stellar Week 13 fantasy performance.

Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars (0.9%): Washington capitalized on a great matchup against the Texans, scoring 12 goals and a season-high 24.3 fantasy points. With both Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis out for the season, his role as the Jaguars’ No. 2 receiver is secured. Washington is an excellent replacement for those playing in deeper formats.

The next TE is coming up

Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (41.9%): Freiermuth is heating up at the right time and finished with seven targets and a season-high 18.8 fantasy points against the Bengals on Sunday. That’s two straight games with four-plus catches and double-digit fantasy points. In Week 14, he faces a Browns defense that gives him the eighth-most TE fantasy points. Additionally, the Steelers have the sixth-favorable schedule for tight ends the remainder of the season. Freiermuth is a solid option if you need help on the spot.

Another TE option

Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers (32.9%): Dissly had a difficult game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, finishing the game with just one goal and zero fantasy points, largely due to Ladd McConkey recording 50% of the team’s total target share. However, let’s not forget that Dissly scored more than eight fantasy points five times in Weeks 7-12. With the Chiefs defense allowing the fourth-most TE fantasy points per game, Dissly could have a big rebound this week.