Flex Options for Week 14 (Fantasy Football)
We’ve reached the final week of the regular season for most leagues, which means this week comes with a little extra importance as many of you find yourselves in win-or-go-home scenarios already. The fact that four teams are on bye adds an additional layer of fun. Players like Christian McCaffrey, Rico Dowdle, and Wan’Dale Robinson, who have been reliable weekly fantasy options, move to the bench this week as fantasy managers scramble to find fill-in options. If you are in this spot and needing a replacement, look no further than this list I’ve put together, which features some names who aren’t typically in fantasy lineups. These players are all currently ranked outside the top 24 in the Fantasy Footballers’ rankings, but I think they can help you get that all-important win this week to qualify for your league’s playoffs or improve your seed.
Here they are:
Devin Neal, RB, New Orleans Saints
We went with Neal last week in his first career start, and he didn’t exactly blow up for fantasy, but he got the volume we were anticipating and managed to eke out an RB25 finish thanks to 17 opportunities. He should once again see the vast majority of snaps in New Orleans’ backfield this week (assuming Kamara misses another game), and I expect a similar high-floor, low-ceiling output from him this week. Tampa Bay’s notoriously stiff run defense hasn’t been quite so imposing this year, and Neal has showcased a three-down skillset that should make him fairly matchup-proof as long as he’s in the lead role. I’m starting him in a must-win matchup this week, and so should you.
Chris Rodriguez, Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
The Bill Croskey truthers have gone silent over the last few weeks. Not only has Washington’s offense become one of the least productive offenses in the league, but Bill has officially ceded lead-back duties to Chris Rodriguez Jr. Over the past two weeks, Rodriguez Jr. has seen 26 rushing attempts to Bill’s 13, and he’s turned those into back-to-back top-30 finishes at the position. I don’t see Chris Rodriguez Jr. as a league-winner or even a week-winner at this point, but he’s the player to roster in the Commanders’ backfield right now, and he can be started this week against a middling Minnesota rush defense. He should see double-digit carries, including the goal line work, should any present itself in what projects to be a relatively low-scoring affair. I’m not excited to start him, but I think you should over names like Tony Pollard and Isiah Pacheco.
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Adonai Mitchell, WR, New York Jets
Who on Earth saw this coming!? Since being traded to the Jets as part of the Sauce Gardner deal, Adonai Mitchell has blossomed into a viable fantasy option thanks to a steady role as the alpha WR in New York’s offense. Over the past two weeks, Mitchell has played 85%+ of snaps, garnering 19 targets in that time. Last week, he exploded with eight catches for 102 yards and a TD. Garrett Wilson is going to miss at least another game with his knee sprain, so I think Mitchell can be slotted into lineups this week as a high-upside flex option. His matchup with Miami’s much-improved defense isn’t ideal, but he is the type of player who can salvage his fantasy day with one big play. He should see a few opportunities in that department once again this week.
Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Detroit Lions
Detroit’s WR1 Amon-Ra St. Brown suffered an ankle injury last week that ended his day early and figures to hold him out of at least one game. It was an unfortunate circumstance for St. Brown’s fantasy owners, but it paved the way for TeSlaa to play a career-high 92% of snaps en route to his first top-24 fantasy finish. He saw just two targets in the game, but converted one of them for a 17-yard TD, which was enough to just crack the top 24. Should St. Brown miss this week’s game (DNP Monday and Tuesday), I expect much more than two targets for TeSlaa, who would figure to be the No. 2 target in the passing game behind Jameson Williams. The matchup with Dallas this week is a dream scenario for fantasy points, with the game currently sporting a 54.0 point over/under. The big-bodied playmaker might be worth a TD guarantee call in this game, and I would be starting him anywhere he’s on my roster.
Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
This is a confidence play for those of you in the desperate position of starting Jordan Addison this week. It might sound preposterous, but I think JJ “Nine” McCarthy returning to the lineup this week is going to be good for Addison’s fantasy production. The two haven’t been on the same page very often this season, but to be fair, McCarthy has appeared to be on an entirely different chapter than most of his receivers. With that said, the volume has continued to be there for Addison, and I think this matchup with Washington is a get-right opportunity for the Vikings’ offense. I’d certainly PREFER to bench Addison this week, but I’m not sure everyone will be afforded that luxury. If you are facing down options like Quentin Johnston or Keenan Allen against a vaunted Philadelphia secondary, then I believe Addison is the better play. Take that advice for what you will.
