Steve Gardner, USA TODAYTue, December 2, 2025 at 7:11 PM UTC·7 min readThe regular season is coming to an end in fantasy football, with one final week to secure a playoff berth and continue your quest for a championship.
There are a few different strategies in play for this round of waiver pickups. For those teams on the proverbial bubble, you need to maximize your chances of winning this week and advancing to the playoffs. For those who have already secured a spot (or possibly a first-round bye) in the postseason, you want to plug holes in your roster and guard against any catastrophic injuries. There's also a third, often-overlooked group of teams in keeper leagues who are out of contention, but still have one more chance to add someone who might be able to contribute next season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWe run through all those possibilities with our final all-encompassing collection of waiver wire targets.
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
Week 1: The New England Patriots' Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.
Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.
Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
2 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: The New England Patriots' Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.3 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.4 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.Fantasy football players to add for Week 14
Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, the players listed here include their availability rates in Yahoo leagues, which may or may not match rates on other platforms. With just one week remaining in the fantasy regular season, it's all-or-nothing time for picking up free agents. (Unless, of course, you can still make claims during the playoffs ...)
RB Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams (16% rostered)
Corum provided a glimpse of his potential value when starter Kyren Williams was forced to the sidelines for an injury check. The second-year pro ripped off a couple nice runs on his way to a team-high 81 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Should anything more serious happen to Williams (he returned to action Sunday and later scored a TD of his own), Corum would be a borderline RB1 in this offense. The only downside is a pair of tough matchups in Week 15 vs. Detroit and Week 16 at Seattle − before a championship week visit to Atlanta. (Recommended FAAB bid: $30)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTE Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars (32% rostered)
With a hip injury to WR Parker Washington coming on the heels of Brian Thomas Jr.'s unspectacular return from an ankle sprain, Strange seems to have emerged as QB Trevor Lawrence's most reliable target. He has eight catches for 138 yards and a TD in the past two games, and seems fully recovered from the hip ailment that landed him on injured reserve earlier in the year. (FAAB bid: $16)
TE Darren Waller, Miami Dolphins (30% rostered)
Also back in action after spending time on IR, Waller caught two of his three targets for 47 yards on Sunday while playing on a limited snap count. He had four TDs in three games before his injury, so he could get back up to speed quickly as the Dolphins have an enticing schedule down the stretch − including the best possible matchup for tight ends in Week 16 against Cincinnati. (FAAB bid: $15)
Dolphins tight end Darren Waller returned from a pectoral injury to catch two passes for a team-high 47 receiving yards in Week 13 vs. the Saints.WR DeVaughn Vele, New Orleans Saints (1% rostered)
The Saints offense isn't marching into the end zone with much regularity these days, but Vele did his best on Sunday to get them there. He caught all eight of his targets for 93 yards and a touchdown at Miami. Fellow wideout Chris Olave also scored, but he's been dealing with back spasms that have limited his targets. Vele could be a sneaky-good pickup for this week at Tampa Bay. (FAAB bid: $12)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWR Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers (1% rostered)
Packers QB Jordan Love has a history of strong finishes in cold weather, so Wicks is worth a look down the stretch. He's coming off his best game of the season on Thanksgiving Day, with six catches for 94 yards and two TDs. The recent emergence of WR Christian Watson may give Wicks an opportunity to stay in the flames this week against the Bears. (FAAB bid: $11)
WR Isaac TeSlaa, Detroit Lions (1% rostered)
Meanwhile, on the other sideline Thursday, the Lions lost star WR Amon-Ra St. Brown to an ankle sprain in the first quarter. While fellow wideout Jameson Williams stepped up big-time (seven catches, 144 yards, TD), TeSlaa got his most extensive playing time of the season. He caught two passes for 35 yards and a score. If St. Brown misses Thursday's tantalizing matchup vs. Dallas as expected, TeSlaa could be even more involved. (FAAB bid: $9)
WR Adonai Mitchell, New York Jets (2% rostered)
Mitchell was the only wide receiver on Sunday's slate of games to top the 100-yard mark, collecting eight receptions and his first NFL touchdown. Inconsistency has been his calling card though, so it will be tough to predict whether he, John Metchie or tight end Mason Taylor will be Tyrod Taylor's preferred target this week against Miami. (FAAB bid: $6)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRB Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills (7% rostered)
The Bills stampeded roughshod over the Steelers on Sunday, with James Cook rolling up 144 rushing yards and Davis chipping in another 62. Like Corum with the Rams, Davis could step in immediately if anything happened to Cook and be a borderline RB1. (Although Josh Allen might steal the short-yardage TDs.) If you have Cook, be sure to add Davis for your playoff push. (FAAB bid: $6)
WR Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears (10% rostered)
Now we're getting into some strategic pickups for keeper leagues. Burden has seen an uptick in targets over the past month, with a season-high six coming on Friday in Philadelphia. He's only scored once, and that was back in Week 3, but he could have a much larger role in the offense next season. He's a nice speculative buy-low pickup. (FAAB bid: $5)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRB Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders (24% rostered)
No one knows what the Commanders might do to bolster their running game next season, but Rodriguez has shown enough promise to be in consideration for the starting gig. It won't hurt to pick him up now. Not to mention, Rodriguez has rushed for a touchdown in three of his last four games and has some nice matchups upcoming. (FAAB bid: $5)
RB Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals (3% rostered)
Purely a depth play, Perine is healthy again and a solid change-of-pace back when the Bengals want to spell starter Chase Brown. The Bengals also have a favorable schedule to close out the fantasy playoffs. (FAAB bid: $4)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWR Jalen Coker, Tennessee Titans (4% rostered)
Coker caught four passes for 47 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, but if you pick him up, you have to deal with QB Cam Ward's inconsistency. (FAAB bid: $3)
WR Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills (35% rostered)
After being a healthy scratch the past two weeks, Coleman returned to action Sunday and caught a touchdown pass. The Bills receiving group is a mess right now, so it's tough to generate excitement for anyone. Perhaps Coleman can figure something out over the offseason, even though evidence so far suggests he won't. (FAAB bid: $2)
QB Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (18% rostered)
Lastly, if you're scanning the waiver wire for an emergency quarterback you can play in a pinch, Young may be your best option in the wake of his three-TD explosion against the Rams. The only problem is, he's on bye this week. Perhaps Trevor Lawrence (52% rostered, home vs. Indianapolis this week) is still out there to fill in for Drake Maye or Jaxson Dart while they're on bye. Otherwise, you've had 13 weeks to prepare yourself for this exact situation. Hopefully, it doesn't cost you a playoff berth.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football NFL Week 14: Best 14 waiver wire pickups
AdvertisementAdvertisement
