Next week’s waiver wire: Jerick McKinnon, Jalin Hyatt and more players to get you into the fantasy playoffs

Cover 7 | Saturday A daily NFL destination that provides in-depth analysis of football’s biggest stories. Each Saturday, John Laghezza uses a data-backed, formulaic approach to discover future waiver wire headliners… today.

We made it, everyone! Wow, what a ride. Welcome to the ultimate edition of this year’s “Next Week’s Waiver Wire.” I’m switching it up just a bit as we head into this final week of the fantasy regular season, when the sole focus is on the only thing that matters right now — getting to the dance. We’ll use our same formulaic template to identify the best desperation plays and streams for anyone still battling for that invitation. To the lucky few atop the standings with byes locked up, we have some good news for you as well. Keep it tuned right here at The Athletic for my playoff primer early next week. If this series isn’t evidence enough, I assure you we’ll be turning over every stone to get your roster over the finish line.

Quarterback

Available QBs With +37.0 Dropbacks Per Game (Past Three Weeks)

Available QBs With +3.5 Deep Attempts Per Game (Past Three Weeks)

Joe Flacco, CLE — 7.0 Deep Attempts Per Game
Aidan O’Connell, LV — 4.5 Deep Attempts Per Game
Baker Mayfield, TB — 4.0 Deep Attempts Per Game
Mitchell Trubisky, PIT — 4.0 Deep Attempts Per Game
Will Levis, TEN — 3.7 Deep Attempts Per Game
Tommy DeVito, NYG — 3.5 Deep Attempts Per Game

Available QBs With +0.10 Expected Points Added Per Attempt (Past Three Weeks)

Mitchell Trubisky, PIT — 0.41 EPA/Attempt
Tommy DeVito, NYG — 0.34 EPA/Attempt
Jake Browning, CIN — 0.31 EPA/Attempt
Matthew Stafford, LAR — 0.16 EPA/Attempt
Gardner Minshew, IND — 0.15 EPA/Attempt
Will Levis, TEN — 0.11 EPA/Attempt

Once… twice… three times a streamer. Our top desperation quarterback play sounds a lot like last week’s, but if you missed it, I’ll give you one hint — he’s got a wicked mustache and a closet full of dungarees. Gardner Minshew came through for us on Sunday in a matchup-based play against the Titans, resulting in a 312-2-0 performance and the QB9 finish. Shane Steichen’s Colts have shown some giddy-up on offense with an ability to push the envelope when not under constant pressure and, despite his well-deserved reputation, Lou Anarumo hasn’t been able to bandage the Bengals’ extensive defensive injuries. On the season, Cincinnati is a bottom six fantasy defense against the QB position. They rank 30th or worse in Yards Allowed/Game (388.2), Yards Allowed/Play (6.1), Average Drive Distance (38.1), Rushing Success% (58.0), Yards Allowed/Rush (4.8), Yards Before Contact/Rush (1.95), +20 Yard Carries (12), +20 Yard Completions (58) and Splash Plays (222). Woof. The horseshoes should have no problem establishing the run to set up the play action pass attack they execute so well. Michael Pittman, Josh Downs and, dare I say it, Alec Pierce all have a chance to get home in this one.

Week 14 QB Streams Ranked

Gardner Minshew — IND at CIN
Jake Browning — CIN vs IND
Desmond Ridder — ATL vs TB
Josh Dobbs — MIN at LV

Running Back

Available RBs With +6.5 Touches Per Game (Past Three Weeks)

Available RBs With +0.40 Fantasy Points Per Snap (min. 6 Touches; Past Three Weeks)

Available RBs With +40% Touch Per Snap Rate (min. 6 Touches; Past Three Weeks)

Tyler Allgeier, ATL — 62.1% Touch Per Snap Rate
Jeff Wilson, MIA — 54.5% Touch Per Snap Rate
Tank Bigsby, JAC — 50.0% Touch Per Snap Rate
Rico Dowdle, DAL — 45.5% Touch Per Snap Rate
Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN — 40.0% Touch Per Snap Rate

To quote my favorite analyst (me), I wanted to run this thought back and make sure I hammered the point home. With playoff berths up for grabs, it’s every fantasy GM for themselves in a mad dash for the only emergency exit. Face it, there’s no magic answer on the running back waiver wire at this point in the season. So, the best thing any one of us can do right now to get into the playoffs is roll the dice on high-upside contingency RBs, prioritizing underdogs with some command of their team’s pass-catching role. Don’t forget, we’ll be back here early next week for all your playoff needs once the Week 14 dust has settled and our postseason picture gains clarity.

NOTE: Isiah Pacheco hasn’t practiced (shoulder) for KC this week. While there’s been no official determination, you cannot wait on the potential of Jerick McKinnon to move the needle. Even if the Chiefs are a little less exciting than usual, it was one year ago (Week 14 of 2022) when McKinnon went nuclear over a two game stretch — a combined line of 16-74-1 rushing and 15-182-3 receiving.

Top 15 Desperation Running Back Plays For Week 14

Jerick McKinnon, KC vs BUF
Roschon Johnson, CHI vs DET
Tyjae Spears, TEN at MIA
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC vs BUF
Josh Kelley, LAC vs DEN
Ty Johnson, BUF
Samaje Perine, DEN
Chase Brown, CIN
Kenny Gainwell, PHI
Elijah Mitchell, SF
Rico Dowdle, DAL
D’Ernest Johnson, JAC
Tyler Allgeier, ATL
Ty Chandler, MIN
Ameer Abdullah, LV

Wide Receiver

Available WRs With +35.0 Routes Run Per Game (Past Three Weeks)

Available WRs With +23.0% Target Per Route Run (min. 6 Targets; Past Three Weeks)

Malik Heath, GB — 50.0% Target Per Route Run
Kavontae Turpin, DAL — 33.3% Target Per Route Run
Austin Trammell, LAR — 30.0% Target Per Route Run
Dontayvion Wicks, GB — 29.0% Target Per Route Run
Tre Tucker, LV — 28.6% Target Per Route Run
Elijah Moore, CLW — 23.7% Target Per Route Run

Available WRs With +0.50 Fantasy Points Per Route (min. 6 Targets; Past Three Weeks)

Malik Heath, GB — 0.91 Fantasy Points Per Route
Kavontae Turpin, DAL — 0.80 Fantasy Points Per Route
Dontayvion Wicks, GB — 0.63 Fantasy Points Per Route
Darius Slayton, NYG — 0.55 Fantasy Points Per Route
Khalil Shakir, BUF — 0.52 Fantasy Points Per Route
Demarcus Robinson, LAR — 0.52 Fantasy Points Per Route
Parker Washington, JAX — 0.52 Fantasy Points Per Route

Since it’s our last time together (sniffle), I don’t feel as bad playing the classics. As we know, it’s too late to go back and draft again at this point. You can only play the cards that are dealt, and desperate times call for desperate measures. Well, is there a sadder wagon to hitch onto than the New York Giants? The Panthers might have something to say about that, but we can tackle that in the offseason.

Heat up the chicken parm heros and get ready to talk with your hands, as we’re heading to New Jersey. Yes, Big Blue has objectively stunk on offense with Tommy Devito under center — 30th or worse in Plays/Game (52.0), Yards/Game (256.0), EPA/Play (-0.19), Average Drive Distance (20.0), Time Of Possession/Drive (2:00), and 1st Downs/Drive (1.0). That said, expecting growth is not unreasonable and we’ve gotten increasingly better play from Devito as he compiles experience. Amidst a serviceable (437-4-0) two-game run, it appears a rapport is building with Jalin Hyatt, the third-round rookie out of Tennessee with some seriously impressive measurables. Against New England in Week 12, the former Volunteer went for 109 yards, getting starter’s snaps in two-wide sets, overtaking the Giants’ team target share (image below). Devito’s shown the propensity to challenge the secondary downfield, precisely where Green Bay struggles. The Packers have allowed the third-most +20 Yard Completions (13) in the NFL over the past three weeks, so it’s not too much of a stretch to see another ceiling game from a touchdown underdog.

Tight End

Available TEs With +70.0% Route Participation (Past Three Weeks)

Available TEs Earning +4.0 Targets Per Game (Past Three Weeks)

Tyler Conklin, NYJ — 5.7 Targets Per Game
Pat Freiermuth, PIT — 5.7 Targets Per Game
Juwan Johnson, NO — 5.0 Targets Per Game
Michael Mayer, LV — 4.5 Targets Per Game
Gerald Everett, LAC — 4.5 Targets Per Game
Logan Thomas, WAS — 4.3 Targets Per Game
Tanner Hudson, CIN — 4.3 Targets Per Game
Isaiah Likely, BAL — 4.0 Targets Per Game

Available TEs With +30.0 Air Yards Per Game (Past Three Weeks)

Tyler Conklin, NYJ — 49.3 Air Yards Per Game
Pat Freiermuth, PIT — 38.7 Air Yards Per Game
Juwan Johnson, NO — 37.5 Air Yards Per Game
Donald Parham, LAC — 36.7 Air Yards Per Game
Logan Thomas, WAS — 32.3 Air Yards Per Game

Top 10 Desperation Tight End Plays For Week 14

Isaiah Likely, BAL vs LAR
Cole Kmet, CHI vs DET
Tanner Hudson, CIN vs IND
Dawson Knox, BUF at KC
Tucker Kraft, GB at NYG
Juwan Johnson, NO vs CAR
Cade Otton, TB at ATL
Michael Mayer, LV vs MIN
Chigoziem Okonkwo, TEN
Tyler Conklin, NYJ vs HOU

(Photo of Jalin Hyatt: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)

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