Week 14 is now in the books. There are numerous storylines to track, but perhaps the most significant is the players turning it on in time for the byes. There were a lot of defensive fireworks in Week 14, so there are more than a few intriguing names on the waiver wire in leagues of all sizes. Let’s take a look at some of the names that may be worth some of your free agent budget.

Linebacker

Matt Milano (LB – BUF): 13%
Matt Milano was excellent in Week 14, exploding for seven solos, two assists, one tackle for loss, one fumble recovery, and two passes defended. Milano can be a frustrating player if you deploy him as an LB2, but as an LB3 option, he is one of the best there is. He has peaks and valleys, but his peaks often see him produce at a high-end LB2 or even an LB1 level. Trot him out there with confidence as a low-end LB2/elite LB3 for a Saturday Night Football matchup against a Miami Dolphins team surrendering the 11th most fantasy points per game to the position.

Leighton Vander Esch (LB – DAL): 13%
LVE was excellent in Week 14, racking up nine solos, five assists, and one tackle for loss. He has been inconsistent this season but looks primed for another strong outing this week against a Jacksonville Jaguars team allowing the seventh most fantasy points to the position. Add and start him as an LB3 option, thanks to the plus matchup.

Devin Lloyd (LB – JAC): 14%
Devin Llyod was back in the starting lineup on Sunday due to Chad Muma being ruled out with an ankle injury. Muma will get the job back when healthy, so don’t go overboard with your FAAB bid, but Llyod could provide sneaky LB2 value if Muma misses an extended period of time. Lloyd tallied four solos and four assists in Week 14 and should be viewed as an 11 vs. 11 flex1 option for Week 15 if Muma is inactive. Add Llyod where available.

Cody Barton (LB – SEA): 14%
Cody Barton had another strong game on Sunday, racking up seven solos, eight assists, and one pass defended. Starting Barton does not come without an element of risk after what happened with his playing time earlier this season, but when he is getting snaps, he consistently provides LB2 value. Barton should be rostered in all competitive leagues heading into the fantasy playoffs. Start him as an LB2 option for a plus Week 15 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers team surrendering the 10th most fantasy points per game to the linebacker position.

Josh Uche (DE/LB – NE): 1%
Uce Uche has been on an absolute tear for the New England Patriots. He exploded yet again in Week 14, this time laying the hammer down with four solos, one assist, three sacks, and three tackles for loss. His turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable, and he has undoubtedly earned himself a lucrative second contract with his elite play. Uche has a sack in five of his last six games. That’s impressive enough, even if he only had one sack in each of those games for five in his last six. However, Uche has amassed an incredible 10 sacks in those contests. Already locked in as a DL2 who should now be in the DL1 conversation, Uche is now a legit LB2 option for the fantasy playoffs regardless of matchup. Long gone in competitive leagues where he qualifies as a DL, Yahoo managers should run to the wire to add Uche wherever available.

Others to consider: Monty Rice (LB – TEN): 0%, Jaylon Smith (LB – NYG): 1%, Ernest Jones (LB – LAR): 7%, Deion Jones (LB – CLE): 3%, Germaine Pratt (LB – CIN): 6%

Defensive Line

Azeez Ojulari (DE/LB – NYG): 0%
Azeez Ojulari was excellent in Week 14, racking up three solos, one assist, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. Ojulari is up to four sacks in his last three healthy games and could be a difference-maker during the fantasy playoffs. One of the most impressive rookie pass rushers last season, Ojulari should be a DL2 or DL3 option going forward, depending on the matchup. Start him with confidence as a DL3 option for a neutral Week 15 matchup against the Washington Commanders. His LB-only designation keeps him as an LB3/LB4 type at Yahoo.

Brandon Graham (DE – PHI): 1%
Brandon Graham went bonkers in Week 14, recording four solos, three sacks, three tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. Up to 5.5 sacks in his last four games, Graham is now one of the hottest pass rushers in the league heading into the fantasy playoffs. Graham has 8.5 sacks on the season despite never seeing more than 50 percent of the snaps and should be treated as a DL3 option for the stretch run. The low snap count will indeed remain a concern, but Graham is too hot to be on benches or the waiver wire. Start him with confidence as a DL3 option for a plus Week 15 matchup against a Chicago Bears team relinquishing the 13th most fantasy points per game to the defensive end position.

Gregory Rousseau (DE – BUF): 8%
Greg Rousseau was excellent in Week 14, tallying two solos, one sack, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. Rousseau is the Bills most talented healthy edge rusher and should continue to lead the rotation in snaps. He will receive extra attention from opposing offensive lines but has developed enough this season to still be an X-factor even without Von Miller on the field. Treat him as a low-end DL2 option for a tough on-paper matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Rousseau should be rostered in all competitive leagues for the fantasy playoffs.

Chandler Jones (DE – LV): 8%
Chandler Jones seems to have woken up at the right time, recording his second straight strong outing, this time tallying one solo, two assists, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He is up to four sacks in his last two games after being blanked all season and needs to be rostered and started going forward. Chandler is DL1 when he is locked in, and his last two showings suggest that he may be getting there. Fire him up as a low-floor DL2 option for a terrific Week 15 revenge game matchup against the New England Patriots teams surrendering the third most fantasy points per game to the defensive end position. Add Chandler wherever available.

Zach Allen (DE – ARI): 8%
Zach Allen was excellent in Week 14, tallying two solos, one sack, one tackle for loss, and yet another pass defended. Allen has turned it on in the second half of the season and has recorded a sack in three of his last four games. An obvious DT1 option where qualified, he is also a strong DE2/DL2 option as long as he is cooking. Treat him as a DL2 option for a tasty Week 15 matchup against a Denver Broncos team gifting the fourth most fantasy points per game to the position.

Others to consider: Josh Allen (DE – JAC): 10%, Obo Okoronkwo (LB – HOU): 0%, A.J. Epenesa (DE – BUF): 0%, Marquis Haynes (LB – CAR): 0%, Travno Walker (DE – JAC): 10%

Defensive Back

Juan Thornhill (S – KC): 0%
Thornhill was excellent in Week 14, racking up five solos, two assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended. Thornhill is not generally known for producing serviceable tackle counts but has recorded five solos in each of his last two games, making him worth a look for the fantasy playoffs. His low floor keeps him as a DB3 option, but his recent hot streak makes him worth plugging in for a neutral Week 15 matchup against the Houston Texans. Add Thornhill where needed.

Ryan Neal (S – SEA): 7%
Ryan Neal was excellent in Week 14, recording six solos, five assists, and one pass defended. He is still dealing with a knee injury that could be a concern on the short week, but he managed to play the full game on Sunday and should be back on the practice field by Wednesday. Neal had quieted down from a hot start after taking over for Jamal Adams but might be ready to heat back up for the final stretch of the fantasy season. Treat Neal as an elite DB3 option for a plus Week 15 matchup against a San Francisco 49ers team allowing the 13th most fantasy points per game to the safety position. Add Neal in all competitive leagues.

Marcus Epps (S – PHI): 1%
Marcus Epps has been incredibly inconsistent this season but could be turning it on at the right time for IDP managers. Epps recorded seven solos, one assist, and one tackle for loss in Week 14 and looks like a solid DB3 option for Week 15, especially for those who may be dealing with injuries at the position and need some cover. Treat Epps as a mid-level DB3 option for a neutral matchup against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Add the young safety where needed.

Logan Ryan (S – TB): 1%
Antoine Winfield and Mike Edwards are dealing with ankle and hamstring injuries, respectively, leaving Logan Ryan in a position to make another start for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ryan was rock solid in Week 14, recording eight solos and one assist, and will likely still get the start if only one of the starters returns this weekend. Ryan has not been much of a tackle maven this season, so he projects as more of a DB4/flex2 for those in deeper 11 vs. 11 IDP leagues. Make the add where needed.

Vonn Bell (S – CIN): 11%
Vonn Bell was excellent in Week 14, tallying five solos, two assists, and 0.5 sacks. Vonn has been nothing more than a DB3-level producer since Week 6 but has heated up over the last two weeks. He is still hard to trust as anything more than a low-end DB2 with a tough on-paper matchup on tap against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Treat Bell as a DB3 option for Week 15.

Others to consider: Andrew Wingard (S – JAC): 0%, Josh Metellus (S – MIN): 0%, Jimmie Ward (CB – SF): 0%, Kerby Joseph (S – DET): 5%, Marcus Williams (S – BAL): 8%

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Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.