The week is nearly wrapped up, and of course there were another round of injuries and surprising performances. As a result, fantasy football managers will be on the lookout for wavier wire additions and replacement options for those injured over the weekend or just to bolster their lineup moving forward. Here are a few players to consider adding via the fantasy football waiver wire this week. And also be sure to check out all of our fantasy football waiver wire pickups for the week.
- More Waiver Wire Picks
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups to Target
Tyrod Taylor (QB – NYJ): 4% Rostered
- Next Opponents: MIA, @JAX, @NO
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: We’ve now had consecutive starts from Tyrod Taylor, who’s turned in two decent fantasy finishes. Against the Ravens in Week 12, he finished as the QB17. In Week 13, Taylor finished inside the top 10 at the position, throwing for 172 yards and a touchdown, and rushing eight times for 44 yards and a score. With 13 rushing attempts across his last two games, Taylor has demonstrated he still has some rushing ability in his 15th NFL season. The Jets have great matchups versus the Dolphins and Jaguars coming up. The Dolphins are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to the quarterback position and the third-most rushing yards to quarterbacks. If you need a quarterback to stream, Taylor has a great opportunity to find a way into the top 12 at the position in Week 14.
Tyler Shough (QB – NO): 7% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @TB, CAR, NYJ
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: It’s tough to watch the Saints right now. Officially out of playoff contention, New Orleans is playing for 2026. Still, someone needs to command this offense, and that lucky individual is Tyler Shough. Last week, in an impressively close game against the Dolphins, Shough finished as a QB1 for fantasy, throwing for 236 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, while rushing six times for 18 yards. In Week 13, the Saints take on the Buccaneers, who have allowed the most fantasy points to the quarterback position since Week 10. During that stretch, the Buccaneers have given up an average of 290 passing yards, 2.5 touchdowns via the air and 0.8 touchdowns on the ground to quarterbacks. It may feel gross to use him, but Shough is a very viable streamer this week.
C.J. Stroud (QB – HOU): 39% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @KC, ARI, LV
- True Value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Whether it’s been Davis Mills or C.J. Stroud under center, the Texans have been rolling. After a big divisional win against the Colts in Week 13, they take their four-game win streak on the road against the Chiefs for Sunday Night Football. This game is massive for both teams. With the AFC Wild Card race neck and neck, both the Chiefs and Texans are currently on the outside looking in. For fantasy, this could be a tough game for both offenses. The Texans are allowing the fewest yards per game, and the Chiefs are allowing the eighth-fewest yards to opposing offenses. Against the Colts on Sunday, Stroud failed to produce a touchdown despite completing 22-of-35 passes for 276 yards. With the Chiefs allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards to opposing running backs, Stroud may be forced to try and move the ball through the air. It’s a tough matchup, but Stroud should be able to produce double-digit fantasy points.
Successful In-Season Fantasy Football Management
Once your fantasy football team is drafted, the work is not over. Successful in-season management is crucial to a winning fantasy football season. Here are some tips to help you manage your team effectively throughout the season:
Stay up to date on player news
Keep track of player injuries, suspensions, and other news that may impact their performance. This will help you make informed decisions about which players to start each week.
Monitor the waiver wire
Keep an eye on the waiver wire and be ready to pick up players who may be undervalued or overlooked by other teams. This can provide valuable depth to your roster. Use our waiver wire assistant to view optimal lineups, waiver and trade suggestions, and league analysis.
Analyze matchups
Analyze the upcoming matchups for your players and opponents to determine which players to start in your lineup each week. Look for favorable matchups and take into account the strength of the opposing team’s defense.
Stay active in trades
Be open to trading players with other teams if it will benefit your team. Analyze the potential impact of a trade before making a decision and negotiate with other teams to find a mutually beneficial agreement.
Be prepared for bye weeks
Plan ahead for bye weeks by having backup players ready to fill in for your starters. Avoid having too many players with the same bye week, which can leave your team short-handed.
Don’t overreact to one bad week
Avoid overreacting to one bad week of performance by a player. Take a long-term view of their performance and evaluate their potential moving forward.
Continuously evaluate your roster
Continuously evaluate your roster throughout the season and make adjustments as needed. Be willing to drop underperforming players or make changes to your lineup if necessary.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
