It’s time to spend the rest of your FAB. All of it. A situation developed just before the Fantasy playoffs that delivered us a potential league-winning running back.
Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle) are going on injured reserve after both were injured in Week 13 at Buffalo. It’s awful timing, especially for McCaffrey, who just returned in Week 10 after being out with an Achilles injury at the start of the season.
Mason was the handcuff for McCaffrey when he was out for the first eight games, but now Mason and McCaffrey will be out until at least Week 18, with McCaffrey not expected to return until the NFL playoffs — if the 49ers make it. And now the spotlight turns to Isaac Guerendo (12 percent rostered on CBS Sports).
The rookie from Louisville, who is 6 feet, 221 pounds and runs a 4.33 40-yard dash, will be the No. 1 running back for San Francisco for the remainder of the year. He should be considered at least a top-20 Fantasy running back in all leagues moving forward, and he’s worth whatever FAB you have left to make sure you can add him.
Guerendo only has two games this season with double digits in carries, but he looked impressive in both. He had 10 carries for 99 yards in Week 6 at Seattle, which included a 76-yard run to end the game. And in Week 8 against Dallas, when Mason injured his shoulder, Guerendo took over with 14 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown and three catches for 17 yards on four targets.
That Cowboys performance is what you hope to see from Guerendo moving forward. Now, this 49ers offense looks different in Week 14 than it did in Week 8, but hopefully they can get back on track starting this week against the Bears.
Getting left tackle Trent Williams (ankle/personal) back would be a huge boost. And Guerendo has a favorable schedule moving forward with matchups against Chicago, the Rams and Miami in the next three weeks.
Patrick Taylor (1 percent) is expected to be the No. 2 running back behind Guerendo, and Taylor is worth adding in deeper leagues. He has been on San Francisco’s practice squad for most of the season, but he does have seven carries for 25 yards and one catch for 12 yards on one target. And Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers will add someone to their running back room as well, so keep an eye on that transaction.
But McCaffrey and Mason getting hurt opens the door for Guerendo to be a difference maker. And Fantasy managers need to add him in all leagues — no matter the cost.
Editor’s note: For this waiver wire column, we are mainly looking at players rostered in less than 65 percent of CBS Sports leagues.
Week 14 Waivers
Injuries: Baker Mayfield (leg), Trevor Lawrence (concussion) and Tommy DeVito (forearm).
On a bye: Lamar Jackson, Bo Nix, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels.
Check to see if available in shallow leagues: Anthony Richardson (73 percent rostered), Russell Wilson (70 percent) and Caleb Williams (69 percent). Richardson is on a bye in Week 14, but he scored at least 25.2 Fantasy points in two of his past three games. He has a tough matchup in Week 15 at Denver, but he closes the Fantasy playoffs with Tennessee and the Giants, which are favorable opponents. It’s worth stashing Richardson on your bench during his bye. … Wilson was awesome in Week 13 at Cincinnati with 32.9 Fantasy points, and hopefully he stays hot in Week 14 against Cleveland. He scored 15.8 Fantasy points against the Browns in the snow in Week 12, but I expect him to do better in the rematch. He should be considered a low-end No. 1 quarterback in Week 14. … Williams scored 30.9 Fantasy points in each of his past two games with Thomas Brown calling plays, and now Brown is the interim head coach after Matt Eberflus was fired. Williams doesn’t have an easy matchup in Week 14 at San Francisco, but his past two games have come against tough defenses in Minnesota and Detroit. Williams is worth using as a low-end starter in all leagues, and then he gets the Vikings and Lions again after facing the 49ers.
Drop candidates: Geno Smith (86 percent rostered), Kirk Cousins (84 percent), Aaron Rodgers (50 percent) and Trevor Lawrence (45 percent). Smith scored 15.7 Fantasy points or less in three games in a row, including 14.4 points against Arizona in Week 12. He faces the Cardinals again in Week 14 before closing the Fantasy season against Green Bay, Minnesota and Chicago, which are all difficult matchups. … Cousins hasn’t thrown a touchdown since Week 9 and has six interceptions in his past three games against New Orleans, Denver and the Chargers. If he continues to struggle he could get benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr., and there’s little reason to trust Cousins in his revenge game at Minnesota in Week 14. … Rodgers has actually scored at least 18 Fantasy points in four of his past five games, but he continues to struggle each week. He could potentially get benched in favor of Tyrod Taylor, and you can’t start Rodgers with any confidence in Week 14 at Miami since the Dolphins are No. 3 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. … Lawrence suffered a concussion in Week 13 against Houston, and he could be shut down for the rest of the season since he’s also dealing with a left shoulder injury. It would be a surprise to see Lawrence play in Week 14 at Tennessee, and it’s safe to drop Lawrence in all one-quarterback leagues.
Add in this order:
Week 14 Waiver Priority List
WAIVER WIRE
Running Backs
Injuries: Christian McCaffrey (knee), Jordan Mason (ankle), Bucky Irving (hip), J.K. Dobbins (knee), Austin Ekeler (concussion), Alexander Mattison (ankle), Zamir White (quadriceps), Roschon Johnson (concussion), MarShawn Lloyd (appendix), Miles Sanders (foot) and Kendre Miller (hamstring).
On a bye: Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Joe Mixon, Jonathan Taylor, Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Brian Robinson Jr. and Jeremy McNichols.
Check to see if available in shallow leagues: Jaylen Warren (85 percent rostered), Gus Edwards (83 percent), Alexander Mattison (78 percent), Jonathon Brooks (76 percent), Ameer Abdullah (71 percent), Tyler Allgeier (67 percent), Jeremy McNichols (66 percent) and Braelon Allen (65 percent). Warren has flex appeal on a weekly basis even while playing in tandem with Najee Harris. Warren has scored at least 10.8 PPR points in three games in a row, and he had a season-high 15.4 PPR points in Week 12 at Cleveland. Warren could be a league-winner if Harris ever missed any time. … Edwards had a disappointing game in Week 13 at Atlanta in the first game without J.K. Dobbins (knee) with just six carries for 32 yards and one catch for 1 yard on one target. He also has a difficult matchup in Week 14 at Kansas City. But then he gets Tampa Bay in Week 15, which is a favorable opponent, and Edwards could be a potential flex option against the Buccaneers. … We’ll see what happens with the Raiders backfield in Week 14 at Tampa Bay, but Mattison would be the preferred option if he’s able to return from his two-game absence from an ankle injury. If he’s out again then I like Abdullah as a flex option in PPR, and he scored at least 10.7 PPR points in two of his past three games. … Brooks had six carries for 18 yards and three catches for 23 yards on three targets in Week 13 against Tampa Bay, and we’ll see if his role continues to grow. Chuba Hubbard remains the No. 1 running back for the Panthers, but Brooks is worth stashing in all leagues as a potential lottery ticket. … Allgeier is worth adding in all leagues as the handcuff for Bijan Robinson. If Robinson were to miss any time then Allgeier would be a must-start running back in all leagues. … Even though Chris Rodriguez Jr. outplayed McNichols in Week 13 against Tennessee, I still like McNichols as the new No. 2 running back in Washington behind Brian Robinson Jr. with Ekeler out. It’s not a bad idea to stash McNichols even with Washington a bye. … Allen is worth adding in all leagues as the handcuff for Breece Hall. If Hall were to miss any time then Allen would be a must-start running back in all leagues.
Drop candidates: Christian McCaffrey (100 percent rostered), J.K. Dobbins (93 percent), Austin Ekeler (83 percent) and Jordan Mason (66 percent). McCaffrey and Mason will be out for the rest of the Fantasy season and can’t return off injured reserve until Week 18. … Dobbins and Ekeler are not eligible to return until Week 17, so you can stash them on IR if you want, but it’s doubtful you’ll be starting either one in your Fantasy championship.
Add in this order:
Week 14 Waiver Priority List
WAIVER WIRE
Wide Receivers
Injuries: DK Metcalf (knee), DeVonta Smith (hamstring), Ladd McConkey (knee), CeeDee Lamb (shoulder), Josh Downs (shoulder), Cedric Tillman (concussion), Romeo Doubs (concussion), Keon Coleman (wrist), Chris Olave (concussion), Rashod Bateman (knee), Demarcus Robinson (hand), Noah Brown (ribs), Allen Lazard (chest), Gabe Davis (knee) and Jalen Coker (quadriceps).
On a bye: Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Courtland Sutton, Devaughn Vele, Marvin Mims, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Josh Downs, Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, Demario Douglas, Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown.
Check to see if available in shallow leagues: Michael Pittman (85 percent rostered), Keenan Allen (76 percent), Cedric Tillman (74 percent), Rome Odunze (73 percent), Romeo Doubs (70 percent), Chris Olave (69 percent), Christian Watson (68 percent) and Keon Coleman (66 percent). We’ll see if Downs can return in Week 15 after the bye, but Pittman has become a go-to option for Anthony Richardson with 22 targets in his past three games. Now, he only has one game with double digits in PPR over that span, but he can be a potential No. 3 receiver moving forward if Downs remains out. … Allen is a must-roster player in all leagues, and he has taken off since Thomas Brown took over calling plays in Chicago. Allen has 31 targets in his past three games, and he scored at least 23.6 PPR points in his past two outings against Minnesota and Detroit. He’s worth starting in all leagues in Week 14 at San Francisco. And Odunze has 26 targets since Brown started calling plays, but he’s scored 12.5 PPR points, 8.9 PPR points and 4.5 PPR points in those outings. Still, if he continues to average more than eight targets per game, good things should happen, so stash him where available. … Tillman missed Week 13 at Denver with a concussion, but hopefully he can return in Week 14 at Pittsburgh. He scored at least 19.5 PPR points in his first two starts with Jameis Winston and 28 targets in three outings with Winston. He can be a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues when healthy. … We’ll see if Doubs can play in Week 14 at Detroit after missing Week 13 against Miami with a concussion. He’s slowed down lately with 8.4 PPR points or less in three games in a row, but he’s still capable of being a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues when healthy. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Watson has a big game in Week 14 against the Lions, who are No. 4 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. If you need help at receiver this week then go back to Watson if he’s on waivers. … Olave is eligible to come off injured reserve in Week 15, and hopefully he’ll return to finish out the season. When healthy, he can still be a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues, but there’s no guarantee he plays again in 2024 after suffering multiple concussions. … Coleman could return in Week 14 at the Rams after being out for the past three games with a wrist injury. Prior to getting hurt in Week 9 against Miami, Coleman had scored at least 16.5 PPR points in each of his previous two games.
Drop candidates: Tank Dell (98 percent rostered), Amari Cooper (97 percent), Tyler Lockett (64 percent), Wan’Dale Robinson (54 percent) and Rashod Bateman (52 percent). Dell has scored 10.2 PPR points or less in four games in a row, and he’s been held to under 40 yards in two of those outings, including no touchdowns over that span. There’s little incentive to roster him in 10-team leagues with Houston on a bye in Week 14. … Cooper has five catches for 67 yards and no touchdowns on six targets in his past two games. One of those games was at Kansas City and the other was against San Francisco in the snow, but he hasn’t been productive since joining the Bills. And now Coleman could be coming back in Week 14. Cooper should be held in 12-team leagues, but you can drop him in 10-team formats. … Lockett has scored 8.5 PPR points or less in five of his past six games, including three in a row, and he hasn’t topped 20 receiving yards since Week 9. There’s little reason to trust him in most leagues heading into Week 14 at Arizona. … Robinson has scored 10.1 PPR points or less in seven games in a row and hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 5. He had a season-low two targets and 6 yards in Week 13 at Dallas, and the quarterback situation for the Giants is a mess. It’s safe to drop Robinson in all leagues. … Bateman has a knee injury that will hopefully be OK, but he’s also on a bye in Week 14. You can drop Bateman on his bye, and if he’s healthy for Week 15 then you can add him again.
Add in this order:
Week 14 Waiver Priority List
Injuries: Taysom Hill (knee), Dallas Goedert (knee), Dalton Kincaid (knee), Jake Ferguson (concussion), Theo Johnson (foot) and Ja’Tavion Sanders (neck).
On a bye: Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Dalton Schultz, Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper and Zach Ertz.
Check to see if available in shallow leagues: Hunter Henry (75 percent rostered), Tucker Kraft (74 percent) and Dalton Kincaid (72 percent). Henry is worth adding even with New England on a bye in Week 14, and he scored at least 12.3 PPR points in five of his past eight games. He also has at least eight targets in three games in a row. … Kraft had a solid game in Week 13 against Miami with six catches for 78 yards on seven targets, and he scored at least 10.6 PPR points for the fourth time in his past five games. He has a tough matchup in Week 14 at Detroit since the Lions are No. 1 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends, but Kraft could benefit if Romeo Doubs (concussion) remains out for the second game in a row. … Kincaid will hopefully return from his two-game absence with a knee injury in Week 14 at the Rams, and he would be considered a low-end starter in all leagues since the Rams are No. 9 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends. Prior to getting hurt in Week 10 at Indianapolis, Kincaid had scored at least 11.1 PPR points in two of his previous four games.
Drop candidates: Taysom Hill (95 percent rostered), Kyle Pitts (88 percent) and Cole Kmet (55 percent). Hill is out for the season with a torn ACL. … Pitts has scored 9.5 PPR points or less in four games in a row and has five targets in his past two outings with one catch for 9 yards. … Kmet has scored 7.2 PPR points or less in five of his past six games and hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 6.
Add in this order:
Week 14 Waiver Priority List
DST streamers
- Saints (32 percent rostered) at NYG
- Dolphins (42 percent rostered) vs. NYJ
- Cardinals (39 percent rostered) vs. SEA
- Seahawks (46 percent rostered) at ARI
- Titans (17 percent rostered) vs. JAC
Kicker streamers
- John Parker Romo (13 percent rostered) vs. ATL
- Evan McPherson (34 percent rostered) at DAL
- Tyler Bass (55 percent rostered) at LAR
- Matthew Wright (12 percent rostered) vs. LAC
- Jason Myers (59 percent rostered) at ARI
Who should you start and sit this week? And which surprising quarterback could lead you to victory? Visit SportsLine now to get Week 14 Fantasy projections for every position, plus see which quarterback comes out of nowhere to crack the top 10, all from the model that has outperformed experts big-time.
