4 Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 14 (2024) – Sneaky Starts
Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 14 brings another round of lineup challenges and opportunities to find under-the-radar gems. One of the most frustrating parts of fantasy football is setting the right lineup and watching a player you almost started put up big points on your bench.
Starting your superstar players every week, regardless of the matchup, is an easy call. However, what about the rest of your roster?
Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 14
The NFL threw a wrench into the lives of millions this season with six teams facing a Week 14 bye. For fantasy football enthusiasts, this week 14 bye is even more detrimental. With most fantasy football leagues’ playoff schedules set for Weeks 15-17, the Week 14 bye could be a nightmare for owners trying to secure that final playoff spot. Whether you’re trying to hang on to a wild card berth or clinch a top seed, losing key players during this critical stretch is enough to cause panic.
The Ravens, Texans, Broncos, Colts, Patriots, and Commanders are all facing the dreaded Week 14 bye. These teams feature some of the most significant fantasy contributors across all positions. The absence of stars like Lamar Jackson, CJ Stroud, Jonathan Taylor, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Terry McLaurin will leave many owners scrambling for alternatives.
If you’re one of the unlucky ones, here are some of the top streaming options to keep your fantasy team afloat during this challenging week.
Here are four undervalued fantasy football sleepers Week 14 who could provide a significant boost to your lineup.
Will Levis (QB – TEN) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
At the quarterback position, fantasy managers will be without CJ Stroud (Texans), Lamar Jackson (Ravens), and Jayden Daniels (Commanders). For many owners, finding a viable streaming option could be the difference between a playoff berth and a missed opportunity.
Will Levis has been a bit of a disappointment in 2024, to say the least. With the Titans’ inconsistent offense, Levis is currently averaging just over 11 fantasy points per game. However, since returning from injury, he has managed to score over 15 fantasy points in every matchup. While not a flashy option, he’s shown signs of life lately.
In Week 14, Levis will face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have been one of the worst defenses in the NFL all season. Teams have consistently lit up the Jaguars, with over 30 points being scored on them five times this year, including a 52-point barrage by the Detroit Lions. The Jaguars’ secondary has been especially vulnerable, which gives Levis a favorable matchup.
According to NFL.com, Levis is currently available in 99% of one-quarterback leagues. If you’re dealing with a bye-week crisis, you can scoop him up for free. He’s not going to blow you away with elite production, but his upside against a porous Jaguars defense makes him a solid streaming option in Week 14.
Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT) vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 14 is going to leave a lot of owners scrambling for running back options. With key players like Derrick Henry (Ravens), Joe Mixon (Texans), Jonathan Taylor (Colts), Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots), and Brian Robinson (Commanders) all on bye, finding a solid RB2 or flex option will be a challenge.
One player who could help ease the pain is Jaylen Warren of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Warren is currently available in over 30% of leagues and has been playing well since returning from an early-season injury. Recently, his snap share has steadily increased. Additionally, he found the end zone last week in a win against the Cleveland Browns.
In Week 14, Warren gets a rematch with the Browns, this time in a cold-weather matchup in Pittsburgh. While the Browns’ defense has been tough, their lack of motivation (at 3-8) could allow the Steelers to lean heavily on the run game. Warren is not likely to post huge yardage numbers, but his usage, especially near the goal line, makes him a viable RB2 or flex option.
Warren managed to score over 10 fantasy points in their first meeting in Week 12, and while his ceiling may be limited, he is expected to see double-digit touches. For owners who are missing several key players due to the bye week, he provides solid depth and can be a key piece to surviving Week 14.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (WR – TEN) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The wide receiver position is going to be a tough one to fill in Week 14. Stars such as Nico Collins (Texans), Tank Dell (Texans), Zay Flowers (Ravens), Michael Pittman (Colts), Josh Downs (Colts), Cortland Sutton (Broncos), and Terry McLaurin (Commanders) will all be unavailable, leaving many fantasy managers in a bind.
One sleeper who could provide value in this situation is Nick Westbrook-Ikhine of the Tennessee Titans. Westbrook-Ikhine was all but forgotten by fantasy managers for several seasons, given his inconsistent role in the offense. Heading into 2024, few owners even considered him as a potential starter.
But since Week 6, Westbrook-Ikhine has been one of the more productive wide receivers in the NFL. Over the last seven games, he has scored a touchdown in six of them—a number even elite wideouts like Tyreek Hill and Justin Jefferson would envy. While his reception totals have been low, his ability to find the end zone has made him a fantasy asset in deeper formats.
Westbrook-Ikhine has done this with two different quarterbacks at the helm, which speaks to his consistency. With the Titans facing a depleted Jaguars defense in Week 14, he could be in for another big performance. His ability to make big plays downfield gives him a high ceiling in any matchup, and he could serve as a sneaky flex play for fantasy owners needing a Week 14 replacement.
The best part? Westbrook-Ikhine is rostered in less than 10% of leagues, so you can likely find him on the waiver wire. Given his touchdown production, he should be a priority pickup and start in your Week 14 lineup.
Dawson Knox (TE – BUF) @ Los Angeles Rams
The tight end position doesn’t face as significant a hit in Week 14. The primary tight ends affected by the bye week are Hunter Henry (Patriots) and Mark Andrews (Ravens). If you were starting either of these players, you’d need to find a replacement.
One option to consider is Dawson Knox of the Buffalo Bills. While Knox hasn’t been a top-tier fantasy option this season, he has shown the ability to find the end zone in key moments. In Week 14, Knox will face off against the Los Angeles Rams, a defense that has been vulnerable to tight ends in recent weeks.
If you’re struggling to replace a key tight end like Henry or Andrews, Knox is a solid streaming candidate. He’s not going to give you massive yardage totals, but his red zone usage gives him the potential to score, which is all you can ask for from a streaming tight end.
Overall, the Week 14 bye week is going to cause major headaches for many fantasy owners. But if you’re proactive and make the right moves, you can still navigate this challenging week. Take advantage of the waiver wire, scoop up some of these undervalued players, and bolster your lineup for Week 14.
Good luck, and remember: in fantasy football, sometimes a little bit of preparation and smart streaming can make all the difference. Some of these sleepers might even be on the waiver wire in your fantasy football leagues.
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