As the fantasy football playoffs kick off for many leagues this week, managers are scrambling to optimize their rosters with an eye on crucial matchups in Week 14. According to ESPN fantasy analyst Field Yates, several players are showing promising trends that could make or break postseason runs, while a handful of established stars are faltering at the worst possible time. With the regular season winding down, decisions on who to start, sit, or pick up from waivers have never been more critical, especially in standard ESPN leagues where the tournament begins now.
One of the brightest spots in the trending-up category is Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson, who has emerged as a reliable option in quarterback Jordan Love's passing attack. Watson, known for his deep-ball prowess, has shown improved versatility in recent games, catching at least one touchdown pass and scoring 18 or more fantasy points in two of his last three outings. He has also seen seven or more targets in back-to-back weeks, demonstrating better footwork and separation skills as a one-cut route runner in coach Matt LaFleur's system. "The way I see it, Watson is the prime example of a player trending up at the right time," Yates wrote in his analysis. Managers are advised to slot Watson into flex or WR3 spots for Sunday's matchup at Lambeau Field against the Chicago Bears, where his ability to stretch defenses could pay dividends.
Adding to the optimism for waiver-wire hunters is Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins, who is available in over 60 percent of ESPN leagues. Drafted 34th overall in April's NFL draft, Higgins has begun to live up to his billing as a big-bodied receiver with formation flexibility and strong matchup traits across all field levels. In the Texans' Week 13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, he hauled in all five of his targets for 65 yards, good for 11.5 fantasy points. Over his past four games, Higgins has averaged 12.5 points per game, including touchdown receptions in two contests, while seeing an uptick to 7.0 targets per game during that stretch. Yates recommends considering Higgins as a WR3 in deeper leagues for the Week 14 road game against the Kansas City Chiefs, or grabbing him off waivers in shallower formats to block competitors. "As I said in my ultimate guide to the fantasy football playoffs, this is the time of the season to block other managers in your league," Yates noted. "So, when there is an ascending player like Higgins, you need to act. Scoop him up, or someone else will."
On the running back front, Chicago Bears rookie Kyle Monangai is another ascending talent worth starting in flex positions, particularly in run-heavy offenses. In his first year under new coach Ben Johnson, the Bears have emphasized the ground game, splitting carries between Monangai and veteran D'Andre Swift behind a stout offensive line. Monangai, described by Yates as an "angry, decisive, downhill runner who invites contact," has punched in touchdowns on rushes inside the 10-yard line in four straight games. He has logged at least 12 carries in three of his last four outings, providing significant red-zone upside. Despite facing a tough Green Bay defense that ranks in the top 10 against running backs this Sunday, Yates sees Monangai as a solid flex play in one of the league's most ground-focused systems. The Bears' commitment to the run, bolstered by their "people movers" up front, positions Monangai for continued production as the fantasy playoffs unfold.
Another waiver priority is New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, who exploded for career highs in Week 13's win over the Atlanta Falcons, catching 8 of 12 targets for 102 yards and a touchdown—equating to 24.8 fantasy points. Available in over 75 percent of ESPN leagues, Mitchell's breakout featured a 52-yard deep-ball score, showcasing his 4.32-second 40-yard dash speed. However, Yates highlighted Mitchell's effectiveness on speed outs and underneath routes, where he creates separation with sharp breaks. With veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor delivering accurate throws, Mitchell's target share could expand. While one strong game might not convince everyone in 10-team leagues, Yates urges adding him ahead of the playoffs, citing favorable Week 15 and 16 matchups at Jacksonville and New Orleans. "There's separation ability here to snap off the break," Yates explained. "And with veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor throwing the ball, it is delivered on time. That's how you cash in on targets."
Shifting to players trending downward, Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson remains a lineup staple but with tempered expectations due to ongoing quarterback woes. Jefferson, a perennial fantasy elite, managed just 2.4 points in Week 13's loss to the Seattle Seahawks with undrafted rookie Max Brosmer under center—a season low. Even during Weeks 9-12 with a healthy J.J. McCarthy starting, Jefferson averaged only 11.1 points per game, including two outings under nine points and just one exceeding 60 receiving yards. Yates described Jefferson as a "borderline WR2/Flex in 10-team leagues," attributing the dip to subpar quarterback play in Minnesota's struggling offense. "We're now at the point where Jefferson is a borderline WR2/Flex in 10-team leagues," Yates said. "But we also must be honest about his numbers, which are being directly impacted by the subpar quarterback play in Minnesota." For Week 14 against the Washington Commanders, whose defense ranks in the bottom 10 against wide receivers, Yates still recommends starting Jefferson if McCarthy (listed with a concussion) plays, noting his 9.0 targets per game average from Weeks 9-12. The opportunity exists, but managers should brace for inconsistency.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, the league's premier dual-threat signal-caller, is in a concerning skid that has fantasy owners rethinking their strategies. Jackson has scored fewer than 10 fantasy points in each of his last three games, a far cry from his usual electric production. After averaging 53.8 rushing yards per game in 2024, he has surpassed 50 yards only once this season—in Week 1—and his passing completion percentage sits at 59.8 percent with a 20.2 percent off-target rate since returning from a Week 9 hamstring injury. Yates attributes the slide to a missing "elite dual-threat element," advising managers to roster a backup quarterback entering the playoffs for insurance against tough matchups or underperformance. "Jackson's recent slide in production is why I strongly recommend rostering two quarterbacks heading into the fantasy playoffs," Yates wrote. In Week 14's rivalry clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jackson ranks as a fringe QB1, but Yates suggests switching to alternatives like Jared Goff against the Dallas Cowboys if available. Otherwise, owners must hope for a return to form from the former MVP.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who led the NFL with 46 rushes of 10 or more yards last season, is experiencing a frustrating sophomore campaign in his new uniform. Barkley tallied just 5.6 points—his second-lowest total—in Week 13 against the Bears, despite a favorable matchup, and has topped 20 points only once all year. Yates points to an Eagles offensive line that isn't sustaining blocks or creating creases like it did in 2024, leading to quick-closing holes and more negative plays. Barkley's big runs have evaporated; he now ranks 19th league-wide with 17 such rushes this season, averaging 61.7 yards per game in an offense still searching for identity. "Well, I think we have to start up front with an Eagles offensive line that isn't sustaining blocks or displacing defenders at the same rate we saw in 2024," Yates analyzed. "Those creases of daylight that Saquon usually hits? They are closing quick." For Monday night's Week 14 tilt at the Los Angeles Chargers, Yates recommends deploying Barkley as an RB2 with 12-to-14-point expectations, rather than a lead back. In his own 12-team league, Yates keeps Barkley active but with adjusted projections.
The contrasting trajectories of these players underscore the volatility of fantasy football as playoffs loom, with some leagues starting tournaments this week and others delaying until Week 15. Yates emphasizes monitoring usage, production, and tape, particularly for young receivers like Higgins and Mitchell who offer upside in deeper formats. For veterans like Jefferson, Jackson, and Barkley, the advice is to start them where possible but hedge with alternatives to navigate potential busts.
Broader context reveals a season marked by injuries and quarterback instability affecting top talents. McCarthy's concussion clouds Jefferson's outlook, while Jackson's hamstring recovery lingers. Barkley's integration into Philadelphia's scheme has been slower than anticipated, contrasting his explosive 2024 debut with the Eagles. Meanwhile, ascending players like Watson and Monangai benefit from schematic fits—Love's growing comfort with deep shots and Johnson's run-first philosophy in Chicago.
Looking ahead, Weeks 15 and 16 will be pivotal for playoff survival, with matchups like the Jets' road games against Jacksonville and New Orleans favoring speedsters such as Mitchell. Managers in shallower leagues might prioritize blocking moves on waivers, as Yates suggests, to stifle opponents. For those locked into struggling stars, streaming options at quarterback or flex could prove decisive.
In the end, as fantasy owners finalize Week 14 lineups—from Sunday afternooners at Lambeau and MetLife to Monday Night Football in Los Angeles—these trends offer a roadmap. Whether scooping Higgins off waivers or cautiously starting Jackson against Pittsburgh, the focus remains on maximizing points in a high-stakes stretch. With the NFL regular season nearing its close, these decisions could crown champions or end dreams before the new year.