Top-6 Fantasy Surprises from Week 14

I compiled a top-6 list of the most surprising fantasy finishes that were successful but may not continue down that path. The list should be used as a guideline for the waiver wire. 

For the following, the quarterbacks I list should not continue to fall within the top 12; running backs and wide receivers are flex options or below. For the week, all players are within the top 24 (QBs are within the top 12). 

Without further ado, here are my guys from Week 14.

Quarterbacks

Desmond Ridder– Ridder completed 26 of 40 passes for 347 yards and one touchdown while rushing for another 15 yards and a score. His touchdown went to Kyle Pitts for 36 yards. Even though the Falcons lost to Tampa Bay, Ridder had his best fantasy output of 28.9 points in a QB2 performance. It was also his career-high in yards while throwing for multiple touchdowns for the fourth time this season. Unfortunately, Ridder has been too inconsistent and has just five performances in the top 12 in 12 weeks.

Others to Mention: Joe Flacco, Bailey Zappe

Running Backs

Chase Brown– Brown finished as the RB10 as he did most of the damage through the air, He caught a screen pass that he took for 54 yards and the score. He brought in two other passes for 26 additional yards. Brown also contributed on the ground with 25 yards on eight carries. Brown has looked impressive as a rookie after recovering from a hamstring injury, but Joe Mixon is the main ball carrier, and that won’t change soon.

Rico Dowdle– Dowdle has made the list before but has been too inconsistent to stay away. He also made the list due to scoring touchdowns. He scored again in the shellacking of the Philadelphia Eagles. The score came from one yard away and needed a replay to confirm. Dowdle carried the rock 12 times for 46 yards and caught his only target for an additional six. Dowdle almost saw as many carries as starter Tony Pollard (16) and it was the third time in the last five games that he has gotten double-digit touches. 

Others to Mention: Ezekial Elliot, Tyjae Spears

Wide Receivers

Michael Gallup– Gallup entered the top 24 for the second time this season. His last was in Week 10 against the New York Giants when he scored 15 points. In Week 14, Gallup caught three passes on five targets for 48 yards and a touchdown. The score came in the second quarter right before time expired from the one-yard line. It was only the second time Gallup has gotten into the end zone this season, and he is the number three receiver behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks.

Odell Beckham Jr.– Beckham was heavily targeted (10) but only came down with four receptions. He did the most with them, gaining 97 yards and a touchdown. His score came from 46 yards in the second quarter. Beckham has shown up lately by having double-digit points in four of his last five contests. 

Others to Mention: Wan’Dale Robinson, Josh Reynolds, Demarcus Robinson