TOYOTA TUNDRA – PICKUPS OF THE WEEK

This week, Yahoo! Sports fantasy expert Brad Evans looks at eight intriguing fantasy football players, and a defense, likely to be available on the waiver wire in fantasy leagues.

Solid Buy (12-teams plus) Efficient, smart, cool under pressure, Wilson a rising star

Russell Wilson (QB) Seattle Seahawks
Only a handful of weeks ago, Wilson's starting status was in jeopardy. Turnovers and inconsistent road play had locals clamoring for expensive backup Matt Flynn. But critics are no longer crowing. The rookie has tallied a string of admirable performances both home and away. Over his past four games, he's posted a QB rating of at least 100.0 in each contest, totaling a remarkable 9:0 TD:INT split. Due to the dink-and-dunk nature of Pete Carroll's West Coast brand, his yardage output hasn't wowed the fantasy community. However, presented with an exploitable matchup at home against Arizona, he's in prime position to total 220-240 yards and 2-3 TDs. Debate his merits as a QB1 in 12-team and deeper leagues.

• ATT/CMP 201/317

• CMP% 63.4

• YDS/G 195.3

• TDs 19

• INTs 8

• Y% 22

• FAAB $8

Strong Buy (10-teams plus) Pittsburgh battering ram ready to dish out punishment

Jonathan Dwyer (RB) Pittsburgh Steelers
The contagious case of fumbilitis that rolled through the Pittsburgh backfield two weeks ago granted Dwyer the luxury of full-time carries in Week 13. His final stat line was far from earth-shattering, but given the circumstances (e.g. undesirable matchup, ancient, useless QB under center) he played admirably in Baltimore, totaling 57 total yards on 19 touches with a TD. Ben Roethlisberger's possible return and friendlier matchup could churn the locomotive's wheels. San Diego, which allowed 118 yards to BenJarvus Green-Ellis on Sunday, has loosened up in the trenches. Still available in just over half of Yahoo! leagues, Dwyer is a trustworthy RB2 even in 10-teamers.

• RUSH/G 12.6

• YDS/G 53.1

• YPC 4.2

• REC/YDS 14/79

• TDs 1

• Y% 41

• FAAB $23

Strong Buy (12-team leagues plus) Sorrowful Saints D on horizon for rookie

David Wilson (RB) New York Giants
Coming into the season, the buzz surrounding Wilson was deafening. The highly touted rookie was expected to shoulder the light end of New York's projected 60-40 split, and possibly more given Ahmad Bradshaw's generally brittle state. But fumbling against the Cowboys opening night placed him in Tom Coughlin's doghouse. Several weeks later, Wilson is back where he started. Andre Brown's season-ending leg injury in Week 12 paved the way for Wilson to log a noteworthy load on Monday. Unfortunately, he netted just four carries for nine yards. Though he barely made a peep, the youngster could finally splash onto the scene this week against New Orleans. On the year, the Saints have given up 5.1 yards per carry and 182.3 total yards per game to RBs, equal to the most fantasy points allowed. On roughly 10-12 touches, he is a strong candidate for 60-80 total yards and a TD.

• RUSH/G 2.1

• YDS/G 9.3

• YPC 4.3

• REC/YDS 2/8

• TDs 1

• Y% 13

• FAAB $17

Solid Buy (12-team leagues plus) Former fourth-stringer next man up for Jags

Montell Owens (RB) Jacksonville Jaguars
Another week and another injury at RB for Jacksonville. With Maurice Jones-Drew and Jalen Parmele down and out with setbacks, Rashad Jennings was reinserted into the starting lineup last week in Buffalo. Naturally, he lasted a whopping one quarter, exiting stage left with a concussion. Given the NFL's rigid post-concussion protocol, Jennings is a long shot to suit up in Week 14, elevating the special teamer into the pole position. Run-blocking continues to be problematic for the Jags. No teal-clad rusher has surpassed the century mark since Week 3. But with the dreadful Jets in town, Owens is an above average flex play for trophy-seeking owners. On the year, the Puddle Jumpers have yielded the seventh-most fantasy points to rushers.

• RUSH 7

• YDS 29

• YPC 4.1

• REC/YDS 2/19

• TDs 0

• Y% 1

• FAAB $12

Strong Buy (12-teams plus) Precious metal's stock rising rapidly

Golden Tate (WR) Seattle Seahawks
In the eyes of many, Tate's fantasy value is more bronze than Golden. Currently No. 40 at WR in per game average, he hasn't exactly lit up the scoreboard. However, over Seattle's past four games, he's been a highly productive receiver. During that stretch he's hauled in 15 passes for 233 yards and four touchdowns. He's also contributed meaningful numbers on the ground and even threw a TD pass. Arizona's Patrick Peterson is a marvelous cover-man, but the rest of the Cardinals secondary is suspect at best. Since Week 7, seven wideouts have reached 10-fantasy points against it. Flex him in deeper formats.

• TGT/G 4.8

• REC/G 3.1

• YDS/G 44.2

• YPC 13.9

• TDs 7

• Y% 18

• FAAB $11

Solid Buy (12-team leagues plus) With Broyles cooked, former Jag set to purr

Mike Thomas (WR) Detroit Lions
Rookie Ryan Broyles, who sliced and diced the Texans for 126 yards on Thanksgiving Day, was on the fast-track to fantasy stardom. But forced out of action early in Week 13 due to a knee injury, his freshman campaign is over after tests revealed a torn ACL. With Titus Young buried in a deep self-created hole, Thomas is slated to step in to fill the void opposite Calvin Johnson. The veteran offers little long-term upside, but in what will likely be a high volume affair in Green Bay, he is prime Shocker Special material. Single coverages will be aplenty. Roll the dice in deep leagues.

• TGTS/G 3.7

• REC/G 1.6

• YDS/G 9.6

• YPC 6.0

• TDs 1

• Y% 3

• FAAB $8

Strong Buy (10-teams plus) Long distance threat to dial up fantasy points

Chris Givens (WR) St. Louis Rams
In the Year of the Rookie, the first-year wideout hasn't earned much fanfare. He really should. The league's record holder for consecutive games with a 50-yard reception has delivered very useful numbers on occasion, especially when Danny Amendola has contributed minimally or not at all. In his past seven games, Givens has a tallied at least 8.0 fantasy points six times. His 11 receptions for 92 yards against San Francisco was quite impactful in PPR formats and proved he's more than just a deep threat. Weather in Buffalo this time of year is usually treacherous. But if Mother Nature treats Western New York kindly this coming Sunday, the Ram is in line to deliver top-flight WR3 numbers. Nine WRs since Week 4 have scored at least 10 fantasy points against the Bills. Air it out.

• TGT/G 5.2

• REC/G 3.0

• YDS/G 50.8

• YPC 16.9

• TDs 3

• Y% 19

• FAAB $15

Moderate Buy (12-teams plus) The Chef could cook up dandy numbers in Week 14

Tony Scheffler (TE) Detroit Lions
Another afterthought that could sprint to the fantasy forefront with Broyles sidelined is Scheffler. The oversized target, who is a very underrated receiver, worked exclusively out of the slot once the rookie's day was done. Scheffler exited briefly late in the second after experiencing wooziness, but he managed to return for the second half. In total he finished with three receptions for 55 yards on five targets. His role could be even bigger in Week 14. The Lions face division rival Green Bay at Lambeau Field, a game that will surely have scoreboard operators working overtime. For those angling for a one-week wonder at TE, let The Chef serve you a platter of points.

• TGT/G 5.0

• REC/G 2.4

• YDS 32.1

• YPC 13.1

• TDs 0

• Y% 2

• FAAB $6

Moderate Buy (12-teams plus) Week 14 QB Plug n' Play

Brandon Weeden (QB) Cleveland Browns
Roughly five years ago, some football analysts would have willingly complimented Weeden. But in a pass-heavy age, high praise for the signal caller has been rare. Though uneven and clearly not in the same class as Andrew Luck, RGIII and Wilson, he really hasn't performed all that poorly. His completion percentage and yards per game are similar to what Peyton Manning recorded in his rookie season. Still, given the era, the Brown is largely marginal. This week, however, could be one of his finest efforts to date. Outside of corner Brandon Flowers, the Chiefs are a very forgiving defense. They've allowed six multi-TD passers in their past seven games. With Josh Gordon and Trent Richardson at his disposal, Weeden is a viable candidate for 240-260 passing yards and 2-3 scores this week. Contemplate his services in challenging leagues.

• ATT/CMP 247/433

• CMP% 57.0

• YDS/G 235.0

• TDs 13

• INTs 15

• Y% 11

• FAAB $6

Strong Buy (all leagues) Week 14 DEF Plug n' Play

Cleveland Browns Defense/Special Teams
In this space over the past several years, the Chihuahuas have usually been the subject of streaming against, not vice versa. But credit to ex-Bears head honcho Dick Jauron, Cleveland's defense has steadily improved over the past couple weeks. Since Week 11, the Browns have forced 10 turnovers and racked nine sacks, a statistical outburst that's pushed them to No. 13 in per game average at D/ST on the season. Fantasy owners are very familiar with the trials and tribulations of Kansas City offensively. Though they've played decently over their past two games, the Chiefs have yielded 25 sacks, and a NFL-high 32 turnovers in 12 games. Because of the favorable matchup, home environment and Cleveland's emerging play, expect the Browns to rake by the lake.

• PA 22.0

• YDSA/G 367.7

• SCKS 29

• TOs 26

• TDs 2

• Y% 11

• FAAB $5

Other Week 14 Pickups: Sam Bradford, StL, QB, Knowshon Moreno, Den, RB, Bilal Powell, NYJ, RB, Pierre Thomas, NO, RB, James Starks, GB, RB, Ben Tate, Hou, RB, Riley Cooper, Phi, WR, Emmanuel Sanders, Pit, WR, Josh Gordon, Cle, WR, Dennis Pitta, Bal, TE, Dwayne Allen, Ind, TE