Fantasy Focus Football – Week 14 Waivers: Must-Add Players Before Playoffs!

Podcast: Fantasy Focus Football, ESPN
Hosts: Field Yates, Stefania Bell, Phil Gates, Daniel Dopp
Date: December 2, 2025

Episode Overview

Week 14 marks the final regular season week before fantasy playoffs, so ESPN’s fantasy crew—Field Yates, Stefania Bell, Phil Gates, and Daniel Dopp—breaks down must-add waiver wire options, recaps the Week 13 Monday Night Football game, and provides injury updates to help managers prepare for the postseason run. The episode is threaded with playful banter, real-life league drama, and a tribute to V Week, connected to the fight against cancer.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Monday Night Football Recap: Patriots vs Giants

• Drake May’s Dominance: Patriots rookie QB, continues his MVP-caliber season and is now the odds-on favorite for NFL MVP across major betting markets.
  • “Drake May is good at football, guys. Like, there is no ifs, ands or buts about it.” – Daniel (08:58)
• Dynasty League Tragedy: Story of Jeremy Lundblad losing due to kneel-downs by Drake May for a -0.1 fantasy point margin.
  • “Jeremy had a hundred percent chance to win because he had Drake May last night. Jeremy lost by point one fantasy points because of two Drake May kneel downs at the very end of the game.” – Daniel (01:22)
• Jackson Dart Concerns: Giants’ QB is taking too many hits but refuses to adapt his style, worrying the panel for both real and fantasy football.
  • “Jackson Dart, I know you’re watching. You need to do better for your team and for you... not because anyone thinks you’re soft, but because you need to be there for your team.” – Stefania (09:55)
• Fantasy Impact of Injury Avoidance: Both the Patriots and Giants are moving quarterbacks away from designed runs, lowering floor/ceiling for fantasy.
• Backfield Usage: Patriots’ RB split: Stevenson (58% snaps), Travion Henderson (49%). Panel expects time share to continue.
  • “It looks like this Patriots backfield is going to be about an even split with maybe a slight edge to Stevenson going forward.” – Phil (17:02)
  • “It was all Ramon Dre in the beginning, and then Travion Henderson got six of the final eight running back touches...you can’t count on how that distribution is going.” – Stefania (18:12)
• Patriots’ WRs: Nobody is a “lineup lock” but Kayshawn Booty’s improvement is noted.
  • “Seriously, not sure any Patriot is a lineup lock amongst the wide receivers.” – Phil (22:29)
• Fantasy Consistency Questions: Patriots spreading the ball widely makes start/sit choices difficult.

2. League Updates & Personal Fantasy League Banter

• The hosts update on their Focus League playoff situation, discussing how victory points and matchups may shake out.
• The system they use for playoff qualification (victory points + head-to-head).
• Light-hearted ribbing about in-house staff outperforming the podcast hosts.

3. V Week & Tribute to Jimmy V

• Episode is held on ESPN’s "Giving Tuesday" for V Week—raising funds to fight cancer.
  • “Every donation made during V Week will be matched dollar for dollar up to $1 million, doubling the impact of your donation and making victory over cancer closer than ever.” – Stefania (03:14)
• Reflecting on Jimmy Valvano's inspirational legacy and how anyone, no matter the means, can contribute.
  • “It’s not how much, it’s just the act of giving that can go a long way.” – Phil (03:50)
  • “If you don’t listen to [the Jimmy V speech] once a year, you should.” – Phil (04:37)
• The show’s structure echoes Jimmy V’s “laugh, think, cry” mantra.

4. Playoff Stashes & Injury Updates

• Stash Recommendation:
  • Jaden Reed (GB WR): Returning from lengthy injury, designated to return; versatile playmaker for end-of-season run.
    • “If you want to be sneaky, go ahead and pick up Jaden Reed, wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers...his practice window was opened 11 days ago.” – Stefania (27:13)
• Other Packers WRs:
  • Christian Watson given preference, but group remains risky and matchups vs. Bears upcoming.
• Marvin Harrison Jr. and Drake London: Both “day-to-day” with injuries; updates through the week.

5. Week 14 Waiver Wire Breakdown

The “worst waiver wire of the season,” but still a few candidates in light of critical byes.

• RBs:
  • Kyle Monangai (Bears) – If available
  • Bam Knight (Cardinals): Leading recommendation if Monangai unavailable and you need CMC replacement.
    • “If you did not make future plans to be able to replace CMC this week, it seems like it’s going to be Bam Knight... best option right now.” – Daniel (34:03)
  • Blake Corum (Rams): Insurance play, especially with Kyren Williams dinged up
    • “Love Blake Corum though, in case you needed somebody as far as an insurance back.” – Daniel (36:00)
  • Tyler (unspecified; likely Tyler Allgeier): Also in the insurance stable
• WRs:
  • Jaden Higgins (Colts): Reliable flex; solid rookie breakout down the stretch
  • Isaac Teslaw (Lions): Dart throw if Amon-Ra St. Brown is out; potential for increased targets
• TEs:
  • Dalton Schultz (Texans): Streaming priority, if available (11+ fantasy points in 6 of last 8)
  • Juwan Johnson (Saints): “Safe floor” as #2 weapon behind Chris Olave

6. Jimmy V-Inspired: Stories that Made Us Laugh, Think, or Cry

Laugh

• Jacoby Brissett’s Unexpected Dominance:
  • “18 and a half fantasy points in seven straight weeks...did you know Jacoby Brissett’s the only top 12 quarterback over the last seven weeks?” – Daniel (40:50)
• Jameis Winston QB Fun:
  • “He is the fantasy goodness that delivers...If you just the way he rallies his team. He gets the locker room fired up...You want to watch the game because he makes it more fun.” – Stefania (42:10)
• Trey McBride’s Comical Scoring Streak
  • “No player has finished as a top two player at his position more often this year in a given week than Trey McBride.” – Phil (44:47)

Think

• Future of Trey McBride: What does 2026 hold at QB for the Arizona TE?
  • “Who will tight end one Trey McBride be catching passes from in 2026 and is it going to make a difference?” – Daniel (46:38)
• Landing Spot Matters: Ashton Jeanty – highlighted as a reminder to emphasize context over raw talent in rookie drafts.
  • “It reminds me...You can’t fit square pegs in round holes…system and opportunity matter.” – Stefania (48:06)
• Jameson Williams: When to Start? – His week-to-week volatility drives owners nuts.
  • “Every time I think I have it sized up, he goes for zero...then when I fade him, he had 26.5 [points].” – Phil (52:12)

Cry

• Malik Nabers and the Giants (plus injury woes):
  • “Malik Nabers missed out on basically all of the Jackson Dart fun...I’m just bummed that we didn’t get to see these two kids play together.” – Daniel (53:17)
• Injury Plagues:
  • Multiple major injuries derailed seasons – including Malik Nabers, Cam Skattebo, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Joe Burrow, Tucker Kraft, the entire Vikings offense.
• Justin Jefferson Bust:
  • “Justin Jefferson’s last four games...The high water mark over those last four games is 11.1 fantasy points, 0 touchdowns during that stretch.” – Phil (55:14)

7. Live Listener Mailbag (Key Timestamps and Questions)

Burt Macklin's Question (58:41):
Ashton Jeanty or Rome Odunze in a PPR flex?

• Panel consensus: Ashton Jeanty for steadier usage.
  • “Genti is going to play 90% of the snaps; get a ton of touches.” – Phil (58:54)

Tony Batchelor Jr.'s Question (59:24):
Lamar, Herbert, or Goff at QB?

• Herbert injury update: Had surgery on non-throwing hand.
  • “He can wear protective shield...could play Monday night...depends really how he's feeling and if the Chargers want to put him out there or not.” – Stefania (59:33)
• Consensus: Jared Goff (matchup + health)

Greg's Question (62:04):
Jacoby Myers or Justin Jefferson as a flex play?

• Consensus: Jacoby Myers for reliability; Jefferson’s struggles & Vikings uncertainty make the decision easier.

Notable Quotes

• “If you laugh, you think and you cry, that’s a full day.” – Jimmy V speech (repeated by Phil, 39:54)
• “It’s not how much, it’s just the act of giving that can go a long way.” – Phil (03:50)
• “If you want to be sneaky, go ahead and pick up Jaden Reed, wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers.” – Stefania (27:13)
• “This Patriots backfield is going to be about an even split with maybe a slight edge to Stevenson going forward.” – Phil (17:02)
• “We all want the best for Jackson Dart long term. We want you to want it for yourself.” – Daniel (15:02)
• “No player has finished as a top two player at his position more often this year in a given week than Trey McBride.” – Phil (44:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:44 – Show Start, Monday Night Football Recap
• 09:55 – Stefania’s Jackson Dart Rant
• 16:17 – Patriots Backfield Breakdown
• 22:22 – Patriots Wide Receiver Uncertainty
• 27:13 – Playoff Stash: Jaden Reed Analysis
• 31:35 – Waiver Wire Overview & Priorities
• 39:54 – Jimmy V Mantra: “Laugh, Think, Cry”
• 40:50 – Fantasy Storylines: Laugh
• 46:38 – Fantasy Storylines: Think
• 53:17 – Fantasy Storylines: Cry
• 58:41 – Live Mailbag: Genti vs. Odunze
• 59:24 – Live Mailbag: Lamar vs. Herbert vs. Goff
• 62:04 – Live Mailbag: Jacoby Myers vs. Jefferson

Final Notes

• Winning waiver claims and start/sit decisions this week are particularly crucial given major byes (Patriots, Niners, Giants, Cowboys) and injuries. Be bold, stash smart, and follow the panel’s in-depth injury guidance.
• Donate to The V Foundation for cancer research at v.org.
• “Don’t ever give up.” – Jimmy V

For waiver recommendations, player updates, and motivational wisdom, this week’s Fantasy Focus balances tactical depth and heartfelt inspiration as you prep your team for the playoff push.