FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Week 14 WR Rankings & Tiers: Studs, Sleepers, and Must-Starts (Ep. 1876)

Date: December 3, 2025
Hosts: Chris Welsh, Pat Fitzmaurice, Andrew Erickson

Episode Overview

This episode of the FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast focuses on wide receiver (WR) rankings and tiers for Week 14 of the 2025 fantasy football season—the pivotal week for most leagues, with playoff spots on the line. Hosts Chris Welsh, Pat Fitzmaurice, and Andrew Erickson examine the week’s top WR plays, debate contentious rankings, discuss key matchups, and help listeners navigate start/sit decisions. The tone is conversational, insightful, and occasionally self-deprecating, full of friendly banter and sharp fantasy insight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recapping Fantasy Progress & Ranks Accuracy

• Playoff Updates: All three hosts discuss their playoff hopes and heartbreaks, setting a competitive, light mood.
• Rankings Contest: Quick kudos to industry rankers; Erickson gets a shoutout for placing 4th in WR rankings for Week 13 (04:26).

2. WR1 Tier (Top 12): Breaking Down the Studs

• Top 6 Overview: Jackson Smith-Njigba, Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb, Rashee Rice, Puka Nacua, George Pickens.
• Rashee Rice Hype & Caution (07:22–10:15):
  • Pat (High on Rice, Rank 3): “Texans are kind of a slot funnel... Rashee Rice just shows up week after week. He’s averaging seven catches and 81 yards and has scored six TDs in six games since coming back from suspension.”
  • Erickson (Lower at 7): “This is the best defense the Chiefs have faced... I don’t think this is the Rice ceiling week. Last week was. I’m searching for ceiling, I’m taking Jamison Williams over Rice.”
  • Discussion: Both agree Rice is safe but question his ultimate ceiling this week.
• Nico Collins vs. Rice: Both agree there is a tier gap between them; Rice has more touchdown equity and safer volume.

3. Finding the Tier Breaks (12:16)

• Pat: “I’m gonna have a tier break this week between Jamison Williams and Nico Collins.”

4. WR2 Tier (13–24): Dilemmas, Hopes, & Hard Calls

Justin Jefferson — To Start or Not? (13:47–17:47)

• Pat (Lower, WR19):
  • “I’ve tried to be the crewman on the Titanic and go down with the ship... but I’m sort of done with that. We just keep waiting for the big Jefferson game but the Vikings have gotten the worst quarterbacking of any NFL team this season. He’s had under 50 yards in four of his last five.”
• Erickson (Higher, WR14):
  • “This is a significantly better spot for Jefferson... I just think the optics are significantly better. Back at home, dome game, O-line healthier, Commanders are terrible on defense. So I think Jefferson bounces back here.”
• Debate: Pat is pessimistic; Erickson calls it “blind optimism” but likes the matchup.

Christian Watson — Ride the Heat or Fear the Floor? (17:59–23:54)

• Erickson (High, WR16): “[Watson’s] been really good... dominated targets. He’s just so explosive. But Dobbs’s return could cut into targets.”
• Pat (Lower, WR21): “He’s got a high ceiling because he lives on big plays, probably a little lower floor because we can’t totally count on the targets... wouldn’t be shocking if Watson had only four or five targets in any given week.”

Terry McLaurin — Volume Mirage or True Value? (24:32–29:30)

• Pat: “He earned targets on 30% of his snaps [last week]... I like McLaurin if Jaden Daniels is back, but not counting on another 14-target game. Commanders have actually been the 8th run-heaviest team in the league.”
• Erickson: “[The Vikings] blitz on 50% of their defensive plays... If the vibes are good between Mariota and Terry McLaurin, I kind of want to stay in the flames here a little bit... I think he's good for 8–10 targets in this game.”

Jacoby Myers vs. Brian Thomas Jr. — The Unexpected WR1?

• Erickson:
  • “Trevor Lawrence has found his new Christian Kirk, and his name is Jacoby Myers... Brian Thomas Jr. stylistically doesn’t fit what Trevor Lawrence likes.”
• Pat:
  • “Even if Parker Washington is out, Brian Thomas Jr. is still just a high-end WR3. But Myers—chemistry with Lawrence has been incredible... basically already Trevor Lawrence’s favorite receiver. It’s like Walter White and Jesse Pinkman together.” (32:53)

5. WR3 Tier (25–36): Trust & Trap Plays

Rome Odunze — Fall from Grace (35:24–37:29)

• Pat: “It’s been a tale of two seasons... over the first eight weeks, WR12; since then, WR60. 38.2% catch rate last five games—it’s been ugly.”
• Erickson: “I think he's someone that you could probably try to get away from... Bears identity is to run the ball, tough spot at Lambeau, inconsistent.”

Chris Godwin — Back to Startable? (38:04–39:20)

• Erickson: “Saints allowing second fewest points per game to slot wide receivers... not amped to play him.”
• Pat: “Not a foolproof play, but still a reasonable WR3/flex option, viable for Week 14.”

Adonai Mitchell — The Real Waiver Gem? (40:01–44:08)

• Erickson:
  • “No one had more air yards the last two weeks than Adonai Mitchell. Super talented... I think Mitchell’s a super talented player, getting the targets, and for the first time all year, entering a game with a lot of confidence.”
• Pat:
  • “Mitchell is a freak athlete... right now, the Jets have a tidy operation—Mitchell and Mason Taylor handle the bulk of targets. I should maybe consider moving AD Mitchell ahead of guys like Romeo Dobbs and Chris Godwin.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Pat (on Jefferson): “I’ve tried to be the crewman on the Titanic and go down with the ship... but I’m sort of done with that.” (13:47)
• Erickson (on Jefferson): “We do this all the time. We’re ready to bury the guy, then of course, he bounces back because it’s Justin Jefferson.” (17:13)
• Pat (on Myers/Lawrence): “The chemistry between T. Law and Jacoby Myers has been incredible. It’s like Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.” (32:17)
• Erickson (on Adonai Mitchell): “He just has stone hands... he was able to fix that this past week and actually catch the ball, so everyone got to see that talent on display.” (40:36)
• Pat (on Adonai Mitchell): “This guy is a freak athlete... there’s a reason he was talked about as a potential first round pick even though he never had a thousand yard season in college.” (44:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [07:22] — Rashee Rice: Ceiling, slot funnel, and why he’s higher/lower this week.
• [13:47] — Justin Jefferson: Titanic analogies and whether to trust him one last time.
• [17:59] — Christian Watson: Big play threat vs. volatile week-to-week volume.
• [24:32] — Terry McLaurin: Post-injury usage, QB questions, and matchup notes.
• [29:30] — Jacoby Myers & Brian Thomas Jr. discussion, chemistry with Trevor Lawrence.
• [35:24] — Rome Odunze: Trust issues in a struggling Bears passing attack.
• [38:04] — Chris Godwin: Slot matchup vs. Saints, declining optimism.
• [40:01] — Adonai Mitchell: Waiver pickup hype and startability with Tyrod Taylor.

Useful Takeaways for Week 14

• Start your studs: Even with disappointing seasons and matchup concerns, elite talents like Jefferson are still starting-caliber, though temper ceiling expectations.
• Trust volume and recent production, but know your risk: Watson and Rice have both spiked recently, but recognize the risk of target volatility or matchup downgrades.
• Emerging WRs: Jacoby Myers and Adonai Mitchell (if healthy and with the right QB) are viable WR2/3 options, particularly in PPR leagues.
• Watch for tier-breaks: There are steep drop-offs in safety and upside starting around the WR10–12 and WR24 marks.
• Matchups matter, but talent usually trumps: The hosts stress caution with some good-on-paper matchups but ultimately encourage betting on talent—unless a player has truly vanished from the offense (see: Rome Odunze).

For More

• Full Rankings: fantasypros.com/rankings
• Start/Sit Live Stream: Thurs 3 PM ET on YouTube.com/fantasypros
• Contest: Bijan Robinson/Drake London signed mini-helmet giveaway (fantasypros.com/contest)

Bottom Line

This episode provides a thorough breakdown of all meaningful WR start/sit decisions for the most important week of the fantasy regular season. The hosts debate the merits and pitfalls of “must-start” players who have let managers down, spotlight rising waiver stars, and clarify which WRs are safe, risky, or sheer lottery tickets. Their clear tiering and honest discussion add context to every tricky lineup call listeners will face in Week 14.