It is slim pickings on your waiver wire. We get it but are here to help. Before we get into this week's top pickups, a brief word of advice. If you are headed to the fantasy playoffs, chances are you have a starting lineup that is, for the most part, set. This is the time of year you look to grab the best player available that another contender wants to pick up. For example, you might have two quarterbacks, but see a promising option at the position on the waiver wire. You notice there are a couple playoff teams that have been streaming quarterbacks. As long as you have your starting lineup set, go ahead and grab the quarterback to prevent an opponent from bettering their team. It just might be the difference when you face them in the playoffs. Secondly, you might have a glaring need at kicker or DST. Traditionally, these are some of the least valued positions in fantasy. However, if you see a stud defense or kicker on the waiver wire you should not feel bad about making them your top waiver wire priority. At this point, the goal of teams that are headed to the playoffs is to make sure you have the best starting lineup possible as well as preventing your opponent from doing the same. With that in mind, here is this week's list of top waiver wire pickups amidst the scarcity at virtually every position. Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @JonDAdams with specific waiver wire or fantasy questions. All ownership percentages are based on ESPN leagues but applicable across platforms. Players are listed in order from least to greatest level of priority. Click the arrow on the right side of the above image to see Heavy's waiver wire Week 14 top pickups. (Getty)
No. 5 WR Tyler Boyd
Position: Wide Receiver
Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Ownership Percentage: 33.3%
Add Him: We keep telling fantasy owners to pick up Boyd, but his ownership level continues to stay down. Boyd has had 6 or more fantasy points the last three weeks. We get it, Boyd is not going to win you your league, but he won't lose it for you either. Here's what you are getting. With A.J. Green out, Boyd is a WR3 with a high floor and limited upside. He's a useful player to have on your bench if you need to play him in a pinch. (Getty)
No. 4 TE Cameron Brate
Position: Tight End
Team: Tampa Bay Bucs
Ownership Percentage: 50.1%
Add Him: While his game log does not look great, there is a method to our madness. Brate faces a bad Saints defense two out of the next three weeks just in time for your playoffs. New Orleans ranks near the bottom in points allowed to tight ends. Brate is a great streaming option at tight end to finish the season. (Getty)
No. 3 RB Kenneth Dixon
Position: Running Back
Team: Baltimore Ravens
Ownership Percentage: 48.1%
Add Him: Dixon is not putting up eye-popping numbers but has been steady in limited action. He has had 7 fantasy points (standard leagues) in three of the last four weeks. He was one of the most impressive running backs this year in the pre-draft process. Dixon has the talent and as the Ravens give him more touches he will become more relevant. He's a great stash candidate with hopes he can turn into something if one of your other backs goes down during the fantasy playoffs. (Getty)
No. 2 WR Breshad Perriman
Position: Wide Receiver
Team: Baltimore Ravens
Ownership Percentage: 1.8%
Add Him: After a quiet start, Perriman is starting to hit his stride. He has had 7 or more fantasy points in three of the last four weeks including 11 and 12 points. This is essentially his rookie season so Perriman is continuing to get better. The Ravens look to be utilizing him more in the redzone. He's a guy that has upside and is worth stashing on your bench for the stretch run. (Getty)
No. 1 Pittsburgh Steelers DST
Position: Defense
Ownership Percentage: 34.7%
Add Him: It's not the sexiest thing to talk about DST's in a waiver wire column but hear me out. Picking up the Steelers DST could be the difference in winning your league. Personally, I find streaming defenses to be one of the most stressful parts of fantasy football. The Steelers have scored double digit fantasy points (standard leagues) in three straight weeks including 23 and 14 point performances. They face the Bills, Bengals and Ravens over the next three weeks. Not exactly teams with prolific offenses. With slim pickings on the waiver wire this time of year, an argument can be made that a solid DST should be your top priority. (Getty)
Waiver Wire Week 14: Top Pickups, Adds & Fantasy Rankings