Week 14 WR Waiver Pickups & Adds: Texans’ Receivers Shine Without Will Fuller V

Despite a season-ending suspension to Will Fuller V, the Texans’ receiving core looks better than ever. Three players on the team had 65+ receiving yards for just the third time all season, and notably this was the first time Fuller was not one of the names. Keke Coutee, Chad Hansen, and Bradin Cooks were all over the Colts defense, earning 307 yards between the three of them. With only one of those names rostered in more than 50% of leagues, it’s a great time to look for Texans’ receivers on the waiver wire.

Keke Coutee

23.3% Rostered
Keke Coutee had a breakout game last week, earning 8 catches for 141 in a home loss against the Colts. It was especially meaningful for Coutee, who has been unable to earn much playing time all year long. In-fact, this was just his 4th game with a catch all season long. But now it looks like Deshaun Watson wants to get him the ball. No Texan saw more than Coutee’s 9 targets last game. Houston travels to Chicago next week to play an unimpressive Bears team. Against a below average passing defense, (238.4 yards allowed, 17th), Coutee should have back-to-back strong performances.

Chad Hansen

0.0% Rostered
Another Texan receiver should also be looked for in the waiver wire. Chad Hansen was lifted off the practice squad after it was revealed that fellow receiver Will Fuller V was suspended for the remainder of the season. With his golden opportunity, Hansen recorded 5 receptions for 101 yards. It was nothing short of inspiring for a player whoe had not seen playing time all season. Like Coutee, he will look to take advantage of a below average Bears passing defense this weekend. There is every reason to give Hansen consideration on your bench as he’s available in all leagues.

T.Y. Hilton

46.7% Rostered
A player on the other sideline, T.Y. Hilton, similarly had his best game of the season. His 8 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown were all season bests for the 31 year old veteran. His yardage breaks his previous season best, 81 yards, from just a week before last game. The 9th year receiver is clearly trending up going into an easy matchup against the Raiders. Their defense allows 257.1 passing yards per game, 9th most in the league. Rostered in less than half of leagues, a waiver wire add for him could make the difference in your fantasy playoffs.

Michael Gallup

38.1% Rostered
Michael Gallup’s 7 catches for 86 yards and a touchdown were not enough to have his best game of the season – at least fantasy-wise. In week 3 he torched Seattle’s weak secondary for 6 catches over 100 yards and a touchdown. But those are the only two matchups in which Gallup has reached 15+ fantasy points. Excluding those games, he averages just 7 fantasy points per game. But he has a chance to boost his stats this weekend against a weak Bengals’ secondary. They allow 257.2 passing yards per game, 8th most in the league. Don’t expect another huge game, but trust he will put up over his season average.

Gabriel Davis

8.4% Rostered
Gabriel Davis has been very inconsistent lately. In 3 of his last 4 games, he has scored at least 15 fantasy points. The game he didn’t? Exactly zero. He put up a donut against Arizona in week 10. On the Buffalo Bills’ explosive offense, it only makes sense how sporadic Davis’ scoring is. With 16.9 yards per catch, he ranks 5th in the league. He is Josh Allen’s deep option that doesn’t always work. So Davis may be unreliable, but he has huge upside every week. This Sunday night he stays at home against a shell-shocked Steelers team that just lost their undefeated season against the 5-7 Washington Football Team. Davis will look to take advantage of their trauma and score more big plays for Buffalo. He’s a fair flex option for fantasy owners entering the postseason.

Denzel Mims

16.3% Rostered
Denzel Mims tallied 2 catches for 40 yards, and a 2-point conversion. It solidified who Mims is as a fantasy player, a very safe flex option with little upside. In his 6 games this season, the Jet has scored no less than 6 fantasy points, but no more than 11. He is just a trust-worthy player to have on your bench to start when needed – and only when needed. He has a very easy matchup this weekend against a Seattle defense that concedes 309.8 passing yards per game, last in the league. Look for another consistent game out of Mims.

Laviska Shenault Jr.

14.4% Rostered
Laviska Shenault caught 3 passes for 38 yards and a touchdown last Sunday in the 3 point overtime loss to the Vikings. He added 30 rushing yards on the ground. It wasn’t much, but more than enough to top his best performance of the year. He hadn’t scored double-digit fantasy points since week 5 at Houston. It’s been a season riddled with bad games and injuries for the rookie. But he will have an opportunity to finish off his first season strong. All but one of his opponents rank outside the top 10 in passing yards allowed per game. This includes an upcoming Tennessee secondary that allows 274.5 passing yards per game, (28th). I like his chances of having a repeat 10+ fantasy point performance.