As we head into Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season, fantasy football managers are deep into the playoff push. Injuries, offensive changes and emerging trends continue to reshape the fantasy landscape, making it vital to stay ahead of value swings. This week's fantasy football risers and fallers spotlight players whose stock is moving sharply in one direction or another, and how to adjust accordingly. For a deeper dive into player usage and evolving roles, check out the RotoWire NFL team depth charts.
Fantasy Football Risers
Quarterback
Burrow has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his career, and slow returns have occasionally been part of the process. After a 10-week absence due to turf toe, the quarterback impressed by throwing for 261 yards and two touchdowns against Baltimore despite missing WR Tee Higgins. Now healthier and supported by a favorable remaining schedule, he should benefit greatly from having both Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase back on the field. With Cincinnati's defense struggling, game scripts will continue pushing heavy passing volume, making the quarterback a strong late-season fantasy asset.
Running Back
Irving returned from an eight-week absence and immediately reclaimed strong usage despite playing a season-low snap share. The running back handled 17 carries and two targets, mirroring the volume that made him productive early in the year even when efficiency lagged. Tampa Bay continues to lean on him as the focal point of the ground attack, and his receiving role should expand back toward its early season levels. Coming off a promising showing against Arizona, the workload remains elite enough to make him a reliable fantasy starter.
Hubbard previously admitted he may have rushed back too soon from his calf injury, which allowed Rico Dowdle to surge during his absence. With his health restored, the running back produced 125 yards and a touchdown on 19 touches against the Rams while outplaying Dowdle. Carolina has long-term investment in Hubbard, and his recent performance likely secures at least half of the backfield work. His stock has risen quickly, and he now re-enters the conversation as a viable weekly starter.
Wide Receiver
Watson has always flashed elite talent but struggled with availability and consistency. After missing the first seven weeks while recovering from a knee injury, he has posted at least 45 yards in all six games since returning, along with three touchdowns in his last three. His 80-yard outing against Detroit was his best since Week 8 and further reinforces his improved reliability. With steady usage and week-to-week production finally in place, he now profiles as a trustworthy starting option.
Meyers has quickly become a natural fit in Jacksonville's offense, especially with a quarterback who thrives throwing over the middle. The receiver's snap share has climbed each week, and his fantasy production has risen alongside it, highlighted by an average of five catches, 70 yards, and a touchdown over his last two games. His ability to work the slot or outside while still attacking interior zones has rapidly built chemistry with Trevor Lawrence. After three strong outings, he has emerged as a dependable priority read on critical plays.
Tight End
Fannin has been impacted by instability at quarterback, but his short-area role has kept his targets steady. Since Shedeur Sanders took over two weeks ago, the tight end has posted yardage totals of 40 and 43 while adding a touchdown last week. His average of 5.5 targets per game provides a solid usage floor despite the offense's limitations. Just when it appeared his relevance might fade, he has reestablished himself as a viable weekly option.
Fantasy Football Fallers
Quarterback
Darnold continues to help Seattle win games, but that success has not translated to fantasy consistency. He has failed to top 15.1 fantasy points in three of his last four, while throwing three touchdowns to five interceptions. The Seahawks prefer to lean on their run game when controlling the scoreboard, which severely caps his weekly upside. After a hot start through Week 9, he now profiles as a borderline superflex consideration.
Running Back
Barkley's season has been frustrating, but last week marked a new low despite an ideal matchup against a depleted Chicago defense. After opening the game with 24 rushing yards on four carries, the coaching staff abandoned the run far too early, leaving Barkley with only 13 carries, 56 yards, and no receptions. It was his second-worst outing of the year in a spot that should have been a ceiling performance. Even with a soft remaining schedule, trusting the coaching staff to maximize his talent has become a risky proposition.
Dowdle erupted for over 230 scrimmage yards in back-to-back games when Hubbard was sidelined, forcing a timeshare when the backfield reunited. However, his inefficiency against the Rams opened the door for Hubbard to reestablish himself, and contract dynamics further favor Carolina prioritizing their long-term investment. With Hubbard playing better and earning a larger role, Dowdle's early season breakout appears to be losing steam. His days as a fantasy standout may be nearing an end.
Wide Receiver
Jefferson's season has been difficult, but he previously maintained a usable scoring floor by topping 11.1 PPR points in each of his first nine games. That stability evaporated with a three-game stretch averaging just 9.2 PPR points, culminating in a two-catch, four-yard performance with Max Brosmer under center. The expected return of J.J. McCarthy could slightly improve the passing game from Brosmer, but recent volatility remains concerning. Fantasy managers may need to temper expectations as the offense navigates late-season uncertainty.
Odunze's talent is obvious, but Chicago's offensive philosophy limits his fantasy ceiling. The Bears run the ball at one of the higher rates in the league, and in any game where passing volume dips, the receiver's production follows. He has scored 8.3 or fewer PPR points in seven of his last nine, including four of his last five, with last week's two-catch, eight-yard output being particularly crushing. While benching him is difficult due to big-play ability, the inconsistent opportunities make weekly decisions equally challenging.
Tight End
Otton was a steady contributor from Weeks 5 through 10, but his production has dropped sharply over the last three games, totaling only eight catches for 58 yards. With Chris Godwin back in the lineup, target competition has increased and reduced his weekly reliability. Outside of an occasional spike week, he is no longer a recommended option in standard formats.
Conclusion
As the playoff race intensifies, evaluating fantasy football risers and fallers becomes essential for optimizing lineups and making timely roster moves. Several players are peaking at exactly the right moment, while others appear to be fading at the worst possible time. Staying flexible with roster construction and monitoring usage trends will provide a significant competitive edge. For updated projections and weekly lineup guidance, be sure to visit the RotoWire weekly projections page.
