NFL Week 13 is coming to a close, and fantasy football owners are turning their attention to the waiver wire in search of players who can give their teams a much-needed boost for the stretch run of the season. With injuries and bye weeks taking their toll on rosters, it's essential to stay ahead of the competition by picking up players who are poised to make an impact in Week 14 and beyond.
Two players who stand out as waiver-wire targets heading into Week 14 are running back Jordan Mason and tight end Pat Freiermuth. Mason has been a pleasant surprise for the San Francisco 49ers, who have been dealing with injuries to their backfield all season. After a slow start to the year, Mason has become a reliable option for the 49ers, and his workload has increased significantly in recent weeks.
Last week, Mason saw a season-high 20 carries for 64 yards and caught two passes for 11 yards. He also vultured a touchdown away from star running back Christian McCaffrey, which is always a bonus for fantasy owners. Mason's usage has been on the rise, and it's clear that the 49ers are committed to feeding him the ball as much as possible moving forward.
Another player who should be on fantasy owners' radars is tight end Pat Freiermuth. The second-year tight end has been a favorite target of Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett this season, and has been one of the most consistent tight ends in the league. Freiermuth has seen at least six targets in each of his last four games, and has hauled in at least four receptions in each of those contests.
Last week, Freiermuth caught five passes for 46 yards and added a touchdown. He's been a trusted safety valve for Pickett, and his involvement in the Steelers' offense has only increased as the season has worn on. With so many tight ends struggling to produce on a consistent basis this year, Freiermuth makes for a reliable and worthy pickup.