Should I Pickup Jerick McKinnon After His Week 14 Performance? Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Outlook

The Kansas City Chiefs offense is one of the elite units in the NFL, but it hasn't had a fantasy running back who has sustained success over the last few seasons. Clyde Edwards-Helaire started the season hot with five touchdowns in the first four games, then cooled off before suffering an ankle sprain that landed him on Injured Reserve.

Preseason fantasy darling Isiah Pacheco has started to heat up in recent weeks, but it's now Jerick McKinnon in the headlines for waiver wire pickups.

After a big fantasy performance in Week 14, is McKinnon worth picking up for the fantasy football playoffs? Let's dive in.

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What Did Jerick McKinnon Do In Week 14?

Against the fierce Denver Broncos defense, McKinnon handled 13 total touches (seven receptions) for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Pacheco also handed 16 touches, but for 93 yards. That said, it's not as if McKinnon got an unexpected workhorse role, but he was heavily involved in the passing game and flashed his explosive skillset.

The highlight of McKinnon's day came on a 56-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes, which always starts trending on social media. Of course, this led to McKinnon becoming a trendy waiver wire pickup suggestion.

Should I Pickup Jerick McKinnon Off the Waiver Wire in Fantasy Football?

At this point in the season, stashing high-upside handcuff backs is far more beneficial than waiting on wide receivers buried on the depth chart to break out. Will McKinnon provide weekly flex value? No. However, he'll continue to be heavily involved in an elite offense. Even if Edwards-Helaire comes back from Injured Reserve, McKinnon will hold value.

If CEH or Pacheco suffer injuries down the stretch, McKinnon could be a league-winning running back. Melvin Gordon and Ronald Jones don't seem to be gaining any traction toward taking a role in the offense, so McKinnon is the "backup" running back to have on rosters.

Again, just know there's a chance he won't provide high-end RB1 numbers again this season, but after a breakout performance, he belongs on fantasy football playoff rosters in medium-to-deep leagues.

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