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Writer's pictureMikey Henninger
Nov 29, 202211 min read

Week 13 Waiver Wire (and Wake Early Wednesday)


Week 13 Waiver Wire (and Wake Early Wednesday)

Below are the players I'm considering adding to my rosters before week 13 kicks off. All of these players are near or below 50% rostered in Yahoo leagues and therefore likely to be available in most leagues.


Important note: I'm typically pretty frugal with my waiver priority and FAAB, usually only spending on a player that can win me the week. In other words, if they're just "depth" adds and nice-to-haves that might not even see my lineup, then I'd rather wake up early on Wednesday morning and add them for "free" instead of using a waiver claim for them.


Pro Tip: It's a little extra effort, but I have a recurring Wednesday morning "appointment" (reminder) on my calendar with a link to a Google Doc. Inside that google doc are the links to alllllll 20+ of my leagues followed by a bulleted list of who I plan to add/drop in each one. This helps me keep track without spending waiver priority for convenience, a short-sighted move.

Quarterback

As usual, there are no QBs that I'd recommend using priority or FAAB on this week. Here are a few streamers to consider after waivers clear if you're in a pinch:

  • Deshaun Watson - 58% rostered - I was surprised to find Deshaun Watson is only 58% rostered. Candidly, I'm not expecting fireworks in his first game back in 2 years against a pissed off Texans defense that's already holding QBs to the 3rd fewest fantasy points per game. But we already know the upside Watson carries and he needs to be rostered at a higher rate than he is.

  • Trevor Lawrence - 61% rostered - Over his last 6 games, Trevor Lawrence is averaging 19.17 fantasy points per game on 237.17 passing yards and 20.17 rushing yards with 8 passing TDs, 3 rushing TDs, and 2 INTs. He's got big upside in a week 13 shootout with a Lions defense that's allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing QBs.

  • Jared Goff - 46% rostered - Jared Goff busted out of his slump on Thanksgiving with 240 passing yards and 2 passing TDs against a tough Bills defense. In week 13, he gets a shootout with a Jaguars defense that's offering the 10th most fantasy points per game to opposing QBs. This game has a 51.5 point over/under, the 2nd highest on the 15 game slate, making this a game to target in week 13 fantasy football.

  • Jimmy Garoppolo - 66% rostered - Over his last 7 games, Jimmy Garoppolo is averaging 17.94 fantasy points per game on 253.86 passing yards with 13 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD, and 3 interceptions. Jimmy GQ's 49ers are opening week 13 with an implied total of 25 points, the 7th highest on the 30 team slate. It certainly doesn't hurt that he'll face a Dolphins defense that's allowing the 2nd most fantasy points per game to enemy QBs.

  • Derek Carr - 65% rostered - Over his last 4 games, Derek Carr is averaging 19.34 fantasy points per game on 277.25 passing yards per game with 9 TDs and 2 INTs. The matchup is slightly subpar, but week 13 could feature a shootout with the rival Chargers, as the game's 51 point over/under is the 3rd highest on the 15 game slate. The Raiders have an implied total of 24.5 points, the 10th most on the 30 team slate.

  • Mike White - 4% rostered - Mike White balled out in week 12, scoring 24.8 fantasy points on 315 passing yards and 3 TDs. A crash to earth is inevitable, but White does have an even better week 13 matchup with a Vikings defense allowing the 6th most fantasy points per game and most passing yards per game to QBs.

For the superflexers and 2QB leaguers:

  • Jordan Love - 1% rostered - *IF* he's starting the rest of the way, Jordan Love gets to face the Dolphins and Vikings in weeks 16 and 17 who are allowing the 2nd and 6th most fantasy points per game to QBs, respectively.

Running Back

There are not any RBs I'd use any sort of priority or FAAB on this week. That said, here are several RBs to consider adding to your squad after waivers clear:

  • Gus Edwards - 56% rostered - In 2 games he's been active and did not leave early with injury, Gus Edwards has 29.8 PPR points on 32 touches—all carries—for 118 yards and 3 TDs. It'll feel gross, especially with upcoming games with the Broncos and Steelers, but Gus Bus should be rostered in a lot more than 56% of leagues.

  • Kyren Williams - 36% rostered - Kyren Williams played 70% of the snaps in week 12 and received 14 touches—including 3 targets/catches—for 60 scoreless yards (9 PPR points). The offense is in the basement—especially if Matthew Stafford doesn't return—but if you're looking for some optimism, Williams has some great matchups coming up with the Seahawks, Raiders and Packers.

  • JaMycal Hasty - 3% rostered - After Travis Etienne left the week 12 game with a foot injury, JaMycal Hasty rumbled for 20.5 PPR points on 17 touches—including 5 targets/catches—for 95 yards and 1 TD. On Monday it was reported that Etienne was cleared to return to the game but Coach Doug Pederson opted to hold him out out of caution. Given that Etienne could have returned, it's likely that he's back in action in week 13. But if he's limited in any way, Hasty would be an intriguing flex option against a Lions defense that is allowing the 13th most PPR points per game to RBs.

  • Zonovan Knight and Ty Johnson - both 1% rostered - When Michael Carter was knocked out of week 12's contest, "Zonovan Knight" stepped up an racked up 13.3 PPR points on 17 touches—including 3 targets/catches—for 103 scoreless scrimmage yards. For his part, Ty Johnson also chipped in 14.8 PPR points on just 6 touches—including 1 catch on 2 targets—for 78 yards and 1 TD. As of this writing (11:27am on Monday 11/28), it's unclear how long Michael Carter will be out—if he will be out—or how the Jets will approach their backfield from here after James Robinson was a concerningly healthy scratch. But against a Vikings defense allowing the 9th most PPR points per game to RBs, Knight and Johnson are worth fliers for those in a desperate pinch.

  • Jordan Mason and Tyrion Davis-Price - both 1% rostered - Elijah Mitchell will be placed (back) on IR and Christian McCaffrey missed part of last week with "knee irritation." Jordan Mason was the next man up in week 12, carrying the ball 5 times for 25 yards. It's possible CMC runs away with workhorse duty over the remainder of the season. It's also possible that Mason—or Tyrion Davis-Price—steps right into meaningful work as soon as week 13.

  • Jerick McKinnon - 38% rostered - Jerick McKinnon has 6 or more targets in 3 of the last 4 games and, in week 13, he'll get a shootout with elevating passing volume against the Bengals.

  • Chuba Hubbard - 21% rostered - Candidly, I almost didn't bother writing Hubbard in this spot with the Panthers on bye in week 13 and a likely negative game script in Seattle in week 14. But, Hubbard did play 42% of the snaps to D'Onta Foreman's 53%, getting a useful 17 touches—granted, they were all carries and he gained just 65 scoreless yards for 6.5 PPR points. And he likely won't have supremely positive game script again like he did in week 12. BUT...if you're in desperate need of a flier, perhaps Hubbard can work his way into week 15 flex value in a likely neutral-positive game script against the Steelers?

  • Melvin Gordon - 46% rostered - Melvin Gordon is expected to sign with the Chiefs practice squad. He's unlikely to surmount Isiah Pacheco or Jerick McKinnon as the lead backs in KC, but it's clear the Chiefs aren't exactly content with their backfield. I wouldn't bet on it, but perhaps Gordon can work his way back into fantasy relevance down the stretch?

  • Alexander Mattison - 35% rostered - not a standalone option, but Mattison is a league-winning bench stash if something happens to Dalvin Cook.

Wide Receiver

There are not any wide receivers I'd use priority or FAAB on this week. That said, here are several WRs I'm considering adding after waivers clear:

  • Treylon Burks - 51% rostered - Treylon Burks has 6 or more targets in 3 straight games and 17 or more PPR points in 2 of the last 3 (granted, one of those 17 point games is kind of fluky since it includes a fumble that wasn't his but one he recovered in the end zone). He has some tough matchups down the stretch, but does get a Jaguars defense that's allowing the 9th most PPR points per game to WRs in week 14.

  • Donovan Peoples-Jones - 50% rostered - Donovan Peoples-Jones has 5 or more targets and 11 or more PPR points in 6 of the last 8 games. During the fantasy football playoffs (weeks 15-17), DPJ will have Deshaun Watson throwing him the ball as he faces the Ravens (allowing the 7th most PPR points per game to WRs), Saints (14th most) and Commanders (10th most).

  • Zay Jones - 25% rostered - Over his last 2 games, Zay Jones has 24 targets, 19 catches and 213 yards (40.3 PPR points). In week 13 he gets a possible shootout with a Lions defense allowing the 6th most PPR points per game to WRs.

  • Skyy Moore - 10% rostered - Over the last 2 games, Skyy Moore has played season/career high snap shares of 42% and 46%, totaling 19.9 PPR points on 12 targets, 10 catches and 99 scoreless yards. Earning more playing time with 6 targets in each of the last 2 games, the ultra talented 2nd round rookie could make some noise down the stretch and gets a possible shootout with the Bengals in week 13.

  • Chase Claypool - 53% rostered - Darnell Mooney—and his 5.5 targets per game—looks like he'll miss the rest of the season, thrusting Chase Claypool into the top spot on the Bears' WR depth chart. That said, it's unclear who will be throwing him passes, and the Bears close their fantasy season with the Packers, a bye week, the Eagles and the Bills before finally catching a break with the Lions in week 17.

  • Mack Hollins - 21% rostered - Mack Hollins has 6 or more targets in 5 of the last 6 games, and 11 or more PPR points in 4 of the last 6 games. It'll be a rollercoaster final stretch with a shootout vs the Chargers in week 13, a matchup with a Rams defense allowing the 8th most PPR points per game to WRs in week 14, a stubborn Patriots defense in week 15, a mouthwatering matchup with the league-worst Steelers in week 16 and a tough spot (but decent for WRs) against the 49ers in week 17.

  • Richie James - 1% rostered - Richie James played 70% of the snaps in week 12, the Giants' first game with Wan'Dale Robinson on IR. In 3 games where he's played at least 70% of the snaps this season, James is averaging 11.4 PPR points per game on 5.67 targets, 4.67 catches, 45.33 yards and 1 TD in those 3 games. It's not pretty, but James could provide WR 4 value down the stretch.

  • Van Jefferson - 23% rostered - Allen Robinson will miss the rest of the year and with Cooper Kupp still on IR—and no real reason to bring him back—Jefferson is suddenly the de facto WR 1 in LA. Matthew Stafford may not play again this season and Jefferson might be tied to Bryce Perkins—or John Wolford—for the rest of the season, but he did just score 11.9 PPR points on 7 targets, 3 catches, 29 yards and 1 TD with Perkins in week 12.

  • Nelson Agholor - 1% rostered - When Jakobi Meyers suffered a shoulder injury that had him in and out of the lineup on Thanksgiving resulting in just 29% of the Patriots' snaps, Nelson Agholor stepped in and stepped up in a big way. Agholor played a season-high 78% of the snaps and caught 6 of 8 targets for 65 yards and 1 TD to score 18.5 PPR points. If Meyers returns to full speed in week 13, Agholor should return to the waiver wire. But if Meyers can't go on a short week (the Patriots play on Thursday), then Agholor might be in play as a WR 4 against a Bills defense that's offering the 11th most PPR points per game to WRs.

  • David Bell - 1% rostered - David Bell has been cemented as the Browns' WR 3 for most of the season, playing 43% or more of the Browns' snaps in 9 of 11 games, including 64% and 63% in each of the last 2 games. He's done next to nothing with the opportunity, but that could change down the stretch with Deshaun Watson throwing him the ball as he faces the Ravens (allowing the 7th most PPR points per game to WRs), Saints (14th most) and Commanders (10th most) during the fantasy football playoffs (weeks 15-17).

  • Olamide Zaccheaus - 1% rostered - Candidly, it's hard to take Olamide Zaccheaus' week 12 arrival (14.1 PPR points on 8 targets, 5 catches and 91 scoreless yards) seriously considering he played roughly the same amount of snaps that he has all year when he was averaging 2.8 targets, 2.3 catches, 34 yards and 6.9 nice but weak PPR points across the previous 11 games. In other words, it's hard to believe that Marcus Mariota only just now decided to start throwing him the ball relentlessly. This is not a trend. BUT...if you're desperate, Zaccheaus does have a delicious upcoming schedule against the Steelers (allowing the most PPR points per game to WRs), Saints (14th most), Ravens (11th most) and Cardinals (16th most).

  • Jameson Williams - 39% rostered - On Monday 11/21, Jameson Williams was designated to return from injured reserve, opening up a 21-day practice window where he can be expected to be activated to the active roster within 3 weeks. Candidly, it's unlikely a rookie receiver coming off a torn ACL begins his season after week 13 and makes significant fantasy noise. But he is an explosive receiver—the 12th overall pick in this year's draft is one of the best prospects in the class—and has some really good matchups coming up including the Jaguars (11th most PPR points per game to WRs), Vikings (3rd most) and Panthers (9th most) in 3 of the last 5 games.

Tight End

As usual, there are no tight ends I would use waiver priority on. Here's who I'd consider in a week 13 pinch however:

  • Foster Moreau - 39% rostered - Foster Moreau has 12 or more PPR points in 2 of the last 3 games and in week 13 he gets a shootout with a Chargers defense that's allowing the 5th most PPR points per game to TEs. This game opened with an appetizing 51 point over/under—the 3rd highest on the 15-game week 13 slate—and should feature plenty of scoring chances from both sides.

  • Evan Engram - 40% rostered - Beware; things are trending in the wrong direction for Evan Engram with just 5.8 PPR points on 5 targets, 4 catches and 18 scoreless yards combined in the last 2 games. BUT...if you're desperate, Engram gets a week 13 shootout with a Lions defense that's allowing the 4th most PPR points and 3rd most TDs per game to enemy TEs. This game has a whopping 51.5 point over/under and should feature plenty of scoring chances for both sides.

  • Hayden Hurst - 65% rostered - After 10 games, Hayden Hurst is averaging a solid 9.51 PPR points on 5.8 targets, 4.5 catches and 38.1 yards with 2 TDs. In week 13, Hurst gets a shootout with a Chiefs defense that is allowing the 13th most PPR points per game to TEs.

Team Defenses

I'll never use waiver priority on a defense, but there are several defenses I'd be looking to stream in week 13 if I can find them. Assuming I can't get the Ravens (91% rostered), Cowboys (95% rostered), Bills (98% rostered) or Eagles (95% rostered): I'd be going for the:

  • Seattle Seahawks - 19% rostered - their opponent, the Los Angeles Rams, have an implied total of just 17.75 points, the 3rd fewest on the entire 30 team slate.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 67% rostered - their opponent, the New Orleans Saints, have an implied total of just 18.25 points, the 4th fewest on the entire 30 team slate.

  • Washington Commanders - 52% rostered - their opponent, the New York Giants, have an implied total of just 19.5 points, the 6th fewest on the entire 30 team slate.

  • Cleveland Browns - 8% rostered - their opponent, the Houston Texans, have an implied total of just 19.75 points, the 8th fewest on the entire 30 team slate.

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