Fantasy Football Week 13 Waiver Wire
By Brandon Lane
QUARTERBACK
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
*Roster Percentage: 48%
If you are looking to stream at QB in Week 13 Jared Goff is likely the top option available in most leagues. He takes on a Jacksonville defense that has given up the 8th most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. In Week 12 Goff completed 23 of his 37 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns against a stout Bills defense. And it sounds like rookie Jameson Williams will be making his debut giving Goff another explosive weapon.
Mike White, New York Jets
Roster Percentage: 14%
The Jets made the switch to Mike White in Week 12 and it payed off with White looking very competent completing 22 of his 28 passes for 315 yards and THREE touchdowns. Perhaps Mike White turns into a pumpkin, but he does have a favorable match-up when the Jets head to Minnesota, a defense that has given up the 5th most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers
Roster Percentage: 16%
Facing a fantasy friendly Atlanta defense puts Pickett on the map as match-up based streaming option in Week 13. Pickett completed 20-of-28 passes for 174 yards and also rushed six times for 32 yards. The Steelers may possibly be without star running back Najee Harris which could lead to the team leaning more heavily on the passing game. If you are really in a bind you could probably do worse this week.
Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers
Roster Percentage: 2%
The Panthers are on Bye in Week 13 but Darnold showed enough to consider stashing him in deeper leagues. He looked solid against a stout Broncos defense completing 11-of-19 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown and also scoring another on the ground. The Panthers have a plus match-up in Week 14 when they head to Seattle.
Others to Consider:
Marcus Mariota (38% vs PIT), Ryan Tannehill (19% @ PHI), Taylor Heinicke (18% @ NYG)
RUNNING BACK
If available:
J.K. Dobbins/Gus Edwards (58/56%)
Zonovan Knight/ Ty Johnson, New York Jets
Roster Percentage: 3/1%
BAM… Zonovan Knight surprised us making his debut as the RB2 for the Jets after they announced James Robinson was a healthy scratch. Even before starter Michael Carter injured his ankle Bam Knight saw opportunity and showed nicely. He illustrated power rushing 14 times for 69 yards and caught three balls for 34 additional yards. If Carter is out this week he should get the start in Week 13 and even if Carter returns there is still value moving forward for Knight.
After Carter went down we saw the emergence of Ty Johnson who rushed five times for 62 yards and a touchdown. The Jets will likely split their backfield moving forward and if Michael Carter is out Johnson moves into the RB2 role.
Both backs are worth consideration but I like Bam Knight as a top add this week.
Jaylen Warren/Benny Snell Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers
Roster Percentage: 15/1%
We are still waiting to see the availability of starter Najee Harris who exited Week 12 with an abdominal injury. In his absence Benny Snell rushed 12 times for 62 yards and a touchdown. Earlier in the season we saw rookie Jaylen Warren have success as the number two RB on the roster but he has been out with a hamstring injury. It sounds like Warren could need some additional time before he returns but if he’s ready he would be the preferred add over the plodding Snell.
JaMycal Hasty/ Darrell Henderson Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Roster Percentage: 4/47%
This is a situation to monitor as starter Travis Etienne left Sunday’s match-up with a foot injury but apparently could have returned. After he left the game JaMycal Hasty took over rushing 12 times for 28 yards and hauling in five balls for 67 yards and a touchdown. If Etienne is out in Week 13 we should see newly acquired Darrell Henderson make his debut. Henderson was claimed off waivers from the Rams last week. Both are worth a speculative add pending the news on Etienne but if you are looking for a one week add between the two options I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hasty keep the lead back duties if Etienne misses.
Others to Consider:
Melvin Gordon III (46%), Alexander Mattison (35%), Kyren Williams (36%), Mark Ingram II (7%), Mike Boone (4%), Tyrion Davis-Price/Jordan Mason/ Tevin Coleman (1%)
WIDE RECEIVER
If available:
Garrett Wilson (73%), George Pickens (70%), Treylon Burks (51%)
Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Roster Percentage: 26%
Jones once again makes the list of players to add and this time he moves to the top of the list. He caught 11 of his whopping 14 targets (37.5% target share) for 145 yards in Week 12. I expect the magic to continue in Week 13 when the Jagz travel to Detroit who have given up the 4th most fantasy points to wide-outs this season.
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
Roster Percentage: 48%
After some lack-luster showings since his return from his ACL injury Michael Gallup finally looked explosive. He caught 5-of-8 targets for 63 yards and if you missed the game he was manhandling some of these balls out of the air. It’s rumored Odell Beckham will be signing with the team which would put a damper on Gallups long-term outcome but if he signs it will likely be a few weeks before he gets up to full speed. Do keep in mind the Cowboys take on a Colts defense that has given up the fewest fantasy points to wide-outs this season.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns
Roster Percentage: 45%
It was a down week for Peoples-Jones who finished the day with two catches for 16 yards (although he did make solid contribution on special teams). This week the Browns will be making a switch at quarterback to Deshaun Watson who returns from suspension. While its hard to know if DPJ enjoys the same chemistry he shared with Jacoby Brissett this season it should unlock the deep ball potential which Peoples-Jones has been missing from his game this season.
Odell Beckham Jr.
Roster Percentage: 46%
Reports continue to have Odell Beckham signing with the Cowboys in the near future. Beckham tore his ACL in the Super Bowl while playing for the Rams. Once signed he will likely to be eased into things on his new team so we might not reap the benefits for fantasy purposes until leagues get into the fantasy playoffs.
Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
Roster Percentage: 39%
The Lions have designated Jameson Williams (knee) to return from injured reserve. In college Williams was stuck behind starters Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave at Ohio State, Williams decided to transfer to Alabama for his 2021 season. This decision immediately paid off as he grabbed 79 balls for 1,572 yards and 15TDs. Williams’ unfortunately ended his season suffering an ACL tear against Georgia in the national title game. The Lions could very well bring him along slowly but Williams was our number two wide-out in this years draft. The upside is huge if he becomes a full-time player this season.
Others to Consider:
Isaiah McKenzie (33%), Nico Collins (24%), Van Jefferson (23%), DeAndre Carter (23%), Mack Hollins (21%)
TIGHT END
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
Roster Percentage: 18%
The Jets made the switch to Mike White at quarterback which opened up the entire offense in Week 12. Tyler Conklin caught all three of his targets for 50 yards. Conklin has had his ups-and-downs this season but much of that was quarterback dependent. The switch opens things back up for THE CONK to once again be a back-end TE1 moving forward. This week the Jets take on a Vikings squad that has given up the 9th most fantasy points to tight ends.
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 14%
Well if you started Juwan Johnson last week you got a big ole goose egg for your trouble. He was shut down by the 49ers ferocious defense. Things should get back on track when the Saints play the Bucs on MNF, a team who has given up the 6th most fantasy points to tight ends.
Jordan Akins, Houston Texans
Roster Percentage: 0%
While there isn’t a lot good to say about Kyle Allen as a starting QB he did look Jordan Akins way and he caught all five of his targets for 61 yards and a touchdown. With the fantasy playoffs in site I’m not sure I want to attach any Texans to my roster but with the wasteland know as “tight end” you could likely do worse.
Others to Consider:
Noah Fant (12%), Austin Hooper (14%), Logan Thomas (6%)
DEFENSE
Pittsburgh @ ATL
Cleveland @ HOU
Seattle @ LAR
Green Bay@ CHI
*Roster percentages based on Yahoo
