Fantasy Football ‘24: Waiver Wire, Week 13 edition

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week 13, and Happy Thanksgiving week to all! I’m back from my personal Bye week and ready to get back after it. Unfortunately, the Waiver Wire isn’t offering us a lot of especially ripe fruit this week, continuing a trend that has lasted at least a month.

Those who saved up their Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) for those late-season gems that get unearthed almost every season can feel the money burning a hole in their pocket. I can identify. That’s the risk you take by being a saver. I still think it’s a sound strategy, other than when injuries or draft debacles force your hand early, or when rare opportunities to get potential league-winners are presented (shout out Puka Nacua, 2023). We can debate FAAB budgeting strategies in the off-season. For now, there’s turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie to think about, not to mention the fantasy playoff push and another Bye week iceberg that’s looming in Week 14.

Let’s talk about that iceberg. Six teams had Byes in Week 12, but everyone plays on Thanksgiving week. So, fantasy managers have a one-week respite where they’re at full strength (other than injuries), two weeks before most leagues’ playoffs start. That’s good! But don’t loosen your belt too much as you go back for that second or third slice of pie. Six more teams are on Bye in Week 14: BAL, DEN, HOU, IND, NE, and WAS. A lot of fantasy players will be desperate for wins in Week 14, AND there will be competition for streamers and especially at the “onesie” positions (QB, TE, PK, and D/ST). If there was ever a week to look ahead to get what you need (right now) for a looming Bye week, this is it.

One last thing to bear in mind before we dive in: Because six teams were on Bye in Week 12, players with decent fantasy value may have been dropped in the scramble to field lineups. Take a quick look at who was waived in your league over the past week—there might be some surprising names that are worth considering.

The Process: Each week, I try to identify the top Waiver Wire targets and evaluate the short- and long-term prospects of those players. I also do my best to reveal which players who are coming off a big week are fool’s gold. Finally, I look at streamers who might help you in a pinch (this is usually more important during Bye weeks). Note that I’m writing this column BEFORE the Week 12 Monday night game (BAL@LV).

Some players discussed won’t be available in your league. I try to list players who are available in more than 50% of leagues. But what does that even mean? A 10-team league with six bench spots will have a much larger Free Agent pool than a 14-team league with eight. Most leagues fall somewhere in between. This isn’t “one size fits all.” By way of example, I won’t list Bo Nix, Drake Maye, Jaylen Warren, Jonnu Smith, or Will Dissly this week, among other “popular targets” who probably aren’t available in any of your leagues. All are priority pickups if available.

WEEK 13 BYES: NONE

Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images

Week 13 Waiver Wire

Quarterback:

Derek Carr. Carr is one of those players that may have been dropped in the Week 12 crunch. He scored 39 combined fantasy points in his last two games before the Bye, and has found his new deep threat in Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The Saints have gotten into some high-scoring affairs and their remaining schedule is very attractive, including the Rams at home this week, at the Giants in Week 14, and the Raiders at home for the fantasy championships (Week 17).

Russell Wilson. I’ve listed Wilson multiple times. He won’t wow you and is coming off his worst start of the season (to be fair, it was a snow game), but he’s an OK option if you’re in need of a QB2 in a Superflex in the coming weeks. The next two contests (at CIN, vs. CLE) aren’t scary.

Will Levis. The ride may be bumpy, and the penchant for bad turnovers can be very frustrating for fantasy managers, but bottom line: He’s putting up points. And fantasy football is mostly about the bottom line. So maybe just look at the box score and not the TV. He’s been averaging 17 fantasy points per game since returning to the lineup a few weeks ago. Want more good news? Here are his next five matchups: @WAS, JAC, CIN, @IND, @JAC. That’s a lot of lower-ranked defenses and especially vs. the pass.

Others to consider (mainly for Superflex leagues): Matthew Stafford, Bryce Young (who is playing much better), Caleb Williams (ditto), and Jameis Winston.

On the flip side, I wouldn’t go near Cooper Rush, Tommy DeVito, or any Raiders’ QB unless I was truly desperate.

Running Back:

Jeremy McNichols. McNichols was thrust into duty on Sunday due to injuries to both Brian Robinson (ankle) and Austin Ekeler (head injury). McNichols fared well earlier in the season when given the chance. He’s worth a stash if you’re stuck this week, but note: The Commanders have a tough matchup this week against the Titans and are off in Week 14. So this is a pickup of potentially limited value and duration.

Ameer Abdullah. He got sniped in a number of leagues last week when it became clear that both Alexander Mattison and Zamir White were unlikely to suit up at the Broncos. Abdullah didn’t exactly go off but he dominated the touches and found the end zone. The Raiders are a mess, and now Gardner Minshew is out. They’re at or near the bottom of the league in most rushing categories. Still, Abdullah has some value as a receiving back even if the other backs manage to return on a short week, and he could be in for another start this week, albeit in a tough Black Friday matchup against the Chiefs.

Jaleel McLaughlin. Another week, another Broncos’ runner leading the backfield. Honestly, there may never be a lot of value in this backfield, given the game of musical chairs that Sean Payton is playing. Still, McLaughlin is a capable runner and an excellent pass-catcher on an ascending offense, and that makes for good RB depth.

Here is my updated weekly list of RBs to grab if you need depth with upside: Tyler Allgeier, Gus Edwards, Ray Davis, Jr., Braelon Allen, Tyjae Spears, Trey Benson, Tank Bigsby, Zach Charbonnet, Kenneth Gainwell, Jaylen Wright (who appears to have surpassed Raheem Mostert on Miami’s depth chart), Tyjae Spears, and Roschon Johnson. All are one injury away from what could be a significant role. I’ve said it over and over but I’ll say it again: You want a couple of these guys on your roster at all times.

Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images

Wide Receiver:

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. I’m listing these two together because I can shorten both of their annoyingly long names to three letters. No, that’s not the reason. I’m pairing NWI and MVS because in both cases there has been some recent repeated success that I’m having trouble buying into but cannot deny. NWI has TDs in six of his last seven games. Six of seven! How many wide receivers can you say that about? I have no idea, but it’s very, very few. Like, it’s almost certainly zero. And MVS has hit for at least one long TD in back-to back-games and is an intriguing Flex option for those seeking upside, given the injuries to the Saints’ other wideouts. No, I don’t think MVS can go for 5-196-3 (on just seven targets) over his next two games like he did in his last two, and I’m well aware of his history of disappearing after looking like DeSean Jackson for a week or two, but the schedule the next two weeks (Rams, Giants) is very favorable.

Keon Coleman. Between the wrist injury that sidelined him for two weeks and Buffalo’s Week 12 Bye, he got dropped in a lot of leagues and is now rostered at below 50% on several major platforms. He was looking like one of those rookies who was ready to get on a major roll down the stretch before he was sidelined. Of course, so was Ricky Pearsall, and we’ve seen how that’s gone the last two weeks, but I like Coleman’s situation a lot better. I’m buying in where I can.

Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore. I’ve mentioned both players several times. I like them both for depth and Flex appeal, on an offense that figures to throw a lot when the weather isn’t a problem. Serious question: Is there anyone who doesn’t LOVE a snow game?

Dontayvion Wicks. The Packers’ passing offense has been shaky lately, and Miami on Thanksgiving night is a tough matchup, but with Romeo Doubs (concussion) almost certainly out, and Christian Watson being unreliable and inconsistent, Wicks is an interesting streamer for this Week and potentially beyond.

Others to consider for WR depth: Quentin Johnston, Devaughn Vele, Noah Brown, Xavier Legette and Adam Thielen, Demario Douglas, Rashod Bateman, and Calvin Austin III.

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

Tight End:

Mike Gesicki. Gesicki has limited upside as long as Tee Higgins is healthy, but he’s still a meaningful option on the league’s top passing offense. He was a Bye Week casualty in plenty of leagues last week.

Zach Ertz. He may be old, but Ertz is getting it done. He scored again on Sunday against Dallas, and over the last six weeks, he’s been a Top-10 tight end on a points per game basis (and he’s the TE12 on that basis for the full season).

Cole Kmet. The entire Bears’ passing game has been very up-and-down all season. Like, Himalayan peaks-level up and down. So, he’s always going to be hard to trust, and capable of giving you a donut or close to it. But since the OC change, Caleb Williams and the entire offense has been more efficient, so there’s some hope of greater consistency. The talent is there.

Tough to Trust: Noah Gray (back-to-back games with two TDs) and Chig Okonkwo (long TD on Sunday). Neither player has had much value all season, but if you’re stuck and want to chase recent performance, go for it.

PK and D/ST Streamers, Week 13 (ranked outside the Top-12 for the season):

PK: W. Lutz (vs. CLE), S. Shrader (vs. LV), B. McManus (vs. MIA), and B. Grupe (vs. LAR).

D/ST: WAS (vs. TEN), TB (@CAR), HOU (@JAC), and IND (@NE).

That’s all I’ve got. Good luck with your waiver claims!

***This column appears each Monday right here at Big Blue View. Each Thursday, my weekly fantasy preview with my rides, fades and sleepers (start/sit) appears here, and on Fridays you can find my weekly Giants Props of the week, also right here. ***