This week's waiver wire is somewhat of an anomaly. The kind of players we generally see as targeted pickups − unheralded role-players coming off big games − aren't really the best options because their chances of repeating are unlikely.
For example, Packers running back Emanuel Wilson thrived in his first start of the season, rushing for 107 yards and two touchdowns in place of the injured Josh Jacobs. Wilson was the RB2 on the week (pending Monday night's game) but Jacobs is expected to be back in the lineup in Week 13 after reportedly being close to suiting up on Sunday.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlso, Jameis Winston of the New York Giants was the QB1 after throwing for 366 yards and two touchdowns (and scoring on an amazing 33-yard reception). But again, starter Jaxson Dart is expected back this week at New England.
Perhaps the best advice is just to secure the backups for your top players and not worry so much about trying to catch lightning in a bottle.
QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: 247.34 fantasy points (24.73 per game)
QB Drake Maye, New England Patriots: 223.14 fantasy points (20.29 per game)
QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: 219.8 fantasy points (21.98 per game)
QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: 206.14 fantasy points (18.74 per game)
QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams: 201.38 fantasy points (20.14 per game)
RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers: 283.9 fantasy points (25.81 per game)
RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts: 273.9 fantasy points (27.39 per game)
RB De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins: 235 fantasy points (21.36 per game)
RB Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons: 209.9 fantasy points (20.99 per game)
RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions: 203.6 fantasy points (20.36 per game)
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks: 217.9 fantasy points (21.79 per game)
WR Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals: 193.7 fantasy points (19.37 per game)
WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams: 193.3 fantasy points (21.48 per game)
WR George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys: 190.8 fantasy points (19.08 per game)
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions: 188.4 fantasy points (18.84 per game)
TE Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals: 184.8 fantasy points (18.48 per game)
TE Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys: 140 fantasy points (14 per game)
TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: 131.9 fantasy points (13.91 per game)
TE Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts: 136.3 fantasy points (13.63 per game)
TE Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers: 117.2 fantasy points (14.65 per game)
K Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks: 106 fantasy points (10.6 per game)
K Cameron Dicker, Los Angeles Chargers: 104 fantasy points (9.45 per game)
K Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys: 98 fantasy points (9.8 per game)
K Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers: 96 fantasy points (9.6 per game)
K Chase McLaughlin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 96 fantasy points (9.6 per game)
Seattle Seahawks D/ST: 94 fantasy points (9.4 per game)
Houston Texans D/ST: 91 fantasy points (9.1 per game)
Denver Broncos D/ST: 87 fantasy points (7.91 per game)
New England Patriots D/ST: 84 fantasy points (7.64 per game)
Los Angeles Rams D/ST: 84 fantasy points (8.4 per game)
1 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: 247.34 fantasy points (24.73 per game)
1 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: 247.34 fantasy points (24.73 per game)
2 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
QB Drake Maye, New England Patriots: 223.14 fantasy points (20.29 per game)
3 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: 219.8 fantasy points (21.98 per game)
4 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: 206.14 fantasy points (18.74 per game)
5 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams: 201.38 fantasy points (20.14 per game)
6 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers: 283.9 fantasy points (25.81 per game)
7 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts: 273.9 fantasy points (27.39 per game)
8 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
RB De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins: 235 fantasy points (21.36 per game)
9 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
RB Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons: 209.9 fantasy points (20.99 per game)
10 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions: 203.6 fantasy points (20.36 per game)
11 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks: 217.9 fantasy points (21.79 per game)
12 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
WR Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals: 193.7 fantasy points (19.37 per game)
13 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams: 193.3 fantasy points (21.48 per game)
14 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
WR George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys: 190.8 fantasy points (19.08 per game)
15 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions: 188.4 fantasy points (18.84 per game)
16 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
TE Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals: 184.8 fantasy points (18.48 per game)
17 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
TE Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys: 140 fantasy points (14 per game)
18 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: 131.9 fantasy points (13.91 per game)
19 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
TE Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts: 136.3 fantasy points (13.63 per game)
20 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
TE Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers: 117.2 fantasy points (14.65 per game)
21 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
K Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks: 106 fantasy points (10.6 per game)
22 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
K Cameron Dicker, Los Angeles Chargers: 104 fantasy points (9.45 per game)
23 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
K Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys: 98 fantasy points (9.8 per game)
24 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
K Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers: 96 fantasy points (9.6 per game)
25 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
K Chase McLaughlin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 96 fantasy points (9.6 per game)
26 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
Seattle Seahawks D/ST: 94 fantasy points (9.4 per game)
27 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
Houston Texans D/ST: 91 fantasy points (9.1 per game)
28 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
Denver Broncos D/ST: 87 fantasy points (7.91 per game)
29 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
New England Patriots D/ST: 84 fantasy points (7.64 per game)
30 / 30The top 5 fantasy football scorers at each position in PPR formats
Los Angeles Rams D/ST: 84 fantasy points (8.4 per game)
Fantasy football players to add for Week 13
Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, the players listed here include their availability rates in Yahoo leagues, which may or may not match rates on other platforms. With only a couple games remaining in the fantasy regular season, feel free to spend big if a player can help you win this week. (Suggested bid values based on $100 free agent acquisition budget for the season.)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWR Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (48% rostered)
It's hard to believe that after Watson's two-TD breakout game in Week 11, he's still this widely available. He had a season-high seven targets on Sunday vs. the Vikings, which he turned into five catches for 49 yards. No touchdowns though. Still, he's working his way back from a knee injury that kept him out for the first six games. There's plenty more upside. (Recommended FAAB bid: $20)
WR Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars (40% rostered)
Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington goes down to secure a touchdown pass from QB Trevor Lawrence against the Cardinals in Week 12.Washington has been on our watch list before − and he returns after catching five passes for 71 yards, a touchdown and a season-best 18.1 PPR fantasy points on Sunday. One good reason to pick him up is the Jaguars' schedule. They face the Titans this week and the porous Colts defense in Week 14. If your team needs a playoff push, Washington could provide it. (FAAB bid: $15)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRB Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns (11% rostered)
Sampson will go down in the history books for being on the receiving end of Shedeur Sanders' first NFL touchdown pass, but truthfully, the score was all Sampson's doing. He turned a simple screen pass into an explosive breakaway while leaving Raiders defenders looking like they were stuck in quicksand. He isn't going to overtake Quinshon Judkins as the primary running back, but that kind of speed is definitely worth having on your roster. (FAAB bid: $11)
RB Devin Neal, New Orleans Saints (3% rostered)
While not possessing the kind of big-play upside Sampson does, Neal could offer much more volume − especially after starter Alvin Kamara had to leave Sunday's game with a toe injury. Neal rushed for just 18 yards on seven carries, but showed his value as a receiver with five catches for 43 yards. If Kamara is limited or out this week, Neal should see a ton of touches. (FAAB bid: $10)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTE Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears (43% rostered)
The rookie seems to be a greater part of the Bears offense with each passing week. He caught four passes for 49 yards and a score vs. Pittsburgh, making him the TE3 on the week. While this Sunday's matchup at Philadelphia could be a tough one, Loveland has an excellent playoff schedule capped by a Week 17 date in San Francisco. (FAAB bid: $9)
WR Andrei Iosivas, Cincinnati Bengals (20% rostered)
Iosivas saw additional snaps in Week 12 with Ja'Marr Chase serving his one-game suspension. While he'd be expected to fade into the background with Chase returning, fellow wideout Tee Higgins left Sunday's game with concussion symptoms and is unlikely to make the quick turnaround for Thursday night's game against the Ravens. With star QB Joe Burrow also expected to be back in action, the possibility exists for another strong game from Iosivas. (FAAB bid: $8)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWR Chimere Dike, Tennessee Titans (14% rostered)
Dike excelled as both a receiver and as a returner against the Seahawks, catching five passes for 44 yards and a score while also taking a punt back 90 yards for a touchdown. While his ceiling will be limited by rookie QB Cam Ward's limitations, Dike should continue to have plenty of opportunity to shine. (FAAB bid: $7)
WR John Metchie III, New York Jets (1% rostered)
Tyrod Taylor certainly gives Jets receivers more potential upside than Justin Fields did. Metchie is a good example as he's recorded touchdown catches in both of his full games since being acquired from the Eagles. He's coming off a season-best six catches for 65 yards against the Ravens. (FAAB bid: $6)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWRs Christian Kirk (14%) and Jayden Higgins (22%), Houston Texans
Davis Mills went 3-0 filling in for injured QB C.J. Stroud, but it looks like Stroud (he's rostered in only 36% of leagues if you need a QB) will return to the field on Sunday against the Colts. While it's hard to tell exactly how the change will impact the momentum Kirk and Higgins built up over the past few games, they remain dedent options because of the trouble the Texans have experienced trying to run the ball. Both caught TD passes from Mills on Thursday. (FAAB bids: $6 on Higgins, $5 on Kirk)
TE Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars (13% rostered)
Washington wasn't the only Jaguars pass-catcher to have success this week. Strange hauled in all five of his targets for 93 yards to finish as the TE4. He still has a pair of games in Weeks 14 and 17 against the Colts, who give up the fourth-most fantasy points to the position. (FAAB bid: $5)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTE Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (1% rostered)
Kamara's injury also opens the door for Hill to get additional snaps. He tallied 10 carries Sunday against the Falcons, but only gained 17 yards. Two pass attempts also fell incomplete. If Kamara is out, a full week of practice should allow the Saints to put in a more robust package for Hill. How lucky do you feel? (FAAB bid: $3)
RB Ty Johnson, Buffalo Bills (2% rostered)
We saw on Thursday what can happen when the Bills have to play catch-up. Johnson played a significant number of snaps and caught three passes for 45 yards. He's also scored touchdowns in two of the past four games. A long shot, sure. But if you need RB depth, there are worse options. (FAAB bid: $1)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football NFL Week 13 best 13 waiver wire pickups
AdvertisementAdvertisement
