Another week is in the books and for many fantasy leagues, the playoff-picture is starting to shape-up. With only three games to go until the fantasy-postseason, now is the time to start bolstering those rosters if you’ve already secured a spot, or swing for the fences if you’re on the outside looking in. With a trio of games on Thursday in the Thanksgiving slate, a Black Friday divisional matchup between the Chiefs and the Raiders, as well as the usual Sunday and Monday matchups – the schedule is all over the place for week 13. Thankfully, we have no byes to contend with ahead of Bye-pocalypse number two in week 14 (6 teams on bye – as it was last week), making it much easier to find a spot-start if you’re desperate or even a sneaky stash ahead of the playoffs. Let’s take a look at some of the best pick-ups heading into December.
Rules for Selection & Order Priority
For a player to be considered to be added, they have to:
- Have an rostered % of 50% or under on ESPN
- Players below are listed by their roster %, not priority. Know your league settings. If there is a high-priority add, you’ll know.
Russell Wilson (PIT) 49.6% rostered
The only good thing about Thursday Night Football is that by the time waivers roll around, everyone seems to have forgotten the guys that played on TNF even exist. Pittsburgh lost their first game in almost two months against the Browns in Cleveland last Thursday, but it wasn’t through lack of effort from their born-again QB Russell Wilson. Mr Unlimited once again built on his previous week’s efforts, completing a season high 75% of his passes for 270-yards and a solitary score. It wasn’t a vintage performance from the former Bronco and Seahawk, but it was enough to put him firmly into streamer consideration…especially given his run of matchups in the coming weeks. The Steelers play their second consecutive game in Ohio as they head South to face the Bengals, before a rematch with the Browns in week 14 – both of whom are bottom-10 teams against fantasy QBs.
Matthew Stafford (LAR) 32.5% rostered
Another week with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, another top-10 finish for Matthew Stafford. It wasn’t quite the 295/4 performance of last weekend, but Stafford once again delivered for his fantasy managers under the SoFi lights on Prime Time. The Rams may have lost out to the Eagles in the end, but Stafford still managed to get it done, passing for 243-yards and 2 touchdowns in the 20-37 defeat. As long as Nacua and Kupp are healthy, I am more than happy starting the former Super Bowl MVP. L.A. travels to New Orleans in week 13, giving the 36-year old veteran another favourable matchup.
Also Consider – Jameis Winston (10.1%) & Will Levis (4.0%) rostered
Trey Benson (ARI) 28.4% rostered
I’m putting it out there now – Trey Benson will be a league winner for fantasy football in 2024. The 3rd round rookie out of Florida State didn’t quite match his output of his previous two contests, but he still managed to out-run team-mate James Conner…despite only rushing four times for 18-yards. Conner struggled mightily against a Seahawks team giving up an average of 152 YPG to opposing running backs (29th in the NFL), recording only 8 yards on the ground from his 7 carries. The 29-year old veteran saved his day with 40-yards through the air, but we may just be seeing Trey Benson start to loosen the 8-year pro’s stranglehold on this backfield. He’s my favourite stash and see prospect at the position.
Emanuel Wilson (GB) 2.7% rostered
Why would anyone want to pick up the backup for a back who just ran for 106-yards and 3 touchdowns, cementing his third top-5 finish in his last four games? Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs has been on an absolute tear recently – since week 5 he’s been the overall RB3 behind only Saquon Barkley and Joe Mixon and is averaging 18.7 FPPG. So again, I’ll ask – why would anyone want to pick up his backup? Well, it’s simple – Jacobs simply can’t keep up this workload without losing efficiency – or worse – getting hurt. The Packers have been running Jacobs into the ground, with his 232 total opportunities ranking 4th at the position on the year. We got a very short insight into Green Bay’s plans were Jacobs to go down, with second-year UDFA Emanuel Wilson filling in for the former Raider when he exited the game temporarily with cramps. It’s a short week for the Packers as they host the Dolphins on Thanksgiving. Wilson is worth a speculative add in larger-leagues.
Jeremy McNichols (WAS) 1.2% rostered
Why would anyone want to pick up the backup for a back who just ran for 106-yards and 3 touchdowns, cementing his third top-5 finish in his last four games? Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs has been on an absolute tear recently – since week 5 he’s been the overall RB3 behind only Saquon Barkley and Joe Mixon and is averaging 18.7 FPPG. So again, I’ll ask – why would anyone want to pick up his backup? Well, it’s simple – Jacobs simply can’t keep up this workload without losing efficiency – or worse – getting hurt. The Packers have been running Jacobs into the ground, with his 232 total opportunities ranking 4th at the position on the year. We got a very short insight into Green Bay’s plans were Jacobs to go down, with second-year UDFA Emanuel Wilson filling in for the former Raider when he exited the game temporarily with cramps. It’s a short week for the Packers as they host the Dolphins on Thanksgiving. Wilson is worth a speculative add in larger-leagues.
Kimani Vidal (LAC) 1.1% rostered
The stars have aligned, the prophecy is set to be fulfilled…Kimani Vidal truthers unite – this is our time! The Chargers rookie running back was my absolute favourite last-round pick this year in re-draft leagues – and after about three or four weeks, he was my favourite drop candidate. In what looked like one of the easier backfields to climb up the depth chart, Vidal was kept firmly off the fantasy radar as a healthy scratch for the first few weeks of the season before seeing some playing time in the absence of Gus Edwards through injury. J.K. Dobbins has shown that the lead-RB role in this offense can be incredibly valuable, and with Dobbins getting hurt early in the Monday Night Football loss to Baltimore, and Gus Edwards being Gus Edwards – there is a huge opportunity for Vidal to finally get his shot. I am adding him to benches anywhere I can.
Also Consider – Tyler Allgeier (41.7%), Justice Hill (25.5%), Ray Davis (12.0%) & Blake Corum (14.2%) rostered
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (TEN) 7.5% rostered
To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death, taxes…and a Nick Westbrook-Ikhine touchdown on Sundays”. The Tennessee wideout made it 6 scores in his last 7 appearances – hauling in a 38-yard looper from Will Levis to give the Titans a 10-7 lead late in the first quarter in their eventual 32-27 victory over the Texans. He only managed one more catch in the game for 10-yards, but at this stage of the season…it doesn’t really matter. If you’re desperate at wideout, taking a shot on one who seems to be almost guaranteed for 10 FPPG rest of season isn’t the worst option. The Titans have the best strength of schedule for wide receivers from now until the end of the fantasy playoffs – Westbrook-Ikhine is worth a bench spot at least, potentially a FLEX if you’re struggling with injuries.
Devaugn Vele (DEN) 1.7% rostered
Almost the polar opposite to Westbrook-Ikhine, Broncos rookie Devaughn Vele is emerging as a very startable possession receiver, albeit without the penchant for the end zone that the Titans’ #15 seems to have. Like his quarterback, Vele has gone from strength to strength as the season progresses, and in Denver’s week 12 victory over divisional rivals Las Vegas, recorded his highest yardage-total of his young career. Vele may have only been a 7th-round pick – and as he approaches his 27th birthday in a fortnight – he may be one of the oldest rookies we’ve ever seen…but his maturity shines through in this offense. Again, like NWI, he’s a deeper league desperation play – but with the Broncos having the 4th easiest remaining strength of schedule for wide receivers – he’s a great bench stash for now.
Also Consider – Xavier Legette (36.4%), Demarcus Robinson (15.4%), David Moore (0.1%) rostered.
Cole Kmet (CHI) 37.9% rostered
Welcome back to the tight end top table Cole Kmet. For the first time since the Bears 35-15 win over the Jaguars in London, fifth-year TE cracked the top-20 at the position, finishing just inside TE1 territory after hauling in 7-of-10 targets for 64 scoreless yards against Minnesota. It was yet another disappointing defeat for Chicago…but the performances of Kmet and rookie QB Caleb Williams were definitely silver linings on the clouds hanging over Soldier Field. Week 13 sees the Bears cross the state line to take on divisional rivals Detroit in the traditional early Thanksgiving game. The 10-1 Lions will be heavy favourites so expect a pass-heavy approach from Williams, hopefully focusing once again on his 6’6”, 260lbs safety valve.
Will Dissly (LAC) 36.7% rostered
It wasn’t quite the performance we had hoped for on Monday night – the talks of rookie wideout Ladd McConkey potentially being hampered by a shoulder injury only fanned the flames of the Will Dissly fire heading into a MNF clash against a very generous Ravens pass-defense. Dissly had only one less target than McConkey since week 7, so the idea of him operating as Herbert’s go-to guy against the worst passing-defense in the league was mouth-watering. Sadly, it didn’t really pan out for Dissly – McConkey played, and led the team in receptions and yards, with Josh Palmer getting a team-high 8 looks from Herbert compared to Dissly’s 4. The 28-year old will still be a solid part of the game plan moving forward and the Chargers have some very TE friendly matchups ahead. If you’ve been struggling at the position, you could do worse.
Also Consider – Luke Schoonmaker (11.1%) & Austin Hooper (0.7%) rostered
There you have it! Any questions, or want some more specific help for your league on who to drop, just reach out. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server. And checkout out rankings for each Week.
