This has to be the strangest transitional week ever in the history of Fantasy Football. An afternoon game on Wednesday to finish Week 12 means a waiver wire period from Wednesday night through Friday morning. Now here I am writing my weekly streamer article on Thursday, set to release on Friday. And don’t forget we have two Monday games upcoming with a third on Tuesday Night. Wow.
Anyway, this week as always my free agency deep dive will include favorites (my locks) and honorable mentions (more risk, or reliant on an injury update). For certain positions I’ll even recommend streamer options to avoid. I will also try and look past the most obvious waiver candidates, targeting Week 13 Streamers that are available in less than 40 percent of all ESPN leagues. Bold names mentioned are usually waiver candidates that would also qualify as streamers.
Disclaimer: My selections will be based on their matchups, recent play, and upside potential in deeper PPR formats. I recommend checking weather and injury/Covid updates for each streamer in the days leading up to each game, being that this article is always written in advance of final injury reports and weather updates.
Your Week 13 Byes:
- Carolina Panthers
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 13 Fantasy Streamers: QB
My Week 12 quarterback recommendations had mixed results with my headliner (Philip Rivers) doing pretty well, but Daniel Jones (injured mid-game), Teddy Bridgewater and Alex Smith only playing to average/below-average results.
Some waiver candidates for this week may have been Kirk Cousins at home vsJAX or Philip Rivers on the road in Houston. I think either would make for a decent stream if they’re still available, but I wouldn’t expect BOOM performances as both the Vikings and Colts should run the ball a good deal in these games. Here are my top deep streamer selections for Week 13.
Ryan Fitzpatrick (MIA) – 31.0% (v CIN)
Obviously this hinges on Tua sitting one more week (game-time decision), but if Fitz plays he’s definitely my top stream of the week.
By the way, not sure I would say the same about Tagovailoa if he starts, the rookie has been inconsistent in fantasy so far, playing more of a game manager role for the Dolphins.
If there is one thing Fitzpatrick is not, it’s a game manager. With Gaskin and Ahmed still banged up, expect Miami to sling the ball around against Cincy with Fitz at the helm. It usually means a big game for DeVante Parker anytime the vet suits up, and big pass numbers for the Fins whenever he’s out there.
Mitchell Trubisky (CHI) – 5.4% (v DET)
I’m aware that from an NFL QB sense, Trubisky is not good, but he’s always had upside as a fantasy performer when he’s played. This Detroit defense has become one of the worst in football, and although the Matt Patricia firing might provide a spark, I don’t see it happening on this side of the ball with the personnel they have right now.
The weather could be an issue, with a possibility of snow on the forecast in Chicago, but the wind looks okay as of now. Trubisky can run and pass either way, and the snow may actually help the Bears defense get Mitch the football.
Trubisky had his best game of 2020 Week 1 against the Lions (242 pass yards, 3 TD’s, 26 rush yards), and he’s worthy of a stream in Week 13 too.
Honorable Mention
Mike Glennon (JAX) – 1.9% (@MIN)
Never in my life would I have thought I would be listing Mike Glennon as a possible streamer candidate, but a lot of the options scare me this week (more on that below) and Glennon actually looked solid in this unit (that has a growing number of interesting weapons) against the Browns.
Cleveland’s secondary is poor, but so is Minnesota’s, and it helps that the Vikings play in a dome while a lot of matchups this week are in cold weather climates. The Jags will probably be playing from behind, meaning Glennon will have opportunities for garbage time points again.
QB Streams to Avoid (there’s a lot this week)
Baker Mayfield (CLE @TEN)
The Browns have gotten smoked by good teams this season and Baker has become too similar to tight end streamers (he is totally touchdown or bust with the amount of passes he attempts). He had a decent game last week, but that makes two straight even less likely.
Drew Lock (DEN @KC)
The Chiefs pass defense has become one of the best in football somehow, and Lock is entering hostile territory at Arrowhead.
Sam Darnold (NYJ v LV)
The inner Jets fan in me immediately thought this might be a breakout week for Sam, but then I saw the weather report and slapped myself back to reality. December winds at MetLife Stadium are some of the strongest in the NFL, 12-plus MPH winds this week. Also might be smart to avoid Derek Carr, who struggled in NJ last season at the same time of year.
Nick Mullens (SF v BUF)
People ask me about Mullens a lot on Twitter, but I always tell them the same thing. This team doesn’t win by passing the ball, especially when Kittle is out of the picture.
Colt McCoy (NYG @SEA)
Don’t even think about getting cute with Colt McCoy in this spot. The Seahawks defense has improved a ton since Jamal Adams has returned, and it’s a December game in Seattle.
Week 13 Fantasy Streamers: RB
We’ve been hot at running back two straight weeks, with James White, Boston Scott and Kerryon Johnson hitting in PPR leagues for Week 12.
With our top waiver candidates (from Rich King) in mind (Cam Akers, Frank Gore, Devontae Booker), let’s take a look at the best RB streamers for Week 13.
(DOUBLE DOWN) Boston Scott (PHI) – 28.3% (@GB)
You already know I’m going right back to Boston after watching Philly against Seattle. This offense falls behind almost every single game, which has actually hindered Miles Sanders who cannot get anything going behind this offensive line of injury replacements.
That plays to Scott’s favor in PPR leagues though. He’s had eight receptions the past two weeks, and you can almost guarantee the Eagles will be playing from behind on the road against the Packers.
Alexander Mattison (MIN) – 39.6% (v JAX)
I don’t expect Dalvin Cook to miss this week’s game or anything like that, but it would be foolish of Minnesota not to split carries more against the Jaguars. Their run defense is a joke, and Cook has been battling injuries in recent weeks. If there was any game that Mattison might get extra usage, it’s this one.
Honorable Mentions
Benny Snell Jr. (PIT) – 40.3% (v WSH)
I have two final injury report HM’s at running back. The first is Snell Jr., who started for James Conner in Week 12 and ended up being a solid stream if you actually waited out all the postponements. It’s a similar situation for the Steelers in Week 13, as they are scheduled to play Monday against Washington.
Conner is still on the COVID list, but are you willing to take the chance that he doesn’t return by then? If you do and he does, you might be left with a total dud (Snell) in your lineup come Monday.
Ito Smith (ATL) – 1.0% (v NO)
Everyone went with Brian Hill in Week 12 and of course Ito Smith ended up being the right play with Todd Gurley out. The former Ram may return in Week 13, but if he doesn’t, Hill and Smith both gain streamer value again.
Week 13 Fantasy Streamers: WR
Finally a relative miss at wide receiver, it had been awhile for us but Russell Gage did not do as well as expected in Week 12 with Julio Jones out and the Falcons winning big.
Denzel Mims did put up his usual seven to nine points though, and I see him as a consistent deep market option moving forward even if he hasn’t had that monster game yet. Keelan Cole was also an average play, with Hamler busting out completely (although I should get a pass on that one with the QB fiasco in Denver last week AFTER I made my picks).
Top waiver candidates at WR include Allen Lazard, T.Y. Hilton, Nelson Agholor and Breshad Perriman among others, so I’ll avoid those names.
(DEEP DIVE) Keke Coutee (HOU) – 0.9% (v IND)
Our top wide receiver streamer is a DEEP DIVE option for maybe the first time all year. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Keke Coutee is now one of the only available receivers for Deshaun Watson. Will Fuller was just suspended for the duration of 2020 and more, Randall Cobb is on IR, and Kenny Stills was released at an odd time. That gives the slot receiver value in PPR leagues, especially since Watson should be throwing a decent amount against a stout Colts run defense.
Tim Patrick (DEN) – 23.7% (@KC)
The opponent isn’t ideal, but at this point Patrick has proven that he is just an underrated talent at wide receiver. At 6’4″, Patrick has become a matchup problem for defenses all season, and someone will have to catch the ball once KC goes up a few scores in this game.
Hunter Renfrow (LVR) – 14.0% (@NYJ)
The weather forecast in this game points to a short passing gameplan for both teams, which bolds well for the dynamic slot-man. The Jets also lost nickel corner Brian Poole for the season, leaving NY without an experienced CB to guard Renfrow in the slot.
Honorable Mentions
(DOUBLE DOWN) Damiere Byrd (NE) – 3.6% (@LAC)
There were so many options at WR this week that I liked that a few deserving names may not have made the cut (Mooney/Miller in Chicago, Mims with NYJ, Reynolds with LAR, and even Golden Tate with NYG). I mostly shied away from those guys due to weather or QB play. I will include a spot for Byrd again however.
He didn’t quite repeat his Week 11 numbers last time out, but he did cement his role over N’Keal Harry in this Pats WR core behind Jakobi Meyers. When Cam does throw, he usually hits Meyers or Byrd with most of his targets.
Henry Ruggs III (LVR) – 35.1% (@NYJ)
I’ve been watching the Jets for a long time. One thing they can NEVER guard is speed. I called it with Hardman when the Jets faced the Chiefs and I’ll make the same bet this week and predict that Ruggs has at least one huge play in this game, even with the windy forecast.
(WATCH LIST-DEEP DIVE) Collin Johnson (JAX) – 0.1% (@MIN)
Not sure I would necessarily start Johnson this week unless you are really desperate, but he did play a massive role in the Jags offense last week (96 yards on eight targets, one TD). If that chemistry with Glennon carries over to Week 13, the matchup against a small-sized Vikings secondary is certainly a good one for the 6’6″ rookie.
(WATCH LIST-DEEP DIVE) Isaiah Coulter (HOU) – 0.1% (v IND)
It would be a major risk to start Coulter based on nothing but a lack of wide receivers in Houston, but that’s exactly what puts the rookie on this list. The Texans were high on him in camp for what it’s worth, and being that they released Stills and DeAndre Carter in recent weeks despite being short at the position shows that they believe in Coulter as an option for Watson.
Week 13 Fantasy Streamers: TE
Finally hit on a tight end and it was my honorable mention Trey Burton. Jacob Hollister ended up being the guy you want in Seattle, but neither Seahawks TE factored much as my main streaming selection in Week 12.
Logan Thomas and Trey Burton will go down as top TE waiver candidates for this week. Here are some other possible streamers.
Jordan Akins (HOU) – 6.9% (v IND)
Akins has burned me so many times this year, so I suppose this is an at your own risk type of selection, but I have to go back to him here. As mentioned in the WR section, the Texans have no weapons right now. David Johnson may return alongside Duke Johnson at RB, and there is Cooks, Coutee and maybe Coulter at WR, but that’s really it.
If you prefer the touchdown dependent Darren Fells, go that route instead, but I think Akins is the safer bet against Indy.
Honorable Mention
Richard Rodgers (PHI) – 9.4% (@GB)
Carson Wentz is obsessed with tight ends, and that mere fact has kept Richard Rodgers relevant since the return of Dallas Goedert. You hope for a cheapy TD if you play Rodgers, but he’s been getting one more often than not.
Week 13 Fantasy Streamers: D/ST
I listed three D/ST streamers last week (NYG, SEA, NYJ), and I’m pleased to say that they all did decently. There was an explosion of defense around the league in Week 12 that I missed out on though, with ATL, CAR, HOU and SF all having huge TD-heavy fantasy performances. Looking at teams rostered in under 40 percent of ESPN leagues, here are my top plays this week.
Los Angeles Chargers – 34.6% (v NE)
Probably a top waiver candidate, but if available LAC is still the most surefire pickup against the Patriots. Cam Newton can’t throw the ball most games, and traveling across-country I don’t expect this New England offense to perform at its peak.
San Francisco 49ers – 32.8% (v BUF)
If there’s one defense that I could see repeating their Week 12 turnover ratio, it’s San Fran who’s getting healthier on D every day. Buffalo is also traveling a great distance, and Josh Allen is prone to making mistakes.
Honorable Mentions
Las Vegas Raiders/New York Jets – 5.6/2.8% (H2H, @NYJ)
The Jets have actually been the better fantasy D/ST this season, coming off a strong week vs Miami, but that’s not saying much. Normally this would have OVER pegged by most bettors, but I’m not so sure based on the forecast for high winds. This could be one of those disastrous MetLife games that provides turnovers, missed kicks and challenging punts. If that ends up being the case, either defense may provide adequate fantasy points.
Week 13 Fantasy Streamers: K
My most consistent position for streaming predictions this season had another nice week last time out, with Fairbairn, Gano and Gay having solid games. The Texans kicker did miss a PAT early, but righted the ship after that.
You might remember that I said to avoid Badgley, Bass and Elliott because of high winds. Bass ended up doing well, but the other two were major busts in Week 12. As always, taking matchups and weather into account for kickers, here are my top streamer selections.
(DOUBLE DOWN) Matt Gay (LAR) – 4.2% (@ARI)
I really like how Gay has settled in with the Rams so far. In my opinion, he always had talent, but now the young kicker has finally gotten his second chance, and this is the perfect offense to get it in. Los Angeles moves the ball well but they don’t always score TD’s, and neither the weather or the opponent makes me nervous for Gay’s Week 13 outlook.
Dan Bailey (MIN) – 4.0% (v JAX)
Bailey has been low-ranked in 2020, but only because he doesn’t attempt many field goals with the Vikings. In Minnesota’s dome, Bailey and this offense should have no problem putting up points against Jacksonville.
Honorable Mentions
No one to necessarily avoid this week, but some other names I like are Jason Myers (who continues to kick accurately despite weather concerns) vs NYG, Tyler Bass @SF, Robbie Gould vsBUF and the always-risky Stephen Gostkowski vsCLE.
Thanks for reading! Check in next week for more streaming options or tweet @the_mizzardFF with questions, or for fantasy football advice.
That’s it for our fantasy streamers for Week 13 come back next week for more! Remember, you can always reach out to us on social media with any questions we are on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. And don’t forget to check out our weekly rankings!
Image Credit: Jasen Vinlove – USA TODAY Sports
