We are here with our Week 13 waiver wire adds. We are right on the edge of making the playoffs. You might already be there, or maybe you need just one more win. Either way we have you covered with our pickups for this crucial week.
I’m writing this a little later, on Tuesday morning. So the only game that we haven’t had this week is that troublesome Ravens v Steelers game we were supposed to have back on Thursday.
Each week I am going to look at players to use that have lower ownership percentages (lower than 50%). I’m going to be using the rostered percentages from Yahoo leagues, as it’s easily publically available. These are players that I’m looking to pick up from the waiver wire for Week 13.
After last week on not having any bye weeks, we return to having two teams not suit up this week. Teams on bye for Week 13 are:
- Carolina Panthers
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Each of my adds are ordered by their rostered percentages, rather than their priority.
Kirk Cousins (MIN, 40% rostered)
Cousins put together a fantastic performance last week without his leading receiver Adam Thielen. The offense has flowed through Dalvin Cook mainly, but Cousins has been putting together a string of impressive performances. Regardless, the matchup against Jacksonville is too good to turn down. Their defense gave Baker Mayfield the opportunity to impress. Even if Thielen is out, this offense can keep being effective.
Philip Rivers (IND, 33% rostered)
So, this run-first offense is working isn’t it? OK, the Colts were maybe forced to throw the ball due to Tennessee getting out to a lead, but still Rivers has thrown the ball a lot the past two weeks. This week the team face up against a Houston Texans unit that has struggled on defense this season. Rivers is a solid add if you need a QB.
Tua Tagovailoa/ Ryan Fitzpatrick (MIA, 25%/ 20% rostered)
The situation in Miami is one to monitor. At this point of the week, it appears to hinge on the availability of Tagovailoa’s thumb. Based on how the team managed to perform last week, I would say that the likelihood is that the thumb would need to be completely fine in order for the rookie to be in the lineup. The Bengals defense isn’t the best, so it’s still a target matchup.
Honorable Mentions
- Baker Mayfield (CLE, 35% rostered)
- Andy Dalton (DAL, 11% rostered)
- Robert Griffin (BAL, 2% rostered)
Cam Akers (LAR, 29% rostered)
Akers may have done it. He might have finally performed well enough that Sean McVay has to give him the starting job. While his backfield rivals struggled, Akers managed to run for 61-yards and show ability to finish. At a minimum, he is a player that is worth picking up as a flyer for a team that has already made the playoffs.
Frank Gore (NYJ, 25% rostered)
Gore is getting touches. Sure, it’s part of a New York Jets offense that is really not lighting anything up, but it’s still volume. This week he matches up against Las Vegas, who have struggled against RB’s all season. You can start him in deeper leagues and feel ok about it.
Jordan Wilkins (IND, 17% rostered)
This is mainly dependent on Jonathan Taylor being able to play. Last week the Colts were forced to abandon the run game, which limited Wilkins’ fantasy value. However, against the Texans defense, he is worth rolling out if Taylor is out. The Colts aren’t as likely to fall behind as early and as much as they did last week. Best of all, due to his struggles last week, you might be able to pick him up for next to nothing.
Devontae Booker (LV, 10% rostered)
Josh Jacobs is the clear lead-back in this offense. Infact, given the time he spends on field he more of a workhorse. However, his body seems to be showing signs of that workload. Jacobs spent the week struggling with a hip injury, and then left the game against the Falcons with an ankle injury. If either of those injuries flare up again, then Booker is a must-start- just as a volume play if nothing else.
Honorable Mentions
- Carlos Hyde (SEA, 38% rostered)
- Alexander Mattison (MIN, 32% rostered)
- Matt Breida (MIA, 22% rostered)
- Samaje Perine (CIN, 6% rostered)
- Ito Smith (ATL, 1% rostered)
Ito Smith shared carries with Brian Hill last week. This week’s matchup against New Orleans is a tough one, but if Todd Gurley continues to miss time Smith’s role could continue.
Nelson Agholor (LV, 43% rostered)
Agholor had a mixed outing in Week 12, ending with just five receptions for 54 yards, but the whole offense took a step back against Atlanta. This week, the team matchup against New York, who are one of the worst defenses in the league.
Allen Lazard (GB, 38% rostered)
Lazard didn’t have a good yardage total last week, but he managed to score a TD. That was against a tough Chicago defense, this week (and from here on out) the schedule is decent. As the second receiver on an Aaron Rodgers led offense, he has a fantastic level of upside as a playoff push-piece.
T.Y. Hilton (IND, 38% rostered)
Hilton might not be the lead receiver, infact he was fourth in targets, but he has shown flashes. If the Colts offense continues to ride on the ability of Rivers arm, then Hilton could end up having some value. Oh, and the Colts match up against Houston twice in the next few weeks, making him a decent pickup if you are desperate.
Jalen Reagor (PHI, 32% rostered)
Reagor was once again the lead receiver for the Eagles in targets (excluding Dallas Goedert). The issue is that the offense is really stalling, outside of the tight end position. Reagor has some appeal in deep PPR leagues, but there are better options. I’d rather put Perriman in my lineup than Reagor, as he has more upside with a similar floor.
Breshad Perriman (NYJ, 24% rostered)
Darnold might be the QB, but it seems that Joe Flacco told him he need to keep throwing the ball downfield. The normal inconsistent Perriman now has had a few weeks of solid production, against some tough opponents. With matchups against Las Vegas and Seattle coming up, he is worth consideration in deeper leagues.
Honorable Mentions
- Sammy Watkins (KC, 44% rostered)
- Mecole Hardman (KC, 26% rostered)
- Laviska Shenault Jr (JAX, 18% rostered)
- Hunter Renfrow (LV, 17% rostered)
- Josh Reynolds (LAR, 9% rostered)
- Gabriel Davis (BUF, 3% rostered)
Trey Burton (IND, 19% rostered)
The Colts offense is hard to judge in a lot of ways. One thing that isn’t though is Burton being used in the redzone. Sure, his fantasy value is tied to his TD-upside, but what TE isn’t? If Burton is available in your league, pick him up. His weekly upside is far too high.
Kyle Rudolph (MIN, 14% rostered)
Rudolph featured more in the Vikings offense against Carolina, but that seemed to be more through necessity than anything else. The offense was without their premier option Adam Thielen, as well as Irv Smith. If Smith is limited with his groin injury, Rudolph is at worst a streaming option against Jacksonville.
Honorable Mentions
- Logan Thomas (WAS, 41% rostered)
- Jordan Reed (SF, 25% rostered)
- Richard Rodgers (PHI, 4% rostered) if Zach Ertz continues to miss time
- Jacob Hollister (SEA, 1% rostered)
Honestly, there aren’t too many DST units that fit our 50% available that I would be confident starting. Based on the number of teams that are over 50% owned you probably already have a unit inplace.
Los Angeles Chargers (36% rostered)
The Chargers defense has had some returning pieces, which has led to some better defensive performances (at least for fantasy). This week, the team faces up against a New England offense that has been inconsistent all season.
Las Vegas Raiders (7% rostered)
The Raiders defense haven’t been a good unit all season. However, they do match up against the New York Jets. I’m not saying the Raiders are a team that will be making my lineup this week, but if you are in a league where everyone has hoarded DSTs, they are a fine play.
Dan Bailey (MIN, 32% rostered)
Bailey finally has a double-digit game, with his only other one coming in Week 5. This week the Vikings take on the Jaguars, who give up a lot of points. That means there should be plenty of PAT and FG attempts.
Tyler Bass (BUF, 21% rostered)
Bass has really hit his stride at this point of the season, with an average of just over 13 points per game over the past five weeks. Against San Fransisco’s defense we should see some drives stopped. Something that could lead to more FG attempts for Bass.
Honorable Mentions
- Greg Zuerlein (DAL, 40% rostered)
- Mason Crosby (GB, 38% rostered)
- Robbie Gould (SF, 27% rostered)
So those are our waiver wire adds for Week 13. I’d certainly expect a number of them to end up in my start/ sit article later this week, and in my weekly rankings, which will be as soon as I take in the action tonight.
Image Credit: Brad Rempel – USA TODAY Sports
