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And now for today’s feature from the Daily Dose…
By: Tony Kneepkens (@tonytk44)
These are the top players to consider adding from waivers this week. Unless otherwise noted, all players below are available in greater than 50% of Yahoo leagues (as of Sunday evening). Priorities and FAAB recommendations are meant to differentiate between some of the options available and are assuming 12-team, single-QB, fantasy formats.
Week 13 teams on bye: none
Week 13 offers a reprieve from bye weeks before the final four teams take their Week 14 byes next week. Having all teams and players available this week allows us to start to optimize fantasy rosters for the stretch run by loading up on injury-away RBs and other high-upside bench stashes. There is only one high-priority recommendation this week, another injury replacement RB option, and I’ve otherwise noted some players to consider for short-term spot starts or as longer-term bench holds heading into the fantasy home stretch.
QB Streamer of the Week
Trevor Lawrence, JAX, Week 13 at TEN
QB shouldn't be many fantasy managers’ top priority with all starting options available this week, but I'll mention T-Law on the road against the Titans and sporting a 24.0-point implied team total as a solid streaming option, if you need him.
Low-priority add. Most QBs and offenses have thrived against a generous Tennessee defense this season, making Lawrence my favorite widely available streaming option for Week 13.
3% or less of FAAB.
RB Pickups
Devin Neal, NO, Week 13 at MIA
Neal racked up 61 scrimmage yards on a dozen touches last week after Alvin Kamara left the game with an MCL injury. He’s now set to take over lead-back duties moving forward in Kamara’s absence.
High-priority add. Neal remains the only Saints RB with a touch this season other than Kamara and Kendre Miller (ACL tear). The team will likely mix in plenty of utility man Taysom Hill, who had a season-high 10 carries last week, but it looks to be Neal’s show in the NO backfield for the foreseeable future.
40 - 60% of FAAB.
Tyjae Spears, TEN, Week 13 vs JAX
Spears maintains a significant role for the struggling Titans offense, acting as a secondary/complementary runner to Tony Pollard and as a regular passing game contributor. He has three or more receptions in six straight games.
Low-to-medium priority add. Spears has been something close to a bright spot for an underwhelming Tennessee offense this season. The team should have every incentive to continue to feature him down the stretch; their only goal down the stretch should be finding long-term contributors to next year's team and beyond.
5 - 15% of FAAB.
Dylan Sampson, CLE, Week 13 vs SF
The rookie runner had some added opportunities last week with fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins missing time in the middle of the game being evaluated for a concussion, before later returning. Sampson topped 80 scrimmage yards last week, highlighted by an explosive 66-yard TD catch and run.
Low-priority add. I thought it was worth mentioning Sampson here for the off chance that Judkins suffers some sort of setback, but worst case, Sampson is a talented young handcuff RB to stash down the stretch who has shown ability as a runner and a receiver in his rookie year.
10% or less of FAAB.
Some additional lower-priority or “handcuff” RB options to stash on fantasy benches ::
Bhayshul Tuten (JAX) - Saw fewer opportunities than the previous week but remains one of fantasy’s top bench stashes down the stretch. I believe he has more opportunity to keep cutting into the starter’s role than the rest of the options on this list.
Blake Corum (LAR) - Continues to see ~30-40% of the Rams RB touches and has seven-plus carries in five straight games for one of the league’s best teams.
Brian Robinson Jr. (SF) - Capable backup to CMC, their roles wouldn’t look the same, but B-Rob would be a no-brainer RB starter if he happened to see a spot start in CMC’s absence down the stretch.
Tyler Allgeier (ATL) - A similar asset to B-Rob, who actually has a stronger standalone role, but I prefer Robinson slightly on what I think is the superior offense overall.
Ollie Gordon II (MIA) - The talented rookie continues to carve out a standalone role alongside superstar De’Von Achane. I think he’d get a shot for lead-back duties if Achane missed a game.
Keaton Mitchell (BAL) - Continued to be the only Ravens’ RB with an opportunity behind Derrick Henry last week, even after Justice Hill’s return to the lineup.
WR Pickups
Luther Burden III, CHI, Week 13 at PHI
Burden, the Bears’ second-round draft pick, now has back-to-back games seeing a career-best five targets. He snagged three passes for 46 yards and added a 15-yard rush in last week’s win over the Steelers.
Medium-priority add. Burden has played ahead of veteran WR Olamide Zaccheaus for the past two weeks and mixed into some additional two-wide sets last week. The talented rookie seems to be earning a larger and more diverse role as the season progresses; he makes for a strong bench stash heading into the home stretch of the fantasy season.
10 - 20% of FAAB.
Jayden Higgins, HOU, Week 13 at IND
Higgins, another talented second-round rookie, had a team-best nine targets and finished with a 4-38-1 receiving line in an upset win over the Bills last week. He’s been pretty consistent of late with four-plus catches in four of his last five games and three total TDs over that stretch.
Low-to-medium priority add. Higgins is another WR that I think is worthy of a bench spot in most fantasy formats. He’s played well with multiple QBs this year and should have the benefit of QB C.J. Stroud’s return in the near future.
5 - 15% of FAAB.
Andrei Iosivas, CIN, Week 13 at BAL
Iosivas led the Ja’Marr Chase-less Bengals with seven targets last week, catching four passes for 61 yards in their home loss to the Patriots.
Low-to-medium priority add. While Chase is set to return from suspension, Tee Higgins seems highly unlikely to play on a short week after suffering a concussion in Week 12. Assuming Tee sits, I like spot-starting AI again this week, as needed, in a high-total divisional game in Baltimore Thanksgiving night.
5 - 15% of FAAB.
TE Pickups
Colston Loveland, CHI, Week 13 at PHI
Loveland had another solid 4-49-1 line last week on his five targets. The highly drafted rookie is carving out a legitimate role and is up to six straight games with four-plus targets and three-plus catches for the first-place Bears.
Medium-priority add. Loveland remains available in more than half of Yahoo leagues. I think he's worth an add, and long-term bench stash, on any fantasy roster that doesn't have a no-brainer starting TE option ahead of him.
10 - 20% of FAAB.
Brenton Strange, JAX, Week 13 at TEN
Strange returned to the Jags’ lineup last week after missing significant time with a hip injury suffered in Week 5. He sprung right back into action, catching five passes and leading the team with 93 receiving yards.
Low-to-medium priority add. Similar to last week, I wanted to provide a more straightforward “plug-and-play” TE option alongside Loveland as my top TE recommendation. Strange has now exceeded 4-45 receiving in four of his six appearances this season and is my favorite widely available TE option to stream against the Titans this week.
10% or less of FAAB.
Some additional lower-priority TE adds to consider ::
Mike Gesicki (CIN) Caught four of six targets last week and continues to thrive in a pass-catching role for the Bengals whenever one of their star WR duo sits out with an injury or a spitting-related suspension.
Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE) The rookie TE remains the Browns leader in catches and receiving yards this year.
Darren Waller (MIA) Eligible to return from short-term IR any day/week now.
DEFENSE (Top pickups for Week 13)
Chargers (home vs Raiders)
Jaguars (at Titans)
Falcons (at Jets)
Dolphins (vs Saints)