Welcome to Waiver Wire (Week 13). This is where we highlight a few players at each position that we want to add this week. As for ownership percentages, we will be using Sleeper. For our full weekly rankings list, head to The FFU Weekly Rankings Page or try our Sit/Start Tool Powered by Fantasy Pros. As far as the quarterbacks are concerned, we will be referring to 1QB leagues. That’s the only format where quarterbacks are readily available; if you’re in a Superflex league, it’s doubtful any usable quarterbacks are available.
NFL Teams On Bye: Thank thee almighty, sandwiched between the week 12 & 14 byepocalypse, we have a reprieve and no teams are on bye.
Quarterbacks
Deep League Options (0-25% Rostered)
Embed from Getty ImagesBryce Young, Panthers (11% Rostered)
I’m not going to lie. It’s rough out here for quarterbacks in week 13. What we are playing this week is the matchup; thankfully, we have one player on the rise in said matchup. Tampa Bay gives up the most fantasy points in the league to quarterbacks, and we have Bryce Young coming off one of the best games of his short career vs Kansas City. Completing 21 of 35 passes for 263 yards with a touchdown, showing poise against one of the league’s best defenses. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense has shown some vulnerabilities, particularly against the pass. They’ve allowed quarterbacks to perform well, with several QBs having solid fantasy outings against them this season. This bodes well for Young, who might find opportunities to exploit these weaknesses, as only The Jaguars allow more fantasy points to QB this year.
Will Levis, TEN (18% Rostered), Cooper Rush, DAL (9% Rostered), Jameis Winston (22% Rostered), Derek Carr, NO (18% Rostered).
Medium League Options (26-50% Rostered)
Embed from Getty ImagesDrake Maye, Patriots (30% Rostered)
In this tier of quarterbacks, Drake Maye is the standout choice. Although his performance in Week 12 against Miami was somewhat disappointing, Maye has shown throughout the season that he can elevate the struggling Patriots offense. The Colts rank in the bottom 10 for fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks and are permitting quarterbacks to complete 69% of their passes this season. Additionally, Maye contributes a strong rushing aspect; only Lamar Jackson, Jalen Daniels, Anthony Richardson, and Jalen Hurts average more rushing yards per game than he does. Considering all these factors, Maye is the quarterback to target in this range.
Russell Wilson, PIT (44% Rostered), Aaron Rodgers, NYJ (39% Rostered)
Shallow League Options (51-75% Rostered)
Embed from Getty ImagesGeno Smith, Seahawks (58% Rostered)
Thet Jets carry name cache, but ever since Robert Salah was fired the defense is a shell of itself. They are allowing 26 ppg in that time span, and rank 29th in EPA/play. It has fallen apart in the big apple, and Geno Smith and crew will take advantage. Geno has a 10.8% bad throw rate, best in the NFL. Geno also ranks 2nd in on target rate at 81.2%. Geno has the skill and talented pieces around him to carve up the Jets defense looking for an eject button on the 2024 season.
Tua Tagovailoa, MIA (75% Rostered), Anthony Richardson, IND (59% Rostered).
Running Backs
Deep League Options (0-25% Rostered)
Embed from Getty ImagesJeremy McNichols, Commanders (0% Rostered)
Jeremy McNichols, Washington Commanders
Why to Pick Him Up:
With Brian Robinson Jr. dealing with an ankle injury and Austin Ekeler currently in concussion protocol, McNichols is set for an increased role. If either or both players miss time, McNichols could see significant playing time. He has demonstrated his ability to handle a workload when given the opportunity. In Week 12, he recorded 12 carries for 45 yards and added two receptions for 10 yards, showcasing his versatility as both a runner and a pass-catcher. McNichols is a multi-talented back capable of playing all three downs. His experience in both rushing and receiving roles makes him an attractive option in fantasy leagues, especially in PPR formats.
McNichols isn’t a flashy pick, but he’s a smart one for managers needing RB depth or facing bye weeks. His potential for a significant role in Week 13 and his dual-threat capabilities make him a strong candidate for the waiver wire addition. It really comes down to McNichols or Ameer Abdullah if you need a running back to stream off of waivers. McNichols is attached to Daniels, and the Washington offense gives him a higher floor than Abdullah in Vegas.
Blake Corum, LAR (23% rostered), Hassan Haskins/Kimani Vidal, LAC, Ray Davis, BUF (21% Rostered)
Medium Leagues (26-50% Rostered)
Embed from Getty ImagesAmeer Abdullah, Raiders (37% Rostered)
Ameer Abdullah stands out as the running back to pick up off waivers due to several compelling reasons. In Week 12, both Alexander Mattison and Zamir White were sidelined with injuries, leaving Abdullah as the primary back for the Raiders. He responded by playing 88% of the snaps, a career-high, and demonstrated his versatility by contributing both on the ground and through the air. Abdullah’s role as a pass-catching back could see him continue to have significant involvement even if one of the injured running backs returns. His performance against Denver, where he had 8 carries for 49 yards and caught 6 passes for 65 yards and a touchdown, underscores his potential fantasy value, particularly in PPR leagues. The game against Kansas City is tough, but if you can get past this week, the schedule opens up with games against Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and Jacksonville down the stretch.
Gus Edwards, LAC (29% Rostered), Tyjae Spears, TEN (50% Rostered), Zach Charbonnet, SEA (48% rostered), Tank Bigsby, JAX (44% Rostered).
Shallow Leagues (51-75% Rostered)
Embed from Getty ImagesJaylen Warren, Steelers (62% Rostred)
It’s been an up and down seen for Warren in Pittsburgh, as he had to fight through injury in the first half of the year. Post bye week, Warren has averaged 15 opportunities alongside Najee Harris, and in the game against Cleveland manged to overtake Harris in snaps, as he was the better back. In a plus matchup against the Bengals you know Warren will have a decent role where he is a flex play with upside if the gamescripts shakes out right for him.
Jonathon Brooks, CAR (64% Rostered)
Wide Receivers
Deep Leagues (0-25% Rostered)
Embed from Getty ImagesDevaughn Vele, Broncos (13% Rostered)
The Broncos have been searching for a second wide receiver to complement Courtland Sutton all season, and they have finally found that player in rookie WR Devaughn Vele. Vele adds another big-bodied receiver to the team, which helps alleviate the pressure on Sutton in the passing game. Over the last three games, Vele has finished as WR37 or better, averaging 12.83 PPR points per game, and has received at least four targets in each of those games.
David Moore, CAR (0% Rostered), Elijah Moore, CLE (24% Rostered), Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, TEN (21% Rostered), Noah Brown, WSH (19% Rostered).
Medium Leagues (26-50% Rostered)
Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Saints (35% Rostered)
You will notice a trend of me featuring boom-or-bust wide receivers in this range, and that accurately describes MVS throughout his entire career. Although he may not be a target hog in an NFL offense, in a passing game lacking receiving weapons, MVS is currently the leader in the wide receiver room. Over the last two games, MVS has run 68% of the routes for the Saints. He has converted that into 46% of the air yards, averaging 5.03 yards per route run, 21.6 fantasy points per game, and 98 yards per game, with an impressive 39.2 yards per reception. While these numbers are unlikely to be sustainable, you can confidently plug MVS into your flex spot against a suspect Rams defense that gives up the most fantasy points per dropback in the NFL.
DeMario Douglas, NE (45% Rostered), Alec Pierce, IND (26% Rostered), Adam Thielen, CAR (45% Rostered), Rashod Bateman, BAL (39% Rostered).
Shallow Leagues (51-75% Rostered)
Embed from Getty ImagesKeon Coleman, Bills (62% Rostered)
I understand that the wide receiver situation in Buffalo is crowded, but now is the time to take a chance on Coleman before it’s too late. Injuries have impacted both the wide receivers and Coleman himself, yet he represents the type of player we should consider for the future. As we aim for a high ceiling in fantasy football, few players offer a better opportunity to emerge as a key contributor during the playoffs. Coleman has already demonstrated his talent as a YAC (Yards After Catch) specialist who can be a significant big-play threat. If his target share increases, he could become a difference-making player in fantasy football. If there are tickets available for this opportunity, I want to secure mine before it’s too late.
Cedric Tillman, CLE (68% Rostered), Rome Odunze, CHI (74% Rostered), Keenan Allen, CHI (72% Rostered), Jerry Jeudy, CLE (75% Rostered).
Tight Ends
Deep Leagues (0-25% Rostered)
Embed from Getty ImagesTheo Johnson, Giants (6% Rostered)
There is a potential rookie tight end breakout happening before our eyes, that is going under the radar due to the offense the player is in. Since week 8, Theo Johnson has seen a 19% first read look in the GIants offense, the same rate as George Kittle. Now you could make the case for Noah Gray, as his role had increased the last few weeks as well, I just expect Johnson’s role to hold up for the rest of the season. Theo Johnson has a good matchup vs the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. The rest of the season lines up nicely for Johnson to be a potential backend TE1.
Luke Schoonmaker, DAL (19% Rostered), Noah Gray, KC (6% Rostered).
Medium Leagues (26-50% Rostered)
Embed from Getty ImagesCole Kmet, Bears (50% Rostered)
Cole Kmet, like the rest of the Bears offense has been freed from the Shane Waldron shackles. Kmet exploded back into fantasy lineups with a 10 target, 7 reception, 62 yard day versus the Minnesota Vikings, as he led all tight ends in snaps, and posted a 21% Target Share on the say. You can plug and play Cole Kmet into your lineups on Thanksgiving Day against the Lions.
Zach Ertz, WAS (45% Rostered), Will Dissly, LAC (31% Rostered)
Shallow Leagues (51-75% Rostered)
Embed from Getty ImagesTaysom Hill, Saints (64% Rostered)
We’re back on the Taysom Hill rollercoaster! With all the injuries the Saints are facing, Taysom Hill has taken on a larger role in the receiving game, raising his weekly floor and matching the ceiling of other tight ends. Under new head coach Darren Rizzi, Hill is running over 60% of the total routes, while recording an 18% target share in two of the last three weeks. He has become the Swiss Army knife of fantasy football and could help propel your team toward a championship in 2024. If you can acquire Taysom Hill, he’s an automatic starter at this point.
Thank you for checking out this week’s Waiver Wire column. For our latest content, visit our YouTube Channel for daily videos.
