Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 13

Experiencing the thrill of winning a tightly contested fantasy matchup that goes down to the wire is unparalleled. While success in fantasy football largely hinges on draft preparation and strategic decisions throughout the season, an undeniable element of luck comes into play each week. Like many of you, I have tasted victory fueled by luck and, unfortunately, suffered through some dismal moments on the opposite end of the spectrum this season. 

In my previous matchup, my fortunes took a turn for the worse, and I wanted to share this experience in case any of you are grappling with similar disappointment this week. Heading into Sunday’s slate of games, my prospects seemed grim as my matchup’s players excelled on Thursday and Friday, while my team greatly underperformed. Unexpectedly, my team mounted a remarkable comeback in the later afternoon games, led by the waiver wire gem Kyren Williams, putting us in contention for victory.

As Sunday Night Football approached, I held a substantial lead, but he still had Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers left to play. Despite a promising start, the storyline took a dramatic twist. Even after Flowers’ first touchdown, my team maintained a decent lead late into the game. The Baltimore Ravens, leading by three, relied on the reliable Justin Tucker for a field goal that could secure a six-point advantage. To everyone’s astonishment, Tucker missed the kick, setting the stage for an uncertain finish.

As the Chargers offense stepped onto the field, I envisioned several scenarios that might push the game into overtime, spelling eventual defeat for my team. Thankfully, the Chargers failed to secure a field goal opportunity, surrendering possession to the Ravens. With less than two minutes on the clock, conventional wisdom suggested Baltimore would assume a victory formation, after securing a first down. However, a plot twist occurred as Lamar Jackson executed an unexpected play in the waning moments of the game. To the surprise of many, he handed off the ball to Zay Flowers on a jet sweep, resulting in a game-ending touchdown. This play single-handedly shattered my hopes and solidified a heartbreaking defeat. This loss is intensified by my missed opportunity to solidify a playoff spot with a victory.

I share this story not only to vent my frustrations but also to highlight the unpredictable nature of fantasy football, where luck is a pivotal player in the game. While this particular experience brought about unparalleled levels of misfortune, I have also basked in favorable luck multiple times this season. As we step into Week 13, symbolically a reset of fortunes, may luck be in our favor in the critical matchups leading up to the playoffs. The number 13, with its dual reputation in luck, adds an intriguing layer to the upcoming matchup. Some consider it lucky, while others deem it unlucky, much like the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th. The key to mitigating bad luck is to diligently prepare for the upcoming week, beginning with making the most of available opportunities on the waiver wire. Without further ado, here are some standout pickups, so pristine that they promise to bring you luck in Week 13.

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Running Backs

Zack Moss, RB, Indianapolis Colts – Rarely do we find ourselves adding a name to our list after all the games have concluded, but this week is a definite exception. Early on Tuesday, news broke that star running back Jonathan Taylor will undergo thumb surgery, sidelining him for an estimated 2-3 weeks. Fortunately for the team and some lucky fantasy managers, the Indianapolis Colts already have a more than capable running back on their roster to fill the void left by Taylor. Zack Moss has had a surprisingly stellar season, despite his previous seasons being mostly unproductive. While Taylor was sidelined starting the year on the PUP, Moss amassed 280 rushing yards and a touchdown on 66 carries, also contributing in the passing game with six receptions on eight targets for 42 receiving yards from Week 2 through Week 4. With Taylor set to be out for the foreseeable future, Moss will resume the coveted three-down role, in which he has thrived. While his upcoming matchup against the Tennessee Titans might not look extremely promising on paper, Moss had the best game of his career against them in Week 5, turning 23 carries into 165 yards and two touchdowns. He also added two catches for 15 yards through the air in that game. While it might be challenging to envision Moss replicating similar statistics in his second encounter with Tennessee, he is essentially a must-start in most leagues given his projected workload.

Keaton Mitchell, RB, Baltimore Ravens – Despite being a player who should already be rostered everywhere, Keaton Mitchell surprisingly remains available on waivers in many leagues. The speedy rookie showcased further growth in Week 12, emerging as the team’s leader in opportunities and was on the field for the first snap of the game. In Sunday night’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Mitchell carried the ball nine times for 64 yards and caught both of his targets for an additional 25 yards. The only element absent from this standout performance was a touchdown, which could definitely swing in his favor in future games. Notably, he saw a season-high 46% of snaps, indicating an increased role moving forward. Currently boasting an incredible 9.3 yards per carry, he could potentially remain overlooked in leagues where he is still available, courtesy of a Week 13 bye. The rookie sensation looks to carry his impressive form into Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams.

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Roschon Johnson, RB, Chicago Bears – If you read last week’s waiver wire pickups article, there is a good chance you have already secured the services of rookie running back Roschon Johnson. If not, regrettably, you might have missed the opportune moment to acquire him. In Week 11, Johnson captured our attention by maximizing his limited opportunities and ultimately outperforming Khalil Herbert. The hope was that the team would recognize Johnson’s effectiveness and efficiency, prompting them to provide him with more chances moving forward. Despite Monday Night Football proving to be a snooze fest for most of the game, it held a different story for those rooting for Johnson to secure more opportunities. In a victory over the Minnesota Vikings, he carried the ball 10 times for 35 yards and caught all five of his targets for an additional 40 yards. Notably, he had seven more opportunities than Herbert in this game and achieved double-digit carries for the first time in his young career. In contrast, Herbert, who received 16 rushing opportunities the week prior, saw only six in this game. What excites us most is Johnson’s potential in the passing game. If he can continue to impress in this aspect while becoming more efficient on the ground, significant fantasy performances could be in the forecast. Unfortunately, the Chicago Bears will be on bye in the upcoming week, but Johnson might find increased involvement in the game plan after a week off from action. 

Jeff Wilson Jr., RB, Miami Dolphins – The highly anticipated return of De’Von Achane last week turned into a major disappointment, primarily due to another injury setback. His absence created a promising opportunity for Jeff Wilson Jr., who secured the second spot on the depth chart behind Raheem Mostert in Week 12. In Friday’s decisive victory over the New York Jets, Wilson capitalized on the increased opportunities, rushing the ball 11 times for 56 yards and catching all three of his targets for an additional 17 yards. While there is currently some optimism that Achane can potentially return in the upcoming week, any further setbacks could position Wilson as a discreet fantasy asset in a position that is notoriously challenging to fill. If Achane is sidelined in Week 13, an exceptionally favorable matchup against the depleted Washington Commanders‘ defense is on tap for the veteran running back.

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Wide Receivers

Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs – Despite being a rookie in the NFL, Rashee Rice has quickly become a seasoned veteran in our waiver wire articles this season. The talented newcomer showcased his brilliance once again, achieving his first 100-yard game in his career. In the most recent victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, Rice hauled in eight receptions out of 10 targets for 107 yards and a touchdown. Notably, this marks the first time a Kansas City wide receiver has surpassed 100 receiving yards since Week 7 of last season. Rice achieved season highs in both route participation (71%) and target share (31%). Excelling in yards after the catch, he appears to be the sought-after second receiving option behind Travis Kelce that the Chiefs offense has been longing for. Combining Rice’s impressive performance with his ongoing connection to Patrick Mahomes, he now merits serious consideration as a must-start player. As he aims to sustain his recent stellar form, Rice faces the Green Bay Packers in a Week 13 showdown.

Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers – Assuming Christian Watson is already rostered in your league, let’s shift the spotlight to his rookie teammate, Jayden Reed. Reed, previously featured in last week’s edition of this article, continued to deliver on Thanksgiving day. Thanks, Jayden, for giving us fantasy points every week. In a statement win over the Detroit Lions, the elusive rookie secured four receptions out of eight targets for 34 yards and a touchdown. Notably, he also contributed 16 rushing yards on two carries, showcasing a facet of his game that seems to be expanding within the team’s game plan. His eight targets match a season-high set in Week 2, and he has now achieved double-digit fantasy points in three consecutive games. He has additionally scored a touchdown in three straight weeks, accumulating six for the season. While Watson profiles as the more electric player for explosive performances, Reed appears to be the more reliable and consistent option between the two. His developing chemistry with Jordan Love positions Reed as a viable starting option going forward. Despite a challenging matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on the horizon, Reed should still produce in what projects to be a high-scoring game.

Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders – Rashee Rice was not the only wide receiver to achieve a century mark in receiving yards this past week. Despite the team’s blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, Curtis Samuel turned heads with a standout performance. The seasoned slot receiver secured nine receptions out of 12 targets for 100 yards, setting season-highs in both receptions and targets. It is evident that Samuel has become a favored target of quarterback Sam Howell, a noteworthy connection considering Howell has recorded 40+ pass attempts in eight of his last nine games, including a six-game streak. While his value is more pronounced in PPR leagues, Samuel deserves consideration as a starter moving forward due to the team’s pass-heavy approach. His next opportunity to showcase his fantasy worth comes in a Week 13 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, where the team is anticipated to be in a situation of chasing points from behind.

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Tight Ends

Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers – Pat FIREmuth? Pat LIVE WIREmuth? Pat CAN YOU TAKE ME HIGHERmuth?! In a season riddled by injuries and setbacks, the Muth finally got luth in Week 12. With Matt Canada no longer at the helm, the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ offense underwent a remarkable transformation, showcasing unexpected productivity and efficiency. The primary beneficiary of this shift was tight end Pat Freiermuth, who delivered the best performance of his young career. In a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, he hauled in nine receptions out of eleven targets, amassing an impressive 120 receiving yards. In last week’s edition of this article, we highlighted Freiermuth as a potential addition to your rosters, emphasizing that his exceptional skills could triumph over unfavorable circumstances. In only his second game back from the injured reserve, the burly tight end demonstrated that this might indeed be the case. Despite this standout performance, it is crucial to note that Freiermuth had only achieved double-digit receiving yards in one other game this season. Nevertheless, if the team continues to exploit the middle of the field under their new offensive coordinator, Freiermuth could emerge as a significant beneficiary of the revamped game plan. His next chance to validate the sustainability of his improved production awaits in a Week 13 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

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Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints – In our previous waiver wire article, we highlighted Tyler Higbee as a potentially sneaky pickup at the tight end position in deeper leagues. He more than lived up to this expectation by scoring two touchdowns in Sunday’s victory over the Arizona Cardinals. This week, we shift our focus to another under-the-radar tight-end pickup, Juwan Johnson, who entered the season with high breakout expectations but has largely disappointed thus far. However, Week 12 presented a different storyline for the athletic tight end. Johnson secured a substantial 18.4% target share, securing four receptions out of seven targets for 45 yards. Notably, this uptick in targets followed key injuries in the team’s wide receiver unit, with Chris Olave exiting the game due to a concussion and Rashid Shaheed sustaining a potentially significant quad injury. There is an above-average likelihood that both players may be unavailable in the upcoming week, positioning Johnson for a potentially similar workload in Week 13. Adding to the allure, he will be facing the Detroit Lions, who have allowed the fifth-most touchdowns to the tight end position this season.

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Quarterbacks

Team DEF/ST

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