Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 13 (Fantasy Football)
The fantasy season has reached its most critical stretch, and every lineup decision now carries significant weight. The playoffs are approaching fast, and the window to find difference-making help on the waiver wire is narrowing. Still, landing the right pickup can fuel a late surge and lock down that final postseason spot. With that in mind, here are the top Week 13 waiver targets ready to give your roster the edge it needs for the hopefully long road ahead.
Catch the weekly Waivers episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast
Running Back Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
2
4
4
5
4
5
5
4
9
6
6
9
5
7
9
8
6
8
8
6
8
9
10
7
7
10
11
10
10
11
7
11
11
Devin Neal, RB, New Orleans Saints – Despite his slide in the draft, Devin Neal entered the league as an intriguing prospect out of Kansas with a standout production profile. For most of the season, he has been stuck on the depth chart in New Orleans, but Week 12 finally opened the door. Alvin Kamara missed most of the game with a knee injury, and Kendre Miller was already on IR with his own knee issue. That pushed Neal into lead back duties, and he delivered in Sunday’s loss to the Falcons. He managed only 18 yards on seven carries, yet made a real impact through the air by catching five of seven targets for 43 yards. Scoring chances remain scarce for this New Orleans offense, but if Kamara is out, Neal should handle a meaningful workload that could lead to surprising production. He sits at the top of this week’s waiver priority at RB and could be in for a strong Week 13 performance if Kamara remains sidelined as the Saints head to Miami to face the Dolphins.
Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Washington Commanders – Washington’s Week 12 bye pushed Chris Rodriguez Jr. off the fantasy radar, and in some leagues it even led to him being dropped. If he is available in your league, he deserves immediate attention. Rodriguez has steadily taken control of the Commanders’ backfield and was gaining real momentum before the break. In Week 11, he handled 15 carries for 79 yards and added a six-yard reception. He has scored three TDs over his past five games and continues to hold the most stable role among Washington’s RBs. Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols will still mix in, but Rodriguez has separated himself as the most dependable option. Fantasy managers should move quickly before his involvement climbs even higher, even with a rough matchup against Denver looming in Week 13.
Bam Knight, RB, Arizona Cardinals – Nicknamed “Bam”, Zonovan Knight hasn’t produced the kind of production that matches the nickname, but his recent workload has at least delivered back-to-back double-digit fantasy outings. He struggled for consistency on Sunday against a strong Jacksonville run defense and finished with just 12 yards on ten carries, though he salvaged the day with a TD. He added four catches for 20 yards and has now scored in two straight games while seeing enough passing work to provide a modest floor when he fails to find the end zone. Expectations should stay realistic, but if you need a short-term fill-in, Knight can hold value for as long as Trey Benson is sidelined.
Dylan Sampson, RB, Cleveland Browns – As long as Quinshon Judkins is healthy, Dylan Sampson profiles as more of a complementary piece in Cleveland’s offense. Even so, he made a noticeable impact in Sunday’s win over the Raiders. He ran for 23 yards on seven carries and added two catches for 59 yards, highlighted by a 66-yard catch and run that went for fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders’ first career TD. Judkins briefly left the game, reminding us of Sampson’s upside if the starter were to miss time, but he was able to return. For now, Sampson is more of a stash in deeper formats, yet if this offense continues to progress under Sanders and he keeps looking Sampson’s way on checkdowns, the rookie’s speed gives him the ability to turn limited touches into meaningful fantasy value.
Wide Receiver Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
1
2
4
2
5
3
1
3
2
6
3
4
7
4
5
5
11
1
2
6
6
7
7
7
4
10
6
8
3
5
12
9
12
8
9
10
8
12
8
11
14
9
10
12
9
14
11
13
10
11
13
14
13
15
14
15
15
13
15
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers – Christian Watson has been a frequent feature in our weekly articles since making his season debut in Week 8, yet he remains available in roughly half of leagues, which is surprising after his two-TD performance in Week 12. His availability is unlikely to last much longer. In Week 13, Watson did not find the end zone but caught five passes for 49 yards on a season-high seven targets. Even with modest numbers, he led the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, highlighting his significant role in a banged-up offense still searching for answers. As an explosive deep threat with consistent boom potential, he should be rostered in all leagues heading into a pivotal Week 13 matchup with the Lions.
Parker Washington, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars – Parker Washington had been red hot following Jacksonville’s Week 8 bye, but looked like he came back to Earth in Week 11 with just two catches for 20 yards. Fortunately, that game appears to have been a minor blip in his breakout campaign, as he got back on track in Week 12. In Sunday’s win over the Cardinals, Washington caught five of seven targets for 71 yards and a TD, showing he can step up as the team’s WR1 when needed, especially with Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter sidelined.
Looking ahead, Thomas Jr. is expected to return as early as this week, and newly acquired Jakobi Meyers, along with Brenton Strange, who just returned from injury, also had big performances. This makes the weekly pecking order harder to predict and could lead to some unpredictable outings for Washington. Even so, his production should not be overlooked, and he has a strong chance for another big game in a favorable matchup against Tennessee in Week 13, though expectations should be managed if Thomas Jr. returns.
Jayden Higgins, WR, Houston Texans – At this point in the season, a strategic advantage is identifying rookie WRs showing signs of a true breakout. While nothing is guaranteed, Jayden Higgins has been turning heads in recent weeks and deserves a spot on your fantasy radar as the regular season winds down. In Sunday’s surprising win over the Bills, Higgins saw a season-high in targets, catching four of nine for 38 yards and a TD. He has now had seven or more targets in four of his last five games and has scored in three of them. Most of this production has come with Davis Mills under center, and with CJ Stroud expected to return this week, it is unclear whether Higgins will maintain the same level of involvement. Despite the uncertainty, Higgins remains an intriguing pickup for Week 13 as the Texans face the Colts in what could be a high-scoring affair.
Andrei Iosivas, WR, Cincinnati Bengals – While many expected an explosive performance from Tee Higgins with Ja’Marr Chase sidelined due to suspension, Sunday’s standout was, instead, Andrei Iosivas. He finished Sunday’s loss to the Patriots with four catches for 61 yards on seven targets. Even with Chase back in the lineup for Week 13, Higgins is currently in concussion protocol, leaving his availability uncertain. That opens the door for Iosivas to deliver another big game as the Bengals face the Ravens in a matchup that should be high scoring and marks the return of Joe Burrow under center for Cincinnati.
Tight End Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
2
1
2
2
1
6
1
3
3
4
3
4
4
3
5
5
7
2
4
6
5
5
6
7
8
7
7
8
6
8
10
9
9
9
8
10
10
10
9
Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars – After missing five games with an injury, Brenton Strange wasted no time reestablishing himself. He opened the season strong before going down, but his extended absence pushed him off the fantasy radar in many leagues. In Sunday’s thrilling win over the Cardinals, he reminded managers why he was so promising early on, catching all five of his targets for 93 yards while serving as a steady outlet for Trevor Lawrence during an up-and-down performance from the QB. Strange fits exactly what this offense needs, providing reliable hands and a dependable underneath option that can keep drives moving. If he stays healthy, he has a clear path to finishing the season strong. He is firmly in the streaming mix for Week 13 as Jacksonville looks to stay hot against a struggling Tennessee defense.
Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears – Colston Loveland has been on the fantasy radar since his breakout in Week 9 against the Bengals, though his two games leading into Week 12 were quieter and briefly slowed the momentum. On Sunday, he reminded everyone why he is such an intriguing talent, hauling in four of five targets for 49 yards and a TD in Chicago’s crucial win over the Steelers. His production can dip when he doesn’t score, and this offense has plenty of competition for targets, but the rookie continues to flash the upside that makes him worth monitoring closely. The Bears now head to Philly for one of the toughest matchups he will face, yet the volume should remain steady enough to keep him in starting consideration for deeper formats.
Quarterback Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
2
1
3
2
3
4
1
3
1
5
5
4
4
7
2
5
5
3
8
6
7
2
7
7
8
6
4
8
6
9
6
9
9
8
9
Check out Javier Manzanera’s weekly article on QB Streamers to Consider.
Team DST Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
2
1
1
2
1
6
5
3
6
4
3
4
4
9
2
5
5
7
4
6
7
2
7
7
3
8
6
8
9
5
9
9
10
3
10
10
8
10
8
Catch the weekly Waivers episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast
Final Thoughts
As the season tightens and every decision grows more meaningful, the margin for error shrinks. The playoffs are approaching fast, and the right waiver pickup can still shift your trajectory. Stay proactive, trust your instincts, and take a calculated swing when the opportunity is there. With smart moves now, your roster will be positioned to deliver when it matters most. Good luck in Week 13, and here’s to finishing the regular season strong as the push for championship glory continues.