Waiver Wire Watch: Week 13 Targets

Nov 25, 2019

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We can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Bye weeks are officially a thing of the past. Those of us still fighting for the fantasy postseason now get the full force of our rosters to deploy each week. But, we don’t have to go alone, as there are a number of names still hanging out on waivers that can make a difference for our squads, and I highlight a bunch below. Don’t forget that this week we have three Thursday games as the NFL takes over your Thanksgiving Day. Make sure your lineups are fully set before slipping into that inevitable food coma.

Before we get into the meat of the article, there are a few house-keeping items to clear up. Recommendations are based on a PPR-scoring, four-point passing touchdown, 12-team league, with ownership percentages coming from Yahoo. I try to mention when a player is a better streaming play (short-term/one-week starter) versus a long-term addition. Free-agent acquisition budget (FAAB) suggestions are based on a $100 season-long budget. Lastly, the great John Paulsen will edit this article every week and adjust rankings and prices if necessary. Essentially, you’re getting two minds collaborating on this piece instead of one, so lucky you.

Now, with that out of the way, here are some players to target heading into Week 13.

Quarterbacks

1. Ryan Tannehill

2. Sam Darnold

3. Kyle Allen

4. Jacoby Brissett

5. Nick Foles

6. Daniel Jones

7. Ryan Fitzpatrick

Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans, 26% owned ($10)

Tannehill has breathed new life into the Titans offense since taking over and he's putting up great fantasy numbers as well. Since taking over as the starter in Week 7, he is the No. 3 fantasy quarterback in total points, and has the second-highest per game average behind Lamar Jackson. Moreover, Tannehill’s lowest fantasy output is 18.9 points since becoming the starter, and he’s scored multiple touchdowns in each start. On Sunday against the Jaguars he notched 259 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 40 rushing yards and two more touchdowns on the ground. Tannehill has to face a relatively tough Colts defense this Sunday, but then gets the Raiders and Texans leading into the fantasy playoffs. Tannehill is not only a solid streaming option, but he could be a late-season savior for fantasy squads looking for answers at quarterback.

Sam Darnold, New York Jets, 39% owned ($10)

Darnold is taking full advantage of his cushy late-season schedule, as Sunday marked his third-straight game with 20-plus fantasy points. Darnold carved up the Raiders secondary, completing 20 of 29 passes for 315 with two touchdowns, and he added a rushing touchdown for good measure. Darnold faces the Bengals and Dolphins over the next two weeks and looks primed to help push plenty of fantasy teams into the postseason.

Kyle Allen, Carolina Panthers, 18% owned ($5)

Last week, the narrative was turning on Allen after a four-interception game where his Panthers offense was shellacked by the Falcons. This week? Allen responded with a fantastic performance on the road against one of the league’s best defenses in New Orleans. Allen threw for 256 yards, three touchdowns, and no turnovers, moving well in the pocket and feeding D.J. Moore. Allen should find relief (and an easier time padding his stats) against Washington in Week 13, and then he gets a chance for revenge against the Falcons in Week 14. Allen was dropped in thousands of leagues after his disastrous Week 11 performance, so if you’re in need of a streamer see if he’s ready and waiting on your wire.

Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts, 38% owned ($5)

The Colts (curiously) opted for a run-heavy approach against the Texans on Thursday night, limiting Brissett’s opportunities. He didn’t play great, but he wasn’t helped by his receivers either, who dropped a number of passes. All told, Brissett completed 16-of-25 passes for 129 yards, but he scampered into the end zone on the ground to save an otherwise disastrous fantasy day. T.Y. Hilton at full health would do wonders for Brissett’s outlook, as Brissett hasn’t crossed 150 passing yards in either start since returning from injury. Brissett has the Titans on Sunday followed by the Buccaneers and their leaky secondary.

Nick Foles, Jacksonville Jaguars, 33% owned ($3)

Foles completed 33-of-48 passes for 272 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions, adding 20 yards on the ground as well. Foles threw the ball OK, but the Jaguars overall just got blasted by the Titans. Next week, whether it is Nick Foles or Gardner Minshew under center, the Jaguars get a great matchup against the Buccaneers secondary. Matt Ryan didn’t throw a touchdown on Sunday but moved the ball well against this defense, while the four previous quarterbacks to face the Buccaneers threw at least three touchdowns. Foles or Minshew will be an excellent streamer in Week 13 in what could be a sloppy shootout between two mediocre teams.

Daniel Jones, New York Giants, 27% owned ($3)

Jones got the job done in fantasy thanks to two touchdown heaves, but 150 yards on 21-of-36 passing (4.2 yards per attempt) is brutal. Fortunately for Jones (and any fantasy owners staring him), the schedule eases up next week when Jones hosts the Packers. The Packers secondary has allowed 1,161 passing yards over the last four games. Green Bay has also been prone to conceding big plays, as they’ve allowed 43 receptions of 20-plus yards heading into Sunday Night Football against the 49ers. Jones is a riskier start, but he’ll likely need to throw a lot to keep pace with the Packers, so a high ceiling is within his range of outcomes.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins, 10% owned ($1)

Those in a pinch or feeling frisky could give Fitzmagic a look this week. He is at home against an improving Eagles defense (held Russell Wilson to 200 yards, one touchdown, one interception), but his play has been up-and-down. Fitzpatrick has three games with two-plus touchdown passes in his last five, but the other two games he put up goose eggs in the passing touchdown category.