MIAMI, Nov. 25 (UPI) — Russell Wilson and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are among my top fantasy football waiver priorities for Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season.
Drake Maye, Ameer Abdullah, Jeremy McNichols and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive/special teams are among my other targets.
Check out my list of waiver targets below if you need replacement options for injured starters. No team is bye this week, leaving fantasy teams with plenty of options and tough roster decisions.
Injuries, stellar performances and other factors have allowed several players to earn a spot on fantasy football teams’ benches or perhaps even in starting lineups.
My waiver priorities each have an ownership percentage of 60% or less. This week’s pool is a little shallow, but still features streaming games, as well as lottery ticket-style targets, that could make the difference down the stretch or in the playoffs.
Here are my top players to add and my top players to drop for Week 13:
TEAM ADD ALL
QB | Russell Wilson, Drake Maye; RB | Ameer Abdullah, Jaylen Warren, Jeremy McNichols, Tyler Allgeier; WR | Adam Thielen, Demario Douglas, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine; TE | Hunter Henry; D/ST | Tampa Bay Buccaneers; K | Evan McPherson
HONORABLE MENTIONS
QB | Caleb Williams, Will Levis; RB | Trey Benson, Ray Davis, Roschon Johnson, Devin Singletary, Kenneth Gainwell; WR | Keon Coleman, Devaughn Vele; TE | Cole Kmet; D/ST | Dallas Cowboys; K | Brandon Aubrey
TOP DROPS
QB | Gardner Minshew; RB | Miles Sanders; WR | Mike Williams, Odell Beckham Jr.; TE | Dalton Schultz; D/ST | Baltimore Ravens; K | Joey Slye
STRATEGIST
Russell Wilson and Drake Maye are my top quarterback targets in Week 13, but should only be started if you desperately need production from that position.
Wilson eclipsed 250 passing yards for the third time in five games, with 270 yards and a score passing in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns. This week, Wilson and the Steelers will face a Cincinnati Bengals defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks through 12 weeks.
Look for the veteran quarterback to throw for at least 275 yards in this meeting. It should also find the end zone once or twice and finish the week as a Top 14 play.
Maye threw for 222 yards and a score against a tough Miami Dolphins pass defense in Week 12. He was in the Top 14 in Week 11, when he threw for 207 yards and two scores.
I expect similar production from the New England Patriots rookie in Week 13, when he faces an Indianapolis Colts defense that has allowed the eighth-most passing yards ( 245.2) per game in the quarters so far this season.
The Colts are also tied for allowing the 10th passing rating (1.5) per game at the position. They have given up at least 260 passing yards to opposing quarterbacks in four of their last five games. They have also allowed at least two assists in two of their last four games.
Look for Maye to provide some low-end QB1 production in this solid Week 13 matchup.
TO COME BACK
The Week 13 free agent running back pool is a bit shallow, with a mix of potential immediate starters and plays with high second-string potential. I prefer to bet on the latter group, led by Trey Benson and Ray Davis, because these players could make a significant difference for playoff teams in the event of injuries to the stars listed above them on their respective depth charts.
If you need someone this week, try Ameer Abdullah, Jeremy McNichols, or Jaylen Warren. Abdullah started in place of injured Las Vegas Raiders running backs Alexander Mattison and Zamir White in Week 12. He recorded 65 yards from scrimmage and found the end zone for the second straight week in the loss of the Raiders against the Denver Broncos.
He could return to a lesser role if one or both of the Raiders’ other running backs return, but he’s worth a look if you need an immediate option. But even if it gets going, its upside potential could be somewhat limited. The Raiders running back should most likely be productive in the passing game again, as he is set to face a Kansas City Chiefs defense that has one of the best run defenses in the NFL.
Like Abdullah, McNichols will only be relevant to fantasy football teams if fellow Washington Commanders running backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler are kept sidelined due to injuries they suffered during week 12. Unlike Abdullah, McNichols and the Commanders will have it a little easier. match.
If McNichols and Abdullah start Week 12, I prefer the former due to the Commanders’ potential matchup scenario against the Tennessee Titans.
WIDE RECEIVER
Touchdown scoring is somewhat unpredictable, but Nick Westbrook-Ikhine’s current streak of six touchdowns in his last seven appearances is simply impossible to ignore.
The Titans playmaker has eclipsed 50 receiving yards just once during his current scoring streak, but he’s worth slotting in as a WR3 in leagues with at least 14 teams.
I also like the Titans’ Week 13 matchup with the Commanders. I expect this to be a high-scoring game, with quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Will Levis airing it out. Westbrook-Ikhine has an excellent chance to make one of Lévis’ many scoring shots.
TIGHT TOE
Patriots tight end Hunter Henry continues to be a hot shot for rookie quarterback Drake Maye. He has drawn at least eight looks in four of his last six appearances, including in each of his last two starts. Henry has scored just once in his first 12 games this season, but remains involved enough to warrant TE1 fantasy football consideration.
This week, the Patriots will also face a Colts defense that has allowed the 10th most receiving yards (56.5) per game so far this season. They were also tied for allowing the fourth-most receiving rating (0.5) per game at the position and allowed a close touchdown in two of their last three appearances.
Henry can be used as a low-end TE1. Cole Kmet of the Chicago Bears and Mike Gesicki of the Cincinnati Bengals are among my other tight end targets in Week 13.
