Week 13 Waiver Wire Targets
Kirk Cousins (ESPN 21% Yahoo 40%)
Back at it again on the Waiver Wire is Mr. You like that! Cousins had no Thielen on Sunday and a rare off game for Dalvin Cook but had no problem bringing the Vikings to a come from behind victory. Cousins had 3 TDs and over 300 passing yards and now will be facing the Jaguars in week 13. High fives to that! One last thing, Cousins is tied in third (Brady, Herbert, Mahomes) for the most 3+ TD passing games on the season. Some nice company right there.
Phillip Rivers (ESPN 13% Yahoo 33%)
Give credit when credit is due folks. Rivers at 38 joined a totally new offense after playing for the same team for 16 years. He went to an extremely less talented squad and was written off preseason being labeled “done”. While getting off to a slow start he has been looking like a new man his last 6 games. Hes got multiple TD passes in 4 of them and has been a serviceable streaming option for many. Yet again Rivers services will be called upon when he faces the Texans who rank in the bottom ten in FPPG against QBs.
Ryan Fitzpatrick (ESPN 14% Yahoo 20%)
We got blessed with some Fitzmagic this past Sunday when Fitzy threw for 250+ yards and 2 scores. Fitz obviously got the start with Tuas thumb injury and took full advantage of it. With Tuas week 13 matchup in doubt, I’m hoping to see some more Fitzmagic next week when the fish take on the Bengals.
Brian Hill (ESPN 31% Yahoo 47%)
With Todd Gurley out of action in week 12, Hill was called upon to handle lead back duties. Hill did not shock the world but was reliable going for 55 yards on 13 carries. Some morons might point to Ito Smith with the better numbers but the Falcons gave Smith garbage time carries. Hill is clearly the back to own if Gurley continues to miss time.
Devontae Booker ( ESPN 6% Yahoo 9%)
Booker is a back to keep an eye on after Jacobs suffered an ankle injury. Booker is a guy who is usage is up more this year as was evident 2 week sago in a monster 2 TD performance. The Raiders failed to get much going on the ground against the Falcons due to being blown out and having to abandon it but week 13 could bring much more joy facing the Jets. Any injury to a running back should be monitored and this is no different for the Vegas backfield.
Frank Gore (ESPN 19% Yahoo 25%)
I am convinced Gore will be the first player in league history to play in the NFL and have an AARP card in his wallet. Not only did Gore hog the backfield for the Jets but he looked like a bull plowing through his opponents. 18 carries on 74 yards and I absolutely love it. Its by far a sexy add but in deeper formats why the hell not? If Perine misses extended time Gore will most likely continue to see solid volume.
James White (ESPN 48% Yahoo 62%)
White is known for his pass catching abilities but Sunday he was known for his touchdown running talent. That felt extremely awkward just to type. Two scores for White on the ground helping pave the win against Kyler and the Cards. Michel was active but didn’t log a snap and Burkhead is out for the year. It is clear to me White will be a important piece to this offense one way or another. White faces the Chargers next week who have given up the 8th most receptions to running backs.
Cam Akers (ESPN 28% Yahoo 29%)
Last week we saw a pulse on Akers who recieved a TD but not much life beside that. This week I saw Akers run an impressive 61 yard carry, the longest by a Ram since 2017. He had 9 carries, one behind Darrell Henderson but that shows me McVay is holding trust in the rookie. First rushing TD in Akers career and lets hope many more to come. To me he is absolutely worth a claim considering his uptick in usage and playoff schedule.
Latavius Murray (ESPN 47% Yahoo 60%)
This is my most intriguing option on the wire. When you have people in a panic on twitter already asking if they should start Murray over Kamara in Week 13 you know shits off the hook. Murray is the RB who has clearly benefited the most since Hill has taken over at QB but pump the brakes on the AK talk people. Kamara is the guy (OBVIOUSLY) but Murray clearly has flex value the way he has performed. We have seen plenty of times in the past if Murray can get a fair amount of snaps he will produce. He is worth a bench stash in 12 team leagues.
Deebo Samuel (ESPN 60% Yahoo 56%)
Good lord Deebo! An offensive explosion by the 2nd year 49er resulted in a field day against one of the scarier secondaries in the league. To say I am impressed is an understatement. I need me Deebo on all of my teams and so do you. Don’t care if its Jimmy G, Nick Mullens or 64 year old Joe Montana throwing him passes I want him. He will be one of the most sought out players on the wire so make sure if you need a WR you get to the front of the line or spend that FAAB.
Keke Coutee (ESPN 0% Yahoo 1%)
Will Fuller royally fucked me and multiple fantasy owners with the suspension news. Fuller plays in an offense led by the great Deshaun Watson who knows how to throw the ball. Next man up has got to be Coutee. There will be plenty of targets and opportunities for Coutee, the question is if he takes advantage of it. Randall Cobb would be my guy in the waiver wire report but unfortunately he is sitting on the IR.
Allen Lazard (ESPN 28% Yahoo 39%)
Lazard finished Sunday night football with 4 catches for 23 yards and his first TD since the beginning of the season. While those numbers do not fly off the charts, it is nice to see Lazard targeted 6 times and being part of the offensive game plan. I still feel better days are ahead of the Lizard King as he has some favorable match-ups ROS (Eagles, Lions, Panthers, Titans).
Breshad Perriman (ESPN 14% Yahoo 12%) Denzel Mims (ESPN 5% Yahoo 7%)
As abysmal as the Jets have been this season, these 2 wideouts have been a bright spot the past few weeks. It took some time for them to be healthy but they are given the Jets some production. With how scarce free agency is with wideouts, both of these guys provide solid depth in deeper leagues. It also helps that they face the Raiders next week who just got torched yet again.
Gabriel Davis (ESPN 1% Yahoo 3%)
The Bills rookie wideout has now caught 1 TD pass and recorded 70+ yards in 2 out of the last 3 games. With John Brown on the IR, Davis is stepping up and showcasing his skills. In Browns absence he should continue to work as the 3rd wideout in a heavy passing attack in Buffalo. His target share and snap count could continue to trend in the right direction just in time for the playoffs. I would ass him in 14 team leagues and up.
Collin Johnson (ESPN 0% Yahoo%)
With several offensive players banged up on the Jags, rookie Collin Johnson stepped up in a huge way resulting in 4 catches on 96 yards with a 40+ yard TD. You gotta love when a guy gets called upon and takes advantage of a situation. With the Jags clearly out of the playoff race,the Jags really should be evaluating player talent the remainder of the way. Johnson isn’t a guy I am going out of my way for but is an intriguing candidate in deeper leagues.
Michael Pittman (ESPN 37% Yahoo 58%)
I throw him in here every week and I swear I was not going to do it again but after this last shitty performance lets chat. Pittman had just 2 catches in a matchup I personally felt was going to be HUGGGEEEE. Pittman let me and several others down but lets look at the positives. Pittman has been cruising the past few weeks and was thrown to 9 times on Sunday. Rivers clearly favors him int he game plan and will continue moving forward. The Colts offense as a whole struggled to move the ball but that should change given the sexy matchups ahead. Do not shit can Pittman yet, in fact add him in more of your leagues while you can. We all have a bad day once in a while, right?
Tim Patrick
How dare he not grab a catch from Hall of Fame QB Kendall Hilton. Just the week prior Patrick hauled in 5 catches over 100 yards from another Hall of Fame QB. Patrick has been a consistent ball catcher and one of the Broncos top options the whole season. As long as he has an actual QB on his roster in week 13, he is a decent bench option.
Corey Davis ( ESPN 52% Yahoo 54%)
One more time for the people in the back. Davis is owned in half of leagues worldwide which is astounding. His week 13 matchup against the Browns and playoff schedule is what I like to call sex. He is a consistent contributor to the Titans offense and 100% should be on your fantasy teams.
Olabisi Johnson (ESPN 0% Yahoo 0%)
Adam Thielen missed week 12 landing on the covid/restricted list resulting in the 23 year old sophomore to step up to the starting lineup. Johnson brought in all 7 of his targets for 70+ yards and converted a 2 point conversion. Now Thielen will be returning this week but In deeper formats Johnson could hold some value. The way Cousins has been playing mixed with a few generous match-ups for wide outs I would give Johnson consideration in 16 team leagues and bigger.
Trey Burton (ESPN 6% Yahoo 19%)
One of the only bright spots on the Colts Sunday was Trey Burton who caught a nice TD pass and was targeted 6 times. Burton is no prime Antonio Gates but we know Rivers has always depended on his ends in the passing game. Burton is a nice streaming option the rest of the way.
Jordan Reed (ESPN 14% Yahoo 25%)
I pinned Reed as a top 12 Tight end this week and he was a nonfactor. He did however get 6 targets and is the clear cut top tight end option in SF with Kittle out for possibly ROS. I think Reed turns it around week 13 against the Bills who have allowed the most receiving yards to tight ends on the year. With Gronk out this week, Reed might be your guy.