With only a couple weeks left in the fantasy regular season, it's critical moment for most leagues. We help you plan ahead with waiver pickups, streamers, and names to watch.
There are no byes in Week 13, but fantasy managers can hardly catch their breath, thanks to several running back injuries. We’ll account for all of that in this week’s waiver wire — while adding a holiday bonus. With six teams on bye in Week 14, we’ve included a brief look-ahead at quarterback and defense streamers and a running back handcuff refresher for managers trying to plan ahead and sneak into the fantasy playoffs.
As always, you’ll find several top waiver options in this weekly feature, along with FAAB suggestions. Generally, players listed here will be available in at least 50% of Sleeper leagues.
Top Waiver Wire Additions After Week 12
RB Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers
J.K. Dobbins suffered a knee injury of unknown severity on Monday night against the Ravens. Given the short transition from Monday to Sunday, Dobbins is facing an uphill battle to play in Week 13.
Edwards (28% rostered on Sleeper) has averaged less than half a reception per game in his NFL career, so he’s limited to rushing yardage and touchdowns. Fortunately, the Chargers will face the Falcons in what should be a high-scoring Week 13 affair.
With Dobbins’ long injury history, the Chargers could also exercise caution with his recovery, giving Edwards several weeks of viability. Consider a 25-40% FAAB bid on Edwards, given all the uncertainty with Dobbins’ status.
RB Ameer Abdullah, Las Vegas Raiders
Alexander Mattison missed Week 12 with an ankle injury, while Zamir White was held out as well with a quad issue. Should both miss Week 13 — they have a rare Friday afternoon game, so there’s a shorter turnaround time — Abdullah would have fantasy RB2 appeal once again in half-PPR and PPR formats.
Last week, Abdullah only carried eight times for 28 yards; however, he ran a whopping 49 routes in the passing game, catching five of six targets for 37 yards and a touchdown.
Abdullah is just 33% rostered on Sleeper, as most fantasy managers simply didn’t know how to handle the Raiders injuries last week. It’s a developing situation once again, but RB-needy teams can spend 15-30% of their FAAB if a Week 13 win is a must for a fantasy playoff berth.
Just know that Abdullah is nothing more than a desperation flex if either Mattison or White returns in Week 13. While the Chiefs boast a tough run defense, Abdullah’s value comes in the passing game, and it’s a near-guarantee the Raiders will be trailing throughout.
RB Jeremy McNichols, Washington Commanders
Brian Robinson exited Week 12’s game on two occasions with an ankle injury, while Austin Ekeler suffered a scary concussion. Ekeler is almost certain to miss Week 13, and because the Commanders have a Week 14 bye, the team may exercise caution with Robinson and give him two weeks off.
If Robinson is held out of action, McNichols would receive a large workload against the Titans on Sunday, and he’d be in the fantasy RB2 conversation. McNichols is available in nearly every fantasy league on Sleeper, and he’s worth a 15-30% FAAB bid for managers needing to fill their RB2 slot. He won’t be fantasy viable if Robinson suits up, though.
TE Noah Gray, Kansas City Chiefs
Gray (6% rostered) scored two touchdowns in Week 11 and repeated the feat in Week 12. Travis Kelce isn’t going anywhere, but veteran DeAndre Hopkins has only been on the field for half the team’s passing plays the past two weeks. The Chiefs may continue to default to two tight end sets, which would allow Gray to get consistent run in a top offense.
At worst, Gray is a Kelce injury away from fantasy TE1 status; however, he should return fringe fantasy TE1 value if he’s playing the majority of the team’s snaps. Consider a 5-10% FAAB bid if you’re lacking upside at the tight end position.
WR Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns
Moore (25% rostered) did little in the Thursday night snow game, but he averaged 10 targets in the three prior Jameis Winston starts. The Browns have a difficult remaining schedule, but their defense has taken a major step back from last year, so the team should continue to pass at a high rate — weather permitting. A 5% FAAB bid is warranted if you need a WR3 or flex play in deeper leagues.
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, New Orleans Saints
The veteran deep threat has a great matchup in Week 13 against a Rams team that’s struggled against outside receivers. MVS has just five receptions in his past two games, but he’s managed at least 87 yards and a touchdown in both. With Chris Olave on IR, the Saints may dial up more MVS targets out of necessity down the stretch. He’s worth a 5% FAAB bid in deeper formats and is rostered in 35% of Sleeper leagues.
WR Devaughn Vele, Denver Broncos
The Broncos passing offense has improved in recent weeks, and Vele, the slot receiver, has double-digit PPR fantasy points in three straight games. The Broncos have a pesky Week 14 bye, but Vele has a consistent role in a passing game on the rise. He’s 12% rostered on Sleeper and is worth a speculative 5% FAAB bid.
Streamers Unite: QBs and D/STs for Weeks 13 and 14
With the last two weeks of the regular season for most leagues upon us, it’s worthwhile to look ahead and plan for both. If you’re in need of a fill-in, take stock and play the matchup game with QBs and defense/special teams units that can help — especially with mass byes in Week 14.
Week 13 QBs to Stream
Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Maye faces a Colts defense that’s struggled throughout the season, and he has been averaging a healthy 36 rushing yards per game.
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
The veteran faces a Bengals team that ranks near the bottom of the league in most categories.
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Lawrence practiced already on Monday, providing hope he’ll suit up in Week 13 after a shoulder injury. The Texans are a top-10 matchup for fantasy QBs this year.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
The Buccaneers defense has struggled this season, and Young is coming off a solid Week 12 outing against a tough Chiefs unit. He can probably get you 15 fantasy points in a pinch.
Week 13 Defenses to Stream
Cowboys D/ST
The Cowboys host a rudderless Giants team on Thanksgiving day. Expect the Cowboys pass rush to overwhelm Tommy DeVito.
Rams D/ST
Prior to the Eagles game on Sunday night, the Rams had at least three sacks in four straight games. The Saints are fresh off their bye, but their offensive line is a weak point, and they have a severely depleted receiving core.
Week 14 QBs to Stream
Will Levis, Tennessee Titans
Levis has gone over 16 fantasy points in Weeks 10-12, and the Jaguars are a plus matchup for fantasy QBs. There’s a slight chance he’s a top-12 option in Week 14 with six teams on bye.
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Wilson just threw for 270 yards against the Browns in a Week 12 snow game, so his ceiling against a mediocre Cleveland defense at home in Week 14 should be quite sturdy.
Cooper Rush, Dallas Cowboys
The Bengals defense is one to target for fantasy QBs, and Rush has thrown for at least 247 yards in two of his three starts this year.
Week 14 Defenses to Stream
Titans D/ST
The Titans defense has over–performed all year, and Lawrence’s shoulder is a question mark.
Saints D/ST
Just start fantasy defenses against the Giants the rest of the season.
Jaguars D/ST
While we suggested above Levis has a good matchup vs. the Jaguars, it's also true that he's always capable of a nightmare, multi-turnover outing, so the Jaguars pass rush could be disruptive here. Levis can still even have a decent fantasy day himself, yet still toss two picks and take a handful of sacks.
Handcuff Watch: Top Backup RBs to Target
With the fantasy playoffs almost here, contending teams should stockpile one-injury-away backup running backs on their fantasy bench. The 11 names below are roughly listed in order of preference, and all have immediate fantasy RB1 potential if the starters ahead of them were to suffer an injury.
- Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
- Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
- Braelon Allen, New York Jets
- Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
- Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills
- Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins
- Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans
- Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles
- Cam Akers, Minnesota Vikings
- Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
- Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Line Up Your Targets
Make sure to act quickly to secure your waiver wire targets, with most leagues running waivers on Tuesday nights. For more in-depth stats and to view all the trending players in real time, check out the Sleeper app.
Working the waiver wire to your favor is a critical part of fantasy football success, and we’ll be with you every week to help you chase down those playoff berths and fantasy championships.
