FAAB Waiver Wire Bidding - Fantasy Football Pickups to Target for Week 13 (2024)

Nick Mariano's fantasy football waiver wire FAAB bidding guide for Week 13 (2024) -- how many FAAB dollars (free agent acquisition budget) to spend on waivers.

Let's strap up for a holiday week with three Thursday games on Thanksgiving and then a Friday tilt for good measure. Many of you face must-win scenarios with the fantasy playoffs right around the bend. We're all going to reach the championships together with our famous waiver wire pickups list and our fantasy football waiver wire columns by position -- specially tailored for leagues using FAAB.

These FAAB prices do not indicate how much these free-agent players will go for, especially as some leagues have seen teams use all of their FAAB already, and percentages are based on your starting budget. Each league values players differently. but these values provide a baseline to understand how much you should be looking to spend on a particular player, with different categories to reflect team-need situations.

Continuously update how much FAAB your league mates have remaining, so you know how aggressive you need to be. Let's check out my median FAAB bid ranges and adds going into Week 13, which sees all 32 teams in action before one last bye-maggedon in Week 14 with six teams on a bye (Broncos, Colts, Commanders Patriots, Ravens, Texans).

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Quarterbacks

Russell Wilson (QB, PIT) - 36% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Aggressive Bid: 2-3%

Wilson had an underwhelming Week 12 in Thursday’s “Snow Bowl” loss to Cleveland, but he performed well given the circumstances. Russ still completed 21-of-28 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown, adding in three carries for 10 yards.

Now he gets a long week of rest to prepare for Cincinnati’s generous defense, which has allowed nearly 600 passing yards and six pass TDs over the last two games. Joe Burrow has been up to the task no matter what caliber of defense he’s against, so Wilson must be ready to keep up.

Will Levis (QB, TEN) - 12% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%

On Sunday, Levis completed 75% of his 24 pass attempts for 278 yards and two touchdowns. This continues a stretch of improved play since he returned from a shoulder injury in Week 10. He also threw an errant INT that was returned for a touchdown (improved play, not perfect play!)

But we’ve gone from seven INTs in his first five games to just two in his last three games. And now the Titans will enjoy a stretch run of plus passing defenses, including two against Jacksonville (with one in the Week 17 championships). It’s playing with fire, but Levis’ recent ceiling and median expectations have risen to viability.

Bryce Young (QB, CAR) - 5% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%

Young came out of the bye with his best game of the year, throwing for a season-best 263 yards with another 20 on the ground against the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs. He was completing throws all over the field, showing particularly good chemistry with David Moore, who ran starting reps with Jalen Coker (quad) inactive.

dave canales called a hell of a game today

and bryce young hit every blade of grass pic.twitter.com/pVC8qh0LLa

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) November 24, 2024

The second-year passer has healthy momentum going into next week’s date with a Buccaneers secondary that hardly stops anyone. Tampa Bay also lost starting safety Jordan Whitehead to a torn pectoral. The timing and the matchup bode as well as it can for Young.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Running Backs

Jeremy McNichols (RB, WAS) - 1% rostered

FAAB Bid: 10-15%
Aggressive Bid: 15-25%
Desperation Bid: 25-35%

McNichols had 22 yards on just three carries against the Cowboys after Brian Robinson Jr. exited with an ankle injury he couldn’t rebound from. Then Austin Ekeler suffered a scary concussion late in the game, which further presses the need for running back help in Washington.

Austin Ekeler's tests last night came back 'good', Dan Quinn said. But Ekeler will be in the concussion protocol. So, too, is Andrew Wylie. Brian Robinson is getting treatment for his ankle. Will know more later in the week.

— John Keim (@john_keim) November 25, 2024

Washington may bring Chris Rodriguez Jr. back after waiving him last week, (Update: They did bring him back) and he outworked McNichols in Week 9 (when Robinson missed), with Ekeler absorbing the bulk of the work otherwise. Rodriguez has two catches over 17 career games and McNichols only has two this year.

But McNichols had 40 catches between 2020-21 for the Titans and should be the PPR beneficiary. Washington has dropped three straight and needs to keep their Wild Card position strong in their final game before the Week 14 bye against Tennessee. Those who believe in revenge games can back McNichols in this one.

Gus Edwards (RB, LAC) - 26% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 8-12%
Aggressive Bid: 12-18%
Desperation Bid: 18-30%

J.K. Dobbins injured his knee on Monday night, which left Edwards and Hassan Haskins splitting the work. But Baltimore had the Chargers in a blender throughout the second half, which left them leaning on Haskins’ passing work more than Edwards grinding. The Gus Bus only mustered 11 yards on nine carries but did punch in a TD.

Haskins had one three-yard carry but ran 16 routes to Edwards’ seven while playing double the snaps. If Dobbins misses next week against Atlanta, then LAC should activate Kimani Vidal for some receiving work. You’re banking on Edwards and the Chargers leading. If not, consider Vidal.

Ameer Abdullah (RB, LV) - 25% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-6% (PPR skewed)
Aggressive Bid: 6-10%
Desperation Bid: 10-15%

Abdullah predictably struggled as the primary Vegas rusher, totaling 28 yards on eight carries. Predictably, they leaned into his pass-catching chops for five receptions, 37 yards, and a score.

Sincere McCormick was elevated from the practice squad and turned five carries into a team-high 33 yards while Dylan Laube remained on the sidelines. If both Alexander Mattison and Zamir White can’t go next week against Kansas City’s dynamite front, then we’ll be hoping for another 5-6 catches from Abdullah to reach PPR viability.

**UPDATE: Breece Hall is battling knee soreness, so Braelon Allen (~25% rostered) is a must-add given the soft Jets RoS RB schedule. If some of you have FAAB still to run on Wednesday night then consider your needs. Allen would be a weekly high-end RB2 with RB1 potential. He's worth a 40-60% FAAB gamble, and up to 100% is cleared.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Wide Receivers

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (WR, TEN) - 12% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Aggressive Bid: 5-8%
Desperation Bid: 8-12%

The sustainability haters are beside themselves as Westbrook-Ikhine once again hauled in a long touchdown. This gives him six scores in seven games, with at least five targets in three of his last four games.

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has more touchdowns than Justin Jefferson this season

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) November 24, 2024

We’ve covered how Will Levis has been better of late and that the Titans get to roll the Jaguars defense twice in the coming weeks. You’re either okay with these MVS-style, high-volatility plays or not. Those facing down a horrible bye-week punch in Week 14 might be grateful they have NWI against JAX to plug in.

Elijah Moore (WR, CLE) - 11% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Aggressive Bid: 5-8%
Desperation Bid: 8-12%

Moore didn’t do much amidst Thursday’s terrible weather but still had five targets (3-21-0) and 42 air yards, both of which trailed only Jerry Jeudy among Cleveland pass-catchers. Cedric Tillman left late with a concussion and has an uncertain status going into Sunday’s date with a stingy Broncos secondary.

Jeudy has (rightfully) gotten plenty of attention, but Moore is still right there under the surface, nearly tying him in targets, air yards, and average depth of target since Jameis Winston took over. He’s a steady add even if Tillman is available (as evidenced in those numbers being even) but the targets centralize further if he’s out. Patrick Surtain II would likely hug Jeudy the most.

Xavier Legette (WR, CAR) - 27% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Aggressive Bid: 5-8%
Desperation Bid: 8-12%

Legette caught four balls for 56 yards in another steady performance for the Panthers. Eyes are drawn to David Moore’s starry 6-81-1 line on 10 targets, but his role is far less certain since he typically splits with Jalen Coker, who was out with a quad injury.

Those who want to scoop up the six-foot wideout on his fourth team in five years may do so, especially if one thinks Coker misses again for that juicy matchup against the Bucs. But Legette has a steady role as the “X” while Adam Thielen now takes his spot in the slot again. We’d continue to prioritize Legette of the trio.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR, NO) - 25% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Aggressive Bid: 5-8%
Desperation Bid: 8-12%

Valdes-Scantling comes off of the bye having scored three touchdowns with almost 200 yards on just five catches. MVS has taken on the big-play threat vacated by the injured Rashid Shaheed, furthered by Chris Olave’s placement on the injured reserve due to another concussion.

Perhaps he sees more volume after having a bye to be further integrated into the offense, but the low target competition and known ceiling keeps him on our map for Week 13 at home against the Rams.

Alec Pierce (WR, IND) - 21% rostered
Adonai Mitchell (WR, IND) - 6% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-5% / 1-3%
Aggressive Bid: 5-8% / 3-6%
Desperation Bid: 8-12% / 6-10%

Josh Downs is week-to-week with a shoulder injury as the Colts have one remaining game before a Week 14 bye. Indy needs to win out for their playoff hopes but the odds are decent that both Pierce and Mitchell will have to step up against the Pats this week.

Pierce ran as a starter in Week 11 and owned nearly 40% of the air-yard share, but Anthony Richardson could only find him on one of his four targets for 39 yards. Mitchell had one 10-yard catch on three looks, with Richardson only completing 11-of-28 pass attempts. The QB’s big arm and erratic ways make Pierce, who can turn one catch into gold, the preferred add.

Dontayvion Wicks (WR, GB) - 15% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 2-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-6%
Desperation Bid: 6-8%

Wicks has often disappointed when given his chances this year but hope springs eternal as Romeo Doubs is in concussion protocol and Green Bay plays on Thursday night against Miami.

Assuming Christian Watson at 59% rostered is unavailable, Wicks has another opportunity to pop us. While he flopped in Week 5 when Doubs was suspended, Wicks did lead the team with a 44% air-yard share and 0.33 targets-per-route-run rate, per Fantasy Points Data Suite.

Noah Brown (WR, WAS) - 10% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 2-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-6%
Desperation Bid: 6-8%

Brown racked up season-high marks in catches (six) and targets (10) for 71 yards in Sunday’s loss to Dallas. Over the last five weeks, Brown has ever so slightly edged Terry McLaurin for the team lead in routes run, air yards, and first-read targets per FPDS.

One must note he is without an end-zone target in that stretch, but the injuries to both Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler could change their attack all over the field against the Titans next week.

Devaughn Vele (WR, DEN) - 5% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 2-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-6%
Desperation Bid: 6-8%

Vele turned nine targets into six catches for 80 yards as he continues to put his foot down as Bo Nix’s safety valve in the slot.  Josh Reynolds should soon return and join the rotation of Lil'Jordan Humphrey and Troy Franklin.

The lack of an alpha tight end or even a clear No. 1 running back makes the surer roles of Vele and Courtland Sutton the most valuable pieces here.

Sean Payton on Devaughn Vele:

"He reminds me a lot of Marques Colston"
"We’ve gotta continue to find touches for him"

👀👀👀

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 25, 2024

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Tight Ends

A quick review of TEs above our usual cutoff, as there’s a massive gap:

Taysom Hill (62% rostered, ~40% FAAB)
Tucker Kraft (61% rostered, ~15% FAAB)
Will Dissly (53% rostered, ~15% FAAB)
Zach Ertz (48% rostered, ~10% FAAB)

Luke Schoonmaker (TE, DAL) - 11% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 2-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-5%
Desperation Bid: 5-8%

Schoonmaker continues to deliver as the Cowboys’ starting TE with Jake Ferguson (concussion) out. The former Michigan Wolverine caught three of his four targets for 55 yards and a TD in Sunday’s win. This comes after bringing in six catches for 56 yards (10 targets) after Ferguson got hurt early in Week 11.

Early reports have Ferguson unlikely to be ready for Thanksgiving’s Thursday tilt against the Giants. Big Blue has allowed the fewest fantasy points this year but has avoided premier matchups. Let's see if Schoon can stay hot.

Luke Schoonmaker without Jake Ferguson (concussion):

6-43-0 (TE7)
5-56-0 (TE9)
3-55-1 (TE8)

— John Daigle (@notJDaigle) November 25, 2024

Noah Gray (TE, KC) - 4% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Aggressive Bid: 2-3%
Desperation Bid: 3-4%

Well played, Patrick Mahomes. One week after dismissing Gray’s two-touchdown, four-reception effort against Buffalo, he doubles down with a 4-66-2 line against Carolina. While banking on his 4-5 targets to come in the red zone isn’t ideal, this is still a good (not great) Chiefs offense where Gray is one of the more familiar pass-catchers for Mahomes.

Whether it is he or Travis Kelce finding the tight end touchdowns in Kansas City will frustrate many fantasy players. But the Panthers were the worst fantasy DST against TEs and their Week 13 opponent, the Raiders, are the second worst. If you still need a dart throw, then Gray is valid before Week 14 clashes with a far superior Chargers D.

Chigoziem Okonkwo (TE, TEN) - 5% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Aggressive Bid: 2-3%
Desperation Bid: 3-4%

Okonkwo hadn’t been targeted through the first three quarters of Tennessee’s tilt against Houston, continuing a sad trend of poor utilization for the athletic TE. But then he finally got a chance to show his plus speed on a breakaway 70-yard TD down the middle of the field.

It’s a good reminder of his talent, but it was his first score since Week 1 and his first game with more than 50 yards. He has four catches over the last three games combined. A deep-league optimist will say Weeks 14-17 bring a quartet of top 10 TE matchups.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Defense/Special Teams

Dallas Cowboys Defense (vs. NYG) - 29% rostered

FAAB Bid: 2-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-5%
Desperation Bid: 5-7%

The Cowboys remembered how to play football on Sunday, with the defense holding the Commanders to nine points through 57 minutes before a chaotic ending to the game unfolded.

The defense had four sacks (Micah Parsons had a pair) and three turnovers, with a pair of return TDs bumping their DST total even higher. They host a broken Giants team that looked even worse than Dallas on Thanksgiving.

Indianapolis Colts Defense (at NE) - 11% rostered

FAAB Bid: 2-3%
Aggressive Bid: 3-4%
Desperation Bid: 4-6%

The Colts are averaging 24 points allowed with three sacks per game over the last month despite playing good teams, such as the Bills and Lions, in that stretch. Now, before their bye, they travel to New England to pick on Drake Maye’s terrible offensive line.

The Pats have allowed 12 sacks and eight turnovers over their last four contests and often look overmatched. They have given up double-digit DST points seven times (per Yahoo standard) in 12 games.

Arizona Cardinals Defense (at MIN) - 16% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Aggressive Bid: 2-3%
Desperation Bid: 3-5%

While Arizona lost last week, it sure wasn’t the defense’s fault. They held the Seahawks to 10 offensive points with another five sacks and an interception. This gives them 10 or fewer points allowed in three straight games, with 14 total sacks in that span.

Facing the Vikings next isn’t some dream date, though Sam Darnold isn’t playing great football and recently threw multiple picks against Indianapolis and Jacksonville. More importantly, following this game Arizona will rematch Seattle on its home field before games against the Patriots and Panthers.

That’s a pretty good outlook for the first two fantasy playoff weeks!

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