RADIO
No more byes, no more excuses to be unprepared. At this point, if you're still scouring the waiver wire for value, you are either looking to bolster your bench for the playoff run or desperately looking for streamers to get you over the hump and into the big dance. We'll try to touch on all scenarios here, as every league is unique, as is every owner.
In this weekly waiver wire series, we provide a curated list of fantasy-viable players that are typically owned in less than half of all fantasy leagues, so that you can make an educated decision about who to add or claim that might be available in your league. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all eligible players that could be picked up, nor is it ranked in priority order - that's what our Lightning Round is for! These are also not all strict recommendations to add, simply a list of options. As always, it is up to you, the fantasy owner, to see who's available in your league and make the best-educated decision possible.
Let’s look around the league at the players who may be worth adding or bidding on as we move on to Week 13 of the 2018 NFL season. Be sure to also check out our other waiver wire articles, including FAAB auction bidding recommendations, for even more in-depth analysis an all positions heading into Week 13.
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Quarterbacks - Waiver Wire Options
Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (47% owned)
Winston is the first of our gunslingers we'll mention that breaks the unwritten commandment of having too high ownership to be mentioned. If Winston is still available in your league, as he is in over half of Yahoo leagues, he is worth stashing even if you don't need a QB replacement in order to block an opponent. His job security is far from a sure thing, but it would take another three-pick afternoon for him to find his way to the bench at this juncture in the season. There's no real reason for the Bucs to give Ryan Fitzpatrick the starting job again, especially after Winston came through with 312 yards and two touchdowns in Week 12. Most impressive is the fact he didn't turn the ball over once, quite possibly the only time in recorded history that Famous Jameis has done so (sarcasm intended). The Niners aren't a fearsome defense but he'll get the Panthers and Saints the next two weeks with a chance to put up some big passing numbers through sheer volume.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (47% owned)
He picked a perfect time to have one of his best games of the season, pulling the Cowboys into the division lead with a Thanksgiving Day win over Washington. While 289 passing yards, two TD and another rushing score are enough to catch your interest, the real reason to be encouraged here is Amari Cooper. The fact that he's shown he can play up to his potential in this offense gives Prescott a major boost. You can't count on those 90-yard touchdowns each week, of course, but the threat should open up the middle of the field. Plus, Prescott's legs are enough to make him a high-floor QB2 or even a QB1 in 14+ team leagues; he's scored a rushing TD in three straight games and five of the last six.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (42% owned)
We figured the Ravens would cut Jackson loose a bit in his second start and they did to some extent. Jackson threw the ball 25 times compared to 19 times last week but completed just one more (14). He tossed his second NFL touchdown but was picked off twice and either short-armed or soft-tossed a few others that should have been completed. This was against the Raiders, one of the worst defenses in the league. He's got some work to do as a passer but naturally it's his running ability that gives him fantasy value. He ran 11 times this week, far fewer than in Week 11, and still managed 71 yards and a touchdown. His cotton-soft schedule and the rumor that Joe Flacco might not get his job back even when healthy makes Jackson a must-add everywhere.
Eli Manning, New York Giants (23% owned)
We saw more of early-season Manning in Week 12, as he threw for a good amount of yardage (297) but only found the end zone once. The Eagles don't quite qualify as a tough defense anymore so we can only excuse him so much. It may seem like ageism but Manning should only be considered if you are hurting at QB (Stafford owners) and the younger options aren't available. The Giants face the Bears in Week 13, not an ideal time to stream him.
Case Keenum, Denver Broncos (16% owned)
The ceiling seems to get lower for Keenum each week. The Broncos as a whole may not be missing Demaryius Thomas too much, but there isn't a wealth of quality options for him in the receiving corps. Keenum retains some level of interest because he'll face a Bengals defense still licking its wounds from a beating at the hands of rookie Baker Mayfield. Cincinnati has been one of the worst defenses in the league over the past few weeks, making Keenum a must-start in TwoQB and superflex leagues unless you have a superior option.
Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders (16% owned)
Considering Carr had a road game in Baltimore with a depleted receiving corps, he didn't do too badly. 197 yards and one TD won't get the job done in fantasy, but a matchup with the Chiefs might actually work in his favor. The Raiders are likely to get thrashed by the Chiefs, which means the possibility for more passing in the second half a.k.a. garbage time production.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (2% owned)
Lamar Jackson isn't the only rookie QB that can make things happen with his legs. Allen had a modest passing day against Jacksonville, predictably so. He finished just 8-for-16 with 160 yards and one touchdown on the day. The rushing production made him a great tournament play for those who took the risk, as he ran for a cool 100 yards and a TD. If he can pull off those numbers against one of the best defenses in the league, why shouldn't he do even better against the Dolphins in Week 13? Things don't usually turn out that way, but an argument can be made for him in superflex leagues as your QB2.
Others to consider: Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins (5% owned)
Running Backs - Waiver Wire Options
Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars (37% owned)
The news of Leonard Fournette being suspended for Week 13 makes Hyde a great streamer and the top RB option for those who'll be sorely missing either Fournette or Gordon in this crucial week. Looking past this week, he is one of the higher-end handcuffs widely available and should be considered a strong stash by Fournette owners with a bench spot to spare. He ran for 33 yards on 10 carries in a Week 12 loss to Buffalo but things could improve with a new OC and someone other than Blake Bortles behind center.
Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts (22% owned)
The Colts' third-down back may be back on the map if Marlon Mack misses time with a concussion suffered in Week 12. Hines wasn't spectacular in relief, tallying 28 yards on nine carries and 22 yards on two receptions. As the passing-down back, he gets the biggest uptick in value and should have an easier path to touches than Jordan Wilkins. Hines only totaled 22 yards against the Jags two weeks ago, but that was obviously with Mack in the backfield. The ceiling is certainly limited so consider all alternatives before inserting him as a Mack replacement in your lineup.
Corey Clement, Philadelphia Eagles (15% owned)
He only got seven touches in Week 12 but made the most of them by racking up 76 yards and scoring on a two-point conversion. Josh Adams has clearly taken the lead in this backfield and is owned accordingly at this point, so consider Clement a potential handcuff should Adams falter or be injured. Adams is not a great receiver, so if Clement takes over RB2 duties as it seems (Wendell Smallwood didn't register a touch against the Giants), then he is a bench stash for PPR owners.
LeGarrette Blount, Detroit Lions (14% owned)
All the Blount haters (there are many) were forced to eat a little crow along with their turkey and stuffing on Thanksgiving, as Blount not only scored twice but tallied 88 yards on 19 carries. If Kerryon Johnson is back in full for Week 13, Blount is merely a touchdown-dependent standard league option once more.
Malcolm Brown, Los Angeles Rams / Spencer Ware, Kansas City Chiefs (8% owned)
Handcuffing stud running backs is a risky proposition because you're using a roster spot on someone who has nearly no value if injury doesn't occur. Then again, it's only a waste of space if you have someone who actually contributes to your team in that spot instead. If you are a Todd Gurley or Kareem Hunt owner, take a look at your bench situation and determine whether the insurance policy is worth dropping whoever currently sits at the end of your bench. With bye weeks officially over, that should make things a bit easier.
Jordan Wilkins, Indianapolis Colts (4% owned)
Wilkins has been the forgotten man in Indy's backfield since Marlon Mack has been healthy but he gets a possible opportunity if Mack misses Week 13 with a concussion. Wilkins caught three passes for 32 yards, going without a rush attempt against Miami. He's averaging a healthy 5.5 yards per carry and has shown some explosiveness at times but will need the sort of workload he received in the first two weeks of the season to be worth flexing and that is questionable with Nyheim Hines also in the mix. A matchup on the road with Jacksonville should kill any hope of Wilkins being worth a high waiver add anyway
Jacquizz Rodgers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1% owned)
You shouldn't need to go this deep into the waiver wire to find a running back but if for some reason you do, Rodgers is at least getting touches. He carried five times for 31 yards and caught four passes for 31 yards as well. He can be considered a poor man's Theo Riddick.
Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers (1% owned)
With the devastating news that Melvin Gordon will miss the next several games, those who had been riding his coattails to playoff glory must now pick up the pieces and search for a Plan B. Austin Ekeler had already been scooped up in two-thirds of fantasy leagues with the news that Gordon may miss Week 12, but if he's somehow available in your competitive league, claim him immediately for whatever FAAB you have left. Plan C involves Northwestern product Justin Jackson, who should get some run now. He carried the ball seven times for 57 yards in the latter part of the blowout against Arizona. Granted, this was a game already out of hand and the Cards have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, but Jackson showed enough promise that he's worth a claim for all Gordon owners and possibly those who are just looking for a late-season lotto ticket. A road matchup with the Steelers in Week 13 isn't a great time to flex him right away so you may consider stashing him for now.
Others to consider: Ito Smith, Atlanta Falcons (40% owned); Frank Gore, Miami Dolphins (25% owned); Rex Burkhead, New England Patriots (18% owned); D'Onta Foreman, Houston Texans (10% owned)
Wide Receivers - Waiver Wire Options
Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers (40% owned)
The younger Williams benefited from the elder's absence in Week 12, scoring twice on four catches. The yardage still wasn't there, as he finished with just 25 yards but we all know what he brings at this point - scoring potential in a potent offense and not much else, especially in PPR leagues. After topping 80 yards twice in the first three games, Williams hasn't even reached 60 yards in a game since Week 3. If you are a standard league owner, you can always flex Williams with some degree of confidence that he could reach the end zone. If Tyrell Williams plays in Week 13, you should be a little less optimistic in a tough road matchup with the Steelers.
Dede Westbrook, Jacksonville Jaguars (33% owned)
You'd be excused for having no interest in the Jacksonville passing attack right now, as it will continue to lean run-heavy as long as Leonard Fournette is healthy. Westbrook had the biggest day of all Jags receivers in Week 12, scoring a touchdown and combining for 87 yards from scrimmage, but the reason he is recommended over the others is the fact he's out-targeted Donte Moncrief and Keelan Cole each of the last three games. Being Blake Bortles' favorite weapon isn't the path to fantasy glory these days, but he'll have Cody Kessler looking his way for the time being. There's huge risk with so many unknowns on the Jags offense heading into Week 13; the absence of Fournette could force the team to pass more frequently though.
Adam Humphries, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (30% owned)
It's always a guessing game who will produce for the Bucs in the receiving game, but Humphries has developed into the most consistent of the lot. He caught six passes for 54 yards and a TD against San Fran and has gone over 50 yards in five straight games with four touchdowns in that span. The Panthers just gave up a 100-yard receiving game to both Tyler Lockett and David Moore and have been susceptible to the pass on occasion, so Humphries figures to be a safe play once more.
Josh Doctson, Washington Redskins (12% owned)
Throwing the first nine games of non-usage out the window, we can see that Doctson was targeted a team-high 10 times in his first start with Colt McCoy at quarterback. Unsurprisingly, he produced season highs in receptions (six) and yards (66). The ceiling isn't tremendous, as we know Doctson isn't the most sure-handed receiver, but the Eagles still have a banged-up secondary and could force the Redskins to pass more than they'd like if their offense can finally wake up.
John Ross, Cincinnati Bengals (10% owned)
Another week without A.J. Green, another red zone target and touchdown for Ross. You'd think he was a big-bodied possession receiver with the way he's been used lately, averaging 13.8 yards per reception over his last three games but pulling down a short TD in each. If Green returns, that may limit his targets, but Ross has been pretty much touchdown-dependent anyway. Standard league owners can take a chance on him at the flex position in the hope that he can continue his scoring streak but may want to monitor Andy Dalton's health heading into Week 13.
David Moore, Seattle Seahawks (10% owned)
After a strong stretch earlier this season, Moore faded from our collective consciousness with three straight duds. Week 12 served as a strong reminder of how much Russell Wilson trusts him, as he caught a perfectly-placed pass in the end zone despite tight coverage and Moore rewarded him with a 54-yard touchdown grab. He finished with 103 yards on four catches, serving as the best game of his young career. Moore will always have a high ceiling in this offense and gets a great matchup at home against the 49ers next.
Antonio Callaway, Cleveland Browns (9% owned)
Decimating the Bengals isn't too telling for an offense, but this is the second game in a row where Baker Mayfield has looked every part the #1 overall draft pick. Now with a stable running game and a healthy complement of receivers including Rashard Higgins and Breshad Perriman to back him up, Callaway doesn't have to feel the pressure of being the WR2 and can make big plays when his number is called. So while his target share is down quite a bit from the first half of the year, it could result in increased efficiency as evidenced by the fact he caught four of his five targets in Week 12, finishing one yard shy of the team lead with 62 with a touchdown to boot. He's still boom or bust but is part of an offense that suddenly looks as explosive as we hoped before the season began.
Quincy Enunwa / Jermaine Kearse, New York Jets (9%/2% owned)
With Josh McCown back at quarterback, things haven't been pretty. Someone's got to catch passes, however, and Enunwa pulled down four for a team-high 73 yards in Week 12. Jermaine Kearse was targeted three times as much and came away with 66 yards and the team's lone touchdown. Kearse could be considered safer in PPR leagues, although he has a tougher individual WR/CB matchup in Week 13 when the team travels to Tennessee. Enunwa has the slightly higher ceiling, as he averages 2.3 more yards per reception. Neither receiver has a rapport with McCown from last year, and each makes for shaky starts in a tough matchup.
Trey Quinn, Washington Redskins (1% owned)
Go ahead, call him Mr. Irrelevant. Quinn stepped into the slot role in Week 11 and caught four passes for 49 yards then followed up with five catches and a touchdown in Week 12. It doesn't appear Jamison Crowder will ever be healthy so Quinn could officially replace Maurice Harris in the slot role the rest of this year. This isn't overly exciting, but Quinn could be a decent source of receptions and therefore bench depth in full PPR leagues.
Dante Pettis, San Francisco 49ers (1% owned)
In an otherwise massive letdown for the Niners offense in a smash spot, Pettis was the lone bright spot among receivers, collecting 77 yards and a score. He may see fewer targets going forward if Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garcon are able to stay on the field but Pettis could secure a role in the slot and continue to bring value. The best case scenario for Pettis involves a change at QB, as Nick Mullens' 15 minutes seem to have run out.
Robert Foster, Buffalo Bills (0% owned)
We can't ignore Foster at this point, can we? In his last two games, Foster has gone for 105 and 94 yards respectively. The latter included a 75-yard bomb for a score against the Jaguars' vaunted secondary. Deep passing plays are not likely to be a weekly occurrence, especially if he continues to operate as the third option in Buffalo, not known for its offensive prowess this year. Still, Foster could be thrown into the mix as a flex play for standard league owners looking for upside in must-win situations.
Others worth consideration: Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals (38% owned); Taylor Gabriel, Chicago Bears (33% owned); Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers (9% owned); Bruce Ellington, Detroit Lions (2% owned)
Tight Ends - Waiver Wire Options
C.J. Uzomah, Cincinnati Bengals (26% owned)
You may be tired of seeing Uzomah recommended as a streamer or waiver wire add after looking at lackluster stat lines like six catches for 39 yards and no TD. We can't dismiss the fact that he saw 13 targets on the day and is the only tight end involved in the passing game for Cincy. Denver gives up a lot of yardage to tight ends, and A.J. Green's status is still unclear, so Uzomah should at least be considered a high-end TE2.
Matt LaCosse, Denver Broncos (1% owned)
Jeff Heuerman had a modest two-catch day for 44 yards in Week 12 before leaving with a back injury late in the game. Turns out that injury includes broken ribs and a bruised lung, resulting in a season-ending IR designation on Monday afternoon. Adding insult to injury, he had to watch Matt LaCosse catch a touchdown. Now LaCosse, a little-known backup tight end in his fourth season out of Illinois, becomes a starter. If he can survive the TE injury jinx in Denver suffered by Heuerman, Jake Butt, and Troy Fumagalli, he could provide TE2 value with Brate-like numbers similar to this week. An enticing matchup with the Bengals makes him more interesting.
Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Rams (9% owned)
In two games since Cooper Kupp's season-ending injury, Everett has three touchdowns. Coincidence? Hardly. Everett hasn't seen more than five targets or three receptions in a game all season, and that likely won't change. If you're looking for a cheap score, Everett presents the most upside at TE among those with lower ownership levels.
Chris Herndon IV, New York Jets (8% owned)
Herndon is proving to be more than just a red zone threat, catching seven passes for 57 yards against the Patriots. Unfortunately, he hasn't reached the end zone in four weeks, and the Jets offense isn't exactly lighting up the scoreboard these days. A tough matchup with the Titans squashes some of his Week 13 potential, but he can be an option for PPR owners who stream the position if Heuerman isn't available.
Dan Arnold, New Orleans Saints (0% owned)
It seems like the Saints are now just pulling guys off the street, suiting them up, and letting them score. Arnold is a WR/TE hybrid that is getting more attention from Drew Brees than we ever thought, mainly because we never once thought about Dan Arnold before now. He didn't just haul in his first NFL touchdown on Thanksgiving night, he caught four of six targets and has seen his involvement slowly rise over the last couple of weeks. The unpredictability of the Saints offense makes him hard to recommend as a starter, but he could be worth a bench stash in the deepest of leagues or in dynasty formats.
Others worth consideration: Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans (19% owned); Nick Vannett, Seattle Seahawks (9% owned)
Defenses - Waiver Wire Options
Carolina Panthers (48% owned)
The Panthers have been inconsistent in the secondary, yielding big yardage in two of the last three games and 102 points in that time. They certainly could give up another big passing day to Jameis Winston, but we know how turnover-prone the Bucs have been. It's hard to imagine Winston going two straight games without a single INT or fumble. It's a risky play but one that could pay off big if a pick-six is in the works.
Indianapolis Colts (46% owned)
The Colts will stay on this list as long as their schedule remains so damn fantasy friendly. They had a letdown game in Week 12, allowing 24 points to the Dolphins and failing to register a turnover. Things could get better when they face the Jags next week. In the first matchup between these teams, the Colts allowed 26 points and also collected just one turnover with no sacks, so expectations should be lowered. They can get you through the week if you live by streaming on D, but they are not at the high end of the list.
Tennessee Titans (22% owned)
The Titans defense doesn't seem to have recovered from last week's beatdown at the hands of the Colts, giving up huge chunk plays to the Texans on Monday Night Football. We must tentatively suggest that they will fare better in Week 13 when the Jets come to town. Tennessee came into Week 12 as a top-10 defense against the pass and the run, so they should be streamed in strong matchups such as this. The Jets have turned the ball over seven times in the last three games and haven't gone over the 20-point mark since Week 6.
More Waiver Wire Adds and Pickups
Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
