Deeper League Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 13

December 2, 2020

Rishi Patel identifies players at QB, RB, WR, and TE to target or add from the waiver wire in deep fantasy football leagues for Week 13 of the 2020 NFL season.

This past week brought more COVID-related adjustments, but no games were completely canceled and teams came to play on Sunday (even the QB-less Broncos). With many players sitting on IR or being put on the COVID list, many managers have had to scramble for replacements.

This week, I have come up with a limited list of players to grab from the deepest trenches of the waiver wire as it seems my advice is (hopefully) getting out there and being effective.

Let’s check out this week’s array of potential pickups in Yahoo leagues. All players are rostered at or below 15%.

Free Agent Quarterbacks

Andy Dalton, Dallas Cowboys- 11% rostered

As the Broncos showed the NFL world on Sunday, any QB would be better than no QB. So, though the quarterbacks in these parts of the waiver wire are not fantasy studs, they could have that explosive game—sometimes. Dalton is a great player to stash, as he has gotten over 200 yards passing in each of the past two games with four touchdowns to two interceptions. What I’m saying is he can be serviceable if the matchup is right.

Mike Glennon, Jacksonville Jaguars- 1% rostered

Though he hasn’t been the most successful QB in the NFL during his career, Glennon put up a captivating performance in Week 12. Look, Jake Luton and Gardner Minshew II are probably not the long-term answers in Jacksonville, and neither is Mike Glennon. But for the sake of this season, Glennon could be the starter in the remaining games and could be fantasy-relevant for a couple of contests if he plays as he did in Week 12 in which he had 235 yards with two touchdowns. Glennon is only worth a stash right now as the QB situation could change anytime in Duval County.

Free Agent Running Backs

Devontae Booker, Las Vegas Raiders- 9% rostered

Josh Jacobs is currently dealing with an ankle injury, and Booker is a good insurance policy to pick up as a result. He could take on a workhorse role if Jacobs misses any games or is not playing at 100% in any of the upcoming contests.

Free Agent Wide Receivers

Breshad Perriman, New York Jets- 12% rostered

Another week, another Jets loss. Nothing new there. But what’s been a bright spot for this horrid franchise is the emergence of Perriman as a viable pass-catching threat. The WR has notched at least 54 yards in four of the past five games along with at least seven targets in three of the past five games. He’s one of the best additions of the week.

Josh Reynolds, Los Angeles Rams- 9% rostered

Even as the WR3 on the team, Reynolds has seen at least six targets in the past five games and has 40 yards in seven of 11 total games. He has shown consistency and is worth stashing.

Dez Bryant, Baltimore Ravens- 7% rostered

With COVID affecting the Ravens in a huge way, Bryant could see an elevated role in the upcoming games as the team needs players. The wideout is talented and could become a factor in the passing game considering guys like Mark Andrews and Willie Snead IV will be out for the foreseeable future. Bryant is a sneaky pickup.

Denzel Mims, New York Jets- 7% rostered

Mims and Breshad Perriman have now appeared in this column for the past several weeks and it shows what they are doing weekly is quite impressive. Mims has now posted at least 62 yards in the past three games and seen eight targets in all three contests as well. He’s consistent and producing, so grab him while you can.

Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears- 7% rostered

Mooney doesn’t always produce each week, which makes him a risky start; however, he does get the looks. The WR saw nine targets in Week 12 and 11 in Week 9. Overall, he has gotten at least five targets in eight of the past nine games and 34 yards in eight of 11 total games. His role is becoming large and stable, and this makes Mooney a solid grab.

Damiere Byrd, New England Patriots- 5% rostered

Byrd has seen at least seven targets in the past three games and is developing a solid rapport with Cam Newton. The WR has been far from consistent in terms of his production, but he does have at least 33 yards in seven of 10 games. He’s worth adding at this point for depth purposes. In addition, New England’s pass-catching unit is rather weak and Byrd will likely see more opportunities going forward.

Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills- 3% rostered

With John Brown now on injured reserve, 21-year-old Gabriel Davis is slated to be the WR3 on the Bills going forward. He had a terrific showing in Week 12, getting three receptions for 79 yards and a score on four targets. Davis now has 70 yards and a score in two of the past three games and his stock will only go up from here.

Free Agent Tight Ends

Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings- 14% rostered

With Irv Smith dealing with a groin injury in Week 12 and Adam Thielen on the COVID list, Rudolph saw more looks. Now, it’s not likely the veteran TE will see great production each week going forward, but the past few weeks have been encouraging nonetheless. He had a season-high seven receptions for 68 yards on eight targets in Week 12. He has posted at least 63 yards in two of the past three games. Stash Rudolph for now and see if he’s worth a start in the coming weeks.

Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers- 1% rostered

I know, I know, there are so many big-name pass-catchers on this Tampa offense that you may be thinking about how a guy like Brate could have any fantasy relevance. Hear me out, Brate has quietly put up at least 30 yards and seen at least three targets in three of the past four games. If you are in a bind at TE, he’s not the worst player to acquire. He’s showing some consistency and production, though modest.

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