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The fantasy football playoffs begin in Week 15 for most leagues, so there are just a few more chances for fantasy managers to beef up their rosters in search of bragging rights and a championship. The options are obviously thin at this point in the season, but there are still a few lotto-ticket stashes to consider adding ahead of Week 13.
The top waiver wire adds are often obvious for traditional 10 and 12-team leagues, but a larger pool of players is in consideration in leagues of 14 people or more. Some of these Week 13 deeper-league waiver wire suggestions will have value right away, while others are simply bench stashes that could help your fantasy team in the future. We won't cover chalk pickups like Jayden Reed and Pat Freiermuth.
Without further ado, here are the top deeper league waiver wire targets for Week 12, including Joe Flacco, Jeff Wilson Jr., Samaje Perine, Noah Brown, and Juwan Johnson.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024 fantasy football drafts:- Fantasy football draft rankings (all positions)
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Running Back Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Jeff Wilson Jr. rushed 11 times for 56 yards and caught three passes for 17 yards against the Jets in Week 12. Although De'Von Achane (knee) could return in Week 13, he'll continue to carry injury concerns. Stash him now, as the veteran would have a ton of upside if the Miami backfield gets hit by bad injury luck.
Rico Dowdle remains an attractive handcuff running back, especially since the Dallas offense has a high ceiling when it's clicking. He has scored two touchdowns in his last three games.
Kenneth Gainwell has the highest upside of any handcuff running back stash. If D'Andre Swift gets banged up at all, Gainwell would see a ton of touches behind the NFL's best offensive line.
Ronnie Rivers and Royce Freeman are both on the fantasy radar as backups to Kyren Williams. Rivers (knee) has not been activated from Injured Reserve yet, but he could get back the No. 2 role in the Rams' backfield when he does. If not, Freeman remains a great handcuff stash.
Samaje Perine rushed seven times for 55 yards and a touchdown against the fierce Cleveland Browns defense in Week 12. The Denver offense is coming alive, meaning Perine could have some deep-league value down the stretch. He has hauled in 33 of his 37 targets this season, including going seven-for-seven in Week 11.
Zack Moss has seen his role gradually decrease as Jonathan Taylor has worked his way back from injury. However, he proved he's a must-start stud when elevated to the RB1 role. He's a top fantasy handcuff in the case of a Taylor injury.
Update: Jonathan Taylor is dealing with a thumb injury that could sideline him moving forward. Moss becomes a priority waiver add.
Jerick McKinnon could have fantasy value late in the season, just like he did last year. The Chiefs' passing offense needs a spark, so McKinnon, who posted 56 receptions for 512 yards and nine touchdowns last season, could see more action moving forward.
Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell should both be rostered in deep leagues. Christian McCaffrey has already been banged up this season, and there's a real chance he will miss a game or two down the stretch. Mitchell and Mason would compete to have RB2 upside.
Michael Carter rushed four times and caught four passes for a total of 34 yards in his debut with Arizona. As the season moves forward and the Cardinals' record continues to get worse, they might give him more touches to evaluate him ahead of the offseason.
Note: Any direct backup running back, especially one in a good offense, should be considered a bench stash in deep leagues.
Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Noah Brown has missed the last two games with a knee injury, causing fantasy managers to drop him in a ton of leagues. He caught 13 passes for 325 yards and a touchdown in his two games before the absence, so he remains firmly on the fantasy radar.
Jameson Williams played on fewer than 50% of the Lions' offensive snaps in his first four games this season. In each of his last two games, he has registered at least a 63% snap share and has totaled 95 yards and a touchdown. He's not a must-start option, but he's a solid low-end flex play every week thanks to his big-play upside.
Quentin Johnston and Jalen Guyton remain on the fantasy radar, only because someone has to catch passes from Justin Herbert behind Keenan Allen.
A.T. Perry might have fantasy value in Week 13 due to a decimated Saints wide receiver position. Michael Thomas (knee) is on IR, and Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (quad) are trending toward missing the matchup with the Detroit Lions.
Jalin Hyatt posted his first career 100-yard game in Week 12. Although it's tough to trust the Giants' offense, it was a noteworthy performance, and surely, New York will want to feature their rookie wideout down the stretch.
Tight End Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Gerald Everett could be the favorite to act as Justin Herbert's No. 2 target given the struggles of rookie Quentin Johnston.
Juwan Johnson might have a path back to fantasy relevance with Michael Thomas, Rashid Shaheed, and Chris Olave all likely to be out against the Detroit Lions in Week 13. Detroit has surrendered the 12th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this year.
Tucker Kraft caught a touchdown in his first game as the Packers' starting tight end on Thanksgiving. Luke Musgrave (kidney) could be out for the remainder of the season, so Kraft should operate as one of Jordan Love's top targets moving forward.
Quarterback Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues/2-QB Leagues
Will Levis faces the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13, who have surrendered the 14th-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. He can be utilized as a low-end flex option on Sunday. Earlier in the season, Ryan Tannehill posted a career-high 264 passing yards against the Colts, so Levis has the chance to get around that number.
Jake Browning is now the Bengals' starter after Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury. Although Browning has very little experience, he'll get to throw passes to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. For that reason, he's worth taking a flyer on in two-QB leagues.
Tim Boyle is the Jets' starter after the long-awaited benching of Zach Wilson. Boyle will likely continue to struggle mightily behind one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, but all starting QBs carry value in two-QB and Superflex leagues.
Joe Flacco could start for the Browns in Week 13 since Dorian Thompson-Robinson is dealing with a concussion. P.J. Walker has fallen out of favor with the Browns' coaching staff, so Flacco could draw a spot-start in this spot, which would make him a two-QB league option.
Bailey Zappe could become the Patriots' starter heading into Week 13 after another awful Mac Jones performance. Although he'd have a low-end QB2 or worse outlook, all starters should be rostered in two-QB formats.
Mike White would be given the keys to the Dolphins' explosive offense if the oft-injured Tua Tagovailoa gets banged up this year. That makes him worth stashing in Superflex and two-QB leagues.
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