Fantasy Football WR Sleepers: Smash Spots for Week 13 include Jayden Reed, Marvin Harrison Jr., Tank Dell, Devaughn Vele

Ellis looks at fantasy football WR sleepers in smash spots for Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season. Target these fantasy football wide receivers as starts in lineups.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends. I hope this week is full of time with those you love and lots of good football!

With the biggest fantasy bye week in the rearview, we have all 32 teams in action for Thanksgiving! In last week’s article, we highlighted Courtland Sutton (eight receptions, 97 yards, two TDs), Terry McLaurin (five receptions, 102 yards, one TD), and Ladd McConkey (six receptions, 83 yards). This week, I hope to build on this momentum!

My name is Ellis Johnson and this is your weekly WR smash starts article. In this article, I highlight four WRs who I believe have a good chance for a big game. This week, we are going a little deeper with the selections. Thank you for checking out my work, I hope you all have an amazing Thanksgiving weekend.

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Jayden Reed (WR, GB)

One of the most inconsistent fantasy WRs this year has to be Jayden Reed. It’s remarkable to have a WR1 and WR2 week this season and also have five weeks outside of the top 40 receivers. Then again, it’s the Packers we are talking about, and there are way too many mouths to feed.

This week, they go against a very good defense in the Dolphins. Although Jalen Ramsey’s name has lost some of its shine, he has been incredible this season. He has graded out as PFF’s second-best corner with the Dolphins' other corner, Kendall Fuller, as PFF’s 33rd corner. That’s an elite duo.

So why do I like Reed this week? Predominantly, this is a result of Romeo Doubs being out with a concussion, concentrating the team’s targets. Furthermore, Ramsey and Fuller will likely be on their outside threats in Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks.

That leaves Reed’s targets close to the line of scrimmage very valuable. Although Reed will also be outside, we have two of the best coaches for scheming open receivers going head-to-head. I expect Matt LaFleur to be diving deep into his bag of tricks to get Reed into space.

One player in the NFL with 10+ targets of 20+ yards and at least a 90% catch rate.

2nd most contested catches (4) on those throws and a 100% contested catch rate.

Jayden Reed 🧀 pic.twitter.com/Dk0xnI1UNE

— Austin Krueger (@AustinKrueger_) November 26, 2024

Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, ARI)

It hurts to say that Harrison’s rookie season has been a disappointment. After all of his hype coming out of college, he has not received the usage to truly flourish. I do not doubt that Harrison will become the elite WR we all expected; however, it’s clear that this current Cardinals team is getting in the way.

All that said, I expect a big game for the rookie this week. The Cardinals were rolling until they lost their grip on the division, losing to the Seahawks. In last week’s game, Harrison was inches away from an incredible touchdown grab that would have completely changed his three receptions for only 47 yards.

This week, the Cardinals have a tough matchup against Brian Flores and his Vikings defense. Although the Vikings defense has had its moments, its commitment to the blitz opens up receivers. The Vikings are allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to the WR position. 

The Vikings will be pressuring Kyler Murray all day and likely forcing multiple scramble drills. If Harrison can continue to get open on these drills, he should find himself either in one-on-one coverage or in space. The Cardinals could use a win after last week, and I expect Harrison will bounce back and find the end zone with both feet in this one.

MARVIN HARRISON JR WITH THE TOUCHDOWN OF THE YEAR? WOW! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ZX0qS3YCot

— AustinGoesViral (@AustinGoesViral) November 24, 2024

Tank Dell (WR, HOU)

It’s hard not to love Dell. Even though this year has been underwhelming, he is still an electric player. Last offseason, we had some of the industry's most notable analysts, such as Jason Moore, questioning if Dell was actually the better player than Nico Collins. With that question being answered with a resounding “no,” the true key to success is having both on the field.

Since Collins has returned to the lineup, this offense has finally shown glimpses of last year’s success. Even without Stefon Diggs, Collins is the key to this passing game. This week, the Texans are coming off a divisional upset, losing to the Titans and their underrated defense. Now, they face another divisional rival, the Jaguars, whose day job is as a turnstile at the Thanksgiving fair. Truly, this team can’t stop anyone.

Dell is a big-play threat and going against the team allowing the most yards per play this season (6.2). My only concern is that the Texans could get an early lead and try to jump-start their rushing attack after getting stuffed last week. However, in order to get that lead, someone will have to be scoring fantasy points. I’m calling for Dell to find the end zone and be a top-20 play this week.

CJ Stroud to Tank Dell in crunch time pic.twitter.com/DI5gL61Ats

— JetPack Galileo (@JetPackGalileo) November 26, 2024

Devaughn Vele (WR, DEN)

The 26-year-old rookie WR selected by the Broncos in the seventh round has already entered the fantasy conversation. After three straight weeks of four receptions and either a touchdown or 60 yards, he has become a mainstay on this Broncos offense.

Vele is an incredible athlete and a big-bodied receiver. Over the last few weeks, he has shown impressive hands and route running, making him look the part of a steady NFL No. 2 receiver on the opposite side of Courtland Sutton.

This week, they face the Browns on Monday, who have been bleeding yards to opposing WRs. Plus, we know that Jameis Winston will do everything he can to make this game a shootout. If he can score against the Broncos, it'll be all systems go for this passing attack as the Browns allow the eighth-most yards to opposing WRs and the fifth-most fantasy points.

If you need a desperate flex play, I think Vele can provide a floor of four receptions and 50 yards, with the potential upside of finding the end zone.

I've watched this Devaughn Vele route ~100x and can't tell if he's wasting a ton of movement or if all of those jab steps and head fakes are the reason he got open. pic.twitter.com/NOnDOB8ty8

— Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) November 26, 2024

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