X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Sneaky Starts, Pivot Plays and Post-Waiver Pickups for Week 13

taylor heinicke fantasy football rankings news NFL DFS lineup picks

Craig Rondinone's sneaky fantasy football starts, pivot plays and post-waiver waiver pickups for Week 13 lineups. Start 'em as under-the-radar fantasy sleepers.

Week 13 might be the unluckiest week for fantasy football general managers.

Forget about the history of the number 13. Forget about the fact four more teams are on bye. Week 13 could be the unluckiest for fantasy footballers because it is one of the most crucial weeks in fantasy since the playoffs start in Week 15 or 16 in most leagues. So if you use a banged-up player who ends up not being able to suit up on Sunday, you may ruin your postseason hopes and championship dreams.

Without further ado, here are my sneaky starts, pivot plays and post-waiver pickups for Week 13 and the questionable superstars who you might need to replace at the last minute in your fantasy lineup:

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Sneaky Wide Receiver Pickups and Starts for Week 13

If Arizona’s DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) is ruled out again before Sunday’s kickoff, you could pick up and play…

DeSean Jackson, Las Vegas Raiders (WR) vs WAS

Father Time has not sucked all the life out of Jackson’s legs yet. Jackson returned from the fantasy dead to rack up 102 receiving yards and a Turkey Day touchdown against Dallas on Thanksgiving. Due to the release of Henry Ruggs, the knee injury to tight end Darren Waller, and the inconsistency and ineffectiveness of other Raiders receivers not named Hunter Renfrow, Jackson has been handed a golden goose of an opportunity on a silver platter. He just needs to stay healthy and keep his legs fresh and quarterback Derek Carr, the league leader in passing yards, should be able to find him downfield.

Jackson will be running deep routes against Washington’s 30th-ranked pass defense this weekend. While Washington’s defense has steadily improved in recent weeks and has shored up some spots, WFT’s pass rush is not the same without defensive stalwart Chase Young anchoring the front seven. Jackson should have plenty of time to run long and Carr should have plenty of time to throw long. I think Jackson will be motivated against one of his former teams to have another long gainer and finish with 100 yards and a TD for the second game in a row.

If Chicago’s Allen Robinson (hamstring) cannot find the field this Sunday, you could pick up and play…

Josh Reynolds, Detroit Lions (WR) vs. MIN

Reynolds was not able to scratch the fantasy surface during his short stint in Tennessee this season even though Julio Jones could not stay on the field due to his hamstring troubles. Yet it only took Reynolds two games to find a new fantasy life in Detroit, of all places. Since the Lions receiving corps has been a season-long dumpster fire, Reynolds was able to walk in off the street and catch three passes for 70 yards and a score on Thanksgiving against the Chicago Bears.

Minnesota head honcho Mike Zimmer might be a defensive genius, but the Vikings pass defense has been underwhelming all season long. Over the two weeks the Vikes have allowed San Francisco’s Brandon Aiyuk and Green Bay’s Marquez Valdes-Scantling to post season-highs in receiving yards against them. In a game this weekend that the Lions will likely be losing from start to finish, the game script will work out perfectly for Reynolds. He should be able to add some garbage-time yards and receptions and be a nice buy-low candidate for fantasy managers either in standard leagues or DFS contests.

 

Sneaky Quarterback Pickups and Starts for Week 13

If Arizona’s Kyler Murray (ankle) is forced to stay on the sideline Sunday, you could pick up and play…

Taylor Heinicke, Washington Football Team at LV

I know Heinicke has a weak arm and cannot make all the passes an NFL quarterback should make. I also know he has failed to throw for multiple touchdowns in six of his last seven starts. Even his rushing yards have gone kaput as he has only scampered for 57 yards over his past four games after dashing for 95 yards against Green Bay in Week 7. The guy has more going against him than Neo did when he was fighting a room full of Agent Smiths in The Matrix Reloaded.

Heinicke will be throwing against a Las Vegas defense that is reeling. The Raiders have allowed 106 points over their last three games and let both Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes (406 passing yards) and Dallas’ Dak Prescott (375 passing yards) rip the secondary apart like a muscle man rips apart phone books. I believe Heinicke is due to for a two-TD game where he also runs for 30 yards, and this matchup screams for it to happen this weekend. Tight end Logan Thomas is back and gives Heinicke another top target to throw to. Pick up Heinicke and he should cushion the blow of not having mainstay Murray for another week if he bows out.

 

Sneaky Tight End Pickups and Starts for Week 13

If Chicago’s Cole Kmet (groin) misses his matchup on Sunday, you could pick up and play…

Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts (TE) at HOU

It was only a few weeks ago that Doyle looked like Indianapolis’ No. 2 tight end while Mo Alie-Cox was running around the field with his wide-receiver-like skills catching Carson Wentz’s passes. That is why Doyle is available in 96 percent of leagues. However, Doyle has been looking like Dallas Clark lately. The longtime veteran is coming off his best game of the season against Tampa Bay (6-81-1) and has scored three touchdowns over his past five games.

Doyle has a date with a Houston defense that is average against the pass but below-average in most other categories. The Texans have lost 9 of their last 10 contests and are in full-free-fall mode.  All signs point to Doyle riding his recent wave of newfound success to another solid start this Sunday. Do not bank on Doyle topping the 80-yard mark again, but five receptions for 45 yards and a TD is reasonable.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Yordan Alvarez

Resumes Swinging -- Return Imminent?
Jake Burger

to Miss an Additional 2-3 Weeks
TreVeyon Henderson

Signs Rookie Contract
Christian Watson

Goes on PUP List
Austin Riley

Hopes to be Activated Next Week
Ketel Marte

Lands on Restricted List After Burglary
Ricky Pearsall

Heads to PUP List
Brandon Aiyuk

Placed on PUP List
Luther Burden III

Signs Rookie Deal
Washington Nationals

Eli Willits Expected to Sign Contract on Saturday
Grayson Rodriguez

Being Shut Down Again - Will We See Him Again This Year?
Ezequiel Tovar

Activated and Back in Lineup on Friday
Max Fried

"Hopeful" to Pitch Next Week - Looks Like He'll Avoid IL Stint
Steven Kwan

Receives Injection in Wrist, Considered Day-to-Day
CJ Abrams

Back to Start Second Half
Alec Bohm

Back From Rib Injury on Friday
Trey Hendrickson

Holdout to Spill into Regular Season?
Jalen McMillan

Bucs Offensive Coordinator Not Forgetting About Jalen McMillan
Levi Onwuzurike

to Miss at Least Four Games
Nick Emmanwori

Seahawks, Nick Emmanwori Reach Agreement on Rookie Deal
Max Holloway

Set For Main Event
Brandon Lowe

Back From 10-Day Injured List
Dustin Poirier

Set For His Final UFC Fight
Roman Kopylov

Set For Co-Main Event
Paulo Costa

Returns At UFC 318
Luis L. Ortiz

to Remain on Leave for Another Month - Will he Pitch Again?
Daniel Rodriguez

Looks For Third Win In A Row
Kevin Holland

Set For His Fourth Fight This Year
Dan Ige

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Patricio Freire Set For His Second UFC Fight
Daniel Zellhuber

Set To Open Up UFC 318 Main Card
Michael Johnson

Looks For Third Consecutive Win
Elijah Arroyo

Signs Rookie Deal
Jaydon Blue

Described as "Borderline Lazy"
T.J. Sanders

Bills Sign T.J. Sanders to Rookie Deal
Christian Wilkins

Raiders Put Christian Wilkins on PUP List
Jabari Small

Lions Add Jabari Small to Backfield
Quinshon Judkins

Remains Unsigned, Won't Report With Rest of Rookies
Mason Taylor

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Jets
Hendon Hooker

Leading Lions QB2 Battle Entering Training Camp
Ozzy Trapilo

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Bears
Tate Ratledge

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Lions
Jack Bech

Signs Rookie Contract with Raiders
Yegor Chinakhov

Requests Trade
Dakota Joshua

Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua
Lukas Dostal

Signs Five-Year Extension with Ducks
Shemar Stewart

Not Practicing With College Team
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Damian Lillard

Returning to Portland
Paul Skenes

Pirates Could Preserve Paul Skenes in Second Half
Brooks Barnhizer

Grabs 19 Points, Nine Boards in Summer League Win
Jeremiah Fears

Scores 22 Points in Summer League Loss to Thunder
Isaiah Collier

Collects 17 Points In Summer League Win
Caleb Houstan

Joins Hawks
AJ Johnson

Erupts for 25 Points in Summer League Loss
Washington Wizards

Leaky Black Logs Double-Double in Loss to Jazz
Connor Norby

Undergoes Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Trey Alexander

Tallies 25 Points in Losing Effort
Johni Broome

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Jahmir Young

Has Historic Summer League Outing
Rob Dillingham

Plays Big Role in Wednesday's Win
Tyrese Proctor

Erupts for 35 Points Against Kings
Cody Williams

Leads Jazz to Victory Against Wizards
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
Los Angeles Clippers

Bradley Beal Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Kyle Schwarber

Named All-Star Game MVP
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Clayton Kershaw

Retires Both Batters In ASG Appearance
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF