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Hayden's unexpected fantasy football performances, waiver wire sleepers, and trade targets for Week 14 (2024). Can these NFL players sustain Week 13's success?
This past week was Thanksgiving week and Week 13 gave us a lot to be thankful for. A dramatic (and infuriating) finish in Detroit on Thursday captivated fans, as did Kansas City's fortunate escape against Las Vegas on Black Friday. The Vikings, Colts, and Buccaneers all came through in the clutch on Sunday to add to the week's excitement.
Strong fantasy performances also marked the week. Josh Allen getting credited with two touchdowns on one play on Sunday Night Football astounded viewers. A trio of rookies also stood out; quarterback Jayden Daniels, running back Bucky Irving, and tight end Brock Bowers all rank atop their respective positions this week entering Monday.
Some less-appreciated players also racked up fantasy points in abundance, though. Let's explore five of Week 13's unexpected booms, starting with a young Jacksonville wideout.
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Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars
Second-year receiver Parker Washington had been quiet before Jacksonville's Week 12 bye. In the first 11 weeks of the season, Washington totaled just 10 receptions for 118 yards and zero touchdowns. This made sense, considering he entered the year behind Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, and Brian Thomas Jr. on the depth chart.
Injuries started mounting for the Jaguars, though, and Washington's role expanded as a result. Kirk broke his left collarbone in Week 8 and Davis tore his meniscus in a brutal Week 11 loss. Thus, coming out of the bye, Washington saw an 80 percent snap share versus Houston, according to PFF; his second-highest of the season.
Washington received a career-high 12 looks, of which he caught six for 103 yards. This marked his first 100-yard game in the NFL. He also scored a fourth-quarter touchdown to cut Jacksonville's deficit to 11 points. Washington finished the day with 21.3 half-PPR points, making him the week's WR4 through Sunday's games.
.@CPW11_ with an acrobatic grab and tightrope finish!#HOUvsJAX on FOX pic.twitter.com/HZcTN8xCjN
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) December 1, 2024
With the Jaguars hurting at receiver, Washington is a viable waiver wire pickup ahead of Week 14. The team's quarterback situation is unclear as starter Trevor Lawrence may miss time after suffering a concussion. Still, Washington's usage on Sunday makes him an intriguing addition for fantasy managers.
Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence returned in Week 13 after missing the team's previous two games with a shoulder issue. Unfortunately, his outing against the Texans ended prematurely. Lawrence was concussed after being on the receiving end of a late hit that sparked a melee between the two teams.
Backup Mac Jones filled in, as he did in Weeks 10 and 11. In those earlier two games, Jones passed for just a combined 249 yards with zero passing touchdowns and three interceptions. His latest appearance went much better, as Jones completed 20-of-32 attempts for 235 yards, two scores, and no picks.
Brian Thomas touchdown. We’ve got a game in Jacksonville. 👀
📺: #HOUvsJAX on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/B7h0mAhGiw— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024
The Jaguars did ultimately come up short, suffering their fifth consecutive loss. For fantasy purposes, however, Jones managed 20.0 fantasy points, placing him as the week's QB11 entering Monday Night Football. This was his best fantasy performance since Week 1 of last season with New England.
Lawrence's health will need to be monitored ahead of Week 14. If he cannot suit up, Jones will get the starting nod once again. Jones cannot be trusted as a fantasy starter given how poor his pre-bye showings were. Only fantasy managers desperate for assistance at the QB position should look to Jones this week.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine began the season as a fantasy afterthought. Through the first four weeks of the year, Westbrook-Ikhine did not record a single target. After the Titans' Week 5 bye, though, he suddenly became magnetically drawn to the end zone; Westbrook-Ikhine has scored a touchdown in each week since except Week 10.
In Week 13, Westbrook-Ikhine extended his scoring stretch by reaching paydirt twice. He posted three receptions on eight targets for 61 yards plus those two trips to the end zone. His 19.6 half-PPR points rank seventh among wideouts for the week after Sunday Night Football. This also marked his best fantasy performance since 2022.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is a TD machine. His 8th TD in 8 games!
📺: #TENvsWAS on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/Cu6cD0Ep82— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024
Before Week 8, the Titans traded receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Chiefs. Westbrook-Ikhine accordingly saw a spike in usage after that; his snap shares went from being consistently under 50 percent to being consistently above 80 percent. Moreover, his eight targets on Sunday were a season-best tally.
Despite his relatively low volume, Westbrook-Ikhine's fantasy viability is becoming undeniable. He is the WR10 in total half-PPR points since the Hopkins trade. Westbrook-Ikhine should be among the top waiver targets this week. Keep in mind, though, that the well of touchdowns will likely run dry at some point.
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh tight end Pat Freiermuth has been having a largely forgettable season for the Steelers. Most of his recent performances have been nondescript; Freiermuth went from Week 5 through Week 11 without exceeding three targets a single time. He ended that streak in Week 12 with just four looks.
On Sunday, though, Freiermuth showed his capabilities. On seven targets, Freiermuth made six receptions for 68 yards. He also scored his fourth touchdown of the season, matching his total number of scores from 2022 and 2023 combined. The end-zone trip was his second in the past four weeks.
Wilson to Freiermuth! @Steelers extend their lead!
📺: #PITvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/HoukBenLIM— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024
Freiermuth scored 15.8 half-PPR points, giving him the TE4 ranking for the week, pending Monday's figures. He led the Steelers in targets and he tied with running back Najee Harris for the team lead in receptions. Freiermuth's catch and yardage tallies both set new season highs, and his seven targets tied his high-water mark from Week 4.
Pittsburgh's passing attack has picked up steam with quarterback Russell Wilson at the helm. Wilson will not pass for over 400 yards every game as he did this week, but Freiermuth can continue to produce. The fourth-year pro should be among the best TE options on waivers for fantasy managers for Week 14.
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers
Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen had a strong year for Carolina in 2023, finishing as the WR25 in half-PPR formats. His 2024 campaign got off to a rocky start, though. He caught just eight passes over his first three games before suffering a hamstring injury. Thielen was sidelined for a lengthy period, but he came back in Week 12.
After drawing four targets in his return, the 34-year-old put up numbers on Sunday that were reminiscent of his prime in Minnesota. Thielen caught eight of his 10 looks for 99 yards. He also gave Carolina the lead with a touchdown reception in the final minute, and he had a remarkable one-handed snag in overtime.
ADAM THIELEN WOW
📺: #TBvsCAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/KNAGqBEbUk— NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2024
Thielen finished the day with 19.9 half-PPR points, earning him the tentative WR5 ranking for Week 13. His last game with at least that many points came in Week 6 of last year. Thielen led the team in every major receiving category, though his snap count was lower than those of teammates Xavier Legette and David Moore, per PFF.
Thielen ought to be the top WR target on fantasy waivers for Week 14. Carolina's passing offense has started to click since its bye in Week 11, and quarterback Bryce Young has trusted Thielen over the past two seasons. Thielen will need to fend off his younger teammates to maintain his target share, but he will be a solid fantasy option if he does.
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