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Week 13 Deeper Waiver Wire Sleepers: Standard Leagues

What's up RotoBallers. Welcome to my deeper standard league sleepers column for Week 13 of the NFL season. In this weekly article we are going to take a look at some deeper waiver wire options for standard leagues, who could help out your team in this upcoming week.

For reference's sake, we are looking at standard scoring leagues and will be using ownership percentage data from Fleaflicker. In order to qualify as a deep sleeper, a player must be 20% owned or less.

Let's get to the picks!

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Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 13 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS

 

Quarterback

Jared Goff (LA) @ New England Patriots

(Ownership: 17%)

Goff played well in his second career start, completing 20-of-32 passes and connecting for three touchdowns against the Saints in Week 12. While we likely just saw his ceiling, at least for his rookie year, Goff has a chance to turn in another useful fantasy performance in Week 13 against the Patriots. New England's pass defense has struggled this season, ranking 27th in DVOA according to Football Outsiders (before Week 12's action).

An explosive Patriots offense should ensure that the Rams have to pass early and often to keep up on the scoreboard, and Goff should benefit from that. Goff can be used as a QB2 in deeper leagues if you are desperate, and as a solid second signal caller in two-quarterback leagues.

 

Running Back

Rex Burkhead (CIN) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

(Ownership: 4%)

Burkhead was surprisingly involved for the Bengals in Week 12, playing on 51% of the offensive snaps and garnering seven touches. While he didn't do a ton yardage-wise, he basically played the Giovani Bernard role in the offense while Jeremy Hill maintained his normal first and second down role. Many fantasy owners were expecting Hill to take on the bell cow role for the Bengals, but it doesn't appear that is going to be the case. While Burkhead shapes up as a better PPR option, he can be used as a deep sleeper in standard leagues, as well. The Eagles present a reasonably tough matchup for the Bengals on the ground, which means Cincinnati may have to lean on Burkhead in the passing game to move the ball.

 

Wide Receiver

Malcolm Mitchell (NE) vs. Los Angeles Rams

(Ownership: 11%)

Mitchell, a rookie, has carved out a nice role in the Patriots' offense over the past two weeks. In Week 11, Mitchell caught four passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. He followed that up with five catches for 42 yards and two touchdowns against the Jets in Week 12. While his low snap percentage (47%) with Chris Hogan back in Week 12 means he could be a risky play going forward, he plays for one of the top offenses in the league and has emerged as a solid touchdown threat and a deep sleeper. He could be in for another solid workload if Rob Gronkowski's back injury keeps him out of action this weekend. The Rams have a decent pass defense, but they are fresh off of allowing the Saints to rack up five touchdown passes, and things won't get any easier against the Pats in Week 13.

 

Tight End

Vance McDonald (SF) @ Chicago Bears

(Ownership: 20%)

McDonald has quietly turned in a solid stretch for the 49ers, seeing six or more targets in five straight games. He has turned all of those targets into 15 catches for 264 yards and two touchdowns as one of San Francisco's more reliable options in the passing game. McDonald could be in for another solid showing in Week 13, when he takes on a Chicago Bears defense that has been weak against tight ends this season. Before Week 12's action, the Bears' pass defense ranked 23rd in the league in DVOA against tight ends, according to Football Outsiders. McDonald is a great deep-league option if you need a tight end this weekend.

 

Defense/Special Teams

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TB) @ San Diego Chargers

(Ownership: 12%)

The Buccaneers turned in one of the more surprising defensive performances of Week 12, holding the Seahawks to a single field goal (Seattle finished with five points thanks to a safety). Tampa Bay has been playing stout defense over the past three weeks, allowing just 32 total points. They have also added 10 sacks, five interceptions and four fumble recoveries over that span. The Chargers represent a favorable matchup for fantasy defenses. San Diego is allowing 2.5 sacks per game, and Phillip Rivers has thrown 12 interceptions on the year. While San Diego is likely to score some points this weekend, the turnover and sack potential is worth chasing if you need to stream a defense in deeper leagues.


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Lamar Jackson

Will Officially Return in Week 18
Tobias Harris

Won't Suit Up Against Miami
Lauri Markkanen

on the Injury Report for Thursday Night
Keyonte George

Battling an Illness, Might Miss Thursday's Game
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Won't Play on Thursday Evening
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Astros Sign Tatsuya Imai to Three-Year Deal
Jordan Love

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"Absolutely" Expects to Play in Week 18
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to Start for Packers in Week 18
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Ruled Out for Week 18
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Exits Early Wednesday
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Sustains Upper-Body Injury
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Battling Illness, Questionable Thursday
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Likely to Play Thursday
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Available Thursday
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to Miss at Least One Week
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Elevated to Available on Wednesday
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Available For Wednesday
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Out at Least 10 More Days
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Sean Monahan

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Dougie Hamilton

Questionable Wednesday
Radko Gudas

Expected to Remain Out Wednesday
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Play in Week 18
Ilya Lyubushkin

Back From One-Game Absence Wednesday
Alex Lyon

to Miss "Bit of Time"
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Rejoins Lightning Lineup Wednesday
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Trending to Play in Week 18
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To Make Return For Charlotte On Wednesday, In Starting Lineup
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Ruled Out for Regular-Season Finale
CFB

Lane Kiffin Interested in Sam Leavitt, Brendan Sorsby at LSU
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Questionable Wednesday
Adam Gaudette

Unavailable Wednesday
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Activated From Injured Reserve
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Nursing Lower-Body Injury
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to Miss Olympics
Jack Eichel

a Game-Time Decision Wednesday
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Deuce Knight Officially Entering Transfer Portal
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Kewan Lacy Expected to Be Full-Go Against Georgia
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Chip Kelly Named Northwestern Offensive Coordinator
Riley Leonard

Will Start Against the Texans
Bijan Robinson

Explodes for 229 Total Yards, Two Touchdowns on Monday Night
Davante Adams

Officially Out on Monday Night
Drake London

Active Against Rams
Justin Herbert

Won't Face Broncos in Week 18
Marcus Mariota

Considered "a Stretch" to Play in Week 18
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Dealing With Significant Ankle Injury
CFB

Penn State Working to Hire D'Anton Lynn as Next Defensive Coordinator
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Omar Cooper Expected to be Full-Go for Rose Bowl
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Marcus Freeman Staying with Notre Dame for 2026 Season
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Star Wideout Cam Coleman Entering Transfer Portal
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Jay Hill Expected to be Next Michigan Defensive Coordinator

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