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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!

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!

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!




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kevin Huerter

Active on Sunday Night
Caris LeVert

Duncan Robinson, Caris LeVert Available Sunday
Dean Wade

Max Strus Replaces Dean Wade in Starting Lineup Sunday
Luke Kornet

Iffy for Monday
Larry Nance Jr.

Won't Play Sunday
De'Aaron Fox

Listed as Questionable for Monday's Action
Jalen Williams

Officially Available for Game 1 Against Spurs
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Named MVP for Second Straight Year
Jonah Coleman

is an Intriguing Power Back to Target in Dynasty Leagues
Colt Emerson

Mariners Promoting Top Prospect Colt Emerson to Major Leagues
Darius Slayton

Lacking Long-Term Upside for Dynasty Managers
Keaton Mitchell

a Prime Dynasty Handcuff Option Entering First Season in L.A.
Jadarian Price

Looks Like the Running Back of the Future in Seattle
Isaiah Bond

Dynasty Outlook Clouded by Uncertain Role in Cleveland
James Cook III

Remains a High-End Dynasty RB1 Entering 2026
Lamar Jackson

Poised for Bounce Back Season in 2026
Bucky Irving

Expected to Be Ready for Training Camp
Kyle Williams

Deep Threat Kyle Williams Facing Uphill Battle for Playing Time
Michael Pittman Jr.

Could Receive Short-Term Value Uptick in PPR Leagues
Stefon Diggs

Chiefs, Commanders Could Make Sense for Stefon Diggs
Will Howard

Dynasty Value Dealt a Blow
Jaylen Warren

Should Benefit From Veteran QB's Return to Pittsburgh
Drew Allar

Could Continue to Hold Dynasty Value
Pat Freiermuth

Could See a Small Dynasty Bump With Veteran QB Returning
DK Metcalf

A Dynasty Sell Candidate With Veteran QB Returning?
Bones Hyland

Wants to Stay in Minnesota
Mike Conley

Hints He Will Continue Playing Next Season
Kevin Huerter

Iffy for Sunday Night
Caris LeVert

Questionable for Game 7
Duncan Robinson

Back on Injury Report Ahead of Game 7
Larry Nance Jr.

Likely Out Sunday Due to Illness
Munetaka Murakami

Fantastic First Season Continues With Two More Homers
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Dazzles With 13-Strikeout Complete Game on Saturday
Aaron Rodgers

Signs One-Year Deal With Steelers
Blake Snell

to Undergo Elbow Surgery on Tuesday
Clay Holmes

Could Miss Around Three Months
Jose Altuve

Exits After Swing
Corey Seager

Absent With Back Spasms on Saturday
Jeremy Lauzon

Misses Saturday's Practice
Mark Stone

Doesn't Practice Saturday
Josh Manson

Misses Practice, Considered Day-to-Day
Brent Burns

Day-to-Day Ahead of Conference Finals
Cale Makar

Considered Day-to-Day
Alex Lyon

Likely to Start Game 6 Against Canadiens
Owen Power

Available Saturday
Isaac TeSlaa

Can Isaac TeSlaa Carve Out a Larger Role in Detroit Going Forward?
Troy Franklin

Facing Uphill Battle for Playing Time in Denver
Trevor Lawrence

Should Trevor Lawrence Be Valued as a Dynasty QB1?
Courtland Sutton

in Line for Reduced Role in Denver?
Trevor Story

Hits the Injured List With Groin Injury
Blake Snell

Likely to Need Elbow Surgery
Duncan Robinson

Nets 14 Points With Four Triples
Cade Cunningham

Contributes 21 Points in Game 6 Win
Jalen Duren

Bounces Back With Double-Double
Anthony Edwards

Finishes Season-Ending Loss With 24 Points
Victor Wembanyama

Tallies 19 Points in Friday's Win
De'Aaron Fox

Highly Effective in Blowout Win
Stephon Castle

Shines in Series-Clincher
Kyle Schwarber

on a Heater, Hits Two More Homers to Take Major-League Lead
Clay Holmes

Suffers Fractured Fibula on Friday Night
Blake Snell

Heads to 15-Day Injured List
Blake Snell

Scratched From Start on Friday for Undisclosed Reasons
Max Fried

Heading to Injured List With Elbow Bone Bruise
CFB

Julian Sayin Looking To Build Off Of Strong Debut Season
CFB

College GameDay Set for First Three Weeks
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Aiming For Ohio State Receiving Records
CFB

Keshaun Singleton Projects as Auburn's WR1
CFB

Jeremiah Cobb Impresses New Auburn Staff
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Very Likely to Start for Georgia Tech
CFB

Charles Woodson Jr. Commits to Michigan
Jordan Westburg

to Have Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Melquizael Costa

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Main Event
Arnold Allen

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 117
Daniel Santos

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Co-Main Event
MMA

Dohoo Choi Returns At UFC Vegas 117
Juan Diaz

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Malcolm Wellmaker

Looks To Bounce Back
Christian Edwards

Set For His UFC Debut
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Tarik Skubal

Resumes Playing Catch, Ahead of Schedule?
Lane Hutson

Contributes Two Assists in Game 5 Victory
Nick Suzuki

Amasses Three Points in Crucial Victory Thursday
Juraj Slafkovsky

Dishes Out Three Assists in Game 5 Win
Carter Hart

Stops 31 Pucks in Series-Clinching Win
Pavel Dorofeyev

Enjoys Second Consecutive Multi-Goal Game
Shea Theodore

Records Two Points in Game 6 Win
Mitchell Marner

Scores Special Goal in Series-Clincher
Ryan Johnson

Takes Over as Canucks GM, Sedins Promoted to Co-Presidents
Drew Helleson

Won't Play Thursday
Radko Gudas

Unlikely to Play Thursday
Jeremy Lauzon

Remains Out Thursday
Mark Stone

Misses Third Consecutive Game
EDM

Kris Knoblauch Fired as Oilers Head Coach
CFB

Virginia Tech Lands Commitment from Four-Star QB Peter Bourque
Byron Buxton

Scratched on Thursday With Hip Soreness
Cal Raleigh

Heading to Injured List With Oblique Strain
Francisco Alvarez

has Knee Surgery, Expected to Miss Eight Weeks
Quinn Hughes

Finishes Postseason With 15 Points
Cal Raleigh

Exits With Apparent Side Injury on Wednesday Night
Juan Soto

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Juan Soto's Ankle
CFB

NFL Veteran Tom Moore Joins Iowa Coaching Staff
CFB

Can Cam Cook Dominate in Return to Big 12?
CFB

ACC, Big 12 Support 24-Team College Football Playoff
CFB

Anthony Colandrea Looking to Elevate Nebraska Back to National Contention
CFB

Kwazi Gilmer Set for Big Impact at Nebraska
Justin Thomas

Trending Well Ahead of PGA Championship Despite Concerning Form
J.J. Spaun

Trending Up Ahead of PGA Championship
Adam Scott

Riding Strong Form Into PGA Championship
Patrick Reed

Looking to Make Another Run at PGA Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Looks to Build on Strong Finish at Truist Championship
Sam Burns

Must Keep Ball in Play at PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Complete Career Grand Slam at Aronimink
Brandt Snedeker

Not the Best Option for the PGA Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Volatile Option at PGA Championship
Maverick McNealy

Seeking Better Start in Philadelphia
Harry Hall

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Aronimink
Hideki Matsuyama

Attempts to Improve Over 2025 PGA Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Defend PGA Championship at Aronimink
Nicolai Hojgaard

Wants to Keep Momentum Rolling in Philadelphia
Ben Griffin

Attempting to Bounce Back After Truist Championship
CFB

Transfer Defensive Lineman Devarrick Woods Commits to Clemson
Harris English

Will Need His Putter to Thrive at Aronimink
Akshay Bhatia

Creative Flair Could Show Itself in Philadelphia
Keegan Bradley

Knows the Aronimink Golf Club Well
Si Woo Kim

Struggles at Truist Championship
Gary Woodland

Can Continue Incredible 2026 Season at PGA Championship
Xander Schauffele

In Excellent Form Heading to PGA Championship
CFB

Isaac Brown Has All-American Upside in 2026
CFB

Nyck Harbor Heading into Breakout Year?
CFB

Notre Dame, USC in Discussions to Resume Rivalry Series
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Has Eyes on ACC Title
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Gunshot Wound Not Viewed as Career-Threatening
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF