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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

Franz Wagner

Expected to Return "Within the Next Week"
T.J. Watt

Cleared to Play in Week 18
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Available Versus Charlotte
Karl-Anthony Towns

Out on Friday Night
Trevor Moore

Likely to Return Saturday
John Klingberg

Doubtful to Play Saturday
Isiah Pacheco

Could be Rested Against Raiders
Radko Gudas

on Track to Return Friday
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Officially Questionable for Week 18
Brayden McNabb

Considered Week-to-Week
De'Von Achane

Doubtful to Face the Patriots
Zach Werenski

Ready to Return Saturday
Ilya Sorokin

Comes Off Injured Reserve
Bo Horvat

Ruled Out for at Least One Week
Stephen Curry

Sidelined with Ankle Sprain on Friday
Jimmy Butler III

Will Not Play Against Thunder
Aaron Jones Sr.

Won't Play in Week 18
Seth Curry

Sidelined on Friday Vs. Thunder
Omarion Hampton

Ruled Out for Week 18
Draymond Green

Getting a Rest Day Against Thunder
Dallas Goedert

Ruled Out With Knee Injury
J.J. McCarthy

Will Start in Week 18
Jerami Grant

Still Watching From Sidelines on Friday
Javonte Williams

Ruled Out for Sunday
Zach Collins

Remains Out on Friday
Michael Porter Jr.

Remains Sidelined on Friday
Cam Thomas

Resting on Friday
Nicolas Claxton

Ruled Out for Friday's Game
Alvin Kamara

Will Remain Out in Week 18
Saddiq Bey

Won't Suit Up on Friday
Davante Adams

Questionable to Play in Week 18
Derik Queen

is Unavailable on Friday
Trae Young

Won't Play on Friday
Kyren Williams

Questionable to Play in Week 18
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Questionable for Sunday
Drake London

Questionable for Season Finale
Harold Fannin Jr.

Ruled Out in Week 18
Harold Fannin Jr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 18
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable to Play in Week 18
Josh Allen

"Good to Go" Vs. Jets
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Joey Aguilar Undergoes Surgery to Remove Tumor on Friday
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Texas the "Team to Beat" for Transfer Running Back Isaac Brown
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Rocco Becht to Follow Matt Campbell to Penn State?
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Texas Targeting Cam Coleman in Transfer Portal
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Former Texas Running Back CJ Baxter Visiting Kentucky
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Beau Pribula Visiting Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech
Derik Queen

Facing First Career Absence Friday
Saddiq Bey

May Sit Out Friday's Game
Grayson Allen

Questionable Friday
Moussa Diabaté

Moussa Diabate Iffy for Friday
Miles Bridges

Likely to Return Friday
De'Andre Hunter

May Miss Second Straight Game Due to Illness
Sebastian Aho

Records Season-High Five Points Thursday
Auston Matthews

Opens 2026 With Four-Point Effort
Dylan Guenther

Posts First Career Hat Trick During Four-Point Night
Josh Anderson

Exits Early After Scoring
Bo Horvat

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Thursday
Noah Laba

Out Week-to-Week
Conor Sheary

Lands on Long-Term Injured Reserve
Bo Bichette

Yankees Showing Interest in Bo Bichette
George Kittle

Listed as Questionable for Week 18
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Trending Towards Playing
Miles Wood

Blue Jackets Place Miles Wood on Injured Reserve
Dak Prescott

May Not Play Full Game in Week 18
Conor Garland

to Miss One Week
Marco Rossi

to Miss at Least One Week
Yegor Chinakhov

Set for Penguins Debut Thursday
Shayne Gostisbehere

Misses Third Consecutive Game Thursday
Auston Matthews

Returns From One-Game Absence
William Nylander

Remains Out Thursday
Houston Astros

Astros Sign Tatsuya Imai to Three-Year Deal
CFB

Lane Kiffin Interested in Sam Leavitt, Brendan Sorsby at LSU
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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
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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
CFB

Star Wideout Cam Coleman Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Jay Hill Expected to be Next Michigan Defensive Coordinator

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