🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 13 Rankings Analysis: Nick Mariano vs. Industry Consensus

Unfortunately the Eagles losing their starting RG to illness and #1 receiver to a right ankle sprain really hurt Carson Wentz and the Eagles, which was most unkind to my rankings.

At least Ryan Fitzpatrick proved to be worthy of QB2 status, and slipping Michael Crabtree and Demaryius Thomas down a bit was warranted. While I still finished in the top half of the FantasyPros experts, the bar we've set is higher than simply "above average". Let's get to it.

Editor's Note: New users that sign up on FantasyAces, make a $20 deposit, and enter any game will receive BOTH our full season NFL and NBA Premium Passes for free, a $119.99 value. Just email [email protected] with your new FantasyAces username - and boom, that's it! We will email you with your Premium Passes.

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

 

Week 13 Quarterbacks - Rankings Analysis

My top 10 has plenty of shuffling, but nobody moved more than two spots and that doesn’t feel comment-worthy. The first big mover is Eli Manning (#13 vs. #17 consensus), as I think going into Pittsburgh against Big Ben and a beat-up defense has all the makings of a shootout. The Steelers can put up huge points at home and weren’t really tested last week against Scott Tolzien (who still led three drives down to the goal line against PIT), so I expect Eli Manning and Big Blue to push back.

Another riser is Matt Barkley (#20 vs. #25 consensus), and it’s not just because he got to tee off against a checked-out Titans defense in Week 12. Barkley nearly led the Bears to a win last week, but his receivers dropped a whopping 10 passes – including several in the end zone. While the relation of this to the caliber of his receivers cannot be ignored, those guys are still pros and many of the drops did not occur as a result of DBs contesting the catch. Even if those 10 drops turn into six, the game turns around. Barkley looked comfortable out there, and will take some confidence into a date with the horrible 49ers defense.

 

Week 13 Running Backs - Rankings Analysis

We’ve got a little shake up with the members of the top 10 here, as I’ve swapped Matt Forte in and Devonta Freeman out, with the former sitting at #8 and the latter, #11. The Jets may be in for a bit of a letdown spot after nearly clawing themselves to victory against the Patriots, but going to Indianapolis in that offense-happy dome to take on the league’s worst defense according to DVOA is encouraging. The Colts cannot stop much of anything right now, and the Jets will likely lean on a proven commodity in Forte to control the clock and make things happen in space. Meanwhile, Freeman has to take on a Chiefs defense that boasts a terrifyingly effective defensive line. Freeman is better than Booker, but you saw how strong KC looked there.

Robert Kelley (#21 vs. #26 consensus) also gets a bump, as the Cardinals are beatable on the ground and last week’s rather predictable dud against the Cowboys might yield some additional value this week. The Cardinals have allowed four rushing TDs to RBs over their past four weeks, which plays into where Kelley’s value is here. No one is going to vulture him, the only real question is whether Kirk Cousins and company will run the ball over passing it three times. That’s not enough for me to drop him out of RB2 consideration, and I can see Washington winning this game in a rather high-scoring affair, with Kelley notching one or two TDs.

 

Week 13 Wide Receivers - Rankings Analysis

It's been an ugly year for the Jets, and Brandon Marshall (#8 vs. #12 consensus) has suffered greatly as a result. He was able to tread water early in the season, but Weeks 6-10 saw him fail to top five catches, 70 yards or find the end zone in any of those games. He got back on the horse last week (6-67-1) against the Patriots, and now gets to feast on the Colts. We mentioned how Indianapolis' defense has been atrocious, and they specifically get posterized by opposing #1 receivers (31st in DVOA against them). The Colts are going to score against the Jets, and they'll probably score a lot. The Jets won't be able to fight back with just Forte, and they don't have a tight end to exploit Indy's other major weakness. Marshall is going to have to eat.

Briefly, I’ve got Tyrell Williams (#25 vs #17 consensus) down due to that shoulder injury of his. Reports came out Tuesday that it’s an issue with his labrum, and while he shouldn’t miss any time, his catch radius and effectiveness has to take a hit. Tampa Bay’s cornerbacks also just played one hell of a game against Seattle, so it’s hard to give Williams a matchup boost here.

You may have seen how Eli Manning apologized to Sterling Shepard (#34 vs. #43 consensus) for targeting him zero times in Week 12’s victory over the Browns, and we’re rolling heavy with that momentum here. Perhaps Eli will take a page out of big brother Peyton’s playbook here, and really give Shepard his due after a lackluster showing in a game that Vegas projects for 50 points. The caveat here is that Pittsburgh’s defense owns the fourth-best DVOA rating against #2 receivers, but Shepard should have a good chance at being a fantasy WR3 here in the fireworks show.

 

Week 13 Tight Ends - Rankings Analysis

This is a testy position considering Rob Gronkowski (back) and Jordan Reed (shoulder) are both less than 100%. They’re normally mortal locks for the top two, and now we’ve got them floating around in the back-end of the top 10 as the practice reports come out during the week.

Entering the top 12 is Vance McDonald (#11 vs. #16 consensus), as old McDonald is coming off of a season-high eight targets last week into a beautiful matchup against the Bears. Chicago’s defense has performed admirably given their circumstances, but have also given up the third-most fantasy points on average to tight ends over the last four weeks. McDonald has seen at least six targets in each of his last four games, as Colin Kaepernick has breathed some life into this offense. McDonald’s stellar athleticism could yield TE1 profits here.

This feels weird to type, but I’ve got Josh Hill (#20 vs. #32 consensus) smack dab in TE2 territory right now. He destroyed Coby Fleener’s (#23 vs. #16 consensus) ceiling in Week 11 despite Coby tallying 59 yards, as Hill out-snapped “Stonehands McGee” 57 to 18  for his best game of the season (6-74-0). While the Lions have performed a little better against TEs lately, it appears more by virtue of circumstances like strength of opponent and strange playcalling rather than true performance gains. And even with the recent “surge”, Detroit has still given up the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. If you need a last-ditch dart throw, here’s your hill to die on.

 

I’d rather talk more about the skill positions than include kicker or defense, as they are far less interesting to me. Feel free to send me a vitriolic message should you want them back, I’ll listen I swear.


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

De'Von Achane

to Start the Week as Limited in Practice
CFB

Sherrone Moore Remains in Police Custody
CFB

Joe Klanderman Joining Baylor Coaching Staff
Alex DeBrincat

Extends Scoring Streak With Three-Point Effort
Dylan Guenther

Lights the Lamp Twice Wednesday
CFB

Kentucky Hiring Jay Bateman as Next Defensive Coordinator
Sam Bennett

Tallies Three Points Against Mammoth
Vince Dunn

Caps Off Three-Point Performance With Overtime Winner
Spencer Knight

Stops Rangers From Scoring Wednesday
Simon Edvinsson

Makes Early Exit Wednesday
Jared McCann

Injured in Wednesday's Win
Donovan Clingan

Misses Third Consecutive Game
Jrue Holiday

Still Out Thursday
AJ Green

Iffy for Thursday
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Likely to Remain Out Thursday
Zach LaVine

Out Thursday With Thumb Injury
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Back From Two-Game Absence Thursday
Stephen Curry

on Track to Return Friday
Si Woo Kim

Closes 2025 With Strong Finish Among Putting Woes
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Rebound in 2026 After Down Year Off the Tee
Brian Harman

2025 Season a Step Back Despite Spring Win
Sam Burns

' Elite Putting Headlines a Solid 2025 Season
Sepp Straka

Ends Stellar 2025 Campaign on a High Note
Robert MacIntyre

Closes Out a Steady 2025 Campaign
CFB

Chip Kelly Interviews for Georgia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
CFB

Louisville Receiver Chris Bell has a Torn ACL
Davante Adams

in Good Spot for Week 15 Despite Hamstring Soreness
Devin Booker

Won't Play Against OKC
Jordan Poole

Considered Questionable for Thursday
Maxi Kleber

Sidelined for Wednesday's Matchup With Spurs
Dakota Mermis

to Miss a Month
Jake Evans

to Miss Thursday's Matchup
Elias Pettersson

Unlikely to Play Thursday
Min Woo Lee

Breaks Through to Win in Texas This Year
Nick Bjugstad

to Miss at Least Three Games
PGA

Alex Noren Wins Twice on European Tour This Year
Connor Hellebuyck

Returns to Practice
Pelle Larsson

Sidelined at Least One Week
John Carlson

Could Return Thursday
Andrei Kuzmenko

Sits as Healthy Scratch Wednesday
Wyndham Clark

has Up-and-Down 2025 Golf Season
CFB

Michigan Fires Head Coach Sherrone Moore
Dereck Lively II

to Undergo Season-Ending Foot Surgery
Corey Conners

Comes Close to Winning Again in Very Good 2025
Justin Rose

Turns Back the Clock in 2025
Mike Evans

Officially Questionable for Thursday Night Game
Geno Smith

Unlikely to Play in Week 15
CFB

Jim Knowles Expected to be Hired as Tennessee's Defensive Coordinator
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

"Good to Go" for Week 15
Harris English

Enjoys Solid Finish at Hero World Challenge
CeeDee Lamb

has "One or Two" Things Left to the Clear Concussion Protocol
Jayden Daniels

Commanders Not Shutting Down Jayden Daniels for the Year
CFB

Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles Not Being Retained at Penn State
CFB

Indiana's Stephen Daley Done for Season After Post-Game Injury
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Carries Momentum and a Questionable Tag into TNF
Drake London

Won't Play on Thursday Night
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Practicing Coming Out of the Bye Week
Garrett Wilson

Practice Window Still Hasn't Opened
Breece Hall

Out on Wednesday With Knee Soreness
Pete Alonso

Orioles Finalizing Five-Year Deal
Jayden Daniels

Ruled Out for Week 15
Cade Otton

Considered Doubtful for Thursday Night
Trey Benson

Will Not Be Activated in Week 15, Will Not Return in 2025
Mike Evans

has "Shown Everything he Needed to Show" to Return in Week 15
Nick Bjugstad

Injured Tuesday
Zach Ertz

Officially Placed on Injured Reserve
Frank Vatrano

Makes Early Exit Against Penguins
Colten Ellis

Enters Concussion Protocol
George Pickens

Cowboys Not Worried About George Pickens' Effort Level
Scott Wedgewood

Hurt During Shootout
Victor Hedman

Suffers New Injury Blow
Bobby McMann

Suspended for One Game
Jordan McLaughlin

Listed as Questionable for Wednesday
Maxi Kleber

Questionable Wednesday
Marcus Smart

Ready to Face Spurs Wednesday
Luguentz Dort

Returns From Three-Game Absence Wednesday
Alex Caruso

Set to Return Wednesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Available Wednesday
Isaiah Joe

Out for Third Consecutive Game
Isaiah Hartenstein

Not Ready to Return Wednesday
Devin Booker

Listed as Questionable for Wednesday
Kyle Finnegan

Tigers, Kyle Finnegan Agree on Two-Year Deal
Bo Bichette

Red Sox Out on Bo Bichette For Now
Philip Rivers

has a "Very Real Chance" to Start in Week 15
Jason Zucker

Added to Injured Reserve
Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Extend Manager Rob Thomson Through 2027 Season
Michael King

the Mets' Top Rotation Target?
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Could Move Back to Leadoff Spot
CFB

Florida, Wisconsin Among Suitors for QB Transfer Kenny Minchey
DK Metcalf

"Moving in the Right Direction" for Week 15
CFB

Bryan Harsin, Justin Wilcox Candidates for Washington State Head Coach Job?
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Agrees to Deal With the Dodgers
Kyle Schwarber

Returning to Phillies on Five-Year Deal
Riley Leonard

Diagnosed With Grade 1 PCL Sprain
CFB

Ole Miss Hiring John David Baker as Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Ty Howle the Top Target for Virginia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
Shohei Ohtani

to be Used More as Traditional Starting Pitcher Next Year
Yordan Alvarez

to Become Full-Time DH in 2026?
Mason Miller

Padres Plan to Keep Mason Miller in the Bullpen
Ranger Suárez

Orioles Interested in Signing Ranger Suarez
Anthony Volpe

Yankees Don't Expect Anthony Volpe to be Ready in April
Gerrit Cole

Targeting a Return in May/June
CFB

Heisman Trophy Finalists Announced on Monday
CFB

Anthony Hill Jr. Declaring for 2026 NFL Draft
CFB

Ryan Walters a Candidate for Tennessee Defensive Coordinator Job?
Rory McIlroy

Ends 2025 as the Year's Most Unburdened Player
Aaron Rai

Needs to Figure Out Putting Woes This Offseason
Jordan Spieth

Plays Better on Paper in 2025 Than Results Show
PGA

Chris Gotterup Needs to Find Better Touch and Consistency This Offseason
Hideki Matsuyama

Ends 2025 Season With a Bookend Victory
CFB

Tennessee Fires Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks
Scottie Scheffler

Comes Up Just Shy of Hero World Challenge Victory
Merab Dvalishvili

Drops A Decision At UFC 323
Petr Yan

Reclaims Bantamweight Title
Alexandre Pantoja

Era Ends With Gruesome Injury
Joshua Van

Becomes Second-Youngest UFC Champion
Brandon Moreno

Suffers His First TKO Loss
Brandon Moreno

Tatsuro Taira Becomes First Fighter To Finish Brandon Moreno
Henry Cejudo

Payton Talbott Retires Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo

Retires After UFC 323 Loss
Jan Blachowicz

Bogdan Guskov Vs. Jan Blachowicz Ends In A Majority Draw
Jan Blachowicz

And Bogdan Guskov Fight To Majority Draw
CFB

Texas RB CJ Baxter Entering Transfer Portal
San Francisco Giants

Jeff Kent Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Ketel Marte

Red Sox Interested in Trading for Ketel Marte
Kyle Schwarber

Pirates Make Four-Year Offer to Kyle Schwarber
CFB

Mississippi State, Rice Accept Bowl Bids as 5-7 Teams
CFB

Auburn, Florida State, Baylor Among Teams to Decline Bowl Bids
CFB

Rob Aurich Set to Become Nebraska's Defensive Coordinator
Jose A. Ferrer

Mariners Acquire Jose A. Ferrer from the Nationals
Harry Ford

Traded to the Nationals
Cody Bellinger

Drawing Interest From the Phillies
MacKenzie Gore

Will the Nationals Trade MacKenzie Gore?
Petr Yan

Looks To Reclaim Bantamweight Belt
Merab Dvalishvili

Set For His Fourth Title Defense
Joshua Van

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fifth Title Defense At UFC 323
Tatsuro Taira

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Brandon Moreno

Searches For His Third Win In A Row
Payton Talbott

A Favorite At UFC 323
Henry Cejudo

Set For His Retirement Fight
Jan Blachowicz

Set To Open Up UFC 323 Main Card
Bogdan Guskov

Looks To Extend His Win Streak

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP