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RotoBaller Matt Hartman breaks down some Week 13 waiver wire pickups for wide receivers (WRs) & defenses (DEF) and your fantasy football teams.
What's going on Ballers? This week was the first week in a while that I could say I had some decent waiver options to recommend given my crazy recommendation rules (which were self-imposed). Some names that really stick out this week are Edelman, Burleson, Wright, & maybe Hunter or Austin. As you look to secure your playoff spot (if it's not already secured) you have to be wise in using waivers. Trust me, if you follow the standard waiver system - using your pickups up on an average or inconsistent player is a bad idea right now. So read RotoBaller's analysis, trust your gut, look at trends and remember always who is the QB of the team the WR is on. I will continue recommending defenses that are nice streamer choices based on the matchup. With that said, let's get to it.
Here are the wide receiver and defense waiver recommendations for this week, in priority order:
Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups - Wide Receivers (WR)
Nate Burleson – WR, Detroit Lions - Waiver Wire Pickup
Baller Move: Add in Deep Leagues only (12+ Teams PPR, Standard)
Analysis: Last week I didn't include an injured WR option for PPR leagues. Nate Burleson is his name and he's in a big time passing offense in Detroit (the past 2 seasons feature the most passing in Lions history). Sadly his season has been filled with an injury where he broke his arm leading many managers to drop him. However this week he returned from the injury and returned right back to pre-injury form. He had a solid game of 7 catches, 1 TD, and 77 yards on 10 targets. If you are looking for a solid WR option on a team that certainly likes to pass the ball, Burleson is a great waiver wire choice for Week 13 and going forward.
Justin Hunter – WR, Tennessee Titans - Waiver Wire Pickup
Baller Move: Add in Deep Leagues only (12+ Teams PPR)
Analysis: The past two weeks Hunter has tallied 13 target with 8 catches. This past week Hunter had his breakout game of the season with 6 catches on 6 targets for 109 yards and 1 TD. Hunter was a second round WR pick this season from Tennessee and I expect that he will continue to develop the rest of this season. While Hunter is just starting to get involved with the Titans offense, take caution when using your waiver option with him. He could be a nice PPR waiver option this week for deeper leagues, but if you're in standard leagues just continue monitoring him for now.
Jacoby Jones – WR, Baltimore Ravens - Waiver Wire Pickup
Baller Move: Add in Deep Leagues only (12+ Teams Standard)
Analysis: This season Jacoby Jones has been sidelined in large chunks due to injury. This week he finally looked to be getting closer to 100% with his best game of the season (4 catches, 103 yards & 1 TD). The previous two weeks Jones only had 4 targets all together so he makes a poor PPR option to consider. You should continue to monitor Jones to see if his health is back. However, if you are in a deep league Jones might be a waiver option to consider.
Previously Mentioned Players: Julian Edelman – WR, New England Patriots; Kendall Wright – WR, Tennessee Titans
Honorable Mention: Tiquan Underwood – WR, Tampa Bay; Tavon Austin – WR, St. Louis Rams
Players I recommend beyond rules (above 25% ownership or previously recommended). Add these WR players immediately if they are somehow still available in your leagues (in priority order):
Josh Gordon, WR, CLE - Huge game this week! If he is still available in your league you have to playing in a very very easy league
Percy Harvin, WR, SEA - BYE week
Jarrett Boykin, WR, GB - Decent week with 60 yards and a TD
Keenan Allen, WR, SD - Huge game 9 catches 124 yards
Harry Douglas, WR, ATL - PPR monster game with 9 catches and 79 yards
T.Y. Hilton, WR, IND - Not a great week but did have 5 catches
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, PIT - 6 catches and a TD this week, a nice return from his injury scare last week
Golden Tate, WR, SEA - BYEweek
Doug Baldwin, WR, SEA - BYE week
Michael Crabtree, WR, SF - Won't be back until mid-to-late November
Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups - Defenses (DEF)
Cleveland, DEF - Waiver Wire Pickup
Baller Move: Add in Standard Leagues (12+ Teams)
Analysis: Last week I did not do well with recommending the Browns, however this week I will repeat and select them again as a waiver option. Why? They are playing the Jaguars and that is good news for their defense. On the season Jacksonville has given up the most fantasy points to opposing defenses. If you are looking to stream a defense this week, the Browns are one of the best options available in Week 13.
New England, DEF - Waiver Wire Pickup
Baller Move: Add in Standard Leagues (12+ Teams)
Analysis: I imagine the Houston Texans had a different vision for the 2013 season. So far they've been downright awful, and they achieved a new low last week by losing to the Jaguars and scoring just 6 total points. This week New England will be coming to town to face a Texans team who has given up the 4th most points to opposing defenses (fantasy wise). I expect New England to dominate in all facets of the game (except for the run game). New England is a solid streamer option this week.
Other Defense Considerations: MIA (vs NYJ), DAL (vs OAK)
Thomas Davis, IDP - LB, Carolina Panthers – Waiver Wire Pickup
Baller Move: Add in Standard Leagues (12+ Teams IDP Leagues)
Analysis: This week I'm recommending Thomas Davis who has had 26 tackles (6.5/game), 10 assists, 1 Sack, & 1 interception the last 4 weeks. While these numbers don't really jump off the page they are solid. If you are looking for a waiver pickup you could find worse options than Davis in Week 13.
My Guidelines
1. I will not repeat waiver selections. All mentioned players prior to week 4 will apply to the current waiver options and going forward.
2. I will only recommend players that are lower than 25% ownership in Yahoo! or ESPN leagues.
