Who To Start for Fantasy Football in Week 13?

Jameson Williams, WR, Lions

Heading into Week 12, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams had recorded at least 66 receiving yards and a touchdown in three straight contests. However, the 24-year-old put up a massive dud in Week 12 against the New York Giants, failing to record a single catch on three targets. Williams has increased target opportunity in Detroit with tight end Sam LaPorta (back) on Injured Reserve, and the wideout's big-play ability gives him explosive upside on a week-to-week basis.

However, Week 12 was a stark reminder that Williams' production floor is as low as any player in the league. So far this season, he's recorded three games with fewer than 10 receiving yards and two without a single reception. The Lions have a difficult matchup in Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers, who held Williams to four catches for 23 yards back in Week 1.

Josh Jacobs, RB, Packers

NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (knee) is "good to go" and will be available to return from his injury for the pivotal Thanksgiving matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers. The Packers (7-3-1) sit half a game ahead of the Lions (7-4), and the Packers won comfortably over the Lions in Week 1 and have a chance to cement themselves at the top of the NFC North with a win on Thursday. The Chicago Bears (8-3) currently sit atop the NFC North; however, the Packers still face them twice in Weeks 14 and 16, so they control their own fate in the NFC.

Jacobs' return is a significant step in the right direction for them to make this end-of-season run. His injury in Week 11 looked bad at first glance, so this news of him already being back is great news for the Packers fans and Jacobs' fantasy owners. Emanuel Wilson filled in for Jacobs last week and played great, rushing for 107 yards and two touchdowns, so Jacobs' upside may be capped because Wilson has earned more playing time. Still, Jacobs is also a set-it-and-forget-it type of player in fantasy football, regardless of the tough matchup. On the season, Jacobs has 11 touchdowns, 648 rushing yards, and 237 receiving yards.

Christian Watson, WR, Packers

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson has seen his involvement in the Packers' offense and the intent to get him high-leverage targets grow in the last few weeks. In Week 11 against the New York Giants, Watson caught two touchdown passes. Last week against the Vikings, Watson led the Packers in targets with seven, and paced the passing game production with a five-catch, 49-yard stat line.

Watson has also led the Packers in air yards over the last three games, showing the intent from head coach and playcaller Matt LaFleur and Packers' quarterback Jordan Love to get the ball downfield, and when they do, prioritizing getting the ball to Watson. When Watson gets an opportunity, it's more often than not going to be in a high-leverage situation, which is great for fantasy managers as he's seemingly supplanted Romeo Doubs as the top receiver for the Packers.

Against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, who give up the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing receivers and are a man-based defense that was just shredded by Wan'Dale Robinson's 9-157-1 line this past Sunday, Watson should be a high-upside WR3 for Week 13.

David Montgomery, RB, Lions

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery was held in check by the New York Giants in Week 12, recording 37 scrimmage yards on eight touches in his team's overtime win. The 28-year-old played just 34% of Detroit's offensive snaps against New York, the third time in four games since the Lions' Week 8 bye that he's failed to reach the 40% mark. Once one of the league's most reliable touchdown scorers, Montgomery has now failed to hit pay dirt in five out of his last six games.

He's recorded single-digit touches in consecutive weeks and 40 or fewer rushing yards in six out of his last eight outings. All indications suggest that Montgomery is fading into a true RB2 role in Detroit, behind star running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Fantasy managers may want to avoid Montgomery when the Lions will face one of the league's best defenses in the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day in Week 13.

Matthew Golden, WR, Packers

Green Bay Packers rookie first-round wide receiver Matthew Golden (wrist) was limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Tuesday with a wrist injury, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. Golden missed Sunday's decisive win over the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field with shoulder and wrist injuries. The 22-year-old Texas product is tracking towards returning on Thanksgiving Day on Thursday against the division-rival Detroit Lions, though, now that he's clear of his shoulder injury.

Golden probably needs to practice in full on Wednesday to avoid taking another questionable tag into game day. Fantasy managers who bought into the preseason hype surrounding Golden have been disappointed so far in 2025, as he's caught just 24 passes for 286 yards on 32 targets. He's still searching for the first touchdown of his career, and his chances of contributing down the stretch aren't going to get any better now that Jayden Reed (foot, shoulder) is nearing a return.