Fantasy Football Week 13 Waiver Advice

The waiver period of Week 13 may be over but that does not mean you still can’t make moves to improve your roster before Thursday night’s game.  While many big names were likely claimed on Wednesday let’s take a look at some players who might still be floating around the waiver wire that you should grab.

Quarterback

Jared Goff, LA - The Patriots have made nearly every quarterback they have faced this season look like a Pro Bowler which makes Goff an interesting play in Week 13 if you find yourself in desperate need of a quarterback.  After a poor NFL debut in Week 11, Goff threw for 214 yards and three touchdowns in Week 12 against the Saints.  The Rams will have to throw in an effort to keep up with the Patriots high powered offense so fantasy owner should expect Goff to set a career high in passing yards which will help his overall production even if he doesn’t repeat a multiple touchdown effort.

Joe Flacco, Bal– Flacco has been less than inspiring this season but in Week 13 he gets to face a Dolphins defense that just allowed Colin Kaepernick to throw for three touchdown passes so it’s not too far of a stretch to think that Flacco should have success through the air in this matchup.  There is also some potential revenge motive for receiver Mike Wallace given that the Dolphins are his former team so a big day from Wallace should also lead to a big day from Flacco.

Running Back

Dion Lewis/James White, NE– With news that Rob Gronkowski is going to miss the rest of the regular season due to a back injury all New England pass catchers will gain a boost.  Both Dion Lewis and James White should see not only increased snaps but also increased targets as they come out of the backfield as a receiving option for Tom Brady.  Lewis has the added value of being the more effective runner of the two backs so if he is available I would pick him up first but either player is a must own in PPR formats.

Chris Thompson, Wsh- Thompson is the Redskins third down back so his value is better in PPR formats and in Week 13 the Redskins face a stout run defense which could limit Rob Kelley and force the Redskins to use Thompson out of the backfield more than usual.  In Week 12 Thompson caught five passes for 17 yards and over the last five games he has caught 21 passes.  In standard leagues the value with Thompson is minimal unless Kelley gets hurt but at just 20 percent ownership there is a good chance Thompson can fill your flex spot in PPR leagues.

Wide Receiver

Malcolm Mitchell, NE– Mitchell has really come on over the last two weeks, catching nine passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns.  With news that Rob Gronkowski is going to miss the rest of the regular season the Patriots may lean a bit more on the rookie out of Georgia to produce which is great for his fantasy value.  Mitchell is owned in just about 10 percent of leagues but that number is going to rise as fantasy owners realize he is in line for a bump in usage in a high scoring offense.

Dorial Green-Beckham, Phi – DGB has impressive over the last two weeks, having caught 11 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown.  With Jordan Matthews at less than 100 percent there is a case to be made that Green-Beckham is the Eagles No.1 receiver without Matthews on the field.  In Week 13 the Eagles do face a Bengals defense allowing the fourth fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers but the Eagles will have to throw if they hope to beat the Bengals on the road and DGB should be a primary benefactor of that game plan.

Kenny Britt, LA– Britt has been the Rams most consistent receiver this season and at 6’3 223 lbs he will have significant size advantage over Patriots corner Malcom Butler who despite being one of the leagues better defenders has struggled against bigger receivers.  The Patriots defense gives up plenty of yards to opposing teams through the air which bodes well for the Rams receivers Britt included.

Tight End

Ladarius Green, Pit– Many fantasy owners were excited for the prospect of Ladarius Green joining the Steelers offense but through three games he has caught just five passes for 97 yards which includes a goose egg in Week 11 against the Browns.  The size and athleticism is what keeps drawing fantasy owners to Green however and after his Week 12 performance where he caught just two passes but for a total 67 yards there is again hope that he becomes more involved in the offense.  Green saw less snaps that tight end Jesse James but his big play ability makes him an interesting high risk/high reward play at a shallow position like tight end.

Hunter Henry, SD – The return of Antonio Gates has really diminished the fantasy value of Hunter Henry but he has caught a touchdown pass in two straight games and with receivers Travis Benjamin and Ty Williams continually dealing with nagging injuries there is potential that Henry could see some additional targets come his way.  In Week 13 the Chargers face a bad Buccaneers defense and if you need a tight end there is a good chance  Henry is sitting in your leagues free agent pool.