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Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 13

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Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.

Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver-wire pickups.

Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Bye weeks

  • Arizona Cardinals
  • Carolina Panthers

Quarterbacks

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Mike White, Jets

Next Up Rostered FAB
at MIN 4% $4

In his first game since being named the starter, White didn't provide anything spectacular, but he gave the Jets exactly what they need: a game-manager.

When you combine the talent New York has at the skill positions with its offensive system, all that's required is a quarterback who can stay on time and hit his marks. White's ability to do that is great news for the Jets the rest of the way and a bad sign for Zach Wilson's long-term outlook.

While the matchup with the Vikings should provide a tougher test for White and Co., Minnesota is one of the 10 easiest opponents for fantasy QBs. The Vikes just allowed 382 passing yards and two scores to Mac Jones.

White is a QB2 streamer option whose production will continue to rely on the scheme and playmakers to payoff in fantasy.

Jared Goff is at the 50% rostered mark but would be the No. 1 add if available.

Streaming options: Kenny Pickett at ATL (11% rostered)

Streaming options (if starter is out): Jordan Love at CHI (1% rostered)

Risky streaming options: Marcus Mariota vs. PIT (38% rostered), Taylor Heinicke at NYG (18% rostered)

Dart-throw streaming options: Ryan Tannehill at PHI (19% rostered), Matt Ryan at DAL (17% rostered), Andy Dalton at TB (9% rostered), Kyle Allen vs. CLE (1% rostered)

Dart-throw streaming options (if starter is out): Bryce Perkins/John Wolford vs. SEA (2%/0% rostered), Trevor Siemian vs. GB (0% rostered)

Long-term stash options: Desmond Ridder (1% rostered)

Running backs

Michael Zagaris / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Ty Davis-Price/Jordan Mason/Tevin Coleman, 49ers

Next Up Rostered FAB
vs. MIA 1%/0%/0% $24/$14/$9

Elijah Mitchell is out six-to-eight weeks with an MCL sprain, and Christian McCaffrey is day-to-day with knee irritation.

CMC is expected to continue to play through the injury, but it will likely cost him practice time and require a reduced workload most weeks - even with Mitchell on the sidelines.

Unfortunately, there's no clear indication of who has the edge for the No. 2 role yet. Mason performed well in relief duty on Sunday, turning five carries into 25 yards. However, Kyle Shanahan suggested the undrafted rookie being active over Davis-Price had more to do with Mason's special teams usage.

Davis-Price was a third-round pick who has seemingly been outplayed by Mason and others dating back to rookie camp. Still, he appears to be the favorite to get the first crack at being McCaffrey's immediate backup.

Opportunistic fantasy managers won't forget about the veteran Coleman, who currently sits on the team's practice squad. Coleman has more production (70 yards from scrimmage, two touchdowns) than both of his rookie teammates despite only suiting up for three games this year. He was also playing as the complementary back before the CMC trade.

Either way, you should be taking a shot on one or all of these backs since the winner of this trio will be one injury away from being the lead runner in San Francisco.

Jaylen Warren/Benny Snell, Steelers

Next Up Rostered FAB
at ATL 15%/1% $24/$19

Najee Harris has played through a variety of injuries this year, including a foot problem and knee soreness. On Monday night, it was an abdomen issue that sent him to the locker room early.

Warren wasn't active due to a hamstring issue, so Snell and Anthony McFarland Jr. handled the backfield snaps with Harris out. Snell saw the bulk of the touches in the Steelers' win over the Colts, finishing with 12 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown, as well as one catch for 6 yards.

If Harris misses time and Warren isn't able to practice again this week, Snell would be a volume-dependent high-end RB3 for fantasy against a Falcons defense permitting the 13th-most fantasy points to his position.

If Harris is sidelined and Warren does return, then the rookie should immediately step in as Pittsburgh's lead back; the explosiveness and pass-catching ability he's showcased so far this season would make him a low-end RB2 for fantasy.

There's a wide range of recovery timelines for Harris depending on the severity of his abdomen issue. It's not out of the question that he returns for Week 13 - or that the Steelers shut him down for multiple weeks. Hopefully, we'll get an update Tuesday.

It's worth noting Pittsburgh has a very favorable schedule in the first two weeks of the fantasy playoffs with matchups against the Panthers and Raiders - two of the six easiest opponents for fantasy running backs.

JaMycal Hasty, Jaguars

Next Up Rostered FAB
at DET 3% $14

Though he was forced to leave early during the win over the Ravens, it appears Travis Etienne avoided another serious foot injury and might not even miss any time.

Head coach Doug Pederson said Etienne was cleared to return, but the team chose to be cautious and hold him out. Their decision was likely aided by the fact Hasty poured in 95 yards from scrimmage, five catches, and a score.

Even if Etienne is active this week, don't be surprised if the Jaguars lighten his workload in a softer matchup with the Lions. Hasty has proven he's more than capable of handling added touches and would be a flex option versus Detroit.

If Etienne is held out, Hasty would move into RB3 territory for fantasy, with the newly acquired Darrell Henderson (47% rostered) offering value as a risky flex.

Zonovan Knight, Jets

Next Up Rostered FAB
at MIN 1% $9

Michael Carter didn't get a complete chance to take part in the Jets' resurgence with White at the helm. Instead, the 23-year-old made an early exit with what was later diagnosed as a low ankle sprain.

He's considered day-to-day, and the team will know more about his recovery timeline on Wednesday, according to head coach Robert Saleh.

In the meantime, fantasy managers need to be proactive and acquire his backfield mates, who might see their opportunity rise if he misses this week's game against the Vikings.

With James Robinson a surprise healthy scratch, Knight led the way by amassing 101 yards from scrimmage while catching three passes. Not to be left out, Johnson turned his six touches into 78 yards and a score.

If Carter is ruled out, Robinson would likely be active - turning this into a volatile three-man committee.

For now, Knight is worth stashing to see how Carter's injury heals as the week progresses.

Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Tyler Allgeier, and Melvin Gordon are at or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in all leagues.

High-upside backups like Alexander Mattison (35% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options: Kyren Williams vs. SEA (36% rostered), Jerick McKinnon at CIN (38% rostered)

Risky flex options: Joshua Kelley at LV (4% rostered), Mark Ingram at TB (7% rostered), Eno Benjamin vs. CLE (20% rostered), James Cook at NE (25% rostered), Dontrell Hilliard at PHI (14% rostered), Ameer Abdullah vs. LAC (2% rostered), Travis Homer at LAR (1% rostered)

Risky flex options (if healthy): Mike Boone at BAL (4% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Deon Jackson at DAL (11% rostered), Myles Gaskin at SF (0% rostered), Pierre Strong vs. BUF (0% rostered), Justin Jackson vs. JAX (1% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options (if starter is out): Anthony McFarland Jr. at ATL (0% rostered), Darrynton Evans vs. GB (0% rostered)

Other backups to consider: Zamir White (3% rostered), Hassan Haskins (0% rostered)

Bye-week stashes: Chuba Hubbard (21% rostered)

Injured-reserve stashes: Khalil Herbert (41% rostered)

Wide receivers

Courtney Culbreath / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Zay Jones, Jaguars

Next Up Rostered FAB
at DET 25% $39

Jones is coming off his best game of the year with 11 receptions and 145 yards against the Ravens.

He's now seen at least 10 targets in three of his past five outings, including each of the last two weeks.

With that kind of volume in an offense that's hitting its stride thanks to Trevor Lawrence's development, Jones is a fantasy WR3/flex the rest of the way.

He'll also benefit from a matchup this week against a Lions defense that allows the fifth-most fantasy points to receivers.

Nico Collins, Texans

Next Up Rostered FAB
vs. CLE 24% $19

Since returning from his groin injury three weeks ago, Collins has out-targeted teammate Brandin Cooks 26-18 while posting a stat line of 16-141-1 to Cook's 12-166-0.

Collins has at least five catches and 40 yards in every game during that stretch.

In mid-October, Texans head coach Lovie Smith said he wanted to get his young receiver more involved, and Houston is doing just that.

Treat Collins as a WR4/flex in fantasy moving forward - with the potential for even more.

Treylon Burks, Kadarius Toney, Michael Gallup, Darius Slayton, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Parris Campbell are at or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options: Marquez Valdes-Scantling at CIN (47% rostered), Elijah Moore at MIN (26% rostered), Isaiah McKenzie at NE (33% rostered), DeAndre Carter at LV (23% rostered), Mack Hollins vs. LAC (21% rostered)

Risky flex options: Jauan Jennings vs. MIA (1% rostered), Nelson Agholor vs. BUF (1% rostered), Van Jefferson vs. SEA (23% rostered), Julio Jones vs. NO (18% rostered), Demarcus Robinson vs. DEN (17% rostered), DeVante Parker vs. BUF (13% rostered), Robert Woods at PHI (36% rostered), Skyy Moore at CIN (10% rostered), Justin Watson at CIN (5% rostered), Jarvis Landry at TB (23% rostered), DJ Chark Jr. vs. JAX (10% rostered), Marvin Jones at DET (5% rostered), Alec Pierce at DAL (18% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Quez Watkins vs. TEN (1% rostered), Marquise Goodwin at LAR (2% rostered), Kendall Hinton at BAL (1% rostered), Dante Pettis vs. GB (0% rostered), Nick Westbrook-Ikhine at PHI (1% rostered), Kalif Raymond vs. JAX (4% rostered), Corey Davis at MIN (13% rostered), Randall Cobb at CHI (9% rostered), DeSean Jackson vs. DEN (1% rostered), Richie James Jr. vs. WAS (1% rostered), Olamide Zaccheaus vs. PIT (1% rostered), Isaiah Hodgins vs. WAS (0% rostered), Kendrick Bourne vs. BUF (1% rostered), David Bell at HOU (1% rostered), Rashid Shaheed at TB (0% rostered), Jamal Agnew at DET (0% rostered)

Injured-reserve stashes: Jameson Williams (39% rostered), Odell Beckham Jr. (46% rostered)

Tight ends

Mike Carlson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Evan Engram, Jaguars

Next Up Rostered FAB
at DET 40% $7

Engram has been quiet lately, but he's still a full-time player in an emerging Jaguars' offensive attack.

As we mentioned with Zay Jones, the Lions are a defense to target in fantasy. Detroit is hemorrhaging fantasy points at every position, including being one of the five friendliest matchups for tight ends.

Expect a bounce-back game here for Engram, with a good chance of reaching the end zone.

Greg Dulcich and Juwan Johnson are at or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Streamer options: Foster Moreau vs. LAC (39% rostered), Tyler Conklin at MIN (18% rostered)

Risky streamer options: Hunter Henry vs. BUF (30% rostered), Logan Thomas at NYG (11% rostered)

Dart-throw streamer options: Jordan Akins vs. CLE (0% rostered), Robert Tonyan at CHI (36% rostered), Noah Fant at LAR (12% rostered)

Defenses

Week 13 streamers

Team Next Up Rostered
Seahawks at LAR 18%
Browns at HOU 7%
Packers at CHI 37%
Steelers at ATL 20%
Vikings vs. NYJ 38%

Favorable upcoming schedules: Seahawks (18% rostered), Titans (35% rostered), Cardinals (14% rostered)

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