Fantasy football playoffs are right around the corner, and whether you’re trying to protect your standing for the final stretch or need a Hail Mary throw to make the cut, sharp roster management is key.
That’s why I’ve outlined the Week 13 edition of my rankings into tiers at each position, to help you make start/sit decisions for Sunday’s games. Note that these tiers are as of Saturday, so be sure to check my real-time rankings for any start/sit decisions involving late-breaking news.
Fantasy Football Rankings
Fantasy QB Tiers
| Tier | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lamar Jackson (@ PIT) |
| 2 | Patrick Mahomes (vs. DEN) Tom Brady (@ ATL) |
| 3 | Matthew Stafford (vs. JAX) Justin Herbert (@ CIN) Dak Prescott (@ NO) |
| 4 | Josh Allen (vs. NE) Kirk Cousins (@ DET) Kyler Murray (@ CHI) |
| 5 | Jalen Hurts (@ NYJ) Derek Carr (vs. WAS) Taylor Heinicke (@ LV) Joe Burrow (vs. LAC) Taysom Hill (vs. DAL) Carson Wentz (@ HOU) Tua Tagovailoa (vs. NYG) |
| 6 | Russell Wilson (vs. SF) |
| 7 | Jimmy Garoppolo (@ SEA) Matt Ryan (vs. TB) Tyrod Taylor (vs. IND) Ben Roethlisberger (vs. BAL) Trevor Lawrence (@ LAR) Teddy Bridgewater (@ KC) |
| 8 | Jared Goff (vs. MIN) Andy Dalton (vs. ARI) Zach Wilson (vs. PHI) Mac Jones (@ BUF) Mike Glennon (@ MIA) |
There are only a handful of games each season that weather significantly impacts my projections. Bills-Patriots is shaping up to be one of those games, with snow showers and 20+ mph winds possible in Buffalo. Josh Allen falls to QB7 with the weather likely impacting his ability to throw downfield. However, he could tap into his rushing upside even more, keeping him a mid-range QB1 option.
Due to the tough matchup and weather, Mac Jones finds himself toward the bottom of my QB rankings, making him a must-sit in 2QB/Superflex formats.
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Russell Wilson finds himself all alone in Tier 6. It’s impossible to trust him more than any of the Tier 5 QBs following three straight dreadful performances since making his return with his surgically-repaired finger. However, he can break out of his slump at any given moment, making him a superior play over the handful of QBs in Tier 7.
Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts remain game-time decisions, making it impossible to make sit/start decisions involving those two right now. Considering both are dealing with lower-body injuries and rely on their rushing ability to fuel their fantasy value, their final ranks will depend on how healthy they appear to be on Sunday. Luckily, both players play in the early slate of games, offering plenty of backup options if either is ruled out.
Matthew Stafford and Kirk Cousins have soft matchups this week, but a potential blowout could limit their ceiling. However, I wouldn’t let that prevent you from firing them up in all formats this week. Stafford is a top-five option while Cousins is a low-end QB1.
Fantasy RB Tiers
| Tier | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Taylor (@ HOU) |
| 2 | Joe Mixon (vs. LAC) Leonard Fournette (@ ATL) Alexander Mattison (@ DET) |
| 3 | Austin Ekeler (@ CIN) Antonio Gibson (@ LV) |
| 4 | James Conner (@ CHI) Javonte Williams (@ KC) Elijah Mitchell (@ SEA) |
| 5 | Josh Jacobs (vs. WAS) Darrell Henderson (vs. JAX) Najee Harris (vs. BAL) Jamaal Williams (vs. MIN) Cordarrelle Patterson (vs. TB) |
| 6 | Ezekiel Elliott (@ NO) Mark Ingram (vs. DAL) David Montgomery (vs. ARI) Saquon Barkley (@ MIA) Myles Gaskin (vs. NYG) |
| 7 | James Robinson (@ LAR) Clyde Edwards-Helaire (vs. DEN) Miles Sanders (@ NYJ) |
| 8 | Devonta Freeman (@ PIT) |
| 9 | Tony Pollard (@ NO) Damien Harris (@ BUF) Rhamondre Stevenson (@ BUF) Tevin Coleman (vs. PHI) Rex Burkhead (vs. IND) Boston Scott (@ NYJ) Sony Michel (vs. JAX) Devin Singletary (vs. NE) |
| 10 | Darrel Williams (vs. DEN) |
| 11 | Matt Breida (vs. NE) Ty Johnson (vs. PHI) Alex Collins (vs. SF) Kenyan Drake (vs. WAS) David Johnson (vs. IND) Nyheim Hines (@ HOU) |
| 12 | Samaje Perine (vs. LAC) Mike Davis (vs. TB) Latavius Murray (@ PIT) Brandon Bolden (@ BUF) |
| 13 | Ronald Jones II (@ ATL) DeeJay Dallas (vs. SF) Kene Nwangwu (@ DET) Eno Benjamin (@ CHI) Jermar Jefferson (vs. MIN) Wendell Smallwood (@ LV) Salvon Ahmed (vs. NYG) Kenneth Gainwell (@ NYJ) Jaret Patterson (@ LV) Ty Montgomery (vs. DAL) Carlos Hyde (@ LAR) Jeffery Wilson (@ SEA) JaMycal Hasty (@ SEA) |
Alexander Mattison will start for the injured Dalvin Cook against the Lions, making Mattison a top-five option this week. In his first two spot starts this season, he was extremely productive:
- Mattison in Week 3 vs. SEA: 26/112/0 rushing, 6/59/0 receiving
- Mattison in Week 5 vs. DET: 25/113/0 rushing, 7/40/1 receiving
Antonio Gibson should see an uptick in receiving work with J.D. McKissic out, making Gibson a high-end RB1.
I’ve been banging the table for Javonte Williams as a buy-low option for more than a month now, considering he offers low-end RB2 value with Melvin Gordon in the lineup and RB1 upside if MG3 were ever to miss time. Well, Week 13 provides our first chance to see Williams as a true workhorse back.
Williams is one of the most explosive RBs in the league, as evidenced by 37.5% of his rush attempts resulting in 15+ yards (only Saquon Barkley and Jonathan Taylor have a higher rate). However, 24% of Williams’ rush attempts result in zero or fewer yards, which ranks sixth-worse among 76 RBs with 30+ attempts. The fact that he should see 5-6 extra rush attempts with Gordon out raises Williams’ ceiling more than it would for your typical back.
Williams is a mid-range RB1 option against the Chiefs.
Darrell Henderson remains a game-time decision with a thigh injury. Unfortunately, the Rams play in the late slate of games, meaning there will be fewer backup options if he’s unable to play. If you have Sony Michel, I would try to leave a RB/Flex slot open for the afternoon games if he starts for the injured Henderson.
If Henderson is ruled out, he will jump up into the low-end RB2 range.
Head coach Sean McVay has recently voiced frustration game planning around an injury-prone RB like Henderson. There is a chance Michel could have a more prominent role in the future, even once Henderson is closer to 100% health.
Tier 7 is full of RBs dealing with various injuries, but all three are expected to play.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire is dealing with a non-COVID illness and doesn’t play until Sunday night. Be sure to monitor his status closely if you plan on starting him. Stashing Darrel Williams on your bench is the best backup plan for CEH managers.
Given the inclement weather expected in Buffalo, Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson get an upgrade despite the tough matchup. I view both as high-end RB3/Flex options in what should be a run-heavy game script.
While the Bills should also lean on the run game more due to the weather, their running back situation is too volatile to trust any specific back. Devin Singletary is the best bet as a mid-range RB3/Flex option coming off a season-high 15 rush attempts. However, Zack Moss could be activated (after being a healthy scratch last week) because the weather calls for a run-heavy game script that favors a grinder like Moss.
I would not be surprised if either Moss or Matt Breida end up as the top Bills RB this week, making this situation a total crapshoot.
Rex Burkhead has operated as the Texans’ lead back for the past two games following the release of Phillip Lindsay. He would see an even bigger workload if David Johnson (questionable, illness/thigh) ends up being ruled out. I would consider Burkhead a sneaky RB3/Flex option if DJ misses, mainly thanks to additional receiving work he would pick up.
We can’t trust Alex Collins as a RB3/Flex option anymore. Not only is he questionable with an abdomen injury, but there’s a chance Rashaad Penny and Travis Homer return to action this week. Seattle also signed Adrian Peterson, who seems like direct competition for Collins going forward.
Collins is a must-sit until further notice.
Fantasy WR Tiers
| Tier | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Cooper Kupp (vs. JAX) |
| 2 | Tyreek Hill (vs. DEN) |
| 3 | Justin Jefferson (@ DET) |
| 4 | Diontae Johnson (vs. BAL) Keenan Allen (@ CIN) Chris Godwin (@ ATL) Ja’Marr Chase (vs. LAC) CeeDee Lamb (@ NO) Adam Thielen (@ DET) Mike Evans (@ ATL) |
| 5 | Marquise Brown (@ PIT) Terry McLaurin (@ LV) Hunter Renfrow (vs. WAS) Brandon Aiyuk (@ SEA) Tee Higgins (vs. LAC) Tyler Lockett (vs. SF) Michael Pittman Jr. (@ HOU) Darnell Mooney (vs. ARI) D.K. Metcalf (vs. SF) DeAndre Hopkins (@ CHI) Stefon Diggs (vs. NE) Mike Williams (@ CIN) Chase Claypool (vs. BAL) Jaylen Waddle (vs. NYG) Michael Gallup (@ NO) DeVonta Smith (@ NYJ) |
| 6 | Brandin Cooks (vs. IND) Odell Beckham Jr. (vs. JAX) Jerry Jeudy (@ KC) Elijah Moore (vs. PHI) Christian Kirk (@ CHI) Russell Gage (vs. TB) Van Jefferson (vs. JAX) |
| 7 | Marvin Jones (@ LAR) Laviska Shenault (@ LAR) Corey Davis (vs. PHI) Kenny Golladay (@ MIA) Amari Cooper (@ NO) Tyler Boyd (vs. LAC) Courtland Sutton (@ KC) |
| 8 | Rondale Moore (@ CHI) DeSean Jackson (vs. WAS) Tre’Quan Smith (vs. DAL) Cole Beasley (vs. NE) Jamison Crowder (vs. PHI) DeVante Parker (vs. NYG) Rashod Bateman (@ PIT) Kendrick Bourne (@ BUF) Josh Reynolds (vs. MIN) Tim Patrick (@ KC) Jakobi Meyers (@ BUF) Amon-Ra St. Brown (vs. MIN) A.J. Green (@ CHI) Darius Slayton (@ MIA) Emmanuel Sanders (vs. NE) T.Y. Hilton (@ HOU) |
| 9 | Kalif Raymond (vs. MIN) Bryan Edwards (vs. WAS) Zach Pascal (@ HOU) Marquez Callaway (vs. DAL) Deonte Harris (vs. DAL) Jauan Jennings (@ SEA) DeAndre Carter (@ LV) Laquon Treadwell (@ LAR) K.J. Osborn (@ DET) Nico Collins (vs. IND) Zay Jones (vs. WAS) Quez Watkins (@ NYJ) Nelson Agholor (@ BUF) Olamide Zaccheaus (vs. TB) Tajae Sharpe (vs. TB) Damiere Byrd (vs. ARI) Byron Pringle (vs. DEN) Curtis Samuel (@ LV) Jalen Reagor (@ NYJ) |
Brandon Aiyuk has overcome his early-season struggles, posting lines of 7/85/1 and 3/91/0 over his past two games. The increased usage he should see with Deebo Samuel out this week shoots Aiyuk into the high-end WR2 range.
Darnell Mooney has erupted for lines of 5/121/1 and 5/123/0 over the past two games. He’ll remain the alpha WR this week, with Allen Robinson set to miss his second straight game. Speedster Marquise Goodwin has also been ruled out, meaning Mooney will be lining up with the invisible Damiere Byrd (6.4% targets per route run) and low aDot (2.9) receiver Jakeem Grant.
Mooney is a low-end WR2 option.
DeAndre Hopkins is shaping up to be a game-time decision. Even if he’s active, it’s hard to imagine he’ll return to his full-time role, so his final rank will come down to his availability as well as any reports on his expected playing time.
Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders all get downgrades due to the possibility of inclement weather in Buffalo.
Sanders gets the biggest downgrade given his 17.1 aDot — he can’t be trusted outside of deeper leagues this week. Beasley is the safest bet to see his usual amount of targets given his 5.8 aDot, but I still consider him a WR4 with a lower floor than usual. Diggs is a low-end WR2 option given the weather and that he’s the most likely player Bill Belichick game plans to slow down.
When Will Fuller and DeVante Parker went down, my projections for Jaylen Waddle went through the roof. However, if Parker returns to the lineup this week, it will lower Waddle’s projection — hence why he may seem ranked low at WR24. He’ll shoot back into the high-end WR2 range if Parker is held out again this week. Consider this a reminder of just how much specific teammates’ availability can considerably impact a player’s projection and rank.
Corey Davis’ availability is another situation that will significantly impact my final rankings as Elijah Moore’s and Jamison Crowder’s final rankings will depend on Davis’ availability.
DeVonta Smith should get the squeaky wheel treatment after being visibly upset at the end of the Eagles’ Week 12 loss to the Giants, when he finished with a 2/22/0 line. His rank will likely go up if Gardner Minshew gets the start over the injured Jalen Hurts.
Let’s not forget that Minshew broke out in 2019 by forming instant chemistry with D.J. Chark, a huge part of which was their deep-ball connection. Chark saw 25 targets, 13 receptions (52% catch rate), 424 yards and four touchdowns on pass attempts 20+ yards from Minshew. And here is Smith’s receiving line on pass attempts 20+ yards so far this season: 20 targets, 7 receptions (35% catch rate), 206 yards and two TDs.
Smith has low-end WR1 upside if he ever finds a QB who can unlock his downfield potential. And Minshew could be better equipped to unlock Smith’s upside than Hurts.
Josh Reynolds is a sneaky WR4/5 option in deeper leagues. He’s averaged a 90% routes run rate in his first two games as a Lion and already has chemistry with Jared Goff from their Rams days. I teased Reynolds as a sneaky DFS play for Thanksgiving on our Fantasy Flex podcast, and he came through for a solid 3/70/1 performance. He has a real path at becoming the Lions’ No. 1 wide receiver for the remainder of the season.
Fantasy TE Tiers
| Tier | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Travis Kelce (vs. DEN) |
| 2 | George Kittle (@ SEA) Mark Andrews (@ PIT) Kyle Pitts (vs. TB) Rob Gronkowski (@ ATL) |
| 3 | T.J. Hockenson (vs. MIN) Dalton Schultz (@ NO) Dallas Goedert (@ NYJ) Zach Ertz (@ CHI) |
| 4 | Mike Gesicki (vs. NYG) Foster Moreau (vs. WAS) Logan Thomas (@ LV) Cole Kmet (vs. ARI) Tyler Higbee (vs. JAX) Pat Freiermuth (vs. BAL) Dawson Knox (vs. NE) |
| 5 | Tyler Conklin (@ DET) Noah Fant (@ KC) |
| 6 | Gerald Everett (vs. SF) C.J. Uzomah (vs. LAC) Jared Cook (@ CIN) James O’Shaughnessy (@ LAR) Evan Engram (@ MIA) Jack Doyle (@ HOU) |
| 7 | Hunter Henry (@ BUF) Brevin Jordan (vs. IND) |
| 8 | Durham Smythe (vs. NYG) Mo Alie-Cox (@ HOU) Ryan Griffin (vs. PHI) Albert Okwuegbunam (@ KC) Jonnu Smith (@ BUF) Juwan Johnson (vs. DAL) Donald Parham (@ CIN) Jimmy Graham (vs. ARI) Pharaoh Brown (vs. IND) |
Foster Moreau offers low-end TE1 value in his spot start for Darren Waller this week. When Waller missed Week 6, Moreau posted a 6/60/1 line with an 86% routes run rate.
Logan Thomas was fairly quiet in his first game action since Week 3, posting a 3/31/0 line and a 68% routes run rate, but I expect him to return to his full-time role with a 80-90% routes run rate this week. Plus, he could see an increase in target share with McKissic out. As a result, I have Thomas sneaking back into the low-end TE1 range this week.
James O’Shaughnessy will take back his starting role now that Dan Arnold has been placed on IR. O’Shaughnessy is a good bet to see more than 80% routes run rate going forward, which should result in 3-5 receptions a game, making him worth a look in deeper leagues.
Fantasy Kicker Tiers
| Tier | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Matt Gay (vs. JAX) Ryan Succop (@ ATL) |
| 2 | Harrison Butker (vs. DEN) Evan McPherson (vs. LAC) Michael Badgley (@ HOU) Greg Zuerlein (@ NO) |
| 3 | Daniel Carlson (vs. WAS) Jason Sanders (vs. NYG) Justin Tucker (@ PIT) Matt Prater (@ CHI) Greg Joseph (@ DET) Robbie Gould (@ SEA) Jake Elliott (@ NYJ) Brian Johnson (@ LV) Younghoe Koo (vs. TB) |
| 4 | Dustin Hopkins (@ CIN) Riley Patterson (vs. MIN) Brandon McManus (@ KC) Matt Ammendola (vs. PHI) Jason Myers (vs. SF) Tyler Bass (vs. NE) |
| 5 | Brett Maher (vs. DAL) Ka’imi Fairbairn (vs. IND) Chris Boswell (vs. BAL) Graham Gano (@ MIA) Nick Folk (@ BUF) Cairo Santos (vs. ARI) Matthew Wright (@ LAR) |
Fantasy Defense Tiers
| Tier | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Miami Dolphins (vs. NYG) Philadelphia Eagles (@ NYJ) Los Angeles Rams (vs. JAX) Arizona Cardinals (@ CHI) Indianapolis Colts (@ HOU) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@ ATL) Minnesota Vikings (@ DET) |
| 2 | Baltimore Ravens (@ PIT) Kansas City Chiefs (vs. DEN) Dallas Cowboys (@ NO) Buffalo Bills (vs. NE) San Francisco 49ers (@ SEA) Las Vegas Raiders (vs. WAS) |
| 3 | Cincinnati Bengals (vs. LAC) Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. BAL) New England Patriots (@ BUF) New York Giants (@ MIA) Chicago Bears (vs. ARI) Los Angeles Chargers (@ CIN) Washington Football Team (@ LV) |
| 4 | Seattle Seahawks (vs. SF) New Orleans Saints (vs. DAL) Denver Broncos (@ KC) New York Jets (vs. PHI) Houston Texans (vs. IND) Detroit Lions (vs. MIN) |
| 5 | Atlanta Falcons (vs. TB) Jacksonville Jaguars (@ LAR) |