Week 13 Fantasy Rankings & Tiers
Fantasy QB Rankings & Tiers
Tier 1
Patrick Mahomes (@ CIN)
Josh Allen (@ NE)
Tier 2
Jalen Hurts (vs. TEN)
Tier 3
Lamar Jackson (vs. DEN)
Justin Herbert (@ LV)
Joe Burrow (vs. KC)
Tier 4
Trevor Lawrence (@ DET)
Geno Smith (@ LAR)
Dak Prescott (vs. IND)
Deshaun Watson (@ HOU)
Tier 5
Justin Fields (vs. GB)
Kirk Cousins (vs. NYJ)
Tom Brady (vs. NO)
Tua Tagovailoa (@ SF)
Kenny Pickett (@ ATL)
Derek Carr (vs. LAC)
Jimmy Garoppolo (vs. MIA)
Tier 6
Jared Goff (vs. JAX)
Mike White (@ MIN)
Aaron Rodgers (@ CHI)
Daniel Jones (vs. WAS)
Marcus Mariota (vs. PIT)
Kyle Allen (vs. CLE)
Tier 7
Taylor Heinicke (@ NYG)
Mac Jones (vs. BUF)
Bryce Perkins (vs. SEA)
Ryan Tannehill (@ PHI)
Andy Dalton (@ TB)
Tier 8
Russell Wilson (@ BAL)
Matt Ryan (@ DAL)
Trevor Lawrence is coming off the best three-game stretch of his young career, and he may be turning into the superstar talent we expected him to become. He’s a mid-range QB1 option in a mouth-watering matchup against the Lions in Week 13
Tier 5 represents the sit/start Tier, and I think Kenny Pickett is the top streaming option for Week 13. Pickett has had an up-and-down rookie season, but he’s started to tap into his rushing upside on a more regular basis, topping 30 yards in three of the past four games. That could potentially open things up for him in the passing game, where he has a ton of upside with Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Pat Friermuth at his disposal.
Pickett is yet to put it all together for a ceiling game yet, but it could be coming soon. He has a plus matchup against the Falcons this week and opens the week as my QB15, which makes him the top-ranked quarterback available in 50%+ of leagues.
After getting to face the Texans, Browns, Bears and Lions (oh my!), Tua Tagovailoa has a tough matchup this week against the 49ers. The last time the 49ers allowed a point in the second half we still didn’t know who the Phillies were going to face in the World Series. In fact, there are 19 teams with a higher implied team total than the Dolphins (21.5) this week. So while Tua is still a must start if you have him, we have to lower expectations for him this week.
If you told me a few months ago that I would have Russell Wilson, and to a certain extent Matt Ryan, in the basement tier for Week 13, I would have thought you were crazy, but here we are. Wilson’s value has hit rock bottom and I hope you aren’t stuck with him in 2QB/Superflex formats.
Fantasy RB Rankings & Tiers
Tier 1
Josh Jacobs (vs. LAC)
Austin Ekeler (@ LV)
Rhamondre Stevenson (vs. BUF)
Nick Chubb (@ HOU)
Derrick Henry (@ PHI)
Dalvin Cook (vs. NYJ)
Tier 2
Christian McCaffrey (vs. MIA)
Kenneth Walker (@ LAR)
Aaron Jones (@ CHI)
Jonathan Taylor (@ DAL)
Saquon Barkley (vs. WAS)
Tier 3
Travis Etienne (@ DET)
Joe Mixon (vs. KC)
Rachaad White (vs. NO)
Tony Pollard (vs. IND)
Alvin Kamara (@ TB)
Tier 4
Miles Sanders (vs. TEN)
David Montgomery (vs. GB)
Devin Singletary (@ NE)
Jamaal Williams (vs. JAX)
Dameon Pierce (vs. CLE)
Cordarrelle Patterson (vs. PIT)
Latavius Murray (@ BAL)
Isiah Pacheco (@ CIN)
Tier 5
D’Andre Swift (vs. JAX)
Jeffery Wilson (@ SF)
Gus Edwards (vs. DEN)
Brian Robinson Jr. (@ NYG)
Najee Harris (@ ATL)
Ezekiel Elliott (vs. IND)
Antonio Gibson (@ NYG)
Tier 6
A.J. Dillon (@ CHI)
Tier 7
Kyren Williams (vs. SEA)
Tyler Allgeier (vs. PIT)
Michael Carter (@ MIN)
Zonovan Knight (@ MIN)
Tier 8
Kareem Hunt (@ HOU)
Jerick McKinnon (@ CIN)
Tier 9
Samaje Perine (vs. KC)
Cam Akers (vs. SEA)
Tier 10
Raheem Mostert (@ SF)
Jordan Mason (vs. MIA)
James Cook (@ NE)
Kenneth Gainwell (vs. TEN)
Kenyan Drake (vs. DEN)
Justin Jackson (vs. JAX)
Tier 11
Ameer Abdullah (vs. LAC)
Dontrell Hilliard (@ PHI)
JaMycal Hasty (@ DET)
Ke’Shawn Vaughn (vs. NO)
Darrynton Evans (vs. GB)
Alexander Mattison (vs. NYJ)
James Robinson (@ MIN)
Dare Ogunbowale (vs. CLE)
Travis Homer (@ LAR)
Pierre Strong Jr. (vs. BUF)
Matt Breida (vs. WAS)
Ty Johnson (@ MIN)
Mark Ingram (@ TB)
Marlon Mack (@ BAL)
The RB position is always tricky to project earlier in the week because there are multiple injuries we need to monitor that will have a major impact on lineup decisions later in the week once we have more clarity.
So, let’s instead take a look at the upside backup RB landscape:
Keaontay Ingram (Cardinals): With Arizona’s season circling the drain, it would make sense for them to bubble wrap James Conner down the stretch since he’s under contract for two more seasons. There’s still time for rookie Keaontay Ingram to carve out a Chase Edmonds-type role later in the season and would have RB2/Flex value if James Conner ends up missing a game down the stretch. He is still one of the sneakier backups that is still widely available and worth a stash if you have the space.
Khalil Herbert (Bears): It’s unlikely that Herbert is sitting on the waiver wire in many leagues, but if the manager hanging on to him on their bench or IR slot is fighting for a playoff spot, he/she may be willing to sell him super cheap just to have a player they can start in the meantime. If you’re cruising to a playoff berth and would like to tap into Herbert’s potential upside for the playoffs, he’s worth buying right now.
Samaje Perine (Bengals): Perine proved in Week 12 why he’s a solid “Strict Backup” bench stash as he offers zero value whenever Joe Mixon is healthy. But whenever Mixon does miss time, Perine is an auto-RB2 plug and play.
Kareem Hunt (Browns): Hunt is typically the perfect high upside backup because he can produce RB2/Flex value even when Nick Chubb is healthy, but has top-five upside in the event Chubb misses time. Unfortunately, Hunt’s workload has turned into more of a “Strict Backup” this season as his role with Chubb healthy isn’t big enough to offer consistent fantasy value. Do not drop him though as he still carries top-10 upside if Chubb was to miss time. Just because Chubb has yet to miss a game this year, doesn’t mean it’s still not a possibility over the final handful of weeks.
A.J. Dillon (Packers): Dillon is in a similar situation as Hunt. Aaron Jones is yet to miss a game this year, but Dillon will still offer top 10-15 value if/when that does happen. Unfortunately, his role with Jones healthy hasn’t been big enough to offer RB2/Flex value, but the top-10/15 upside is still there.
Eno Benjamin (Texans): The Texans’ depth chart behind Dameon Pierce is a horror show and it’s probably not worth our time to figure out who would offer the most fantasy value if Pierce were to miss time. But the newly acquired Eno Benjamin probably offers the most upside. Again, he is more of a deeper league type of bench stash, but there is a potential path for him to be a RB3/Flex option at some point, even if it’s pretty unlikely.
Deon Jackson (Colts): Jackson is still the best handcuff option to Jonathan Taylor, but with Zack Moss now in the mix we could see more of a 50/50 committee if Taylor misses any time in the future. I consider Jackson to be more of an average- to below-average stash at this point. Plus, Taylor has been an extremely durable back who seems to be completely over his midseason injury.
JaMycal Hasty (Jaguars): Hasty is the short-term handcuff to Travis Etienne, which is significant because Etienne is currently dealing with an injury. He should have been scooped up in most formats while we await Etienne’s Week 13 status. But long-term, we could see Darrell Henderson have a more prominent role as a backup and he could form more of a 50/50 committee with Hasty in the event of a Travis Etienne injury.
Kyren Williams (Rams): I have been banging the drum for Williams for the past few weeks, and it finally paid off last week after the Rams released Darrell Henderson. We may see Cam Akers start for the Rams in the meantime, but once they inevitably get into a trailing game script, Williams will operate as the lead back thanks to his excellent pass-catching skills. Williams gives me Austin Ekeler vibes and has a clear path to RB3/Flex value for the rest of the season.
Zamir White (Raiders): Josh Jacobs was able to play through his calf strain last week and posted the top RB score while doing so. However, he’s looking iffy for Week 13 and I’m still under the assumption that rookie Zamir White is still his handcuff. The Raiders likely drafted White expecting him to be their starting RB in 2023. With Josh Jacobs playing out of his mind about to hit free agency next year, the Raiders have some real incentive to get White as many reps as possible down the stretch. However, Ameer Abdullah would likely handle passing downs and also factor in on early downs, making it tough to trust White as a RB3/Flex unless we get more clarity on this situation later in the week.
Alexander Mattison (Vikings): Same as Hunt and Dillon, Mattison has yet to offer any fantasy value this season because Dalvin Cook has been healthy all season. He still carries top-15 upside in the event Cook was ever to miss time.
Kenneth Gainwell (Eagles): Miles Sanders has been a true workhorse back this season, but lately it has become clear that Gainwell would be a potential 1:1 replacement for him if he was ever to miss time. Boston Scott would likely be a thorn in the side of Gainwell becoming a RB2 option, but I think it’s safe to say he will be a RB3/Flex (at worst) if Sanders misses time.
Jordan Mason (49ers): With Elijah Mitchell on IR, Christian McCaffrey banged up and Jeff Wilson no longer with the team we suddenly need to figure out who the heck is the main backup in the 49ers backfield. As of right now, it appears to be Mason, who was active last week and filled in nicely for Mitchell after he went down. However, the Niners will likely have Tyrion Davis-Price and/or Tevin Coleman active this week, and this is Kyle Shanahan we are talking about, and anything goes with him. Mason is still the best short-term option, but we should have more clarity on this situation after this week.
Jaylen Warren (Steelers): With Najee Harris looking iffy for Week 13, we have a potential plug and play option this week from the Steelers backfield. However, with Jaylen Warren dealing with his own injury and Benny Snell & Anthony McFarland playing well last week, this may be a situation to avoid until we get more clarity.
Fantasy WR Rankings & Tiers
Tier 1
Davante Adams (vs. LAC)
Justin Jefferson (vs. NYJ)
CeeDee Lamb (vs. IND)
Stefon Diggs (@ NE)
Tier 2
Amon-Ra St. Brown (vs. JAX)
Tyreek Hill (@ SF)
Tier 3
Christian Kirk (@ DET)
A.J. Brown (vs. TEN)
Tier 4
Jaylen Waddle (@ SF)
Tee Higgins (vs. KC)
D.K. Metcalf (@ LAR)
Deebo Samuel (vs. MIA)
Amari Cooper (@ HOU)
Keenan Allen (@ LV)
Tier 5
Garrett Wilson (@ MIN)
DeVonta Smith (vs. TEN)
Mike Evans (vs. NO)
Chris Godwin (vs. NO)
Ja’Marr Chase (vs. KC)
Tier 6
Josh Palmer (@ LV)
Christian Watson (@ CHI)
Tyler Lockett (@ LAR)
Terry McLaurin (@ NYG)
Brandon Aiyuk (vs. MIA)
Chris Olave (@ TB)
Zay Jones (@ DET)
Tier 7
Diontae Johnson (@ ATL)
Michael Gallup (vs. IND)
Michael Pittman Jr. (@ DAL)
Allen Lazard (@ CHI)
Gabriel Davis (@ NE)
Jakobi Meyers (vs. BUF)
Tier 8
Tyler Boyd (vs. KC)
Adam Thielen (vs. NYJ)
JuJu Smith-Schuster (@ CIN)
Mack Hollins (vs. LAC)
George Pickens (@ ATL)
Darius Slayton (vs. WAS)
Donovan Peoples-Jones (@ HOU)
Tier 9
DeAndre Carter (@ LV)
Treylon Burks (@ PHI)
Courtland Sutton (@ BAL)
Drake London (vs. PIT)
Brandin Cooks (vs. CLE)
Nico Collins (vs. CLE)
Robert Woods (@ PHI)
Corey Davis (@ MIN)
Tier 10
Curtis Samuel (@ NYG)
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (@ CIN)
Parris Campbell (@ DAL)
Olamide Zaccheaus (vs. PIT)
Richie James (vs. WAS)
Marvin Jones (@ DET)
Jerry Jeudy (@ BAL)
Kalif Raymond (vs. JAX)
Julio Jones (vs. NO)
Chase Claypool (vs. GB)
Devin Duvernay (vs. DEN)
Isaiah McKenzie (@ NE)
Jarvis Landry (@ TB)
Demarcus Robinson (vs. DEN)
Tier 11
Justin Watson (@ CIN)
Randall Cobb (@ CHI)
DeVante Parker (vs. BUF)
Noah Brown (vs. IND)
Quez Watkins (vs. TEN)
D.J. Chark (vs. JAX)
Nelson Agholor (vs. BUF)
Alec Pierce (@ DAL)
Jahan Dotson (@ NYG)
Not that you need a reason to start A.J. Brown, but he gets the #RevengeGame boost against the Titans this week.
Amari Cooper has been on fire and he gets a cupcake matchup this week against the Texans. I’m not so sure Deshaun Watson will raise his value immediately since the QB is likely going to be very rusty and struggled in his brief preseason appearance. Either way, Cooper has played well enough to be viewed as a fringe WR1/2 option the rest of the way.
Mike White has injected life into the Jets offense and unlocked Garrett Wilson’s WR2 upside. Wilson is now a must start in all formats until further notice. Corey Davis offers sneaky WR4 value, as well, with a functional QB under center. Plus, he has been a zone eater and faces a Vikings defense that uses zone coverage at the second-highest rate.
Elijah Moore managed to pop off a 2/64/1 receiving line despite only having a 42% route participation. He has WR3 upside if he were ever to get back to the 70% range and become the Jets full-time slot receiver. In White’s four starts last season Moore posted top-10 numbers, so there is some hope we see him become fantasy relevant again soon.
Terry McLaurin is still one of the more talented WRs in the league, but he’s more of a low-end WR2 option given how run-heavy the Commanders have been over their hot streak (6-1 record past seven games). Washington has averaged 42 rush attempts over the last three games, which is reminiscent of the Bears/Falcons approach this season and we are avoiding the Commanders passing attacks as a result. Terry is talented enough to thrive in a low-volume environment, but he has a much lower floor than people realize right now.
JuJu Smith-Schuster returned after a one-game absence due to a concussion last week, but he only ran a route on 46% of Mahomes’ dropbacks. It could have been due to the Chiefs wanting to ease him back in, knowing they could still beat the shorthanded Rams without needing JuJu to do much. He’s a dicey WR3/Flex option until we can be confident he’ll return to 70%+ route participation.
Russell Wilson has been so terrible that even Courtland Sutton might not be safe as a WR3/Flex option. The Broncos have a tougher matchup this week against a very good Ravens secondary, but I wouldn’t blame you to roll the dice on Sutton’s talent bailing you out with another 5-6 catch game. His last three games may be closer to his ceiling output, and I’m very worried about a potential floor game incoming. It’s probably a good time to sell high if you can, considering Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler’s potential return(s) will only lower his weekly floor/ceiling combo.
Following Darnell Mooney’s season ending injury, Chase Claypool is likely going to be the Bears’ No. 1 WR the rest of the way. It’s not a passing offense that we particularly want to invest in, and I view him as a WR4/5 option the rest of the way. His path to WR3/4 value likely involves Justin Fields scrambling less to protect his injured shoulder and/or the Bears getting Claypool more involved in the running game (which he has done in the past with the Steelers).
Fantasy TE Rankings & Tiers
Tier 1
Travis Kelce (@ CIN)
Tier 2
Mark Andrews (vs. DEN)
Tier 3
T.J. Hockenson (vs. NYJ)
George Kittle (vs. MIA)
Pat Freiermuth (@ ATL)
David Njoku (@ HOU)
Dalton Schultz (vs. IND)
Tier 4
Foster Moreau (vs. LAC)
Hayden Hurst (vs. KC)
Tyler Conklin (@ MIN)
Gerald Everett (@ LV)
Tier 5
Dawson Knox (@ NE)
Taysom Hill (@ TB)
Cole Kmet (vs. GB)
Evan Engram (@ DET)
Tier 6
Noah Fant (@ LAR)
Hunter Henry (vs. BUF)
Robert Tonyan Jr. (@ CHI)
Tier 7
Greg Dulcich (@ BAL)
Mike Gesicki (@ SF)
Will Dissly (@ LAR)
Austin Hooper (@ PHI)
Tyler Higbee (vs. SEA)
Juwan Johnson (@ TB)
Logan Thomas (@ NYG)
Jordan Akins (vs. CLE)
Cameron Brate (vs. NO)
Jelani Woods (@ DAL)
Tier 8
Harrison Bryant (@ HOU)
Adam Trautman (@ TB)
C.J. Uzomah (@ MIN)
Noah Gray (@ CIN)
Chigoziem Okonkwo (@ PHI)
Jack Stoll (vs. TEN)
Isaiah Likely (vs. DEN)
Pat Freiermuth had a floor game on Monday night, “only” going for 3/39/0. It was the worst possible game script for him, as the Steelers got off to a big lead and were surprisingly effective running the ball. That won’t be the case most weeks, so expect “Baby Gronk” to bounce back with a big game this week against the Falcons. Freiermuth’s underlying usage remains elite, and he’s a borderline top-five option the rest of the season.
Foster Moreau has consistently seen a 90% route participation with Darren Waller on injured reserve and is Derek Carr’s No. 2 target right now. If Josh Jacobs ends up missing this week’s game, it’ll only give Moreau even more of a boost. Moreau is by far the best streaming option at TE right now.
Tyler Conklin is one of the many Jets who benefit from having Mike White under center. He has averaged a 75% route participation over the last five games and as the overall volume of the passing attack goes up, will directly benefit. He was a top-four tight end in Joe Flacco’s three starts to begin the season. Conklin is a borderline top-10 option this week, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s a #RevengeGame for him, as well.
Greg Dulcich and Tyler Higbee have TE1 potential, but neither can be trusted right now due to poor QB play.