The roller coaster known as the 2020 NFL season has almost made it through 12 regular-season weeks (we believe in you, Pittsburgh and Baltimore!). For millions of fantasy managers in redraft leagues, the mantra of ‘win or go home’ has started to take on new meaning, but for NFL DFS enthusiasts, the fun lasts all year. The beauty of daily fantasy football sites like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo is that no matter your record, you can start anew in Week 13 and be a winner -- that is, as long as you build your lineups with the right balance of weekly studs and under-the-radar value players and sleepers.
We at RotoQL are constantly monitoring the DFS landscape, defining every player’s value each week with assigned projections of their floor and ceiling. Then we compile our favorite value plays and sleepers and list them here, hopefully helping you cash just in time for the holidays.
If you read our Thanksgiving-inspired column last week, you would have benefited from our advice to plug in QB Baker Mayfield, RB Wayne Gallman, WR Devante Parker, and TEs Rob Gronkowski and Hunter Henry. These players all vastly outperformed their price tiers, providing DFS managers with production while still affording them studs like Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Derrick Henry.
MORE WEEK 13 DFS: Best stacks | Lineup Builder
You can read Week 13 previews and fantasy prediction articles 24/7 on BetQL, find out which side the pros are betting on their NFL expert picks dashboard, follow all the NFL public betting data, and build DraftKings lineups on RotoQL.
Let's break down our top Week 13 DFS value plays, and you can get an idea of why 100,000 DFS players trust RotoQL to build lineups. We constantly monitor pricing and provide the most up-to-date insight and analysis to maximize your lineup success. Optimize, find value plays, and increase your chances of cashing today!
WEEK 13 DFS CASH LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
NFL DFS Picks Week 13: QB sleepers, values
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (DK: $6,400 | FD: $7,300)
Cousins has been fantastic lately, and he’s led the Vikings to wins in four of their past five games. He has two straight games with three touchdowns, over 307 passing yards, and at least a 73-percent completion rate. He has a 104.5 QB rating on the season, the second-best rating of his career behind his 2019 Pro Bowl campaign. Part of his success -- and the Vikings’ very legitimate late-season playoff push -- is thanks to running back Dalvin Cook playing like an Offensive Player of the Year candidate. Another factor is dynamic rookie receiver Justin Jefferson, who has to be considered for Rookie of the Year. Oh, and Adam Thielen having a bounce-back Pro Bowl season doesn't hurt. If Cook (ankle) and Thielen (COVID-19) are all systems go this weekend, Cousins makes for a great play against the lowly Jaguars, who give up the third-most fantasy points to QBs.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (DK: $6,300 | FD: $7,700)
Whoa, Nelly! What’s that sound? It’s yours truly hopping aboard the Taysom Hill bandwagon and holding on for dear life! Hill has been brilliant as the Saints RPO extraordinaire under center, keeping New Orleans on track for a first-round bye in the playoffs. He has started two games since Drew Brees hit the IR with broken ribs and a punctured lung, and he has won them both by a combined score of 55-12. It’s not conventional, but who needs conventional in 2020? The man does what it takes to win, often bruising toward the end zone with his 6-2, 225-pound frame. He has averaged 5.9 yards per carry over the course of his past five games and scored two rushing TDs in each of his past two. He threw for 223 yards and logged 24.2 fantasy points when the Saints last met Atlanta two weeks ago. He's obviously a risky pick, but the potential reward seems worth it at these prices. RotoQL projects Hill at 19.3 points (with a 24.4-point ceiling) in the rematch with the Falcons, who allow the second-most fantasy points per game to QBs. Hop aboard -- there’s plenty of room on this Hill-ridin’ bandwagon!
Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans vs. Cleveland Browns (DK: $6,200 | FD: $7,800)
If you prefer a less-bumpy hill, go with Tannehill at home against the Browns this weekend. He represents great value, priced $100 cheaper than Hill on both DraftKings and FanDuel despite two straight games with over 19.1 fantasy points. While RotoQL projects Hill to outscore Tannehill's projected 18.7 points, we actually list Tannehill at a much higher ceiling with 33.4 points. If the Browns stack the box to stop Derrick Henry with their strong front-seven, the veteran QB and 2019 Comeback Player of the Year could have his best stat line of the season. A.J. Brown, Corey Davis, and Jonnu Smith should be licking their chops at the production potential against a team that ranks 22nd in fantasy against QBs. Of course, Henry could also just as well rush for 200 yards and spoil all our fun.
WEEK 13 DFS TOURNAMENT LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Week 13 DraftKings, FanDuel Picks: RB sleepers, values
Devontae Booker*, Las Vegas Raiders at New York Jets (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,000) or Wayne Gallman, Jr.**, New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks (DK: $5,600 | FD: $6,100)
There are asterisks attached to both these picks, both denoting contingencies, hence the double-shot.
*Booker’s value rises exponentially if and when the Raiders declare starting back Josh Jacobs out this weekend with an ankle sprain. Booker knows the Vegas offense well by now and racks up points both on the ground and through the air whenever he gets an opportunity to see the field (5.6 yards per touch on the season). There will be plenty of rushing attempts and dump-offs in what should be a bounce-back Raiders win over the Jets, and New York ranks 22nd in fantasy against RBs.
**If Jacobs does suit up, Gallman would make for a better start at Seattle as long as QB Daniel Jones (hamstring) plays and Gallman’s fellow RB Devonta Freeman (ankle) remains on IR. The fourth-year Giant has six touchdowns in the past five games, clearly serving as the preferred lead back of Jones, Judge, and Garrett (that sounds like a law firm!). Don’t let Seattle’s win over the hapless Eagles fool you. In the two games prior to their Monday night win, the Seahawks had surrendered 194 yards and four touchdowns to running backs. If Gallman remains the bellcow in a Jones-led offense, he’s well worth $5,600 just for the touchdown upside.
David Montgomery, Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,200)
At times, Chicago seemed to play inspired football with Mitchell Trubisky back under center against the Packers. Of course, Mitch will be Mitch with turnovers and red-zone consternation, but he sure moves the chains between the 20s better than Nick Foles. That clearly equals success for Montgomery, as evidenced by his fantastic stat line in Green Bay. With just 11 carries, the second-year back out of Iowa State eclipsed 100 yards rushing for the first time all season, and he caught five-of-six targets for 40 yards receiving and a touchdown. The Bears get the morale booster known as the Lions defense this weekend, fresh off a pounding from the Texans. No team has been more generous to RBs in fantasy football than Detroit. Slide DM into your roster this weekend for some bargain-bin production.
James White, New England Patriots at Los Angeles Chargers (DK: $5,000 | FD: $5,700)
White has caught 81 percent of his 42 targets from QB Cam Newton this year and even found the end zone via the run twice in New England’s huge win over Arizona last weekend. With Rex Burkhead done for the season with a torn ACL and second-year back Damien Harris exclusively featured in the ground game, White’s volume will assuredly be high the rest of the year. His 5.9 yards per touch will be needed this weekend in what should be a high-scoring road contest with dynamic rookie QB Justin Herbert and the Chargers.
WEEK 13 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
FanDuel, DraftKings Picks Week 13: WR sleepers, values
Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals (DK: $5,900 | FD: $7,100)
Rams QB Jared Goff has clearly decided that his main man will be Bobby Trees the rest of the season. He has targeted Woods 27 times in the past two games, connecting on 19 passes for 210 yards and a score in that span. Woods is well on his way to his third-consecutive campaign with 1,000 yards receiving, and he has five receiving touchdowns. LA coach Sean McVay has also incorporated Woods in the running game through reverses, which has produced another two touchdowns. The Cardinals have not been consistent against the pass this season, and oddsmakers have projected this game at 48.5 total points. With or without Patrick Peterson guarding him, Woods should be considered in any PPR format at $5,900.
Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans vs. Cleveland Browns (DK: $5,100 | FD: $6,800)
It’s easy to be mesmerized by the athletic prowess and big-play ability of second-year Titans receiver A.J. Brown, but in order to add him at his price levels, $7,600 on DraftKings (sixth highest among WRs) and $8,200 on FanDuel (fourth), one must find value at other roster spots. Consider going with his teammate Davis, who has very quietly put together a breakout 2020 campaign. The fourth-year Western Michigan product has 42 catches for 619 yards and three TDs this season, clearly benefiting from his colleague’s extra defensive attention on the other side of the field. Davis runs crisp routes, he has great hands (72.4-percent catch rate), and he’s seen an average of 77.3 percent of offensive snaps. The $5,100 price tag on DraftKings is a steal, especially against a mediocre Browns secondary.
Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (DK: $5,000 | FD: $5,600)
All hail the Lazard King! Fantasy owners nationwide are probably relieved that Lazard has returned from his six-game absence following core muscle surgery. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers must be delighted, as well, as the tall third-year receiver has averaged 15.5 yards per catch on the season and scored three times. Rodgers connected with him on two-of-four targets his first game back against Indy and then on four-of-six targets versus Chicago last week (one of which went for a touchdown). With Eagles cornerback Darius Slay likely shadowing the hot-as-ever Davante Adams this weekend, Lazard seems like a low-risk, high-reward receiver at these prices.
WEEK 13 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Week 13 NFL DFS Picks: TE sleepers, values
Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (DK: $3,700 | FD: $5,900)
Tonyan seems like the overwhelming choice for a high-upside, big-value tight end in Week 13. In each of Green Bay’s past two games, the burly third-year Indiana State product has caught all five of his targets and a touchdown. He seems to benefit from the presence of the aforementioned Lazard, who opens up the middle of the field with his out-routes. Here’s the hard way of explaining Tonyan’s worth: He’s seen the field for 61.6 percent of the Packers’ offensive snaps, caught 88.1 percent of his targets, and found the end zone seven times. Here’s the simple way: Rodgers clearly likes the kid, so you should, too. You should also like the fact that Philly ranks 25th in fantasy against the tight end position.
Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans (DK: $3,800 | FD: $5,300)
Hooper has received a liberal share of targets in his three games since returning from an emergency appendectomy, and he finally produced a good fantasy line with better weather this past weekend. The former Pro Bowl tight end came down with both of his targets in Jacksonville, one of which landed him in the end zone. He’s had a total of five red-zone targets on the season, catching three for scores but getting one called back due to penalty. He should be busy in Tennessee in a game with an implied total of 54 points. The Titans rank in the bottom 10 in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to tight ends. Hoop’ it up, especially in FanDuel and other 0.5 PPR formats.
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Week 13 NFL DFS values: D/ST sleepers
Seattle Seahawks vs. New York Giants (DK: $3,300 | FD: $4,700)
If you’re strapped for cash with just the D/ST position remaining, there is also plenty of value with the Chargers vs. New England (DK: $2,600/FD: $3,900), but the best value play of the week is the Seahawks, who have seemed to figure things out as of late. Carlos Dunlap has played a huge part in Seattle’s newly-discovered pass rush, so if he can’t suit up due to a foot injury, all bets may be off. But if Dunlap is in, a home game against a Giants squad with Colt McCoy under center should have you salivating at these prices. Ken Norton’s unit held Kyler Murray in check two weeks ago in Arizona and made Carson Wentz look like a backup in Philly last week. Forget about the early-season struggles of this D and put your trust in Seattle.