The top Week 13 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds feature some potential difference-makers for the final week of the fantasy regular season. Benny Snell, Bo Scarbrough, and Rashaad Penny could all be in lineups this week, while a few other potential injury replacements (Darrel Williams, Mecole Hardman, James Washington, Sterling Shepard, Russell Gage, N'Keal Harry/Jakobi Meyers) are also worth a look. If your fantasy playoff spot is up in the air, you have to get whatever you need to pull out a W. However, if your postseason spot is secure, it's time to plan ahead for Weeks 14-16, which means looking at schedules and trying to spot some matchup-based sleepers. Those are the types of players to target after waivers clear around 4-5 a.m. ET on Wednesday morning in Yahoo and ESPN leagues.
Before we get into that, we should remind you that our full free agent list features the players mentioned above as well as several Week 13 streamers. Again, you might have to do whatever it takes to get as many points as possible this week, and if that means gambling on a streamer this week, we have suggestions for you at every position, including tight end and defense, all of which can be found at the end of the list. You can also look for a new kicker and Thanksgiving side dish recipes with the help of our Week 13 kicker rankings. (Note: The Week 13 kicker rankings will only help with one of those things.)
MORE WEEK 13: Waiver wire | Snap counts | Fantasy playoff SOS
As far as looking ahead to playoff matchups, our handy strength of schedule guide is a good place to start. Most of the players listed here are already owned, but there are still some pickup opportunities, including Daniel Jones and Sterling Shepard, who face the soft passes of the Eagles, Dolphins and Redskins in Weeks 14-16. Nick Foles is also on the list for his favorable Weeks 15 and 16 (Raiders, Falcons), while everyone's favorite punching bag, Kalen Ballage, is also a possibility with two horrible run defenses waiting for him over the final two weeks (Giants, Bengals). Darren Fells is also a sneaky TE option thanks to matchups against the Broncos, Titans, and Bucs. The most likely spot you'll be streaming in Weeks 14-16 is at D/ST, and the Packers (Giants, Redskins, Bears in Weeks 13-15), Texans (Broncos in Week 14, Bucs in Week 16), and even the Giants (Dolphins, Redskins in Weeks 15 and 16) could be in play.
You might be thinking, "I would never start any of those players in the fantasy playoffs!" You say that now, but we all know injury-related shutdowns can happen for teams out of the playoff picture and teams that want to be fully healthy for the playoffs. There are always some strange lineups in the season's final few weeks, so if you have the roster space, stash players now.
WEEK 13 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups and free agent adds for Week 13
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues considered.
Darrel Williams, RB, Chiefs. The last time we saw the Chiefs, Damien Williams exited early because of a ribs injury and LeSean McCoy was reportedly being checked for a concussion. Darrel Williams wound up leading the Chiefs in carries (11) and scored a rushing touchdown that game. McCoy reportedly avoided the concussion protocol, but there have been no updates on Damien Williams. Either way, Darrel Williams is worth an add on the chance that he sees more playing time down the stretch as the Chiefs take it easy with their "starters" in preparation for the playoffs.
WEEK 13 PPR RANKINGS: Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end
Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants. Shepard led the Giants in targets (9) in his first game back in Week 12 after a lengthy layoff because of a concussion. With Golden Tate entering the concussion protocol on Monday, Shepard has a chance to step up and be the No. 1 receiver in Week 13 against the Packers. We've outlined his favorable fantasy playoff schedule above (Eagles, Dolphins, Redskins), so this could also be a long-term play even if Tate returns. Darius Slayton could also be a worthwhile pickup if Tate is out multiple weeks.
WEEK 13 DFS LINEUPS:
FD Cash | FD GPP | DK Cash | DK GPP | Y! Cash | Y! GPP
Mecole Hardman, WR, Chiefs. Tyreek Hill (hamstring) is another banged-up Chief whose availability for Week 13 against the Raiders is in question. If he's out, Hardman would see a big uptick in snaps and could easily replicate his line from Week 2 against the Raiders when Hill was out: Four catches (six targets), 61 yards, and a touchdown (with another long TD called back because of a questionable holding penalty). Demarcus Robinson was the real star that day, catching all six of his targets for 172 yards and two scores, and he would also be worth a pickup if Hill is out.
MORE WEEK 13 DFS: Stacks | Values | Lineup Builder
David Njoku, TE, Browns. Njoku (wrist) could be activated this week for the first time since Week 2. He has a favorable Week 13 matchup against Pittsburgh, but even if he doesn't play, he's worth stashing for Week 15 when he plays the greatest of all fantasy matchups for TEs, Arizona. He could also work in Week 14 against the Bengals.
MORE WEEK 13:
Waiver pickups | FAAB budget | Snap counts | Stock watch | Fantasy playoff SOS
Jack Doyle, TE, Colts. With Eric Ebron (ankle) out for the rest of the year, Doyle should see regular targets. With favorable matchups in Weeks 13 and 14 (Titans, Buccaneers), Doyle is a prime streaming candidate the next couple games.
Check our full Week 13 waiver list for additional waiver wire and free agent ideas, including top pickups Benny Snell Jr., Rashaad Penny, and Bo Scarbrough, plus a bunch of QB/WR/TE/DST streamer suggestions.
