As Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season arrives, fantasy football managers are gearing up for the final stretch toward the playoffs. The Thanksgiving slate of games, including the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, and Green Bay Packers, will kick off a busy week, followed by the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders on Friday. Fortunately, there are no byes this week, so most managers will have a full complement of players to choose from. For those looking to bolster their rosters, several deep sleepers are available on the waiver wire.
This article highlights key fantasy football recommendations, starting with the Week 13 PPR flex rankings. Leading the list is Saquon Barkley, RB for the Philadelphia Eagles, followed by Joe Mixon (RB, Houston Texans), A.J. Brown (WR, Philadelphia Eagles), and Nico Collins (WR, Houston Texans). Other notable players in the top 10 include De’Von Achane (RB, Miami Dolphins), Ja’Marr Chase (WR, Cincinnati Bengals), and Bijan Robinson (RB, Atlanta Falcons). The rankings also feature players like Christian McCaffrey (RB, Buffalo Bills), Alvin Kamara (RB, New Orleans Saints), and Justin Jefferson (WR, Minnesota Vikings), all offering substantial fantasy potential.
For those considering quarterback options on the waiver wire, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Russell Wilson stands out. Wilson has had an up-and-down season but has shown enough to be a viable starter, especially with a favorable matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Other quarterbacks to consider include Drake Maye, Derek Carr, and Cooper Rush.
At running back, Gus Edwards (Los Angeles Chargers) is a key waiver addition after J.K. Dobbins’ knee injury. Although Edwards hasn’t been as efficient as Dobbins, he is likely to get the start against Atlanta, making him a viable flex play, despite the Falcons’ solid defense against the run.
Wide receiver Adam Thielen of the Carolina Panthers is another potential sleeper. After returning from a hamstring injury, Thielen quickly became involved in the offense, catching three passes for 57 yards against the Chiefs. He should have a strong Week 13 performance against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that has struggled against the pass.
Finally, for tight end help, Kansas City’s Noah Gray is gaining attention due to his increasing role in the offense. Gray has caught four touchdown passes over his last two games, and with a matchup against the Raiders, who allow the third-most fantasy points to tight ends, Gray could be a solid option for those in need of a tight end.
Week 13 offers a number of opportunities for fantasy managers to strengthen their rosters, whether by picking up key sleepers or adjusting their lineups based on matchups. With all 32 teams in action and no byes, this week will be crucial for setting up a strong playoff run.
