NFL fantasy football waiver wire, Week 13: QB Will Levis, RB Jeremy McNichols among top targets

ROSTERED: 45%

You’re probably not going to be starting Williams on your fantasy team in a week when all 32 teams are playing, but his promising play in Sunday's overtime loss to the Vikings earns him a return to the waiver wire column. It’s been a while, as things were looking bleak in Weeks 8-10, when the rookie averaged a paltry 8.5 fantasy points per game. His fortunes have flipped in the last two weeks, though, as he’s averaged 21.6 FPPG, including a thrilling 373-yard (33 rushing), 2-TD performance against Minnesota. Those are fantasy QB1 numbers. He now must go on the road on a short week to face the Lions, who have been a tough matchup for fantasy quarterbacks. Yet, we did just see what he did against a strong Vikings D. If nothing else, Williams is worth rostering as a backup QB with upside. 

ROSTERED: 0.7%

There is a recklessness to Levis’ game that has cost his real-life team big time this season, but in fantasy land lately, he’s been -- dare I say it? -- good. The second-year passer is averaging 16.9 FPPG since returning to the starting lineup in Week 10. He’s still struggling to take care of the ball, averaging one giveaway per game during that span, but he’s scoring enough points to be a fantasy QB2. The schedule sets up quite nicely for him to have a strong finish with matchups against the Commanders, Jaguars, Bengals, Colts and Jags (again) up next. Each of those squads ranks in the bottom half of the league against fantasy QBs in 2024.

ROSTERED: 47%

It was an encouraging week for Warren, even in defeat. He saw a season-high in playing time on Thursday night, taking 57 percent of the snaps while Najee Harris played just 40 percent, and he finally punched the ball into the end zone for his first TD of the year. Warren led the Steelers with 45 rushing yards and had a season-high five targets. He’s averaging nearly 12 FPPG in his last three contests, which means he should be in the conversation as a flex option, especially in deeper leagues. He’s still stuck in a timeshare, but at least the breakdown is moving in his favor. And in Week 13, Pittsburgh plays the Bengals, who have a defense that will not be confused with a shutdown unit.

ROSTERED: 4%

Congrats to those of you who had Abdullah in your lineup after I included him in this space last week. He was a top-10 fantasy RB in Week 12 and has scored double-digit fantasy points in each of the last two games, including a season-high 17.5 on Sunday. Now, can he keep it going? I’m not so sure, with a tougher matchup up next against the Chiefs, who have been the stingiest defense against fantasy RBs this season. He’s at least worth a look for RB-needy managers if Alexander Mattison and Zamir White are out for the second straight game.

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Johnson gained just 12 yards on three touches in Week 12, so you might be wondering what he’s doing in this article. Well, the second-year back has scored a TD in consecutive games and has six of the team’s eight red-zone carries in the last two weeks, while playing in an offense that is on the upswing. He’s averaged nearly 10 FPPG over the past two outings. He’s a handcuff to pick up if you roster D’Andre Swift and he’s a possible flex play in the deepest of leagues, although I don’t like his matchup against the Lions on Thanksgiving.

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If you have Brian Robinson Jr. or Austin Ekeler -- or both -- on your roster, McNichols should be on your radar this week. Robinson exited in the second half of Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, while Ekeler departed with a concussion in the fourth quarter. If both backs are unable to play against the Titans in Week 13, that would leave McNichols as the RB1 for Washington. I don’t love the matchup against a Tennessee defense that can be tough on running backs, but he has posted double-digit fantasy points in two games this season, including 20.4 against the Cardinals back in Week 4. If he’s going to start for the Commanders and you need a back, McNichols might be your answer for one week.

ROSTERED: 51%

Jameis Winston’s promotion to the starting job has given new life to Jeudy in fantasy football and made him a mainstay in this space. He’s scored 12-plus points in each of the last four games, averaging nine targets and nearly 17 FPPG in that span. That is WR1 production, and he’s done it with tough opponents like the Chargers and Steelers on the schedule. Now he gets a REVENGE GAME in prime time against the Broncos, who traded him to Cleveland in the offseason. Denver’s defense has been stingy to wide receivers this season, and we know Winston is capable of delivering a clunker on any given week, but I’d still consider Jeudy as a starting option in deeper leagues. He’s been awfully steady.

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The rookie has missed nearly a full month with the wrist injury he suffered in Week 9, but let’s not forget what he was doing prior to the setback. Coleman averaged 17-plus fantasy points in Weeks 7-8 and clearly was establishing a strong connection with Josh Allen. Keep an eye on his status this week with the Bills coming off a bye. He doesn’t have a great matchup in Week 13 against the 49ers defense, although injuries have clearly taken a toll on that group, but he will be back in the conversation to start on fantasy rosters if he returns to the form he displayed earlier this season.

ROSTERED: 9%

ROSTERED: 7%

In Week 12, Carolina was without one of its better fantasy wide receivers of late -- rookie Jalen Coker -- but the good news was Thielen returned from the hamstring injury that had kept him out since late September. Journeyman David Moore had his moment for Carolina on Sunday, with 20.1 fantasy points, but Legette (9.6) and Thielen (8.7) are the Panthers' pass catchers to target this week, especially if Coker remains out. Legette has posted 11-plus fantasy points four times in his debut season and is averaging nearly 11 FPPG in his last four games. Thielen had the team’s longest play of the day -- a 36-yard catch -- against a stout Chiefs defense, and gets a more favorable draw against the Buccaneers in Week 13. I’d give both of these receivers a look as potential flex streamers.

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Well, Westbrook-Ikhine has broken 50 receiving yards exactly one time this season -- not the stuff of fantasy legends -- but I feel like I can’t ignore him here because he’s scored a TD in six of his last seven games. He’s averaging a highly respectable 13.3 FPPG in his last five. Sure, he’s TD-dependent, but he just keeps scoring! And he has a juicy matchup in Week 13 against a porous Commanders pass defense. I’d absolutely be eyeing Westbrook-Ikhine for a flex spot in deeper leagues. Just watch out for the low floor.

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If you’re seeking a flex streamer or a backup with upside, voila! Or in this case, Vele! A seventh-round draft pick out of Utah, the rookie is clearly growing on Broncos QB Bo Nix. Vele saw a season-high nine targets on Sunday and finished with a career-best 80 receiving yards. He’s averaging 12.8 FPPG in his last three games and draws Cleveland's defense in Week 13. The Browns' D was better in Week 12 but has struggled against fantasy receivers this year. 

ROSTERED: 50%

There’s a decent chance Ertz is already on a roster in your league, but if he’s been left to languish on the waiver wire, welcome this fella to your Thanksgiving table. He’s not flashy, but he's a healthy eater most of the time. Since Week 8, only Travis Kelce and Brock Bowers have been targeted more among tight ends. He’s posted double-digit fantasy points in five of the last seven games, including 15-plus in each of the last two. Jayden Daniels rediscovered his passing touch on Sunday, connecting with Ertz six times for 38 yards and a TD on eight targets. Like I said, don’t expect super sexy results, but Ertz is one of the most reliable fantasy tight ends in the game right now.

ROSTERED: 28%

Working Hill into the offense more frequently seemed to be working quite well for the Saints heading into their Week 12 bye, so it feels safe to assume the coaching staff spent part of the time off figuring out how to continue maxing out on his potential to slash through defenses. Last we saw, Hill he was running roughshod over the Browns to the tune of 138 yards and three TDs on seven carries. Oh, he also was targeted a team-high 10 times in that game, making eight catches for 50 yards. He also completed a pass. Yes, Hill can do it all. Now, the Rams will have studied that tape well heading into Sunday’s meeting, so it’s up to New Orleans to come up with some new wrinkles. The upside is too great to pass on a chance to pick up Hill if he’s still available in your league.

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Week 11 was not an anomaly. Gray followed his two-touchdown performance against the Bills with another two-TD day against the Panthers. Yes, the guy who had four TD catches in his first three NFL seasons now has four TD grabs in his last two games. He’s been targeted nine times in the last two contests. It’s still hard for me to truly buy into the idea of Travis Kelce’s backup being worth rostering. Andy Reid could decide to scheme up some opportunities to a different supporting player at any time. For now, though, I think you have to trust -- if not ride -- the hot hand. On Black Friday, the Chiefs host the Raiders, who have been one of the friendliest defenses to fantasy tight ends. If you don’t have one of the top handful of tight ends, Gray might be worth a roll of the dice. If you have Kelce on your roster, Gray is starting to look like an essential handcuff.

ROSTERED: 43%

It’s been a disappointing season for the Tampa Bay defense, but it took a break from letting us down in Week 12, scoring 10 points against the Tommy DeVito-led Giants. The schedule sets up favorably with the Panthers and Raiders next, although Carolina’s offense is playing much better of late. The streaming pickings look slim for D/ST this week, but the Bucs are looking like one of the best from a rough crop. Just don’t forget this unit produced a grand total of 13 fantasy points in its four games prior to Sunday’s blowout.

ROSTERED: 17%

Dallas woke up in a big way against the Commanders and enter Monday Night Football as the top D/ST of the week in fantasy football with 22 points. Now the Cowboys get their shot to tee off on Tommy DeVito and Co., with the Giants paying them a visit on Thanksgiving. A punchless New York attack is averaging 12.3 real-life points per game in its last six contests, scoring seven or fewer in half of those outings. Mike Zimmer’s D has not posted double-digit points in consecutive games this season, but a golden opportunity awaits on Turkey Day.