Fantasy Football: Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups
By Brett Clancy
Nov 20, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
With the first round of fantasy football playoffs about to kick off, you may be surprised to learn that despite making the catch of the season this past Sunday, and a low yardage total of 93 over the past four weeks, Odell Beckham (59.9% on NFL)(75% on ESPN) may still be available in your league. Beckham ascended pretty quickly out of my usual 30% owned limit, and it wasn’t until I saw him inconceivably available on the waiver wire in one of my leagues that I realized he was so underowned. If you’re lucky enough to play in a league where Beckham is still out there, get to the waiver wire now. Still not convinced? His next 3 games are against the Jaguars, Titans and Redskins. If you’re not among the lucky few to have a shot at Beckham his teammate at LSU, Jarvis Landry (1.9% on NFL)(11.3% on ESPN) is still widely available and coming off a pretty big week of his own (50 yards and 2 TDs.) Landry may not have the flash of his fellow former Tiger, but continues to see plenty of targets from Ryan Tannehill and he’s in position to continue to put up numbers against the Jets this week, and a banged up Baltimore secondary in week 14. He’ll also have a shot at an increase in target week 15 against the Patriots with Mike Wallace likely to be stuck on Revis Island.
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If you’re new to the column, the parentheticals ()() to the right of a players name reflect their ownership percentage in NFL.com and ESPN leagues respectively. I generally try to keep the players I mention to those owned in fewer than 30% of leagues, but there are exceptions, particularly this week. Players aren’t listed in any particular order, but they are grouped by position. Think I forgot someone? Think I’m wrong? Want to be best friends? Leave a comment at the bottom of the article. Alright let’s get into the top waiver wire pickups for week 13.
Latavius Murray, RB, Raiders: (1.6% on NFL)(10.3% on ESPN) He’ll need to go through concussion protocol before he’s cleared to play this week, but Murray showed an explosiveness out of the backfield, unmatched by his backfield competition. Head Coach Tony Sparano seemed resistant to the idea of Murray as a work horse back, but he’s earned more carries, and with nothing left to play for it’s hard to imagine the Raiders not wanting to find out what they’ve got in the second year runner.
Isaiah Crowell, RB, Browns: (28.9% on NFL)(74.4% on ESPN) We’re back to where we were in week 4. Crowell will likely continue to start and get most of the work near the goal line, but he’ll be sharing carries with fellow rookie Terrance West. It’s a pretty decent schedule for RB’s the rest of the way, and even with Josh Gordon back the Browns will continue to pound the ball, especially early in games to set up play action.
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Patriots: (14.4% on NFL)(20.3% on ESPN) Of course the week after I soften my stance on Jonas Gray, Blount gets cut by the Steelers and rejoins the Patriots. I’m not quite sure what to make of Blount’s role. I know the Patriots like him, and then tend to like sticking with one guy when they go into ground and pound mode, and Blount’s a tougher tackle than Gray. Still, it’s possible Gray’s exclusion from the game plan was just punishment for oversleeping on Thursday and we’re looking at more of a split going forward. Bottom line, if I’m putting money on someone it’s Blount, but nothing the Patriots do with their backfield should surprise you at this point.
Charles Johnson, WR, Vikings: (0.2% on NFL)(0.3% owned on ESPN) The second year receiver out of Grand Valley State seems to have caught the eye of rookie signal Called Teddy Brodgewater, as he’s lead the team in yards the past two weeks with 11 targets this past week and 18 against the Bears. That sort of volume is extremely promising considering the Vikings next two opponents are the Panthers and the Jets. Week 15 also offers a promising match-up against the Lions, who have a pretty good secondary, but force teams to throw as they are stout against the run.
Andrew Hawkins, WR, Browns: (11% on NFL)(44.5% on ESPN) Josh Gordon’s return could stand to help Hawkins value rather than hurt it. Gordon will command extra attention, and Hawkins has built pretty solid chemistry with Brian Hoyer. That said Cleveland isn’t exactly a lock to go over 300 yards throwing every week and the lack of TDs isn’t likely to improve. But with the way Buffalo is playing and the Colts following them on the schedule, the Browns could find themselves in a few more shootouts these next two weeks.
John Brown, WR, Cardinals: (7.6% on NFL)(25.3% on ESPN) Still out there in a ton of leagues, and he becomes an interesting plug and play against Atlanta if Larry Fitzgerald is limited, or unable to play this Sunday. After this week the schedule doesn’t look pretty, but Brown has game breaking speed that means all he needs is one catch to wind up with a nice fantasy day.
Robert Woods, WR, Bills: (1.4% on NFL)(3.5% on ESPN) Following an impressive 9 catch, 118 yards and TD day against the Jets, Woods stands a better chance for an encore against the Browns than you might think. Joe Haden will likely be charged with keeping rookie sensation Sammy Watkins in check, leaving Woods as the primary target for Kyle Orton. Of course it’s also possible the Bills stick more to the ground game and spread the ball around between Woods, Watkins, Hogan and Chandler, but Woods has the hot hand, and the talent to put up big numbers again this week.
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings: (48.2% on NFL)(16% on ESPN) In his second game back from injury, he caught 3 passes for 50 yards, good for second on the team in both categories. He’s a big, reliable target for Bridgewater and there will be plenty of passes coming his way in a Vikings offense that has struggled to find success through the air.
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