Week 12 of the NFL and fantasy football regular season has wrapped up, giving fantasy managers better clarity of which players they should drop, and which players they should pick up in exchange from the waiver wire. There were no teams byes this week. The last week where no teams were on bye was Week 5. We will have to wait until Week 15 for no teams to be on bye, again. By then, it will be fantasy football playoff time.
With no teams on byes, we saw players ascending, descending, returning from injury, or getting injured. It’s a good idea for fantasy managers to replace descending players with ascending players, or injured players with healthy players. Listed below are players that have been performing well, or performed well in an injured player’s absence.
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 13: Running backs
Zonovan Knight, Jets
In a surprising turn of events, newly acquired Jets running back James Robinson was inactive as a healthy scratch (coach’s decision). Michael Carter was serving as the lead back until suffering an ankle sprain. The Jets turned to rookie UDFA Zonovan Knight, who earned nearly 50% of snaps.
Available in virtually 100% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, Knight earned 103 total yards on 17 touches in the 34-10 win over the Bears. Fellow back Ty Johnson, who served as the change-of-pace back all day, efficiently earned 78 yards on 7 touches (32 of these yards coming from one touchdown run). Knight is the back to own in fantasy, but Johnson wouldn’t be a bad second option. Knight is worth rostering in all formats.
Kyren Williams, Rams
After the Rams suddenly cut running back Darrell Henderson, you knew they were going to make other adjustments. This Sunday, they deployed rookie running back Kyren Williams as their starting running back. He led the team in carries and tied the team lead in receptions.
Still available in 94.7% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, Kyren Williams earned 35 rushing yards on his attempts Sunday. While running back Cam Akers and quarterback Bryce Perkins earned more yards per their attempts (37, 44, respectively), Williams is worthy of evaluation. Expect Akers, who was almost cut, to continue to take a back seat for this injury-ridden team. He is worth stashing in deep PPR leagues.
JaMycal Hasty, Jaguars
Travis Etienne left Sunday’s contest early with a foot injury. While he did try warming up on the sidelines, he did not re-enter the game. His practices are worth monitoring this week. In his absence, JaMycal Hasty filled in.
Available in nearly 99% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, you may remember me writing about Hasty after Week 7. My expectations weren’t fulfilled thereafter, but they were this week. While only earning 28 yards on 12 rushes, he earned 67 yards and 1 touchdown on 5 receptions. He is worth stashing in deep PPR leagues because of his receiving upside but becomes a priority pickup if Etienne is ruled out or limited in Week 13.
Bonus add, Ty Johnson (see para. 4)
If he’s still available, Jerrick McKinnon, Chiefs
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 13: Wide Receivers
Zay Jones, Jaguars
You may remember me writing about Jones after Week 1. While that didn’t pan out every week, he did have two WR4 and one WR3 finishes. This week, he had a top-10 finish in fantasy football as he turned in 11 of 14 targets for 145 yards. He led his team in all receiving categories besides touchdowns this Sunday.
Still available in 91.7% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, Trevor Lawrence showcased why he was the #1 overall pick in the 2021 draft. If he continues this kind of success, Jones proves to be one of the biggest beneficiaries. He is a priority add in all formats.
Randall Cobb, Packers
Last week, wide receiver Randall Cobb caught 6 passes for 73 receiving yards. This week, he caught 2 passes for 19 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. After 4 weeks of being inactive, he’s proving he’s a part of the Packers’ offense. He’s on the field for about 50% of snaps. Meanwhile, another veteran wide receiver Sammy Watkins has been receiving fewer snaps each week, only garnering 4 this Sunday.
Still available in 97% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, Randall Cobb’s fantasy stock is rising, while fellow Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard’s fantasy stock is falling. If you want a Packers wide receiver not named Christian Watson, I suggest Randall Cobb. He is worth stashing in deep leagues.
Mack Hollins, Raiders
You may remember me writing about Mack Hollins after week 3. Since then, he’s had one top-40 in fantasy football and just capped off his third top-30 finish. He is a low-end boom or bust option who periodically benefits from Davante Adams garnering a lot of defensive attention.
Still available in 96.9% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, Hollins is one of the biggest beneficiaries of pass-catchers Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller being on IR. This season, he has 3 games with a receiving touchdown and 6 games with 40 receiving yards or more, one of those being over 150 yards. He is worth stashing in deep PPR leagues.
If he’s still available, Treylon Burks, Titans
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 13: Quarterbacks
Mike White, Jets
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh made a tough, yet necessary decision to bench QB Zach Wilson, the #2 overall pick in the 2021 draft. He turned to journeyman Mike White, who led the team to a 31-10 victory over the Chicago Bears and a top-10 QB finish in fantasy football.
Available in nearly 99% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, White turned in his second 3 touchdown performance in his fourth starting effort. Zach Wilson has yet to turn in a 3 touchdown performance in 20 starting efforts. Expect White to keep the starting QB job until further notice. He is worth steaming in one-QB leagues and worth rostering and starting in two-QB leagues.
Bonus add, Jordan Love, Packers (If Aaron Rodgers is injured/inactive Week 13)
If he’s still available, Deshaun Watson, Browns
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 13: Tight Ends
Foster Moreau, Raiders
With Darren Waller on IR, Foster Moreau has stepped up at tight end for the Raiders. In the past three weeks, he has scored 2 touchdowns, good for two top-10 fantasy football finishes. He has proven to be a high-end boom or bust option who is touchdown dependent, like most tight ends outside of the top 3-5.
Still available in 92.1% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, Moreau is fantasy relevant as long as Waller is on IR. He is also benefiting from slot possession receiver Hunter Renfrow being in IR. He is worth streaming in PPR formats and worth rostering in TE-Premium leagues.
If he’s still available, Hunter Henry, Patriots
If he recently became available, Gerald Everett, Chargers