Three Week 13 games have been played, and one more Friday game is pending. But you may still have holes in your lineup, and we help you find players potentially still available in free agency to add and start.
If these players are not available in your league, maybe one of them is on your bench and may be better than a planned starter.
The analysis is based on PPR scoring, and players are listed in order of preference for pickup and lineup usage. Rostered percentages are from CBSSports.com.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, NO (36 percent rostered): MVS’ rostered percentage indicates that most savvy fantasy players know his fantasy history as an occasional boom but more often bust. Derek Carr, however, appears to favor Valdes-Scantling as a downfield threat, and the injury-riddled New Orleans Saints need MVS. Over the past four weeks, the Rams allowed an NFC-high six touchdown passes to WRs.
Devaughn Vele, WR, DEN (18 percent): This sizable pass-catcher (6-foot-5, 210 pounds) is emerging as the No. 2 WR for Bo Nix. In the last three games, Vele has posted double-digit fantasy point totals and delivered his best stat line of the season last week (six receptions, nine targets, 80 yards). He is not showing upside yet, but the rookie looks like a big TD target, and scoring receptions may be ahead. For Week 13, Vele is sporting an 86.8 WR/CB matchup grade on Pro Football Focus against the Cleveland Browns cornerbacks, which qualifies as “Excellent.”
GO DEEPER
NFL Week 13 fantasy football, betting cheat sheet: O’Connell to start vs. Chiefs
Adonai Mitchell, WR, IND (8 percent): The Indianapolis Colts could be without three wide receivers (Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Ashton Dulin) against New England’s 22nd-ranked pass defense. Anthony Richardson is a notorious scattershot passer. Mitchell, however, is a bigger target who can help move the chains at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds. He showed a glimpse of the ability to post quality numbers in Week 10 when he caught six passes for 71 yards.
Xavier Legette, WR, CAR (54 percent): Bryce Young has displayed true signs of improvement recently, and Legette will likely continue to be one of his top targets for a long time. The Carolina rookie produced 9.5-plus PPR points in three of his last four games. Tampa Bay ranks 27th in fantasy points per game allowed to WRs.
Jake Bobo, WR, SEA (1 percent): DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett were still unable to practice Thursday, and if both are out against the Jets, Bobo may function as Geno Smith’s preferred option along with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The 6-foot-4, 211-pounder is an internal and fan favorite. Bobo is a good fundamental technician as a pass-catcher and carries some TD potential.
The Jets’ secondary has not performed up to expectations but is still formidable and a tough matchup for Bobo in an expanded role. But the opportunities should be there, and Cody White might also be utilized as a downfield playmaking option. Bobo is only viable if Metcalf and Lockett sit, and White is a super-deep longshot flier.
Elijah Moore, WR, CLE (28 percent): Naturally, a matchup against Denver will scare many fantasy leaguers away from Moore this week. When searching for lineup plug-ins still available on a thinner free-agent list, options often aren’t ideal. In his last four games, Moore was targeted 34 times, and Jameis Winston will remain aggressive as a passer against any defense.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR, TEN (52 percent): The unreal run of six touchdown receptions in seven games certainly appears even less sustainable when considering NWI topped 50 yards and three receptions once during that seven-game span. Yet you also cringe every time he’s left on the bench and finds the end zone, which he seems to do from anywhere on the field. Even though Washington’s defense has tightened up lately, it has still allowed 13 TD receptions in 12 games to WRs, and three in the last four.
Jalen McMillan, WR, TB (28 percent): After returning from a hamstring injury last week, McMillan caught one pass. He played on 63 percent of the snaps, though, which led all Tampa Bay WRs. McMillan will not outsnap Mike Evans again, but he should continue to get field time in a very winnable, possibly high-scoring matchup against Carolina.
Noah Fant, TE, SEA (6 percent): Seattle’s WR injuries might mean that Fant gets more targets in his return from a groin injury. Smith may look to Fant when Seattle nears the end zone.
Kimani Vidal, RB, LAC (14 percent), Hassan Haskins, RB, LAC (2 percent): The Chargers rookie was a popular sleeper pickup a few weeks ago but turned out to be the subject of wishful speculation. With J.K. Dobbins out now, though, Vidal could emerge as a complement to Gus Edwards against the Titans. I am adding Hassan Haskins because I don’t trust Edwards to hold him off for quality playing time.
Jeremy McNichols and Braelon Allen were already heavily added due to injury speculation, and four games will have been played by Friday evening, so there isn’t much left in terms of RBs to add and start. However, Vidal and Haskins can be added because many overlooked them during the first waiver run, and there is a real opportunity for one of them to make fantasy contributions in the weeks ahead.
Michael Wilson, WR, ARI (25 percent): Wilson spiked for some double-digit fantasy performances earlier this season and flashed more promise with a spectacular 30-yard reception to set up a score last week. Minnesota ranks second in fantasy points per game allowed to WRs.
Tyler Conklin, TE, NYJ (15 percent): Conklin is a sneaky play against a Seattle defense that allowed Trey McBride to catch 12 passes for 133 yards last week. The Seahawks rank 20th in receptions allowed to TEs and will focus more on containing Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams in Week 13.
(Photo of Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
