Kyle Monangai has emerged as the Bears’ lead back in a committee with D’Andre Swift, essentially serving as the 1A in Chicago’s backfield. In Week 12, the rookie led Bears running backs in snaps, carries, and routes, and he scored the team’s only rushing touchdown (his third straight game with a rushing score). Monangai has handled 12 or more carries in three of the last four contests. Even with a tough matchup against Philadelphia’s defense in Week 13, his volume and nose for the end zone make him a worthwhile pickup as a steady RB3/flex option.
Devin Neal (NO - RB)
FAB: 15-25%
OWN%
N/A
With Alvin Kamara sidelined by a knee sprain, rookie Devin Neal is poised to take over as the Saints’ lead running back. In Week 12, Neal’s rushing output was modest (18 yards on 7 carries), but he caught 5 passes for 43 yards, showing value in the passing game. Volume is king in fantasy, and Neal could see a hefty workload in Kamara’s absence – keep in mind Taysom Hill led the team in carries last week, but eight of his ten attempts came after Kamara got hurt. The good news is the Saints’ remaining schedule is running back friendly, as they have one of the best schedules for RBs for the rest of the season. Neal may not be on a great offense, but sheer opportunity in a starting role makes him one of the top pickups of the week.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (WAS - RB)
FAB: 15-20%
OWN%
N/A
Chris Rodriguez Jr. appears to have taken over the lead-back role in Washington’s backfield. Before the Commanders’ Week 12 bye, Rodriguez led the team in snap share and rush attempts in Week 11, carrying 15 times for 79 yards in that game. His recent usage suggests the coaching staff is giving the rookie a chance to be the primary runner. While this backfield could remain a committee, Rodriguez is worth an add given his upward trend. Washington’s schedule isn’t the easiest, but they do have a juicy matchup with the Giants in Week 15 and a favorable playoff schedule for running backs overall. If Rodriguez continues to separate himself as the top option, he could be a valuable flex down the stretch.
Trey Benson (ARI - RB)
FAB: 10-15%
OWN%
N/A
Trey Benson should be the Cardinals’ lead runner once he returns to action. He missed Week 12 with a knee issue, but reports indicated he was day-to-day and nearing a return. When active, Benson is expected to take over Arizona’s backfield – the team was already treating him as their primary running back earlier in the year, while his competition has been underwhelming or injured. The Cardinals offense isn’t high-powered, but a starting running back who can be the guy is hard to find on waivers. If you’re looking ahead to Weeks 14-17, Benson is a stash who could pay off as a volume play once he’s officially back.
Dylan Sampson (CLE - RB)
FAB: 5-8%
OWN%
N/A
Dylan Sampson is a deep-league stash with some sneaky upside in Cleveland. In Week 12, he flashed big-play ability by taking a screen pass 66 yards to the house for a touchdown. Starter Quinshon Judkins appears to be fine after a couple of injury scare moments, but notably the Browns’ coach indicated they want to get the rookie Sampson involved early and often because he’s earned a role with his performance. That suggests Sampson could see more touches going forward as a complement to Judkins. Cleveland also boasts a very favorable rest-of-season schedule for fantasy running backs. Sampson could be valuable insurance for Judkins managers or a speculative add for anyone hoping his role continues to grow in the coming weeks.
WR
Troy Franklin (DEN - WR)
FAB: 15-20%
OWN%
N/A
Troy Franklin has been a revelation in Denver and somehow is still widely available. He’s currently the fantasy WR26 on the season, leading the Broncos in targets, receptions, and receiving touchdowns. The rookie was on a bye in Week 12, but in Week 13 he returns to a prime matchup against the Washington Commanders’ defense, one of the most generous units to opposing wideouts. Given his consistent role as Russell Wilson’s top target, Franklin offers a high floor with touchdown upside and can slot in as a WR3/flex immediately.
Christian Watson (GB - WR)
FAB: 12-15%
OWN%
N/A
Christian Watson looks rejuvenated after returning from last year’s ACL injury. In Week 11 he was the WR6 overall, catching 4 of 5 targets for 46 yards and two touchdowns. The Packers have made a point to feature Watson – he’s running over 80% of routes and is a top-two target in the passing game, even leading the team in first-read target share. Moreover, Watson brings big-play potential and leads Green Bay with his yards per catch. With his combination of usage and explosiveness, Watson is a high-upside flex play for the fantasy playoffs.
Jayden Higgins (HOU - WR)
FAB: 12-18%
OWN%
N/A
Jayden Higgins is an emerging rookie in Houston’s offense and profiles as a late-season sleeper. He recorded a 30% target share in Week 12 – a career high – and led all qualifying NFL receivers in targets per route run for the week. In that game he was inches away from an even bigger stat line, with his quarterback just missing him on a few throws. The potential return of C.J. Stroud in Week 13 should raise the ceiling of the Texans offense and Higgins’ production along with it. With Houston’s passing game on the rise, Higgins could be a key contributor down the stretch and is worth adding as a high-upside WR4.
Chimere Dike (TEN - WR)
FAB: 10-15%
OWN%
N/A
Chimere Dike is a name to know in deeper leagues. The Titans have been hit by injuries at wide receiver – Calvin Ridley is out for the season and fellow rookie Elic Ayomanor is dealing with a hamstring issue – and Dike has capitalized on the opportunity. He played on 86% of the routes in Week 12 and tied for the team lead in targets. Dike caught 5 passes for 44 yards and a touchdown in that game, plus added a 90-yard punt return touchdown, showcasing his playmaking ability. Over the last five games he’s scored 16 or more fantasy points three times. Tennessee has been surprisingly pass-heavy lately, which bodes well for Dike’s volume, and he’s a sneaky add who could be a flex option in deep formats.
Andrei Iosivas (CIN - WR)
FAB: 5-8%
OWN%
N/A
Andrei Iosivas is in line to function as the Bengals’ No. 2 receiver for now, and that puts him on the fantasy radar. Tee Higgins is out with a concussion and will not play in the Bengals’ Thursday game, so Iosivas should again see elevated snaps alongside Ja’Marr Chase. In Week 12, after Higgins exited, Iosivas led Cincinnati with seven targets and 61 receiving yards, commanding an 18.4% target share in that contest. With Joe Burrow expected back under center for Week 13, the passing offense gets a boost. The matchup against Baltimore on Thursday night is tough on paper, but volume alone could make Iosivas a serviceable plug-and-play.
Darnell Mooney (ATL - WR)
FAB: 8-12%
OWN%
N/A
Darnell Mooney is coming off his best game of the season since joining Atlanta. He caught 3 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons’ Week 12 win over the Saints, including a 49-yard scoring strike that showcased his deep-threat ability. Mooney has taken over as the Falcons’ No. 2 receiver behind Drake London, and although Atlanta’s passing volume isn’t very high, he’s making the most of limited opportunities. Mooney is a boom-or-bust flex play, but he’s worth a look if you need a wideout with big-play upside for the fantasy stretch run.
TE
Colston Loveland (CHI - TE)
FAB: 8-10%
OWN%
N/A
Colston Loveland has quietly become a reliable tight end option. He’s posted over 40 receiving yards in four straight games and scored three touchdowns in that span. That consistency has vaulted him to the top of the streaming tight ends list. Week 13 does present a difficult matchup against the Eagles’ defense, so temper expectations for immediate production. However, even if you don’t plug him in this week, Loveland’s recent usage and clear role as a favored target for the Bears make him worth rostering at a position where consistent points are hard to find.
Brenton Strange (JAX - TE)
FAB: 7-10%
OWN%
N/A
Brenton Strange returned from a five-game injury absence in Week 12 and made an immediate splash. He caught 5 passes for a season-high 93 yards on Sunday, finishing as one of the top fantasy tight ends for the week. Prior to getting hurt, Strange had seen 6 receptions on 7 targets in back-to-back games, so Trevor Lawrence clearly trusts throwing his way. Now healthy, Strange could serve as a useful safety valve in the Jaguars’ passing attack. He may not be a league-winner, but any tight end averaging around 5–7 targets is valuable, and he can provide decent weekly production.
Colby Parkinson (LAR - TE)
FAB: 1-3%
OWN%
N/A
Colby Parkinson has stepped up for the Rams and is on the radar as a deep-league add. With starting tight end Tyler Higbee on IR, Parkinson has taken over the starting role and has now scored a touchdown in three consecutive games. In Week 12, he posted 4 catches for 41 yards on 4 targets while finding the end zone yet again. Operating in a Rams offense led by Matthew Stafford, Parkinson benefits from an above-average quarterback and the attention drawn by stars around him. Given the state of the tight end position, a player getting red-zone looks in a good offense is worth a flier, especially in deeper formats.
Taysom Hill (NO - TE)
FAB: 1%
OWN%
N/A
Taysom Hill is always a wildcard, but recent circumstances make him mildly intriguing again. The do-it-all weapon led the Saints in carries in Week 12 with 10 rush attempts, with eight of those coming after Alvin Kamara left due to injury. New Orleans has been using Hill in wildcat packages and near the goal line, which could continue if Kamara misses more time. Be warned: Hill hasn’t scored more than 6 fantasy points in any game this season, so his floor is essentially zero if he doesn’t hit a big play or score. This pickup is only for bold fantasy managers in deep leagues, hoping that Hill might vulture a rushing touchdown or see a few gadget plays while the Saints’ backfield is shorthanded.
QB
Jacoby Brissett (ARI - QB)
FAB: 5-7%
OWN%
N/A
Jacoby Brissett is the starting quarterback for Arizona as of Week 13, filling in for Kyler Murray (foot). He has been on a hot streak, finishing as a top-10 fantasy QB in all but one of his last six starts while averaging nearly 21 fantasy points per game. In fact, Brissett has thrown for a league-high 769 yards over the past two weeks. With a Week 13 matchup against a reeling Buccaneers pass defense that has been torched in back-to-back games, Brissett offers a solid streaming option for those in need of a quarterback.
Trevor Lawrence (JAX - QB)
FAB: 5-7%
OWN%
N/A
Trevor Lawrence has been dropped in many leagues but could be a savvy pickup now. He put up 23.1 fantasy points in Week 12 and gets a favorable Week 13 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have been a beatable pass defense, and Lawrence’s rushing ability provides a helpful floor for fantasy scoring. If you need a quarterback, Lawrence is a viable starter in deeper leagues this week.
Tua Tagovailoa (MIA - QB)
FAB: 3-5%
OWN%
N/A
Tua Tagovailoa has underperformed lately, scoring 14.8 fantasy points or fewer in five of his last six outings. That slump led to him being dropped in many leagues. However, Tua’s upcoming schedule is extremely enticing: he faces New Orleans in Week 13, followed by the Jets, Steelers, Bengals, and Buccaneers in Weeks 14-17. This favorable slate could help Tagovailoa finish the season strong. If you have room to stash him for a playoff run, Tua is worth an add in case he recaptures his early-season form.
DEF STREAM OF THE WEEK
Los Angeles Chargers D/ST (LAC - DST)
FAB: 1-2%
OWN%
N/A
The Chargers defense is a top streaming pick for Week 13 thanks to a dream matchup. Coming off a bye, they will host the Las Vegas Raiders, who might have the worst offense in the league right now. In their last outing, the Raiders managed just 6 points and subsequently fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, leaving the unit in disarray. With a rookie quarterback still finding his way, the Chargers pass rush featuring Khalil Mack should be able to pressure him into mistakes. This is a get-right spot for the Chargers D/ST, and they have a great chance to deliver a double-digit fantasy score.
Atlanta Falcons D/ST (ATL - DST)
FAB: 1-2%
OWN%
N/A
The Falcons defense is another strong streaming option as they go up against the New York Jets. Atlanta’s D/ST is coming off a 16-point fantasy performance against the Saints in Week 12. Now they face a Jets offense that has been abysmal, averaging only 12 points per game over its last two contests. This is a prime opportunity for sacks and turnovers. The Falcons might not be an elite defense, but in this matchup they have a high floor and a solid ceiling as a one-week plug.
Miami Dolphins D/ST (MIA - DST)
FAB: 1%
OWN%
N/A
The Dolphins D/ST is a sneaky pickup that could pay off this week. Prior to their Week 12 bye, Miami’s defense had scored 11 fantasy points in each of the two games before the bye. They seem to be hitting their stride under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. In Week 13 they’ll be at home against the Saints, who are expected to start rookie quarterback Tyler Shough and are tied for last in the NFL in points per game. With two weeks to prepare for a first-time starter, the Dolphins are in a great spot to force mistakes and provide a solid fantasy outing.
