Need help with filling out your fantasy football lineups for Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season? It’s an important part of the year ahead of the fantasy playoffs, so every decision becomes more crucial.
Vinnie Iyer is here for you again, back with another edition of the Decider, a unique blend of positional rankings and start ‘em, sit ‘em advice. Let’s get into breaking down the best and worst plays in redraft based on matchups, usage, and other factors, plus some good price values to target in DFS.
Fantasy Football Week 13 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Regular starts
- Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (at BAL)
- Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (vs. SF)
- Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (vs. PHI)
- Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (at ATL)
- Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (vs. TEN)
- Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LV)
- Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at CAR)
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. PIT)
Stronger starts
9. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (vs. LAC): He should be busy chucking against a team with a good run defense and Herbert lighting it up.
10. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (vs. CLE): He keeps crushing at home, and the Browns will oblige on Monday night.
11. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (at JAX): Stroud has the best possible matchup to get back on track big time.
12. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CIN): He should be busy working off play-action to battle Burrow.
13. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (vs. CHI): Goff needs the run to work to play well, and he should be motivated to stop a division rival after last year’s Thanksgiving loss to the Packers.
14. Anthony Richardson, Colts (at NE): Richardson should have his way passing downfield and running on the Patriots.
15. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU): Should he return after the bye, he can rebound with an adjusted offense vs. a bad pass defense.
16. Drake Maye, New England Patriots (vs. IND): He should see some things open up all over the field at home vs. the Colts’ defense.
WEEK 13 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
DFS pick
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (vs. TB, $4,700 on DraftKings, $6,600 on FanDuel): Let’s try this again on the Buccaneers as Young is coming off a 16.5-point DK effort against the Chiefs at home. And Tampa Bay offers the best possible passing matchup in what should be another negative game script. There’s an easier path to 3X or 4X value than other QBs given those prices.
Fantasy Football Week 13 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
17. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (vs. MIA): The Packers should stay run-oriented and win with that and defense on Thursday.
18. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (at MIN): He’s been a roller coaster, especially on the road against tougher defenses.
19. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (at GB): He has been ripping bad teams in good weather of late, and the Packers offer neither.
20. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (vs. ARI): Darnold might be sucked into more of a defensive-minded matchup at home with Murray.
21. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (at NO): Stafford should also see the running game and defense being much more effective on the road.
22. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (at NYJ): It is a revenge game, but he needs help from the running game and defense to win on the road in weather.
23. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (at DET): Don’t chase the points from the home game vs. the Vikings given the Lions’ defense is getting better every week, and this is a tough, short-week road game.
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Fantasy Football Week 13 Start ‘Em: Running backs
Regular starts
- Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (at BAL)
- Joe Mixon, Houston Texans (at JAX)
- Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (vs. MIA)
- De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (at GB)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (vs. CHI)
- Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (at NO)
- Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens (vs. PHI)
- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers (at BUF)
- Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks (at NYJ)
- Breece Hall, New York Jets (vs. SEA)
- Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (at NE)
- Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (vs. LAR)
- David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (vs. CHI)
- Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. PIT)
- Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons (vs. LAC)
- James Cook, Buffalo Bills (vs. SF)
- Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (vs. ARI)
- Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (at WAS)
- Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (at DAL)
- Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (vs. TB)
- Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR)
- D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (at DET)
- James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (at MIN)
Stronger starts
24. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at CAR): Irving should smash on the road as a rising rookie.
25. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (vs. IND): He should rebound with more regular volume in an even or positive game script.
26. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at CAR): He should be deployed with Irving as their preferred dynamic duo (forget about Sean Tucker).
27. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CIN): Warren should find some room to rumble often on the outside.
28. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns (at DEN): Chubb should stay hot with a big workload to take pressure off the passing game.
29. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CIN): Harris should get a solid workload with a good chance for a short TD.
Week 13 FANTASY ROSTER MANAGEMENT ADVICE
Stock Watch | Sleepers | Busts
DFS Picks
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (at NE, $6,900 on DraftKings, $7,900 on FanDuel): Taylor has downright stunk of late because of not getting enough volume in the 1-2 punch of bad matchups and negative game scripts. Here’s being mainstream contrarian by saying he’s needed a spot like this to get well, and he has a strong history vs. the Patriots’ defense.
Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (vs. ARI, $6,500 on DraftKings, $7,700 on FanDuel): He looked great vs. the Bears coming on strong late in the season again, and he can rip into the Cardinals’ shaky run defense at home.
Fantasy Football Week 13 Sit ‘Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
30. J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers (if he plays, at ATL): This matchup is really tough, and that knee is a concern on a short week.
31. Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (vs. TEN): The Titans just shut down Mixon, so you can’t trust him with an injury.
32. Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LV): You cannot be sure of his post-injury touches with Hunt playing so well if he finally returns.
33. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU): You can’t go here against this run defense, not knowing his workload running or receiving.
34. Ameer Abdullah, Las Vegas Raiders (at KC): Whoever’s the healthiest Raiders back should be avoided in this brutal Black Friday matchup.
35. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (vs. CLE): He probably will randomly go off this week… or not. This also goes for trying to play Audric Estime… or Jaleel McLaughlin.
Fantasy Football Week 13 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers
Regular starts
- Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. PIT)
- Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. ARI)
- A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (at BAL)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (vs. CHI)
- Nico Collins, Houston Texans (at JAX)
- Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (vs. CLE)
- Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (at NO)
- Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (at NO)
- CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (vs. NYG)
- Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (vs. TEN)
- Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at CAR)
- DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (if he returns, at BAL)
- George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CIN)
- Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (at GB)
- Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU)
- Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (vs. MIA)
- Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (vs. LAC)
- Marvin Harrison Jr, Arizona Cardinals (at MIN)
- Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (vs. SEA)
- D.J. Moore, Chicago Bears (at DET)
- Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. PIT)
- Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (at ATL)
- Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (at BUF)
- Malik Nabers, New York Giants (at DAL)
- Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (at WAS)
- DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (at NYJ)
- Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (at NE)
- Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (vs. PHI)
- Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI)
- Davante Adams, New York Jets (vs. SEA)
- Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (if he plays, vs. LAC)
Stronger starts
32. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, New Orleans Saints (vs. LAR): He should be busy stretching the field as their default No.1. wide receiver.
33. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans (at WAS): All he does is make big plays and score for Will Levis.
34. Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (at ATL): Johnston should get in on the fun as he and McConkey can rip the Falcons’ cornerbacks.
35. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (vs. SF): Shakir can destroy them in the slot often.
36. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (vs. ARI): He’s hot for Darnold, and the USC-USC connection continues.
37. DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LV): He should hop into the end zone once on Black Friday.
38. Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills (vs. SF): He should return and also do well outside.
39. Tank Dell, Houston Texans (at JAX): He should deliver here as the passing game has a much-needed bounce-back.
Week 13 WAIVER WIRE ADVICE
Full Waiver Wire Recommendations | How to Spend FAAB | Top Waiver Targets
DFS picks
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (vs. LAC, $6,500 on DraftKings, $7,300 on FanDuel): London’s size and strength can give the Chargers some problems all over the field as Cousins peppers him with high-leverage volume in what can be a high-scoring affair.
Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU, $5,500 on DraftKings, $6,700 on FanDuel): Thomas should dominate targets after the bye and is playable regardless of the quarterback because the Texans will have trouble slowing him down through a lot of key targets.
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (at NE), $5,200 on DraftKings, $6,600 on FanDuel): Josh Downs is hurting and is iffy for the game, and Pittman resurfaced for a big game at the right time vs. the Lions.
Fantasy Football Week 13 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
40. Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (vs. CHI): That big outside play won’t be coming in this spot.
41. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (at BUF): He’s hard to trust anymore, especially with an iffy QB sitch and a bad matchup on the road.
42. Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns (at DEN): This goes for all their wide receivers against Pat Surtain and the Broncos.
43. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (at GB): Don’t chase the randomness of last week given his previous usage.
44. Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears (at DET): Not in the slot vs. these guys.
45. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (at DET): Only Moore is playable here.
46. Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders (at KC): See Waddle, Jaylen.
47. DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots (vs. IND): This is actually tougher for him inside than for the tight ends and outside wideouts.
Fantasy Football Week 13 Start ‘Em: Tight ends
Must starts
- Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (at KC)
- Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at CAR)
- George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (at BUF)
- Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LV)
- Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (at MIN)
- Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (vs. LAR)
- T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. ARI)
- David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (at DEN)
- Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (vs. LAC)
- Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU)
Stronger starts
11. Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins (at GB): He’s been very consistent of late and is an integral part of the adjusted passing game.
12. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (vs. IND): He has gone off before against them and has a solid floor in the matchup.
13. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CIN): He’s made a case to be busier for Wilson, and it happens in a great matchup.
14. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles (at BAL): He should make several plays in what should be an offensive explosion for the visitors.
15. Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers (at ATL): He can get the job done with Herbert, going back and forth with Cousins and Pitts.
16. Luke Schoonmaker, Dallas Cowboys (vs. NYG): The numbers say no, but he is a key part of the offense with Jake Ferguson out and Rush has good chemistry with him.
DFS pick
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CIN, $3,500 on DraftKings, $5,100 on FanDuel): Muth came to life with a few more big plays vs. the Browns, and the Bengals have been very giving to the tight end position. Expect Wilson to look more his way playing off the deep threat of Pickens for good ROI.
Fantasy Football Week 13 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
17. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (at PHI): He should be quieted with the Eagles’ inside coverage rolling.
18. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (vs. MIA): He scored last week, but not much else happened, so no.
19. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (vs. CHI): He’s just not getting the looks from last season.
20. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (if he plays, vs. SF): Fred Warner is a tough draw, and we’ll see about the knee.
21. Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (at DET): Nyet on Kmet again because the Lions are nasty on tight ends.
22. Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (vs. TEN): The Titans are tough everywhere on receivers such as this.
Fantasy Football Week 13 Start ‘Em: Defense/special teams
Stronger starts
- Denver Broncos (vs. CLE)
- Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LV)
- Detroit Lions (vs. CHI)
- Minnesota Vikings (vs. ARI)
- Washington Commanders (vs. TEN)
- Houston Texans (at JAX)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (at CIN)
- Green Bay Packers (vs. MIA)
9. Los Angeles Rams (at NO): They should return to making more plays on the road while not facing the Eagles.
10. Dallas Cowboys (vs. NYG): They get Tommy DeVito to go after at home on a short week.
11. New York Giants (at DAL): Their defense is built well to handle the compressed offense around Cooper Rush.
12. Buffalo Bills (vs. SF): The 49ers face a tough road night game with Brock Purdy uncertain to go.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at CAR): The Panthers should make enough mistakes to make this a worthy back-end D.
14. Seattle Seahawks (at NYJ): They crushed the Cardinals at home last week, and they can take advantage of some Jets dysfunction.
DFS pick
Los Angeles Rams (at NO), $2,700 on DraftKings, $4,500 on FanDuel): The Eagles’ result will have many shying away, but the Saints on the road is a different story as the sacks and takeaways can happen to make them viable vs. Derek Carr.
Fantasy Football Week 13 Sit ‘Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
15. Los Angeles Chargers (at ATL): You can’t go here in a game that should have plenty of passing and points.
16. Arizona Cardinals (at MIN): The Cardinals aren’t good on the road defensively, either.
17. Cleveland Browns (at DEN): Not with the way Nix and the Broncos’ offense is performing at home.
18. Miami Dolphins (at GB): Love can turn it over, but the Dolphins also can get run over.
19. Philadelphia Eagles (at BAL): Find a big pivot this week vs. Lamar.
20. New York Jets (vs. SEA): They’re not trustworthy against better offenses.
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