Welcome to my fantasy waiver wire breakdown ahead of Week 13.
This breakdown is not a “one size fits all” kind of thing. Every league is different, and I don’t know the situation you’re in. I can’t tell you how much you should bid on any given player.
If you’re 9-3 and stacked at running back, you don’t need to spend big on a player who might only be relevant for a few games. If you're 5-7 and fighting for your life, go get him!
The point of this breakdown and my analysis is to give you the tools to make the best decision possible. I’ll provide as much detail as I can and encourage everyone to subscribe to my weekly rankings and check those on Wednesday night.
Most importantly, use my rankings for the week to see where I have everyone ranked. It’s 100% the best way to see how I view their short-term value.
QB Jordan Love
He's coming off three multi-touchdown games in a row and trending up. It’s nice to see Christian Watson finally play up to his potential, as well.
Love opens the week as my QB19 in a tougher matchup against the Chiefs. I view him as a solid 2QB/Superflex option, but he’s probably not an option in 1QB leagues yet.
QB Gardner Minshew
He’s a streaming option in 1QB leagues with six teams on bye. Zero TD passes in two straight games is a concern, but he has a pass-funnel matchup against the Titans. Minshew opens as my QB13.
QB Kenny Pickett
It was a breakout game for Pickett after Matt Canada's firing, and that’s not a coincidence, but it was another game with no passing touchdowns. A matchup against the Cardinals puts him into the streaming discussion, but I think it’ll be another game for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
RB Chuba Hubbard
Miles Sanders was able to make this more of a 50/50 backfield, but Hubbard is getting most of the passing-down work, which is the more valuable role on a team that will be trailing in most games. Hubbard is still an RB3/Flex option with upside if he can pull away from Sanders again.
RB Rico Dowdle
He’s available in too many leagues considering he’s a Tony Pollard injury away from offering clear RB2 value.
If you are a lock for the playoffs, it does you no good to be grabbing short-term value on the waiver wire. Stash Dowdle for his upside if you have the space while he is free.
WR Josh Downs
Grab Downs if he’s available. He opens the week as my WR24 and should offer WR3/Flex value for the rest of season. It's rare to find someone like that at WR; he's still available in 42% of leagues.
WR Jayden Reed
The Packers' WR room could get a bit crowded when Dontayvion Wicks returns, but Reed has carved out his slot role already. I speculated that Green Bay could use him as "Dollar Store" Deebo Samuel, especially with Aaron Jones out, and that’s exactly what happened.
Reed gives the Packers a dynamic running option with Aaron Jones out and we may see him get 2-3 rush attempts per game moving forward. He’s a low-end WR3 with some upside.
TE Pat Freiermuth
He had a massive 9/120/0 line in the first game without Matt Canada. Freiermuth is back in the low-end TE1 mix.
TE Isaiah Likely
The Ravens are on bye, so Likely might get dropped. If you’re in the market for a potential rest-of-season TE1, keep an eye out for him to hit the waiver wire and scoop him up.
Likely had an 83% routes run rate in his first game without Mark Andrews. There could be big games on the horizon.
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