NFL Waiver Wire: Week 13 Pickups

After the early games Sunday it seemed as if the waiver wire was going to be pretty thin this week. Fast forward to Monday night and after injury updates (many out for the season), personnel changes and suspensions, there are now quite a few players to consider. Remember that the suggested FAAB prices are just that: suggested. Adjust accordingly based on your league and the amount of FAAB still left for your team.

If there are questions about the players mentioned or in general, feel free to hit up the comments section.

This Week's Byes: Done!



This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. 

QUARTERBACK

Secondary Targets

Jeff Driskel, CIN - Andy Dalton is out for the season with a thumb injury, meaning it's Driskel's show to run for the Bengals. He has some upside with his rushing ability; in limited work he's already scored two rushing touchdowns this season. He passed the eye test in relief of Dalton on Sunday, finishing with 18.7 fantasy points. What's more, A.J. Green should return soon and both Tyler Boyd and John Ross are having nice breakout campaigns. FAAB: $3-$6

Cody Kessler, JAC - Not only did Jacksonville fire its offensive coordinator Monday, but it also benched Blake Bortles and turned the keys of the offense over to Cody Kessler. It's hard to imagine the Jaguars suddenly becoming a pass-heavy team, so even without Leonard Fournette this week they'll lean heavily on Carlos Hyde. Kessler had a respectable 7.1 YPA with a 6:2 TD: INT ratio his rookie season in Cleveland, so there's a legit chance he has more success than Bortles had. That said, his ceiling is limited, and Driskel (above) is a much better quarterback to target. FAAB: $2-$4

Hail Mary

C.J. Beathard, SF - It sounds as if the Nick Mullens experiment might be over soon in San Francisco after two bad games against bad defenses (NYG, TB). In his first three starts earlier this year, Beathard scored 24.8, 32.2 and 22.4 fantasy points in standard formats before a disappointing pair of games and an injury opened the door for Mullens to start. Like Driskel, Beathard will run more than the average quarterback, adding to his fantasy value. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Mullens will start this week, but if it turns out to be a disaster (in Seattle) a change could be made as soon as next week. FAAB: $1 or FCFS

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Carlos Hyde, JAC - This is a skeptical add based on the possibility Leonard Fournette is suspended for punching Shaq Lawson in the head in what has to be considered an attempt to break his hand. The NFL suspended Fournette one game Monday, which he immediately appealed. It's likely Fournette misses this weekend's game with the Colts, who have been pretty solid against the run but have a short week. Just remember Hyde is a one-week rental.FAAB: $5-$10

Secondary Targets

Rex Burkhead, NE - Burkhead will return this week from IR and should carve out some type of role in the Patriot's backfield. It's hard to tell how he'll be used, but it would make sense for Sony Michel to keep his role as the early down back (maybe conceding a few carries to Burkhead) and James White to continue being the pass-catching back (maybe conceding a few targets to Burkhead). The Patriots' backfield has been fruitful to fantasy owners, so it's possible Burkhead could make an impact from here on. FAAB: $3-$6

Nyheim Hines, Jordan Wilkins, IND - It's uncertain if Marlon Mack will miss time with a concussion he suffered Sunday. If he ends up sitting out, teammates Hines and Wilkins will get a nice fantasy boost as the Colts take on the Jaguars. Hines got all of the carries after Mack left the game, so he appears to be the more desirable of the two. Just remember Mack hasn't been ruled out yet and the Jaguars have a good run defense. FAAB: Hines $3-$6; Wilkins $2-$4

Doug Martin, OAK - It's hard to trust Martin on a week-to-week basis especially since the game flow (the Raiders being behind usually) doesn't suggest he'll get a lot of carries in the second halves of games. He had a nice line in Baltimore on Sunday (11-54-1 on the ground, 3-21 receiving) and has had double-digit carries in five consecutive games. He's probably a decent flex play this week with a good home matchup against the Chiefs, who have struggled against defending the running back spot. He barely makes the cut this week being 47 percent owned in Yahoo fantasy leagues. FAAB: $2-$4

Hail Mary

Justin Jackson, LAC - It looks as if Melvin Gordon will miss some time with a variety of ailments, leaving the door open for Austin Ekeler to take over as the main ballcarrier. This means Jackson will move into the backup role and likely get a few touches when Ekeler needs a breather. If Ekeler is available (owned in 69 percent of Yahoo formats) by all means dump as much FAAB as needed to get him. Jackson holds a ton of Northwestern records and over his career there had more than 6,000 yards from scrimmage, showing upside if he gets a chance. FAAB: $1-$2

WIDE RECEIVERS

Secondary Targets

Adam Humphries, TB - With all the big names in Tampa Bay, it seems like Humphries gets lost in the shuffle but does nothing but produce. In standard scoring he has double-digit fantasy points in three of his last four games, and in PPR formats he has double-digits in five of his last seven. Tampa Bay will continue to throw a lot with one of the worst defenses in football, helping the fantasy value for everyone involved with the passing game. FAAB: $3-$6

Josh Doctson, WAS - Doctson appears to have a good rapport with Colt McCoy and now has 17 targets in his last two games. Doctson (6-foot-2, 202) is the most talented of the Washington wide receivers and is a 2016 first-round pick who is only in his third year in the league. This week he becomes a viable option against the Eagles, who have seen their decimated by injuries. FAAB: $2-$4

Hail Mary

TIGHT END

Secondary Targets

Rhett Ellison, NYG - It would have been nice if the Giants let everyone know that Evan Engram was injured in the pre-game warmup and would be out for the clash with the Eagles. Ellison filled in nicely, finishing with 6-4-77 line and would be an interesting addition if Engram misses any time. Earlier this season when Engram left early Week 3, Ellison scored a touchdown in relief and had eight targets the next two games while Engram was out. FAAB: $2-$4, if Engram misses time

Hail Mary

Matt LaCosse, DEN - LaCosse scored his first career touchdown Sunday and will now be the top tight end option in Denver with Jeff Heuerman out for the season. LaCosse has gotten a couple targets since Week 5, and Heuerman leaves behind 5.9 targets per game. He'll be valuable in leagues that start two tight ends and is an ample replacement if you lost Heuerman, Engram or Jack Doyle this week. FAAB: $1 or FCFS