Week 12 of the 2018 NFL season is in the books, and that means it’s time to look at waiver wire pickups and free agent adds for Week 13. The percentages next to a player’s name explain what percentage of an FAAB budget should go toward that player on a waiver claim in a 12-team PPR format.
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson (BAL, 3-5%)
If the rookie out of Louisville is still sitting on your league’s waiver wire, it’s time to pick him up. He has run for 190 yards on 27 carries through two games. That kind of volume is unheard of for a quarterback and makes him a QB1 as long as he is healthy. He has topped 16 fantasy points in each of his two starts despite having only one touchdown. Joe Flacco’s possible return from injury clouds Jackson’s outlook, but he is a top-12 option assuming he operates as Baltimore’s starting quarterback moving forward.
Running Back
T.J. Yeldon and Carlos Hyde (JAX, 6-8%)
It’s a one-week rental, but many fantasy owners need a win this week to make the playoffs. With Leonard Fournette suspended, Carlos Hyde and T.J. Yeldon will share work in the backfield in Week 13, and both are startable options. Yeldon has operated as the pass-catching back for Jacksonville for most of the year, so he has more value in PPR formats, but expect Hyde to get the goal line touches given his larger frame.
Nyheim Hines (IND, 6-8%)
Marlon Mack exited during the second half of the Colts’ win over Miami, and rookie scatback Nyheim Hines is next in line in the event that Mack misses time. It’s unclear if the Colts expect Mack to clear concussion protocol before next week, but Hines becomes an RB2 candidate if he can not go, especially in PPR formats. Hines had 35 targets through the first five weeks of the season, but his role has dwindled since Mack’s midseason return. If Mack is sidelined once again, Hines is a must-play in PPR formats.
Rex Burkhead (NE, 4-6%)
During the second half of last season, Rex Burkhead was the main goal line back in New England and had the third-highest slot rate among wide receivers, and he scored eight times in New England’s high-powered offense. Now, eight touchdowns on 94 touchdowns is not sustainable and Sony Michel has emerged as the Patriots’ first- and second-down back this year, but Burkhead is an able receiver and the Patriots’ offense offers plenty of fantasy points to go around. He’s more of a speculative add than an immediate start, but he has flex upside if he can regain a role in the New England backfield.
Wide Receiver
Chris Godwin (TB, 4-6%)
The wide receiver options are not great this week, but Chris Godwin is intriguing if DeSean Jackson is sidelined with the thumb ailment that caused him to see a specialist on Monday.
Tight Ends
C.J. Uzomah (CIN, 1-3%)
C.J. Uzomah saw eight targets after Jeff Driskel subbed in for Andy Dalton against the Browns, and that kind of volume is interesting regardless of who is playing quarterback. He won’t get eight targets per week, but if he can establish himself as one of Driskel’s favorite targets, Uzomah could be a top 12 tight end the rest of the season.
No Comment! Be the first one.