Hey Nerds, Thanksgiving is right around the corner! In this Week 13 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, we break down the best fantasy football pickups to add after another chaotic week of roster reshuffling and injuries. Whether you’re managing a dynasty roster or fighting for a playoff position in redraft, this week’s waiver wire targets are here to help.
Missed last week’s pickups? Check out the Week 12 Waiver Wire, and be sure to read Week 13 Free Agent Trade Advice this Wednesday morning.
Go here if you want the quick-reference FAAB Guide.
All rostership percentages are based on 12-Team SuperFlex PPR dynasty leagues. Please note: At the time of this publication, all free agents were at or under 50% rostered in Sleeper dynasty leagues.
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Week 13 Quarterback Targets | Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups
Teddy Bridgewater | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 3% Rostership | 25% FAAB
The injuries continue to stack up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told reporters that QB Baker Mayfield “sprained his left shoulder and will undergo an MRI on Monday. If Mayfield misses any time, Teddy Bridgewater will be under center for the Bucs as they head back home to take on the Arizona Cardinals.
Davis Mills | Houston Texans | 46% Rostership | 5% FAAB
Davis Mills led the Houston Texans to a 3-0 record in the absence of C.J. Stroud. While it is possible Stroud will play in Week 13, Mills has proven to be a very competent backup and should be rostered.
Mason Rudolph | Pittsburgh Steelers | 28% Rostership | 2% FAAB
Mason Rudolph filled in for Aaron Rodgers, who wasn’t able to make enough progress in his recovery from a left wrist fracture to play Sunday. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Rodgers should be able to play next weekend against the Bills. This was probably a spot start for Rudolph and nothing more.
Tyrod Taylor | New York Jets | 50% Rostership | 50% FAAB
Tyrod Taylor has been named the New York Jets’ starting quarterback moving forward. This was a move that needed to be made, given Justin Fields’ struggles. Taylor has favorable upcoming matchups during the fantasy playoffs and would be a good QB3 on dynasty rosters. Taylor is my priority add among quarterbacks this week.
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Week 13 Running Back Targets | Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups
Chris Brooks | Green Bay Packers | 15% Rostership | 2% FAAB
Chris Brooks served as the backup to Emanuel Wilson as Josh Jacobs was ruled out with a knee injury. This may be a moot point, as Jacobs was close to playing but was unable to satisfy the team during pre-game warmups. Green Bay has a quick turnaround playing Detroit on Thanksgiving, so it’s possible Jacobs also misses that game.
Michael Carter | Arizona Cardinals | 49% Rostership | 3% FAAB
Michael Carter was out-touched by Zonovan Knight in Week 12, but was the more efficient running back. Trey Benson’s return is looming, which could limit Carter to the third-down receiving back in the offense moving forward. But until Benson is back active, Carter should be rostered.
Gary Brightwell | Cincinnati Bengals | 0% Rostership | 2% FAAB
With Samaje Perine and Tahj Brooks unlikely to play on Thanksgiving, Gary Brightwell is the next man up in the Bengals backfield to serve as the backup to Chase Brown.
Ty Johnson | Buffalo Bills | 44% Rostership | 3% FAAB
Ty Johnson still has failed to reach the 50% rostership for the entire fantasy season. Johnson has been the clear backup behind James Cook this season, primarily checking into the game on occasional passing downs. With the fantasy playoffs approaching, Johnson should be rostered, especially on teams with Cook.
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Week 13 Wide Receiver Targets | Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups
Greg Dortch | Arizona Cardinals | 47% Rostership | 3% FAAB
With Marvin Harrison sidelined for the second straight game, Greg Dortch emerged for his second six-target game with a touchdown. As long as Harrison is out of the lineup, look for Dortch target share to continue.
Isaiah Hodgins | New York Giants | 15% Rostership | 5% FAAB
Isaiah Hodgins makes the waiver wire column again after back-to-back six-target games. Hodgins’ increased volume last week was due to Darius Slayton’s absence. However, Slayton did play in Week 12, where Hodgins outtargeted and outproduced Slayton.
John Metchie | New York Jets | 47% Rostership | 25% FAAB
John Metchie continues to produce with the New York Jets as he has now had back-to-back games with a touchdown. In Week 12, Metchie led the Jets in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Much like his teammate Tyrod Taylor, Metchie has favorable matchups during the fantasy playoffs. Metchie is my priority add at the wide receiver position this week.
Xavier Restrepo | Tennessee Titans | 33% Rostership | 5% FAAB
Xavier Restrepo made his regular season debut after being elevated off the practice squad due to injuries in the Titans’ receiving core. Restrepo saw five targets but was only able to produce a stat line of two receptions for 26 receiving yards. Restrepo does have a rapport with Cam Ward, his college teammate, so he is worth the speculative add moving forward.
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Week 13 Tight End Targets | Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups
Taysom Hill | New Orleans Saints |38% Rostership | 3% FAAB
The Taysom Hill roller coaster ride is open for business in New Orleans. Hill can have boom weeks, but he can also have a fantasy floor as low as the Titanic. Whether you want to be a part of the roller coaster ride known as the “Taysom Hill Experience” is your decision.
Mike Gesicki | Cincinnati Bengals | 41% Rostership | 5% FAAB
On Sunday, Mike Gesicki returned from Injured Reserve and was tied for second on the team in targets with Tee Higgins, who left the game in the fourth quarter with a concussion. However, this was done in the absence of Ja’Marr Chase, who was serving a one-game suspension for spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and I don’t anticipate this production to be consistent moving forward. However, Gesicki is a tight end and has a pulse, so he is worth a speculative add, especially if Higgins misses time.
Brock Wright | Detroit Lions | 43% Rostership | 3% FAAB
With Sam LaPorta on the Injured Reserve, Brock Wright is the starting tight end in Detroit. While I don’t trust Wright as a reliable option, much like Mike Gesicki, Wright plays a position in fantasy where having a pulse is sometimes all you need.
Quick-Reference FAAB Guide | Week 13 Waiver Wire
| Player | Team | Rostership | Recommended FAAB | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrod Taylor | Jets | 50% | 15–25% | Locked-in starter with a friendly playoff schedule in SuperFlex. Priority add. |
| John Metchie | Jets | 47% | 20–30% | Back-to-back productive games. Clear playoff FLEX appeal. |
| Ty Johnson | Bills | 44% | 5–8% | Passing-down role with December relevance. Best RB stash for playoffs. |
| Isaiah Hodgins | Giants | 15% | 5–7% | Volume is stabilizing. Viable injury-based WR depth. |
| Greg Dortch | Cardinals | 47% | 3–5% | Target share rises when Marvin Harrison Jr. is out. Short-term WR3/FLEX. |
| Chris Brooks | Packers | 15% | 2–4% | Only if Josh Jacobs misses more time. Emergency depth. |
| Michael Carter | Cardinals | 49% | 3–5% | Temporary usage until Trey Benson returns. PPR-only. |
| Mason Rudolph | Steelers | 28% | 1–2% | One-week emergency start if Rodgers’ status shifts. |
| Davis Mills | Texans | 46% | 3–5% | Startable only if Stroud sits. Depth QB. |
| Xavier Restrepo | Titans | 33% | 1–3% | Target-based stash. Has rapport with Cam Ward. |
| Mike Gesicki | Bengals | 41% | 3–5% | Temporary spike tied to Higgins injury + Chase’s status. TE depth. |
| Brock Wright | Lions | 43% | 2–3% | Sam LaPorta’s fill-in. Desperation TE streamer. |
Over 50% Rostered Waiver Wire Players | Week 13 Fantasy Football
Other players who are great waiver wire additions but have over 50% rostership include: Tank Bigsby, Isaiah Bond, Jacoby Brissett, Kirk Cousins, Isaiah Davis, Chimere Dike, Gunnar Helm, Mack Hollins, Andrei Iosivas, Theo Johnson, Christian Kirk, Zonovan Knight, Tyler Lockett, Adonai Mitchell, Keaton Mitchell, Devin Neal, Shedeur Sanders, Tyler Shough, Devin Singletary, Brashard Smith, Brenton Strange, and Jameis Winston
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🧠 Week 13 Waiver Wire FAQ
Q: Who is the top waiver wire pickup for fantasy playoffs in Week 13?
A: John Metchie profiles as the top overall add. He has back-to-back touchdown games, leads the Jets in recent targets, and has a playoff schedule that lines up with FLEX-worthy usage.
Q: Which running back should I prioritize for playoff depth in Week 13?
A: Ty Johnson is the most reliable playoff stash. He’s maintained a steady role behind James Cook, plays passing downs, and offers plug-in FLEX value if game scripts tilt toward more receiving work in December.
Q: Is Tyrod Taylor worth starting during the fantasy playoffs?
A: Tyrod Taylor is a viable SuperFlex starter. He now has job security, favorable fantasy playoff matchups, and a stable floor thanks to his mobility.
Q: Should I stash a tight end for the playoffs, or stream weekly?
A: Stashing makes sense this week. Mike Gesicki and Brock Wright both offer short-term roles tied to injuries and could provide emergency playoff depth at the thinnest position in fantasy.
Q: Are any WR breakout candidates worth grabbing before the playoffs begin?
A: Isaiah Hodgins and Greg Dortch are the cleanest pre-playoff stashes. Both have earned stable target shares tied to injuries ahead of them on the depth chart.
Q: Which over-50% rostered players should I check for in case they were dropped before the fantasy playoffs?
A: Start with Tank Bigsby, Jacoby Brissett, Christian Kirk, Gunnar Helm, Isaiah Davis, and Shedeur Sanders. All are common drops who can help immediately in playoff matchups.
