Week 13 fantasy football waiver wire: Stroud's return adds to Higgins' rising mojo
See which players are worth adding to your fantasy football roster ahead of Week 13's action.
All NFL teams are playing this Thanksgiving week, but it’s still shaping up to be a busy Week 13 on the wire, thanks to a new batch of injuries and key players returning. Alvin Kamara’s knee sprain adds to the uncertainty currently plaguing the running back position, with Josh Jacobs and others potentially sitting out again. Meanwhile, rookie receiver Jayden is breaking out, and just in time for C.J. Stroud’s likely return to the field.
With only one more regular-season week left for many leagues, these Week 13 pickups could be the difference between making the playoffs or missing out. Below are the top players to target ahead of Week 12 — plus FAAB recommendations and matchup context for each position.
P.S. — Please travel safely this Thanksgiving, and be nice to your family, even if they don’t deserve it! Hope it’s a good one.
Current ownership percentage based on Yahoo fantasy football leagues at the time of publishing.
Week 13 waiver wire cheatsheet
🤕 Week 13 pain index
Quarterbacks to add in Week 13
C.J. Stroud (HOU) — Streamer
36% owned
Stroud averaged 256 yards and 2.3 passing TDs in the four games before his injury and is expected back in Week 13. With Nico Collins, Dalton Schultz, and emerging rookie Jayden Higgins, Houston’s passing game is quietly improving at the perfect time. He was a top-12 QB in two of his past three starts and now faces the Colts and Chiefs in likely high-scoring matchups. Not an elite option, but clearly the top available streamer this week. FAAB: 5%
Others to stream: Trevor Lawrence (JAC); Aaron Rodgers (PIT)
Running backs to add in Week 13
Kyle Monangai (CHI) — Top Priority
56% owned
Monangai continues to be a major part of Chicago’s offense, leading the backfield in snaps (56%), carries (12), and routes while scoring his fourth TD of the season. He now has 17 red-zone carries since Week 9 and has scored in three straight games. He’s the preferred handcuff to D’Andre Swift — and a borderline RB1 when Swift misses time, as we saw in Week 9 (176 yards, RB3 finish). An immediate flex with upside to be a real difference-maker down the stretch. FAAB: 12–15%
Devin Neal (NO) — Streamer
3% owned
With Alvin Kamara suffering an MCL sprain, Neal was thrust into a workhorse role, playing 74% of snaps and racking up 61 total yards on 12 touches, including five receptions for 43 yards. The Saints’ upcoming schedule (Dolphins, Buccaneers, Panthers, Jets, Titans) is among the softest for RBs. While Taysom Hill will mix in, Neal profiles as a volume-based RB3 with RB2 upside, especially in PPR formats. FAAB: 10–12%
Others to stream: Chris Rodriguez Jr. (WAS); Kenneth Gainwell (PIT)
Others to stash: Tank Bigsby (PHI)
Wide receivers to add in Week 13
Jayden Higgins (HOU) — Top Priority
22% owned
Higgins has been a top-36 WR in four of his last five and now looks like the clear No. 2 behind Nico Collins. He’s earned at least seven targets in five straight games, scoring in three of them. With Stroud returning, Higgins’ value spikes as Houston enters matchups that could turn into shootouts. He’s a rest-of-season WR3/Flex with room to grow. FAAB: 10–12%
Chimere Dike (TEN) — Streamer
14% owned
Dike stepped up as Tennessee’s WR1 with Calvin Ridley out and Elic Ayomanor sidelined, posting 5/44/1 on seven targets, his third double-digit fantasy game in five weeks. It’s impossible to trust the Titans’ offense weekly, but Dike is clearly Cam Ward’s favorite target, giving him volatile WR4/Flex appeal. FAAB: 5–8%
Others to stream: Christian Watson (GB); Troy Franklin (DEN)
Others to stash: Jayden Reed (GB)
Tight ends to add in Week 13
Coleston Loveland (CHI) — Streamer
43% owned
Loveland keeps producing — 14.9 points in Week 12, his third TD of the year — and has posted 40+ yards in three straight games. His 12+ yards per catch over the past five weeks highlight his big-play ability, and even with the Eagles matchup being tough, he remains a weekly low-end TE1 with a massive ceiling (as seen in Week 9’s 118-yard, 2-TD blowup). FAAB: 5–8%
Others to stream: Brenton Strange (JAC); Harold Fannin (CLE)
D/STs to add in Week 13
Chargers (LAC) — Streamer
40% owned
Back from their bye, the Chargers has a beautiful matchup: the Raiders, who just gave up 10 sacks to the Browns and fired their offensive coordinator. Los Angeles has one of the highest floors of any Week 13 D/ST thanks to Vegas’ turnover issues and bottom-five scoring offense. FAAB: 1–2%
Others to stream: Falcons (ATL); Jaguars (JAC)
Kickers to add in Week 13
Will Lutz (DEN) — Streamer
40% owned
Fresh off a 5-field-goal performance (AFC Special Teams Player of the Week), Lutz draws Washington — one of the best matchups for opposing kickers (22-of-24 FGs allowed). Denver’s offense stalls frequently in scoring range, giving Lutz a perfect blend of volume and reliability for Week 13. FAAB: 1–2%
Others to stream: Ka’imi Fairbairn (HOU); Andy Borregales (NE)