NFL Waiver Wire: Week 13 Pickups

We get a nice three-game slate on Turkey Day (including my Bills), so it's a quick turnaround in the NFL this week. Some of last week's selections panned out well with Sam Darnold, Bo Scarbrough, James Washington and Jonathan Williams having good weeks. This week there's some interesting selections and we're finally past the bye weeks. Warning: wide receiver is thin on the waiver wire this week.

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

PRIMARY TARGETS

Ryan Tannehill, TEN - First, he's helped by a vicious running attack with Derrick Henry who looks like a man among boys on the football field. Next, I'm going to plagiarize this line from RotoWire colleague Chris Liss: "What if Ryan Tannehill was always good, but just playing in a terrible situation the first seven years of his career?" Tannehill has been a fantasy monster with games of at least 20.8 fantasy points (and as high at 37) in each of his last five contests. The key is he's been using his legs to gain valuable rushing stats and should continue to do so. FAAB: $6-$12

SECONDARY TARGETS

Andy Dalton, CIN - Dalton was named the starter Monday, and one has to wonder if the Bengals would have won either of their last two games had Dalton started. This should be an upgrade at quarterback for the Bengals, who have a decent home matchup against the Jets this week. The Jets allow the 11th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and have struggled playing on the road this season. FAAB: $4-$8

Devlin Hodges, PIT - The Steelers have had enough of Captain Checkdown (Mason Rudolph) and appear to be ready to give Hodges a chance at the starting job. Hodges connected with James Washington for a long touchdown and immediately showed a willingness to go down the field with the football. The Browns allow the 12th-most fantasy points to quarterback.  FAAB: $3-$6

HAIL MARY

Gardner Minshew, JAC - Are we sure  Nick Foles is a better quarterback that Minshew Mania? This is a proactive move for super-flex and two-quarterback leagues as Foles' doesn't appear to have a long leash. While it's a limited sample, Minshew's 7.4 YPA is much better Foles' 6.2 YPA. Minshew scored at least 18.9 fantasy points in eight of his nine games this season, and chances are either he or Foles will be dealt this offseason. FAAB: $1-$2

RUNNING BACK

PRIMARY TARGETS

Rashaad Penny, SEA - Chris Carson has had issues hanging onto the football and that might have played a role in Penny getting a season-high 14 carries Sunday. He parlayed the extra touches into 129 rushing yards including a long, bruising touchdown run. While it's tough to predict how coach Pete Carroll will divide the touches, it would seem the worst-case scenario for Penny would be an even split with Carson. Playing with a running quarterback helps and Penny averages a whopping 5.9 yards per carry this season. He should be the top add in most leagues given his pedigree (first-round pick) and the upside of the Seattle offense. FAAB: $25-plus

Bo Scarbrough, DET - Scarbrough is a repeat recommendation this week after being highlighted last week because he's only 43 percent owned in Yahoo leagues. He's not available in my Yahoo leagues, but it's worth taking a peak to see if he's still sitting on the waiver wire in yours. He saw his carries increase from 14 to 18 last wekk and will be the main ball carrier for the Lions the rest of the season. Go get him if he's available. FAAB: $25-plus

Benny Snell, PIT - With James Conner out with a shoulder injury and Jaylen Samuels used more as a receiver, Snell got the early down work for the Steelers Sunday finishing with 21 carries for 98 yards along with a five-yard catch. Penny is the more desirable option between the two given his situation should be permanent while Conner should return at some point. That point doesn't sound like it'll be this week, though, putting Snell in line for the lion's share of carries. FAAB: $20-plus

SECONDARY TARGETS

Darrel Williams, KC - It's been a minute but do we all remember Damien Williams leaving the Chiefs' last game with a chest/rib injury? LeSean McCoy isn't capable of handling a full workload and there's a chance the Darrel has a significant role this week as a result. Darrel is capable of handling all three downs and already has games of 13.4, 19.1 and 11.3 fantasy points under his belt this season. It's a great home matchup this week against a Raiders team that has been on the road the last two weeks and has played much better at home. FAAB: $4-$8

HAIL MARY

Qadree Ollison, ATL - Full disclosure here: I have a soft spot for Ollison, who played high school ball for Canisius High School with my wife's cousin as the starting left tackle. They went 9-0 that season and unfortunately couldn't play for a state title at that time. Qadree has secured himself as the goal-line back, scoring a touchdown in each of the last two weeks, but Devonta Freeman could be back this week after going through a walk-through Monday with the team. FAAB: $1-$2

WIDE RECEIVER

SECONDARY TARGETS

A.J. Brown, TEN - Honestly, it's tough to trust any of the Titans' receivers given their low floors week in and week out. Brown showed his explosive ability Sunday with 5-4-135-, but he's also had less than 10 fantasy points in seven of his 11 games this season. That said, he's clearly out-produced teammate Corey Davis and is the top receiving option in this offense. FAAB: $4-$8

Mecole Hardman, KC - Like Darrel Williams, Hardman might be flying under the radar coming off his bye week but is at home with a great matchup this week. The Raiders were just destroyed by the Jets and their pass defense allows the ninth-most fantasy points to  wide receivers. Hardman is a "boom-or-bust" type of player, but the "boom" seems more likely for this week. FAAB: $3-$6

TIGHT ENDS

PRIMARY TARGETS

Jack Doyle, IND - Eric Ebron was placed on IR on Monday, leaving Doyle as the top tight end for the Colts. Oddly, their production this season was similar (30-304-3 for Doyle vs. 31-375-3 for Ebron), and while Mo Alie-Cox might get more work, it'll likely be Doyle who benefits the most from the Ebron injury. FAAB: $6-$12

SECONDARY TARGETS

David Njoku, CLE - There's a pretty narrow receiving tree in Cleveland, but that could expand a bit with the return of Njoku. He's not a lock to return this week but should be back soon now that he's off the IR. He's going to see soft coverage over the middle with Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham working the outsides. Still just 23, there's a ton of upside with Njoku provided he's back to being completely healthy. FAAB: $4-$8

DEFENSE

SECONDARY TARGETS

Carolina Panthers D/ST - Carolina is the team to stream this week with a plus home matchup with the Washington Redskins and Dwayne Haskins. While Haskins won Sunday, he's been sacked 13 times, allowed two interceptions and fumbled three times. The Redskins allow the sixth-most fantasy points to defenses. FAAB: $3-$6