Six teams on a bye creates interesting possibilities in Week 13. Let’s get right to it. NFL daily fantasy odds are via FanDuel.
QB: Tua Tagovailoa @ WAS ($8,400)
Tua Tagovailoa is appropriately priced with the second-highest salary on FanDuel, but he might be worth the cost to utilize versus the shaky Commanders pass defense that Dak Prescott just torched on Thanksgiving. The danger is that Miami runs into the end zone for a few scores, but there’s undoubtedly overall QB1 potential for Tua on the road.
RB: Jahmyr Gibbs @ NO ($7,700)
The Packers bottled up Jahmyr Gibbs on his 15 touches last week, but the touches are encouraging. The Saints just gave up two touchdowns to fellow rookie Bijan Robinson last Sunday, and the receiving touchdown on a route out of the backfield is the type of play that Gibbs can excel at—and it would be shocking if offensive coordinator Ben Johnson doesn’t give Gibbs opportunities for similar chunk plays.
RB: Jaylen Warren vs. ARI ($6,500)
Because Jaylen Warren didn’t have a strong outing statistically last week, you can potentially get him at a great price in Week 13 daily fantasy lineups. Kyren Williams put up over 200 total yards and two touchdowns on Arizona last week, and Christian McCaffrey racked up over 45 fantasy points on the Cardinals defense. Warren’s propensity to break off huge gains makes him an appealing high-ceiling play.
WR: Tyreek Hill @ WAS ($10,000)
The Commanders have been destroyed by receivers this season, including D.J. Moore going over 200 yards and three touchdowns and A.J. Brown totaling 305 yards and four touchdowns in two matchups. There’s definite 40-point upside from Tyreek Hill, who is attempting to hit 2,000 receiving yards this year.
WR: Jaylen Waddle @ WAS ($7,800)
It makes sense to consider stacking much of Miami’s passing attack by also using Jaylen Waddle in a build. Waddle caught all eight of his targets for 114 yards in a much tougher matchup against the Jets on Black Friday, so he’s in a good spot to stay hot taking on Washington.
WR: Jonathan Mingo @ TB ($5,400)
In this lineup featuring high spending on a few of the top options from the Miami offense, you’ll need to find some low-cost complementary pieces. Jonathan Mingo caught four passes for 60 yards last week against the Titans, and the Bucs have allowed the second-most passing yards per game in the league. Perhaps the offensive coordinator change will lead to more usage for Mingo, who has six-plus targets in each of his past three outings.
TE: Juwan Johnson vs. DET ($4,900)
Travis Kelce is off the main slate while playing in this week’s Sunday Night Football game, so tight end is a bit thinner this week. Juwan Johnson, who could easily lead the Saints in targets, gets a plus matchup facing a Lions team giving up the third-most fantasy points per game to the position. Injuries hurt Johnson early this season, but he’s a potential major value in DFS lineups for Week 13.
FLEX: Zack Moss @ TEN ($5,600)
Jonathan Taylor’s thumb injury allows you to get a potential workhorse running back at a major discount this Sunday. Zack Moss is still in the top ten in rushing this season and has done an excellent job of filling in for Taylor when necessary, and he already stung the Titans for a 23/165/2 line on the ground in early October.
D/ST: Rams vs. CLE ($3,700)
If you want to save a decent amount on a D/ST this week, the Rams might be the best pick at a $3,700 salary. Despite no high point totals from a fantasy perspective, they’ve quietly played well all year. There’s upside versus the Browns if they can stop the run.
Remaining salary: $0
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Other recommended Week 13 options
QB: Brock Purdy @ PHI ($7,800)
RB: Rachaad White vs. CAR ($7,500)
RB: De’Von Achane @ WAS ($7,400)
WR: Brandon Aiyuk @ PHI ($8,000)
WR: DeVonta Smith vs. SF ($7,700)
TE: David Njoku @ LAR ($5,600)