Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 13

Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone will run down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. FAAB bids are set off a $100 budget. Only players owned in less than 60 percent of leagues are considered.

Fantasy Podcast: Week 12 takeaways, early look at waiver wire

Quarterbacks

Jameis Winston, Buccaneers

We've established that you can't trust Winston as a fantasy starter, but that doesn't mean you can't play him. The ceiling for the Bucs quarterback has been high all season, and we saw Winston deliver in Week 12 with 312 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 24 rushing yards. Most importantly, he didn't turn the ball over. Next up is another favorable matchup against a Panthers defense that's bottom 10 in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. Just know, while he might finish as the highest-scoring fantasy player in a given week, he also could be benched before halftime. That's the gamble with Jameis.

Lamar Jackson, Ravens

A week after Jackson threw for 150 yards but ran 27 times for 117 yards, the Ravens clearly wanted their rookie quarterback to prove himself as a passer. Jackson only carried the ball twice in first half, but with the team needing a win, it unleashed him over the final two quarters, resulting in another solid fantasy day of 178 passing yards and one passing touchdown (but two picks), as well as 71 yards and a score on the ground. Joe Flacco is pushing to return to practice this week, which will force Baltimore to make a decision. Jackson still has a lot to learn, but he's given this offense a new dimension while helping kick-start the rushing attack. With an easy schedule moving forward, Jackson will be a borderline QB1 with plenty of upside - if he retains the starting job.

Other options: Dak Prescott vs. NO (47 percent owned), Marcus Mariota vs. NYJ (32 percent owned), Case Keenum at CIN (16 percent owned)

Running Backs

Josh Adams, Eagles

Austin Ekeler (70 percent owned) and Gus Edwards (63 percent owned) don't make the 60 percent qualifier for this list, but surprisingly, Adams still does. After the coaching staff talked him up in consecutive weeks, Adams saw a season-high 22 carries, rushing for 84 yards and a touchdown. And to further drive home the fact that Adams is the lead back in Philly, head coach Doug Pederson said the team wants to get him even more work in future games. As it was mentioned in last week's waiver wire column, Adams is an RB2 the rest of the way. If he's still out there in your league, he's worth whatever you have left in your FAAB budget. With this being the final week of the regular season in most fantasy leagues, there's no reason to hold back your waiver dollars now.

Justin Jackson, Chargers

With Melvin Gordon sidelined at least a few weeks with a Grade-2 MCL sprain, Jackson will have value playing alongside Ekeler. Since Ekeler is owned in most leagues, fantasy owners can pivot to Jackson, who ran the ball seven times for 57 yards on Sunday. The seventh-rounder was a workhorse in college and has a nice size-speed combination. He's capable of taking on as much as the Chargers want to give him, which could be a lot over the next month if Gordon remains out. A safe projection has the rookie averaging 7-12 touches and landing in the RB3/Flex range, though the opportunity is there for him to assume a larger role if he outplays Ekeler.

Theo Riddick/LeGarrette Blount, Lions

A sprained knee kept Kerryon Johnson on the sidelines for the Thanksgiving Day game and allowed Blount to show he still had something left in the tank. The veteran rumbled through a tough Bears front, amassing 103 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. Riddick stayed active as a pass-catcher, totaling 60 yards. With Johnson's availability for this week and beyond still uncertain, Blount and Riddick are in the mix as RB3/Flex options. Riddick is the superior PPR play while Blount is the unquestioned goal-line back. If Johnson is inactive against the Rams, Riddick will have a busy day with the Lions trying to keep up with Sean McVay's high-powered offense.

Nyheim Hines/Jordan Wilkins, Colts

Marlon Mack is in the concussion protocol, leaving his status for Sunday's game up in the air. The Jaguars have been strong against the run, but they also just watched their playoffs hopes all but disappear with a loss to the Bills. Meanwhile, the Colts are surging and their offense won't be downgraded much by this matchup. It's possible Mack gets cleared in time to suit up, but if he doesn't, Hines and Wilkins will split snaps. Hines is the more dynamic weapon, though the Colts aren't likely to give him a massive touch count. Wilkins is a physical runner who was playing better recently before a lost fumble in Week 12. Much like Riddick and Blount, they'll be ranked as RB3/Flex plays.

Frank Gore, Dolphins

Gore's upside is limited, but he's seeing a higher volume of touches than teammate Kenyan Drake has over the last month. That could be due to the shoulder injury Drake has been playing through. Head coach Adam Gase said Drake won't face contact in practice this week while they try to get him as healthy as possible for Sunday. As home favorites, the Dolphins have a chance to control the game against the Bills, which would improve Gore's fantasy outlook. He's not an exciting player to start, but if there was ever a week to use him, it's now.

Rex Burkhead, Patriots

Fresh off injured reserve, Burkhead returns to a Patriots backfield that seems to be set with Sony Michel as the main ball carrier and James White as the receiving threat. Burkhead could complicate that arrangement, but that's not why he's worth adding. Michel has dealt with a variety of injuries this year and was nearly forced from last week's game when he got bent in half by defenders. If the rookie's ailments get the best of him down the stretch, Burkhead would have league-winning potential.

Carlos Hyde, Jaguars

Leonard Fournette is facing a one-game suspension from the league for his role in the sideline fight during the Jaguars-Bills game. Fournette will likely appeal the suspension, so he might end up delaying or avoiding a ban entirely. If he is required to sit out, T.J. Yeldon (60 percent owned) would lead the backfield in touches as a borderline RB2, with Hyde serving in a complementary role. Unfortunately, with the injuries that have ravaged the Jaguars' offensive line, it'll be hard to have much confidence in Yeldon or Hyde.

Other options: Malcolm Brown at DET (8 percent owned), Spencer Ware at OAK (8 percent owned), Jaylen Samuels vs. LAC (6 percent owned), Giovani Bernard vs. DEN (29 percent owned), Chris Thompson at PHI (44 percent owned), Doug Martin vs. KC (47 percent owned), Jalen Richard vs. KC (42 percent owned), Royce Freeman at CIN (52 percent owned), Elijah McGuire at TEN (14 percent owned), Rashaad Penny vs. SF (38 percent owned), Ty Montgomery at ATL (9 percent owned)

Wide Receivers

Courtland Sutton, Broncos

Sutton is coming off a down week, but prior to that, he had 50 yards or a touchdown in seven straight games. His remaining schedule features the Bengals, 49ers, Browns, and Raiders. There's no reason for him to be on the free-agent market in your league.

Josh Reynolds, Rams

Reynolds is coming off bye, so people may have forgotten about his six-catch, 80-yard, one-touchdown performance in the Rams' shootout win over the Chiefs. It's a glimpse of what he can do the rest of the season while filling in for Cooper Kupp. The offense will continue to revolve around Todd Gurley, Robert Woods, and Brandin Cooks, but Reynolds and tight end Gerald Everett have the talent to be significant contributors, especially around the end zone.

Chris Godwin/Adam Humphries, Buccaneers

DeSean Jackson is visiting a specialist to get a second opinion on his hand/thumb injury. That sounds ominous, considering we saw a similar situation play out with O.J. Howard before the tight end was placed on injured reserve. Humphries and Godwin are both intriguing pickups, but if Jackson misses time, their respective values skyrocket. Humphries has 76 yards or a touchdown in five of his last seven games and is proving himself as a worthwhile weekly WR3. Godwin's loaded potential can only be unlocked with more targets, and an injury to Jackson would help provide that.

Tre'Quan Smith, Saints

Smith wasn't able to follow up his 157-yard, one-touchdown game due to a foot injury that kept him off the field in Week 12. He was back at practice on Monday, which is a great sign for his availability heading into the Thursday nighter. The Cowboys' outside corners are a challenging matchup for Smith, but the speedster should benefit from the game being played in a dome, where Drew Brees tends to have the most success. Smith also has favorable opponents coming up in the Bucs, Panthers, and Steelers.

Mike Williams, Chargers

Williams still isn't seeing a ton of volume, though that didn't stop him from hauling in a pair of touchdowns Sunday. He has 50 yards or a score on extremely limited targets in four of his last five games. He's a high-variance WR4 who has a breakout inside of him if Tyrell Williams' quad injury lingers or the Chargers decide to go more pass-heavy with Gordon sidelined.

David Moore, Seahawks

Moore is another late-season breakout candidate after posting his best outing of the year - 104 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers. We saw Moore get hot in the middle of the season when he scored four times in a three-game span. The Seahawks' run-first offense will lead to volatility in their receivers' production, but Moore is another WR4 with a nose for the end zone.

Other options: Anthony Miller at NYG (40 percent owned), Christian Kirk at GB (38 percent owned), Marquise Goodwin at SEA (47 percent owned), Josh Doctson at PHI (12 percent owned), Donte Moncrief vs. IND (18 percent owned), Dede Westbrook vs. IND (32 percent owned), Quincy Enunwa at TEN (9 percent owned), Trey Quinn at PHI (1 percent owned), Antonio Callaway at HOU (9 percent owned), Dante Pettis at SEA (1 percent owned), John Ross vs. DEN (10 percent owned), Robert Foster at MIA (0 percent owned), Ryan Switzer vs. LAC (0 percent owned)

Tight Ends

Gerald Everett, Rams

Many owners are in need of help at this position, as Jack Doyle became the latest tight end to be put on the shelf. Everett's outlook can be described in the same way his teammate Reynolds' was in the WR section. They're both big bodies with wide catch radiuses and heightened skills in the red zone. While Reynolds very nearly came away with a second touchdown in that Monday night heavyweight tilt, Everett accomplished the feat, finishing with 49 yards and the two trips over the goal line. We know it can sometimes take a year or two for tight ends to get acclimated to the pro game, and we might be seeing the emergence of a sophomore star in Everett. Consider him a fringe TE1 as we approach the fantasy playoffs.

Matt LaCosse, Broncos

Despite being no more than a streamer in fantasy, Jeff Heuerman was another tight end lost for the season after Week 12. With options limited, you could take a flier on LaCosse, who caught three of his four targets Sunday, racking up 34 yards and a touchdown. Heuerman was playing 77 percent of the Broncos' snaps, compared to around 50 percent for LaCosse. It's safe to assume LaCosse will get a bump in usage, giving him a chance to become a deeper streaming option.

Other options: Jonnu Smith vs. NYJ (19 percent owned), Antonio Gates at PIT (4 percent owned), Mo Alie-Cox at JAX (0 percent owned), Chris Herndon at TEN (8 percent owned), Dan Arnold at DAL (0 percent owned), C.J. Uzomah vs. DEN (26 percent owned)