Joe Serpico shares his top fantasy football waiver-wire pickups heading into Week 13.
Ameer Abdullah, RB, Las Vegas Raiders: Filling in for an injured Alexander Mattison and Zamir White, Abdullah showed why opportunity is key to fantasy football. Abdullah struggled on the ground, rushing for 28 yards on eight carries, but caught 5 of 6 targets for 37 yards and a touchdown. The 6-yard touchdown made Abdullah RB9 on the week, and it is possible he gets another start with the Raiders playing the Chiefs on Friday afternoon.
Jeremy McNichols, RB, Washington Commanders: Much like Abdullah a week ago, injuries to Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler will move McNichols into the starting lineup in Week 13. McNichols stepped in for an injured Robinson in Week 5, rushing for 44 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. He is likely just a one-week fill-in, but it is do-or-die time for many fantasy owners. Add McNichols for Week 13 and hope a couple trips to the end zone are on deck.
Noah Brown, WR, Washington Commanders: Staying with the Commanders, Brown has stepped in as the No. 2 receiver for Jayden Daniels. He had a team-high 10 targets on Sunday and has at least six targets in five of the last seven games. Brown has just one touchdown on the year, but I am anticipating a couple of scores as Washington battles for one of the final playoff spots.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR, Tennessee Titans: Westbrook-Ikhine has just one game with more than 50 receiving yards, but he has a nose for the end zone with a touchdown in six of the last seven games. The schedule is extremely favorable for the Titans the rest of the way with the Commanders, Bengals, Colts and two games against the Jaguars coming up. Expecting a score every game is unrealistic, but Westbrook-Ikhine is decent FLEX play for receiver-needy teams.
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints: The Saints’ Week 12 bye could be a benefit for fantasy owners. Hill is shockingly still available in about 45 percent of fantasy leagues despite finishing as TE5, TE16 and TE1 in the three games prior to his team’s bye. If he is available in your league, make him a priority add. Hill is a triple threat as a receiver, rusher and passer for a team that is lacking playmakers on offense.
Top Handcuffs (Rostered in less than 50 percent of leagues)
Tyler Allgeier
Zach Charbonnet
Ray Davis
Cam Akers
Roschon Johnson
Braelon Allen
Tyjae Spears
Jaylen Wright
Trey Benson
Blake Corum