Week 13 Waiver Wire Targets

As we approach the final stretch of the fantasy regular season, depth becomes more important than ever. Injuries are piling up, roles are shifting, bye weeks are almost behind us, and the window to secure high-upside players is shrinking. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of this week’s top waiver considerations — starting with running backs, followed by wide receivers, and closing with updated handcuff rankings for the playoff push.

Running Backs

Devin Neal

With Alvin Kamara likely to miss time due to an MCL tear, Devin Neal steps in as the next man up. After Kamara exited in the first quarter, Neal handled 86% of snaps for the remainder of the game, showing exactly how the Saints prefer to operate with Kamara sidelined. While Audric Estime could be active next week, it was Taysom Hill — not Estime — who rotated with Neal in both RB and QB alignments and handled all near-goal-line carries.

Neal profiles as an RB3/flex until we see whether he commands a true lion’s share of the work, but he should be a top waiver pickup based on projected volume alone. As a prospect, Neal was more of a production accumulator than an efficiency standout, compiling strong rushing and receiving numbers but grading out as relatively average overall.

Still, volume is what drives RB scoring, and his receiving usage is encouraging: 5 receptions for 43 yards on 7 targets, plus a 73% route participation rate. He earned an 18% target share, and the week before this one, saw a target on 30% of his routes. He carries an RB2 ceiling if the usage holds, making him a priority add.

Raheem Mostert

Ashton Jeanty suffered a late-game ankle injury and missed the closing snaps, allowing Raheem Mostert to take over. Early indications from Pete Carroll suggest the injury isn’t “overly serious,” but the unknown remains whether it’s a high ankle sprain. If Jeanty misses time, Mostert could see a short-term workload bump under new offensive coordinator Greg Olson, who replaced Chip Kelly on Monday.

Olson previously coordinated the Raiders from 2018–2021, where Jacobs saw meaningful receiving usage — something that could benefit Mostert and even ancillary backs like Dylan Laube. Zamir White will also likely be active, but Mostert should get the first opportunity at meaningful touches and is the primary add in this backfield.

Dameon Pierce

The Chiefs signed Dameon Pierce to the practice squad, and while it’s unclear what role they envision for him, the current Kansas City backfield lacks explosiveness. Pierce is purely a stash, but a warranted one: the Chiefs have a long track record of late-season RBs emerging as meaningful contributors (Kareem Hunt, Jerick McKinnon, Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West, Damien Williams). This signing may amount to nothing — or it may become something — and Pierce is worth holding for a couple of weeks to find out.

Chris Rodriguez

Rodriguez is one of the more attainable RBs on waivers, and many managers may have overlooked him due to Washington’s bye. Before the bye, he handled 47% of rushing attempts, compared to 28% for Bill Croskey-Merritt, making him the clear lead back. The short-term schedule is difficult (Denver, then Minnesota), but in deeper leagues or for teams light at RB, he’s a useful stash ahead of a more favorable matchup against the Giants in a few weeks. He maintains the goal-line role, which keeps him in the mix as an emergency option.

Bhayshul Tuten

Tuten disappointed managers who picked him up last week. Despite being removed from the injury report, he was barely involved while Travis Etienne handled the load. It’s possible he still wasn’t at full strength after a week of limited practice, and the Jaguars leaned on Etienne as a result. Tuten remains a hold: he’s one of the best contingency RBs available, and his talent profile suggests he could provide real value if elevated into a larger role. Even if this past week was discouraging, dropping him now would be premature.

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Wide Receivers

Christian Watson

Watson’s box score didn’t impress, but the underlying usage did. He led the Packers in both route participation (88%)and target share (35%), and he has run more routes than Romeo Doubs across the last three games. With strong upcoming matchups — Detroit in a dome and Chicago at home — Watson should be closer to fantasy lineups than benches over the next two weeks.

Kayshon Boutte

Boutte remains a classic boom-or-bust profile, reliant on deep shots and splash plays rather than sustainable volume. During his best three-game stretch (Weeks 6–8), he saw 5, 2, and 5 targets. Against the Giants’ heavy single-high looks this week, he makes sense as a matchup-based flex. With a bye next week and Buffalo afterward, he’s only worth adding if you intend to use him in Week 13.

John Metchie

Metchie is set to finish as a top-18 WR for the second straight week, and with Tyrod Taylor under center, his production has stabilized. Metchie tied Adonai Mitchell with 7 targets but was far more efficient: 6 receptions for 65 yards and a TD versus Mitchell’s 2 for 42. Metchie ran a route on 91% of dropbacks and earned a 27% target share, making him a strong add in 12-team leagues. Mitchell is still worth rostering in deeper formats, but Metchie is the preferred pickup.

Luther Burden

Burden’s second week in the Bears’ slot role produced another modest but efficient line: 3 receptions for 46 yards on 5 targets, plus a 15-yard run. His route participation has remained at 61% over the last two weeks, but he continues to flash explosive playmaking ability. While his breakout may not occur until next season, he is the type of high-upside talent worth stashing if roster space allows.

Parker Washington

With Brian Thomas Jr inactive again, Parker Washington saw elevated opportunities alongside Jakobi Meyers. The concern is that BTJ’s return — along with Brenton Strange’s increasing involvement — could push Washington out of a consistent role. Still, Washington has earned 20%+ target share in four straight games and has finished as a top-36 WR in each of those four contests. He’s worth holding until the target tree clarifies.

Andrei Iosivas

With Tee Higgins expected to miss Thanksgiving, Iosivas becomes a potential streaming option in deeper leagues. With Joe Burrow back, the Bengals’ passing offense should stabilize, and Iosivas — along with Mike Gesicki — saw useful roles last season in similar injury situations. With no teams on bye this week, he is more of a desperation play.

Tez Johnson

Chris Godwin returned but was limited to a 42% route rate, and his playing time did not come at Tez Johnson’s expense. Johnson still ran a route on 84% of dropbacks and caught Baker Mayfield’s lone passing TD. That gives him 5 TDs in his last 6 games, and with Mayfield expected to play through a mild AC sprain to his non-throwing shoulder, Johnson remains in the weekly flex conversation.

Greg Dortch

Jacoby Brissett continues to elevate the entire Cardinals passing offense — Trey McBride, Michael Wilson, and now Greg Dortch. Dortch posted a 24% target share, with six receptions and a TD in two straight games. With Tampa next (a favorable matchup), Dortch remains a usable waiver play even if Marvin Harrison Jr returns, given his slot-specific matchup against defenses vulnerable to interior receivers.

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Handcuff Rankings (Top 10)

As trades wrap up, FAAB thins out, and bye weeks wind down, roster construction shifts toward maximizing upside. The following handcuff rankings focus on RBs who are generally available (around or below 50% rostered), have minimal standalone value, but would step into league-winning roles if the starter went down.

Tier 1 – League-Winning Upside

• Blake Corum

  • Would inherit a near-every-down role in an elite offense if Kyren Williams missed time.

• Bhayshul Tuten

  • Jaguars' backfield produces elite usage; would see strong workload if Etienne missed time.

• Ray Davis

  • Commanded 23 touches for 152 yards the last time James Cook missed time.

• Brian Robinson Jr

  • Would be productive in Christian McCaffrey’s offense, given his efficiency this season.

• Tyler Allgeier

  • Long-proven handcuff with goal-line ability and steady efficiency.

• Keaton Mitchell

  • Explosive, direct backup to Derrick Henry; role mirrors Ray Davis/Ty Johnson dynamic.

• Emanuel Wilson

  • Just handled heavy volume and scored twice; volume-driven upside if Jacobs missed more time.

• Chuba Hubbard

  • Held the job earlier this season; can produce RB2 numbers despite tough playoff matchups.

• Sean Tucker

  • Would handle early-down work in a productive Bucs offense if Bucky Irving missed time.

• Ollie Gordon

  • Goal-line-capable contingency option behind De’Von Achane with a manageable late-season schedule.

    
    

Handcuff strategy can be approached in two ways:

1. Handcuff your own RBs for insurance

2. Roster other managers’ high-upside handcuffs to raise your weekly ceiling entering the playoffs

At this stage of the season, both approaches are justified — but targeting the highest-upside league-winning profiles should be the priority.