The week is nearly wrapped up, and there was another round of injuries and surprising performances. As a result, fantasy managers will be on the lookout for wavier wire additions and replacement options for those injured over the weekend or just to bolster their lineup moving forward. Here are a few players to consider adding via the waiver wire this week. And also be sure to check out our full waiver wire article for the week.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

Roschon Johnson (RB – CHI): 22% rostered

• Next Opponents: BYE, DET, @CLE
• True value: $8
• Desperate need: $15
• Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: Be careful about adding Johnson this week. Not only are the Bears entering their bye in Week 13, but Johnson also draws tough matchups against Detroit and Cleveland in Weeks 14-15. Naturally, we are still hoping for a second-half boost in workload for the Texas rookie. The concern is that Chicago might not have that in their plans.

Jeff Wilson (RB – MIA): 17% rostered

• Next Opponents: @WAS, TEN, NYJ
• True value: $8
• Desperate need: $15
• Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: RB depth is paper thin across the league, and that certainly is reflected on our fantasy teams. As long as there is uncertainty with De’Von Achane‘s knee, Wilson will be an important piece in Miami’s backfield. He earned 14 touches, including three receptions, in Week 12, finishing with 73 yards from scrimmage against the Jets. As explosive as the Dolphins have been on offense, you can certainly justify rostering Miami’s No. 3 running back.

Curtis Samuel (WR – WAS): 28% rostered

• Next Opponents: MIA, BYE, @LAR
• True value: $4
• Desperate need: $7
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Samuel smashed last week with a 27.3% target share, 100 receiving yards and 3.13 yards per route run. He made Jourdan Lewis look silly all day. Prior to Week 12, Samuel had already displayed the ability to pop off with a big week in the right matchup, with three top-24 finishes already on his 2023 resume (WR12, WR14, WR23). Samuel could have another strong game in Week 13 against Miami. The Dolphins’ outside corners are the strength of their secondary, but they have been vulnerable to slot receivers. Miami is tied for the sixth-most receiving touchdowns allowed to slot receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).

Derek Carr (QB – NO): 44% rostered

• Next Opponents: DET, CAR, NYG
• True value: $4
• Desperate need: $7
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: It’s dome sweet dome for the Saints over the next three weeks. Carr passed for 300 yards in Atlanta on Sunday but failed to find the end zone. This has been a recurring trend with him and is rightfully alarming for his fantasy outlook. Detroit’s struggling pass defense provides Carr with a promising matchup, but the health of Carr’s pass catchers is a concern. Chris Olave sustained a concussion in Week 12, and Rashid Shaheed left with a quad injury.

Successful In-Season Fantasy Football Management

Once your fantasy football team is drafted, the work is not over. Successful in-season management is crucial to a winning fantasy football season. Here are some tips to help you manage your team effectively throughout the season:

Stay up to date on player news
Keep track of player injuries, suspensions, and other news that may impact their performance. This will help you make informed decisions about which players to start each week.

Monitor the waiver wire
Keep an eye on the waiver wire and be ready to pick up players who may be undervalued or overlooked by other teams. This can provide valuable depth to your roster. Use our waiver wire assistant to view optimal lineups, waiver and trade suggestions, and league analysis.

Analyze matchups
Analyze the upcoming matchups for your players and opponents to determine which players to start in your lineup each week. Look for favorable matchups and take into account the strength of the opposing team’s defense.

Stay active in trades
Be open to trading players with other teams if it will benefit your team. Analyze the potential impact of a trade before making a decision and negotiate with other teams to find a mutually beneficial agreement.

Be prepared for bye weeks
Plan ahead for bye weeks by having backup players ready to fill in for your starters. Avoid having too many players with the same bye week, which can leave your team short-handed.

Don’t overreact to one bad week
Avoid overreacting to one bad week of performance by a player. Take a long-term view of their performance and evaluate their potential moving forward.

Continuously evaluate your roster
Continuously evaluate your roster throughout the season and make adjustments as needed. Be willing to drop underperforming players or make changes to your lineup if necessary.