Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Ty Chandler, Jayden Reed, Demario Douglas, Pat Freiermuth (Week 13)

The week is nearly wrapped up and, of course, 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

Ty Chandler (MIN): 48% rostered

• Next Opponents: BYE, @LV, @CIN
• True value: $13
• Desperate need: $21
• Budget-minded: $6

Analysis: Though the Vikings are headed into a bye week, consider it a BUY week on Chandler. The desperate manager might drop him to waivers in leagues where he is currently unavailable. Chandler has looked stellar, especially compared to incumbent starter Alexander Mattison, who has coughed up the football a lot this season and doesn’t have the same juice as the younger Chandler.

Jayden Reed (GB): 47% rostered

• Next Opponents: KC, @NYG, TB
• True value: $7
• Desperate need: $11
• Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: Reed has earned snap shares of 69% or higher in each of the last two weeks – a feat he had not previously accomplished. Last week, he handled a 25% target share while scoring his second touchdown in his last three games. Reed’s stock is on the rise, as he is also getting involved on the ground. Reed now has at least 16 rushing yards in three of his last four games while also scoring a rushing touchdown in Week 11. After he faces Kansas City this week, his next few matchups look amazing, as the Giants and Buccaneers have allowed the second-most and fifth-most receiving yards to slot receivers this season (per Fantasy Points Data).

Demario Douglas (NE): 36% rostered

• Next Opponents: LAC, @PIT, KC
• True value: $6
• Desperate need: $10
• Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: Douglas continues to operate as the Patriots’ WR1. Before discussing his Week 13 outlook, I have to mention that he left Week 12 with a head injury, so monitor his practice reports this week, because his availability isn’t written in stone. Douglas now has four consecutive games with at least seven targets, including nine-target outings in each of his last two games. He’s still searching for his first touchdown of the season, but if Douglas continues to see this type of volume weekly, the touchdowns are coming. Douglas’ next two matchups should allow him to continue providing strong flex/WR3 value. The Chargers and Steelers have allowed the third-most and fourth-most receiving yards to slot receivers this season, respectively (per Fantasy Points Data).

Pat Freiermuth (PIT): 48% rostered

• Next Opponents: ARI, NE, @IND
• True value: $6
• Desperate need: $9
• Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: OH MY LORD! Well, that didn’t take long, did it? Freed from the shackles of Matt Canada, the Steelers’ offense looked reborn, with 421 total yards and 6.2 yards per play against the Bengals on Sunday. To add some context to the yards-per-play mark from a season-long perspective, that would be the third-highest mark in the league behind only the Dolphins and 49ers. Freiermuth finished Week 12 with a 33.3% target share, nine receptions and 120 receiving yards. Even if we cut those numbers in half, that’s TE1-worthy usage every week. If Freiermuth is available, grab him now. A new day has dawned in Pittsburgh.

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.