Thursday Night Football was one of the most exciting of the year as we got a true battle between the Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys. Much of the discussion will revolve around Dak Prescott and Geno Smith authoring one of their best performances of the season, but there were other bright spots as well in CeeDee Lamb, D.K. Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Jake Ferguson. On the IDP side of things, DaRon Bland had another interception, Bobby Wagner and Jamal Adams stacking tackles, the Seahawks mini sack party in the Cowboys backfield, and Markquese Ball continuing to stand out at linebacker. Looking ahead to this weekend, we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.
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IDP Start em, Sit em – Week 13
Start em
Jordan Battle (S – CIN)
Battle took a step back from his monster 10 solo, two assist performance against Baltimore but still had a solid enough Week 12, posting three solos and five assists in his first start of the season. He has flashed his DB1 upside but should be treated as more of a low-end DB2 for a tough on-paper matchup against a Jacksonville Jaguars team limiting the safety position to the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game. Start Battle Everywhere as a DB2 play for Week 13.
Mykal Walker (LB – PIT)
Walker shook off a forgettable performance in his first start of the season to record four solos and one assist against Cincinnati in Week 12. He played 77 percent of the snaps, which is down from the 84 percent in Week 11, but he looked much more comfortable in the scheme and actually started finding his way to the ball carrier in time to make plays. He is more of an LB4/flex than an LB3, but for those in a bye week crunch, Walker is a serviceable LB3 option. Start him as an LB3/4 option where needed for a plus Week 13 matchup against an Arizona Cardinals team allowing the 15th most fantasy points to the linebacker position.
Christian Elliss (LB – PHI)
Zach Cunningham is set to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury, and while the Cowboys have flirted with Shaq Leonard, Elliss is likely to get the nod to start in Week 13, even if Leonard signs this weekend. Elliss racked up five solos and two assists on just 28 percent of the snaps and could have another strong game in store against the San Francisco 49ers. The matchup isn’t great as the 49ers have limited opposing linebackers to the 10th fewest fantasy points per game, but Elliss should see more than enough tackle opportunities against what is usually an explosive offense when healthy. Start Elliss as an LB3/4 option where needed for Week 13.
Blake Cashman (LB – HOU)
Cashman disappointed in his first week in the LB1 conversation but is still a strong top-15 option for Week 13. Cap, you say? Cashman is the LB4 in points per game since Week 5 and is the LB7 overall. He has been exceptional for the Texans, and due to his special teams prowess, he is the only linebacker that we know will be active when all four of the Texans’ options are healthy. Cashman posted a solid four solos and two assists in Week 12 on 97 percent of the snaps. He has recorded four or more solos in every game in which he has played more than 65 percent of the snaps.
Tuli Tuipulotu (DE/LB – LAC)
Tuli is seeing heavy snaps with Joey Bosa sidelined and has responded with two straight games with three solos, playing over 90 percent of the snaps in each. He has four sacks on the season and should benefit from the extra attention Khalil Mack will garner this week after his mammoth performance in Week 12. This week, he has a cake matchup against a dysfunctional New England Patriots offense that has had its share of struggles in pass protection. Start Tuli as a DL3 with DL2 upside for a plus Week 13 matchup against the Patriots.
Sit em
Delarrin Turner-Yell (S – DEN)
There was some thought that DTY would get the tap to start for the suspended Kareem Jackson, but instead, it was PJ Locke who started, leaving Delarrin to play just one defensive snap. DTY did play 63 percent of the snaps in Week 9 after starting two games earlier this season, but it appears that the Broncos have identified Locke as a superior short-term replacement for Jackson, so fantasy managers should feel free to clear up the roster spot used on Turner-Yell in virtually all formats.
Josey Jewell (LB – DEN)
Jewell has struggled for consistency this season, dropping from the cusp of the LB1 conversation down to the LB4 dregs. He still flashes the talent that made him such an impact IDP player but has managed more than three solos in just four of his 10 games this season. He was solid in Week 12 with two solos, one assist, one sack, and one forced fumble, but cannot be trusted as anything more than an LB4 unless you find yourself in a mind numbing roster crunch. Start him in 11 vs. 11 leagues where needed, but those in need of an LB3 or better should look elsewhere if at all possible, despite the plus matchup against a Houston Texans team relinquishing the fourth most fantasy points per game to the position.
Trenton Thompson (S – PIT)
This is more of a deep leaguer suggestion as Minkah Fitzpatrick has returned to practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Thompson popped onto fantasy radars after a five solo performance in Week 11 but became a deep league waiver add after he recorded another five solos in Week 12. He proved that he can be an IDP option when he is getting starter snaps but is set to head back to the bench with Minkah back in the lineup. Keep him on your radars, but free up the roster spot in leagues of all sizes.
Jalen Thompson (S – ARI)
With Antonio Hamilton set to miss Week 13 with a groin injury, there is a high likelihood that Thompson moves back to nickel while Andre Chachere gets the start at safety. This scenario would drop Thompson’s ceiling and floor, making him more of a DB3 than a DB2. He has picked up his production since moving back to safety, but the slot role was much more inconsistent for him this season. Those who are required to start three or more defensive backs can still trot him out there, but for those who only need to start two, the recommendation is to look elsewhere for your Week 13 DB2.
Emmanuel Ogbah (DE – MIA)
Ogbah showed up in the box score in Week 12, recording one solo, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble. However, he played just 24 percent of the snaps, marking the first time he has seen over 20 percent of the snaps since the last time Jaelan Phillips missed time. Ogbah has 3.5 sacks on the season, but, for whatever reason, has fallen out of favor with the Dolphins coaching staff. Andrew Van Ginkel is expected to draw the starts with Phillips lost for the season, and new addition Jason Pierre-Paul is expected to pass Ogbah on the depth chart sooner rather than later if the coaching staff has its way. Obgah is worth a speculative stash in deeper leagues but should be left on benches for Week 13.
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Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.