Welcome to Week 13, friends. As always, we’re here to provide you with some fantasy football Quick Grades (or Start/Sit Grades, if you prefer) for the week.

We tapped into our consensus projections and rankings and Derek Brown’s weekly Primer to generate this week’s Quick Grades. See below for the results and accompanying notes.

• Fitz’s Tiers & Rankings
• Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
• Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
• Fantasy Football Trade Tools

Want to read about only your players? Sync your team (free) to get My Primer

Week 13 Quarterback Start/Sit Grades

Gardner Minshew: Since assuming the starting gig for the rest of the season in Week 6, Minshew has been the QB21 in fantasy points per game. Since Week 6, among 33 qualifying quarterbacks, he has ranked 25th in yards per attempt, 29th in passer rating, and 28th in CPOE. Minshew should be able to conjure up strong QB2 stats this week against a burnable Titans’ secondary. Since Week 7, Tennessee has allowed the 10th-most yards per attempt and passer rating while also giving up the third-highest CPOE. Week 13 Positional Value: QB2

Will Levis: Since Week 9, Levis has been one of the most inaccurate quarterbacks in the NFL. Among 35 qualifying quarterbacks, he has ranked 24th in yards per attempt, 23rd in CPOE, and 33rd in adjusted completion rate and catchable target rate. Levis has not eclipsed 13 fantasy points in his last four starts. Tennessee should look to feed their ground game this week against an improved Colts’ pass defense. Since Week 7, Indy has allowed the 11th-fewest yards per attempt, the lowest passer rating, and the third-fewest fantasy points via passing. Week 13 Positional Value: Sit

Derek Carr: Carr could be dealing with a depleted receiver cupboard this week. Even with a full complement of weapons, he has been the QB24 in fantasy points per game this season. Carr ranks 23rd in yards per attempt, 19th in passer rating, and 22nd in adjusted completion rate. If Carr had all of his skill players healthy this week, he could make some noise. Since Week 7, Detroit has allowed the second-highest yards per attempt and passer rating while also giving up the fifth-highest CPOE and the 11th-highest adjusted completion rate. Week 13 Positional Value: QB2

Desmond Ridder: Ridder is the QB23 in fantasy points per game with three QB1 outings this season. Among 40 qualifying quarterbacks, Ridder ranks 15th in yards per attempt, 20th in CPOE, 31st in highly accurate throw rate, and ninth-worst in off target throw rate. Ridder has to face a Jets’ secondary that since Week 7 has held passers to the sixth-lowest yards per attempt, the seventh-lowest passer rating, and the 10th-lowest adjusted completion rate. Good luck, Ridder. Week 13 Positional Value: Sit

Tim Boyle: Boyle played about as expected in Week 12. Terribly. Among 34 qualifying quarterbacks last week, Boyle ranked fifth-lowest in yards per attempt, 10th-lowest in CPOE, 16th in catchable target rate, and 31st in fantasy points per drop back. The opponent weekly matters little. Boyle is a career backup and he likely continues to play like it. I don’t even know if he finishes Week 13 under center if he continues to play like this in the first half which is the likely outcome. Week 13 Positional Value: Sit

Kyler Murray: In his three starts, Murray has finished as the QB13, QB6, and QB9 in fantasy. He has a rushing touchdown in each game while averaging 28.7 yards on the ground with two red zone carries per game. Murray’s rushing production has propped up some rather pedestrian passing numbers. Among 40 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 25th in yards per attempt, 30th in passer rating, and 39th in CPOE and adjusted completion rate. With a banged-up receiving depth chart, Murray is in trouble this week. Since Week 9, Pittsburgh has been one of the best pass defenses in the NFL, allowing the tenth-fewest yards per attempt, the fourth-lowest passer rating, and the seventh-lowest CPOE. Murray will need every bit of rushing production this week to sneak into the QB1 ranks. Week 13 Positional Value: Borderline QB1

Kenny Pickett: Last week, in his first game with a new playcaller, Pickett looked like a serviceable NFL quarterback. Among 30 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranked sixth in yards per attempt, ninth in passer rating, 11th in aDOT, and second in highly accurate throw rate. He led all quarterbacks with a 12.1% hero throw rate. I got some preseason Pickett vibes. It’s wild to say, but Pickett could post QB1 numbers this week against Arizona. Since Week 7, the Cardinals have allowed the 11th-highest yards per attempt, the second-most passing touchdowns, and the fourth-highest CPOE. Pickett will have a chance to prove if last week’s showing is real. Week 13 Positional Value: QB2 with upside

Get the FantasyPros News App for iOS and Android now

Week 13 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades

Marquise Brown: Brown opened this week with a DNP (heel). Brown had a limited practice to open last week before back-to-back DNPs to close last week. Brown ended up playing last week. He played 87% of the snaps last week, drawing a 26.7% target share, a 48.2% air-yard share, and a 33.3% first read share with 2.15 YPRR. We’ll see what the rest of the week looks like for his practice participation, but I’m currently projecting him to play in Week 13. Since Week 8, Pittsburgh has had the third-highest rate of single-high (66.7%). Brown has had a 27.4% target share, a 43.5% air-yard share, 1.97 YPRR, and a 33.3% first-read share against single-high. Brown’s biggest worry is shadow coverage from Joey Porter Jr. Since Week 9, Porter Jr. has shadowed three times following Ja’Marr Chase, Amari Cooper, and DeAndre Hopkins on at least 76.5% of their routes. Only Chase managed more than 40 receiving yards in Porter Jr.’s (41.2% catch rate and 59.2 passer rating) primary coverage. Week 13 Positional Value: WR3

Diontae Johnson: In the six games since his return from injury, Johnson has three games as a WR2 or higher in weekly scoring (WR23, WR20, WR6). Since Week 7, he has had a 26.9% target share, a 45.4% air-yard share, 1.84 YPRR, and a 31.6% first-read share. Since Week 8, Arizona has had the second-highest rate of two high (63.9%). Since Week 7, against two high, Johnson has a 25.6% target share, a 42.3% air-yard share, 1.74 YPRR, and a 30.8% first read share. Johnson should smash this week. The Cardinals have allowed the third-highest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers this season. Week 13 Positional Value: WR2

George Pickens: Pickens has faded into the background with Johnson back. Since Week 8, Arizona has had the second-highest rate of two high (63.9%). Since Week 7, against two-high, Pickens has a 14.4% target share, a 30.3% air-yard share, 0.71 YPRR, and a 16.9% first-read share. Pickens is always a threat to catch a deep bomb, but he likely doesn’t see a ton of volume this week. Week 13 Positional Value: WR3/4

Adam Thielen: After his hot start to the season, Thielen has cooled off considerably since Week 8. Over his last five games, he has surpassed 70 receiving yards only twice, with a 24.4% target share, a 25.5% air-yard share, 1.15 YPRR, and a 30.2% first-read share. Since Week 8, Tampa Bay has utilized single-high at the 11th-highest rate (59.8%). Thielen has been the team’s single-high beater this season with a 26.8% target share, a 33.1% air-yard share, 2.15 YPRR, and a 35.8% air-yard share. Thielen will run about 70% of his routes against Christian Izien (80% catch rate and 104.1 passer rating). This could be the Thielen bounceback spot. Tampa Bay has allowed the fourth-most PPR points per target and the second-most receiving yards to slot receivers this season. Week 13 Positional Value: WR2

Mike Evans: Evans has been amazing this season. He has rebounded nicely this season after everyone (myself included) wrote him off, with Mayfield chucking him passes. Evans is the WR8 in fantasy, ranking second in deep targets and 16th in red zone targets. 55% of his red zone target volume this season has come in the last four games. Evans has a 23.3% target share, a 41% air-yard share, 2.57 YPRR, and a 30% first-read share this season. Since Week 8, Carolina has utilized single-high at the fourth-highest rate (63.8%). Among 123 qualifying receivers against single-high, Evans ranks 12th in expected fantasy points per route run. Carolina has allowed the 10th-most PPR points per target this season to perimeter wide receivers. Week 13 Positional Value: WR1

Chris Godwin: Godwin has endured a tough season as the WR41 in fantasy. Godwin hasn’t cracked double-digit fantasy points since Week 8 against Buffalo, which was only the second time all season he has surpassed 14 fantasy points in a game. Since Week 8, Carolina has utilized single-high at the fourth-highest rate (63.8%). Against single-high, Godwin has a 22.7% target share, a 23.3.% air-yard share, 1.84 YPRR, and a 29.1% first-read share. Among 123 qualifying receivers against single-high, Godwin ranks 39th in fantasy points per route run and 41st in expected fantasy points per route run. Carolina has allowed the 10th-most PPR points per target this season to perimeter wide receivers, so maybe there is some hope Godwin has a mini bounce-back week. At this point in the season, I won’t be surprised if this is just another Evans game. Week 13 Positional Value: WR3

Jaylen Waddle: Waddle has raised his season-long stock recently to WR20 after posting top 15 wide receiver finishes in three of his last six games (WR13, WR6, WR15). The problem is in his other three games in that sample, he has finished as the WR27, WR39, and WR36. Waddle still has a similar weekly ceiling as last year, but in 2023, the weekly floor can bottom out at any time. Hill is absorbing so much target oxygen from the passing room weekly that it crushes Waddle’s fantasy stock at times. Since Week 8, Washington has utilized man coverage at the second-highest rate (42.0%). This is likely one of those weeks where Waddle has a middling game. Against man, Waddle has an 18.9% target share, a 26.5% air-yard share, 2.57 YPRR, and a 20% first-read share. Since Week 7, Washington has allowed the eighth-most PPR points per target and the second-most receiving yards to perimeter wide receivers. Week 13 Positional Value: WR2/3

Terry McLaurin: McLaurin is the WR32 in fantasy points per game, ranking 13th in deep target, but he is only 43rd in red zone targets. He has only one target in the red zone over his last four games. Since Week 8, Miami has the sixth-highest rate of zone coverage in the NFL (81.2%). In the nine games this season in which Curtis Samuel has played his usual role, McLaurin has had an 18.8% target share, a 26.5% air-yard share, 1.44 YPRR, and a 25.2% first-read share against zone coverage. McLaurin has only one end zone target in this sample. Since Week 8, Miami has allowed the 13th-lowest PPR points per target and the seventh-fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers. Week 13 Positional Value: WR3/4

Curtis Samuel: Samuel is the WR48 in fantasy points per game who has flashed a high ceiling when the matchup is right. He has four WR2 or higher finishes this season and could add another this week. Since Week 8, Miami has the sixth-highest rate of zone coverage in the NFL (81.2%). In the nine games this season in which Samuel has played his usual snap amount, he has had a 13.9% target share, 1.62 YPRR, and a 17.5% first-read share against zone. Miami has allowed the seventh-most receiving touchdowns (tied) and the 12th-highest passer rating to slot receivers this season. Samuel will run about 73% of his routes against Kader Kohou (84.6% catch rate and 129.8 passer rating). Samuel should eat this week. Week 13 Positional Value: WR3/4 with WR2 upside

Jahan Dotson: Dotson has had a disappointing season, to say the least, as the WR54 in fantasy points per game. He has only four games this season in which he has finished as a WR3 or better. Since Week 8, Miami has the sixth-highest rate of zone coverage in the NFL (81.2%). In the nine games this season in which Samuel has played his usual snap amount, Dotson has had a 14.3% target share, a 20.7% air-yard share, 0.68 YPRR, and an 18.9% first read share. Since Week 8, Miami has allowed the 13th-lowest PPR points per target and the seventh-fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers. Week 13 Positional Value: Sit

Week 13 Running Back Start/Sit Grades

Javonte Williams: Since Week 7, Williams has averaged 21.4 touches and 85.6 total yards as the RB18 in fantasy points per game. Williams has played anywhere from 49% of the snaps to 70% of the snaps (last week) weekly. Among 55 qualifying backs, Williams is sixth in explosive run rate and 18th in yards after contact per attempt. Williams will run into brick walls all day against a Houston run defense that since Week 7 has allowed the 12th-lowest explosive run rate and the fifth-lowest yards after contact per attempt while also flaunting the highest stuff rate. Williams is a volume-driven RB2. Week 13 Positional Value: RB2

Samaje Perine: Perine has played less than 30% of the snaps in three of his last five games, averaging 5.6 touches and 47.6 total yards. Perine is the RB41 with only two red zone touches in his last six games. With a tough matchup on deck, Perine is a must-sit. Since Week 7, Houston has allowed the 12th-lowest explosive run rate and the fifth-lowest yards after contact per attempt while also flaunting the highest stuff rate. Week 13 Positional Value: Sit

Devin Singletary: Last week, with Pierce returning, Singletary still played 82% of the snaps with 12 touches and 72 total yards. He saw a huge uptick in pass game usage with seven targets, six receptions, and 54 receiving yards. Since Week 10, Singletary has played at least 81% of the snaps weekly, averaging 22.3 touches and 117 total yards as the RB6 in fantasy. Singletary is eighth in missed tackles forced per attempt and 36th in explosive run rate. Since Week 7, the Broncos have continued to struggle to stop rushing attacks, ranking eighth in explosive run rate and second in yards after contact per attempt with the highest missed tackles per attempt. Houston could feed Singletary another 20-25 touches this week. Week 13 Positional Value: RB2 with RB1 upside

Dameon Pierce: In his return, Pierce played a distant second fiddle to Devin Singletary with only 11 snaps played (18%), six touches and 18 total yards. It looks like this backfield belongs to Singletary. Pierce is droppable. Week 13 Positional Value: Droppable

Jerome Ford: Ford has played at least 64% of the snaps in three of the last four games. In those three contests, Ford averaged 18.6 touches and 88.3 total yards. Ford is the RB25 in fantasy, ranking 17th in carries and 13th in targets. Ford has been one of the best tackle breakers in the NFL this season, ranking 19th in missed tackles forced and 13th in yards after contact per attempt. Ford will be running uphill all day against a run defense that, since Week 7, has allowed the lowest explosive run rate and yards after contact per attempt, along with the fifth-lowest missed tackles per attempt. Ford is a volume play only. Week 13 Positional Value: RB3

Kareem Hunt: Hunt didn’t practice on Wednesday as he is dealing with a groin issue. Even if he suits up this week, he’s a sit. Last week, he played his lowest snap rate since Week 7, with only 26% of snaps played with seven touches and 22 rushing yards. Hunt looked like a shell of himself all season. The Rams are not a team to run on, so I doubt Hunt has success this week. Since Week 7, Los Angeles has allowed the lowest explosive run rate and yards after contact per attempt, along with the fifth-lowest missed tackles per attempt. Week 13 Positional Value: Sit

Kyren Williams: Don’t let last week’s 61% snap share fool you. Bellcow Williams is back. Last week, in the first half with the game within two scores, Williams played 77% of the snaps for the Rams. If the Cardinals could have kept the game close, we would have seen a 70-75% snap rate for Williams. The reduction in second-half snaps didn’t stop Williams from destroying the Cardinals for the second time this season with 22 touches, 204 total yards, and two scores. Williams is an elite play this week. Williams ranks 14th in explosive run rate, 16th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 14th in yards after contact per attempt. The Browns’ secondary has been fearsome all season, while their run defense has been as soft as a sponge. Since Week 7, it has allowed the highest explosive run rate, the ninth-highest missed tackles per attempt, and the third-highest yards after contact per attempt. Week 13 Positional Value: Elite RB1

Royce Freeman: Royce Freeman is a volatile flex play this week that could pay off. Last week, Freeman had 13 carries for 77 rushing yards and a score while playing 34% of the snaps. Williams played 77% of the snaps in the first half, so Freeman’s usage could have looked different if the Cardinals could have kept it closer. The same type of runaway Rams win could play out this week. If it does, Freeman could see 10-15 carries in a fantastic rushing matchup. Among 55 qualifying backs, Freeman ranks 20th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 15th in yards after contact per attempt. Since Week 7, Cleveland has allowed the highest explosive run rate, the ninth-highest missed tackles per attempt, and the third-highest yards after contact per attempt. Week 13 Positional Value: Dice roll flex play

D’Andre Swift: Swift is the RB12 in fantasy, averaging 19.3 touches and 96.8 total yards (since Week 2). Swift ranks 14th in snap share, 13th in opportunity share, and 10th in weighted opportunities. He is also sixth in carries and 12th in red zone touches among running backs. Swift ranks 12th in explosive run rate and 31st in missed tackles forced per attempt. He should shred the 49ers’ run defense that has massive discrepancies in what they’ve allowed to zone and gap runs this season. The 49ers haven’t been impervious overall, ranking 15th in explosive run rate and ninth in yards after contact per attempt since Week 7, but where they truly struggle is against zone runs. Against gap runs, they have allowed only 3.16 yards per carry, but versus zone they have given up the tenth-highest yards per carry (4.53) and the second-highest success rate since Week 7. Swift should see 15-20 touches this week. Week 13 Positional Value: RB1/2

Isiah Pacheco: Pacheco is the RB17 in fantasy points per game, averaging 17.6 touches and 81.1 total yards (since Week 2). Pacheco ranks 16th in explosive run rate and 25th in missed tackles forced per attempt. He is 19th in snap share, 12th in opportunity share, 18th in weighted opportunities, and ninth in red zone touches. Pacheco should slice through the cheesehead run defense. Since Week 7, Green Bay has allowed the seventh-highest explosive run rate, the fifth-highest missed tackles per attempt, and the eighth-highest yards after contact per attempt. Week 13 Positional Value: RB1/2

A.J. Dillon: Dillon didn’t practice on Wednesday as he is still dealing with a groin injury. At this point, I expect him to suit up again this week. In his four starts this season, Dillon has been underwhelming, and that’s putting it kindly. He has averaged 16 touches and 63.2 total yards with RB33, RB56, RB13, and RB25 weekly finishes. Dillon has been running like a fullback this season. Among 55 qualifying backs, Dillon ranks 40th in explosive run rate and 46th in missed tackles forced per attempt. Dillon’s matchup this week is amazing. Since Week 7, Kansas City has allowed the 11th-highest explosive run rate, the fourth-highest yards after contact per attempt, and the highest yards per carry to zone runs (Dillon 51.1% zone). It’s fair to question if Dillon can take advantage of this amazing matchup, though. Week 13 Positional Value: RB3 (if Jones is out)

Week 13 Tight End Start/Sit Grades

Tucker Kraft: Last week, Kraft had an 82% route run rate, a 6.3% target share, and a 4.3% first-read share. Both of his targets came inside the red zone last week. He spiked a touchdown to save his day and finish as the TE11 in fantasy. This is not the week to consider streaming him. Kansas City has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game and receiving yards per game to tight ends this season. Week 13 Positional Value: TE2

Evan Engram: Engram should have had his first touchdown of the season last week, but Lawrence fastballed him and zoomed the ball over his head in the end zone. Engram is the TE7 in fantasy, ranking fourth in deep targets. He has four red zone looks over his last four games. Since Week 8, the Bengals have utilized single-high on 59.3% of their defensive snaps. Against single high, Engram has had a 22.1% target share, 1.83 YPRR, and a 25.1% first-read share. The Bengals have been burned all season by tight ends, allowing the second-most fantasy points per game and receiving yards per game to the position. Week 13 Positional Value: TE1

Sam LaPorta: Ballgame is the TE4 in fantasy, ranking 14th in deep targets and ninth in red zone targets among tight ends. After a small dry spell, he has rebounded with top-nine finishes in three of his last five games (TE4, TE9, TE3). Ballgame has five red zone targets over his last four games. Among 49 qualifying tight ends, he is eighth in target share (19.0%), ninth in YPRR (1.72), and ninth in first-read share (20.2%). The days of the Saints being a lockdown defense against tight ends are over. They have allowed the 13th-most fantasy points per game and the most receiving touchdowns per game (tied) to the position. Week 13 Positional Value: TE1

Juwan Johnson: Last week, with the Saints’ depth chart depleted of receiving options, New Orleans turned to Johnson. He had an 85% route run rate, an 18.4% target share, 1.32 YPRR, and a 20% first-read share. These are all TE1 usage numbers. Johnson was already seeing more work with five red zone targets over the last four games he played. Johnson is a plug-and-play TE1 this week against a Detroit defense that has allowed the 12th-most fantasy points per game and yards per reception to tight ends. Detroit is also tied for the most receiving touchdowns per game given up to the position. Week 13 Positional Value: TE1

Taysom Hill: Over the last two weeks, Hill has seen his playing time reduced to 30-35% of the snaps played, but that likely changes this week with the Saints running out of healthy bodies on offense. Since Week 6, he has been the TE5 in fantasy points per game, averaging nine touches and 60.8 total yards without counting on his passing production. Hill is a weekly dice roll that can pay off big time with a top-five tight-end finish. Week 13 Positional Value: TE1

Kyle Pitts: Pitts is the TE19 in fantasy points per game with zero red zone targets since Week 6. Pitts has surpassed 50 receiving yards only once in his last six games. We’ve reached the point (actually surpassed it) that Pitts is droppable. Until someone else is calling plays in Atlanta, the dream for Pitts to dominate is dead. Pitts hasn’t seen more than five targets in a game since Week 7. New York has smothered tight ends, allowing the eighth-fewest receiving yards per game and the 12th-lowest yards per reception to the position. Week 13 Positional Value: TE2

Jonnu Smith: Smith is in the same boat as Pitts. He is the TE18 in fantasy points per game. Smith has only one red zone target over his last four games. He has surpassed 40 receiving yards in only one game since Week 6. Smith will likely have more streaming-worthy weeks this season, but this isn’t one of them. New York has blanketed tight ends, allowing the eighth-fewest receiving yards per game and the 12th-lowest yards per reception to the position. Week 13 Positional Value: TE2

Pat Freiermuth: Last week, Freiermuth crushed with a 62.2% route run rate, 33.3% target share, 36.6% air-yard share, 5.22 YPRR, and a 37.9% first-read share. Since Week 8, Arizona has had the second-highest rate of two high (63.9%). It is an incredibly small sample size, but over the last two weeks against two high, Freiermuth has a 29.2% target share, a 47.1% air-yard share, 5.71 YPRR, and a 31.8% first-read share. If you expand the sample against two-high to include every game he has been active this season, Freiermuth’s numbers against two-high still pop with a 16.1% target share, a 24.1% air-yard share, 1.94 YPRR, and a 24.6% first-read share. Freiermuth has returned to the TE1 good graces. Week 13 Positional Value: TE1

Week 13 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades

Week 13 Kicker Start/Sit Grades