Identifying Week 13 sleepers and avoiding potential duds can make all the difference for your team. Whether you’re looking for under-the-radar players poised for a breakout or trying to dodge early-season letdowns, our team of Featured Pros has you covered. In this article, we’ll dive into the key players you should start and those you might want to bench based on expert insights and analysis.
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Week 13 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
Sleepers
Which player outside of the top 100 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is a good sleeper start, and why do you think he has upside this week?
Mark Andrews (TE – BAL)
“Full disclosure: I really don’t consider Mark Andrews a sleeper start, but given that he’s ranked outside the top 100, he is one here. The Ravens meet the Eagles in a battle of two Super Bowl contenders, both with high-powered offenses, and both have logos on their helmets with mean-looking birds (Note to self: always bet on the team with the ticked-off bird, haha). Anyway, Ringo expects a high-scoring game. Andrews is Lamar Jackson‘s go-to guy and has a decent chance of hitting paydirt. Meanwhile, Ringo’s go-to-play is telling terrible jokes. He has a decent chance of getting hit by his readers, haha!”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Adam Thielen (WR – CAR)
“Adam Thielen returned to play last week and caught 3 of his four targets. Most of the yardage came on one play, but this was a good sign for his first game back. Also, this was against the Chiefs, who Carolina played tough. This week, he gets the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and we should continue to see his snaps increase from his injury. He is Bryce Young‘s most trusted target, and we should see him get more opportunities this week.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)
“In Adam Thielen’s first return to action last week since Week 3, he faced off against one of the league’s top defensive units. Though he wasn’t the main target earner, he did manage a 3 for 57 line on just 61% of snaps. With breakout rookie TE Ja’Tavion Sanders likely out and facing a much worse defense in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Thielen double up his numbers from last week. As this week’s 106th overall player, I think he easily doubles up his ranking as well, with the upside to do much more damage. Give me the 34-year-old No. 1 Carolina wideout as the Panthers desperately try to keep pace with the Bucs offense.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
Devaughn Vele (WR – DEN)
“Devaughn Vele because he has a great matchup against Cleveland. Vele has been able to benefit in recent weeks from the continued rise of Nix and the connection he has with Sutton. Vele has grabbed the #2 WR spot with a firm grip and does not look to let it go.”
– Andrew Leduc (That Sports Podcast Network)
“Devaughn Vele might not crack the top 100 in FantasyPros’ flex rankings, but he’s a sneaky pick who could surprise fantasy managers this week. His matchup against the Cleveland Browns is appealing, as they’ve struggled against wide receivers, allowing 5.1 Fantasy Points Above Expectation and ranking 29th in Fantasy Points Allowed with 31.7 FPPG given up to the position. Plus, Vele has posted two top-24 PPR finishes in his last three games. If you’re dealing with injuries and need a flex option, he’s a solid choice to roll the dice on this week.”
– Andrew Mott (Big Dogs Gotta Eat)
Tucker Kraft (TE – GB)
“Tucker Kraft is a great sleeper start this week against the Miami Dolphins defense as they allow on average 6.5 fantasy points to tight ends, which is right in the middle of the pack. We also need to keep an eye on the status of Romeo Doubs, who suffered a concussion last week against the San Francisco 49ers. If Doubs is unable to play, Kraft’s target share will increase exponentially. Another sign is that head coach Matt LaFleur is specifically drawing up plays for the second-year tight end, an example is the tight end screen that Kraft scored on last week. It is obvious that he has become a prominent part of the passing game, and this week, I expect him to record at least 3-5 receptions and score a touchdown.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)
Rashod Bateman (WR – BAL)
“At some point, people are going to have to start respecting Rashod Bateman and what he’s doing this week. Bateman has been responsible for all four of Lamar Jackson‘s longest passing plays this year, and his five touchdowns are one more than the rest of his NFL career combined. The Eagles have been a very good pass defense since their bye week, but Jackson is in the best form of his career and has built a solid level of trust with Bateman. If this game is going to hit its high over/under of 50.5, it’s hard not to imagine Bateman finishes as a top-36 WR, as he has in five of his last eight games.”
– Tom Strachan (NFL Best Ball)
Alec Pierce (WR – IND)
“With Josh Downs expected to miss time, Alec Pierce could be an interesting start for fantasy managers in Week 13. Pierce has displayed chemistry with Anthony Richardson this year and gets a tasty matchup with the Patriots, who concede the 8th most points to WRs and were just shredded by Miami last week. With Downs in the lineup, Pierce has still been on the field for around 80% of the Colts’ total offensive snaps. Without Downs, that number may only go up. It is risky, given the hot and cold demeanor displayed by Richardson, but if Pierce is going to hit, he will hit big.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR – NO)
“Marquez Valdes-Scantling continues to be a good sleeper option for Week 13. MVS was coming off back-to-back games over 12-plus fantasy points. He has found a role in a poor Saints passing offense as the downfield threat, which has been missing since Rashid Shaheed‘s injury. The Rams are a secondary that has struggled against fantasy receivers this season. MVS only needs one target to make a difference as a FLEX option; he is good to have in lineups this week. ”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)
Demario Davis (LB – NO)
“IDP Edition. Most casual fans might feel like drafting an IDP sleeper is like fishing at night.- You either reel in a stud or spend weeks untangling your roster. But it’s not true; the value is there in later rounds. Here is a case in point: Demario Davis is criminally undervalued (currently Fantasy Pros IDP 108th ranked player), yet we will continue to outplay his worth. Producing 23 tackles in the last two games, and coming fresh off a bye he gets a matchup against the Rams who love to run the football. Davis is an example of an every-down linebacker, who logs 100% snaps yet will go sure late in drafts. If I were a fisherman, Davis would provide the right bait to fish for a championship. Almost every season. Not just for Week 13 but overall good value.”
– Steve Hungarter (Fantasy Six Pack)
Duds
Which player inside the top 40 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week?
Malik Nabers (WR – NYG)
“A few weeks ago, I wrote that Malik Nabers was my pick to sell high on. Hopefully, some of you took my advice because the Giants’ offense is an absolute train wreck. The loss of New York’s best lineman, Andrew Thomas, was the main reason why I suggested it was time to unload the talented rookie. QB Tommy DeVito may be a “Goodfella” and a funny guy, but he’s a clear downgrade from Daniel Jones. However, there’s no bigger downgrade than hearing another one of Mark Ringo’s awful jokes.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
David Montgomery (RB – DET)
“David Montgomery is currently listed as RB17 and Flex player RB26. That is a pretty confident ranking, considering he did not return to the game on Sunday. It’s a short week with them playing on Thanksgiving, and he is questionable. If he does play, we could see him in a more limited role, and the re-injury risk is there. It’s hard to sit Montgomery, but I would consider the risks with 32 teams playing this week.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)
Tyreek Hill (WR – MIA)
“Tyreek Hill, I believe, will continue to struggle with the sore hand injury he has. Miami plays on a short week on Thanksgiving night on the road in Green Bay. The Packer defense has been great at causing disruption and producing turnovers this year. I believe Hill will miss expectations.”
– Andrew Leduc (That Sports Podcast Network)
“Currently the 37th overall flex player, Tyreek Hill has disappointed nearly every week and is set to do so again this week. The Green Bay Packers aren’t an incredibly formidable defense, but they have held opponents under 20 points in 6 of 11 games this season. Factor in that Hill has only finished better than WR26 twice this season, and it seems like Hill is in for another letdown. Tyreek is a guy you are still starting most weeks, but with no byes in Week 13, it’s possible you have better options this week. And, with De’Von Achane and Jonnu Smith getting theirs weekly, there’s little room for Hill to get there on volume. And this year, he’s barely gotten there on big gains, posting just three games over 70 yards on the season.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
“Unfortunately, we have to say Tyreek Hill could disappoint fantasy managers in Week 13. Hill isn’t being used as the heavily targeted receiver like he was last season. The Dolphin’s offense has changed as a short passing team using their backfield and tight end. The Packers have been doing well limiting receivers as of Week 6; they haven’t allowed a receiver over 70 yards. The cold factor with this offense could make things even worse for the Dolphins, who usually play well in the cold. Hill could be more of a name-value player than actually doing well in lineups. ”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)
Breece Hall (RB – NYJ)
“Breece Hall is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week. The New York Jets have been unable to establish the running game thus far this season, as the offensive line has been playing poorly and limited due to injuries. I understand Hall had a great game in week 11 against the Indianapolis Colts, scoring a season-high 31.1 fantasy points in PPR leagues. Unfortunately, his performance throughout the season has been inconsistent, as his numbers range from a low of 3.8 PPR fantasy points to 31.1. Don’t expect anything spectacular from Hall this week as he will probably only score around 10-12 points in PPR leagues.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)
“Breece Hall – Over the last three games, the Seattle Seahawks run defense hasn’t allowed a single explosive run and held Kyren Williams to RB28, Christian McCaffrey to RB14, and James Conner to RB18 with none of those running backs finding the end zone against them. Hall has been held without a touchdown in six of his last eight games, and projecting this Jets offense for any level of success is a difficult sell.”
– Tom Strachan (NFL Best Ball)
James Conner (RB – ARI)
“It has been a little iffy of late for James Conner. Since Week 4, the Cardinals RB has posted 15+ half-PPR points only twice and has only two touchdowns in that stretch. After a dismal performance last week in Seattle, he gets a road matchup against the Vikings in Week 13. Minnesota has only conceded four touchdowns to running backs this year and has held opposing RBs to under 100 rushing yards in each of their last four outings. It is a tough call, but if fantasy managers can avoid it, Conner may best be served on benches this week.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Tee Higgins (WR – CIN)
“Tee Higgins is currently ranked inside the top 40 in FantasyPros’ flex rankings, but he’s someone I think could underwhelm fantasy managers this week. His matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers looks tough, as they’ve been strong against wide receivers, allowing -4.8 Fantasy Points Above Expectation and ranking 6th in Fantasy Points Allowed, giving up just 23.7 FPPG to the position. While you’re likely still starting Higgins, I’d lower expectations. He’s more of a boom-or-bust WR2 this week, so there’s a risk he could leave you disappointed.”
– Andrew Mott (Big Dogs Gotta Eat)
Nick Bolton (LB – KC)
“IDP Edition. Generally, I don’t panic about players, but after four weeks of seeing the body of work, the sky is falling, and I am panicking! Nick Bolton only has 20 tackles in the last four games despite yielding a high snap count. That’s like LB3 value and the price of LB1. Likely because this team’s defensive line is strong up from, and the Chiefs offense generally dominates the time of possession, the fact still remains. Time to move him down the rankings.”
– Steve Hungarter (Fantasy Six Pack)
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