The Week 13 waiver wire isn’t overly exciting at the wide receiver position. It mostly consists of guys who just had big weeks that we’re chasing. But there are two rookies fantasy football managers might want to add, though. Here are a couple of WR targets on the wire this week.
Top WR Waiver Wire Targets in Week 13
Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (47% Rostered)
The Packers showed up and showed out in Detroit on Thanksgiving. They came out and completely punched the Lions in the mouth. The Lions never recovered. A big part of that was Jayden Reed.
The rookie posted 15 fantasy points as he continues to find ways to get it done, both as a receiver and a rusher. Reed now has 15+ fantasy points in three straight games. He’s hit for double-digit tallies in five of his last six and on seven total occasions for the season.
More Waiver Wire Targets: TEs | RBs | QBs
Reed was able to produce even in the Christian Watson breakout game. He looks like the best receiver on the Packers and is proving to be a useful fantasy asset. Pick him up.
FAAB Recommendation: 10-15%
Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders (28% Rostered)
What a performance by Curtis Samuel on Thanksgiving. In a game the Commanders lost by 35 to the Cowboys, Samuel was the best receiver on the field. He caught nine of 12 targets for 100 yards. It was easily his best performance of the season.
Samuel is never going to be a reliable weekly option. But he carries weekly WR2 upside. He just has a very low floor.
Samuel has four games of 14+ fantasy points but six games under 7.5 fantasy points as well. You take the good with the bad. For those in deeper leagues, you can do worse than Samuel as a desperation Flex.
FAAB Recommendation: 8-12%
Demario Douglas, New England Patriots (36% Rostered)
This one is far less appealing now that Demario Douglas is hurt. But he has posted double-digit fantasy points in three straight games. Douglas is the clear WR1 for the Patriots. He’s now shown an ability to produce with both Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.
Before you put in your waiver claims, be sure to check for an update on Douglas’ injury status. If he’s going to miss an extended period of time, then there’s no reason to add him. If not, he’s a viable WR4.
FAAB Recommendation: 5-10%
Jalin Hyatt, New York Giants (3% Rostered)
It’s hard to invest anything in the New York Giants right now. But they lack any clear top option in their passing game. Their receivers are largely a bunch of journeymen who we know can’t be top guys. Maybe Jalin Hyatt can be that guy.
Hyatt caught five passes for 109 yards against the Patriots. It’s probably just a blip, but if you have room on your bench, there’s no harm in adding Hyatt now and seeing what happens next week.
FAAB Recommendation: 5-10%
Which WRs Should You Roster in Fantasy Football?
Should You Roster Jayden Reed or George Pickens?
This one feels like a wholly ridiculous question until you really look at the numbers. George Pickens hasn’t hit double-digit fantasy points since Week 7. The offensive coordinator change helped the Steelers overall, but it didn’t do much for Pickens.
Despite pregame reports that the Steelers would feature Pickens more, he saw just five targets, catching three for 38 yards. He hasn’t seen more than six targets in a game in six weeks.
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Meanwhile, Reed, still running as the Packers’ WR3 (for some odd reason), continues to produce. I can’t quite endorse dropping Pickens. But it’s hard to defend rostering him over Reed if that’s the dilemma you are faced with.
Ultimately, I am still sticking with Pickens, but it’s very close, and if you want to swap to Reed, I won’t stand in your way.
Should You Roster Curtis Samuel or Jaxon Smith-Njigba?
Answering this question in favor of Samuel feels very reactionary. After all, prior to Thanksgiving Day’s explosion, Samuel hadn’t posted more than 6.5 fantasy points since Week 6.
At the same time, Samuel has displayed a pretty decent ceiling. He has four games with 14+ fantasy points. That’s three more than Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
I do believe the rookie to be the more talented player. But that’s not a knock on Samuel, who is very talented in his own right.
Both players are technically their respective team’s WR3, but Samuel has had a consistently larger role all season. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are far bigger obstacles than Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.
If Metcalf or Lockett were to get hurt, I would definitely prefer JSN. With both healthy, give me Samuel.
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