Thomason: Top Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 13
By Jack Thomason--
(CBS) I write this article attempting to give everyone the best overall idea in competitive leagues of who to pick up on a weekly basis. Sometimes looking into ownership percentages hurts more than it helps. I say that because a player like Chiefs running back Spencer Ware would be at the top of my list if he was available. His ownership percentage across certain sites says he is available in more than 45 to 50 percent of leagues, but I can't believe that to be true in a competitive league.
Therefore, I will tell you here that if Ware is available, make him a top waiver priority. The same goes for Falcons running back Tevin Coleman. Also, make sure all top handcuffs are locked up on the off chance something happens to the starter in front of them. Heading into the playoffs, it's about stockpiling backups and upside players to protect from injury, ensuring that your title run isn't cut short due to it. And maybe you hit on an upside player who busts onto the scene late.
Here are my top 10 waiver adds for 10- and 12-team leagues, with a bonus suggestion as well.
1. David Johnson (RB, Arizona Cardinals) – Johnson scored once again this weekend, bringing his touchdown total to eight on the season (four rushing, three receiving and one on a kickoff return). He's explosive and has great receiving ability, which makes him an all-purpose running back. While coach Bruce Arians makes his rookies earn it, the Cardinals are depleted at running back, so it will be a combo of Johnson and Kerwyn Williams until further notice. Johnson is a top-10 running back with Chirs Johnson fracturing his tibia and Andre Ellington battling a turf toe injury. David Johnson also plays for a 9-2 team that boasts the No. 1 offense in yards per game (417.3) and points per game (35.5) and one that ranks ninth in rush offense (119.7). He won't be hurting for scoring opportunities.
2. Shaun Draughn (RB, San Francisco 49ers) – This man gets no respect. I've suggested adding him before, but still his ownership levels are putrid. The one trait Draughn has that the majority of these other running backs don't is a 100 percent market share of his team's backfield. The rest listed either have it temporarily or share snaps. Draughn may not be an elite talent, but he's quick, shifty and a dual threat. He has at least 20 touches in each game since Week 8 and hasn't totaled fewer than 77 yards. Make him a priority if he's still available. Draughn will give you steady production and a solid floor.
3. Scott Chandler (TE, New England Patriots) – The latest report from ESPN reporter Adam Schefter indicates that star tight end Rob Gronkowski isn't expected to play Sunday against the Eagles, and he may possibly miss multiple weeks, based upon pain tolerance. Couple that with the fact the Patriots' focus is on the playoffs and winning another Super Bowl, and one would think they'd exercise caution with Gronkowski. That's where Chandler comes into play. Without Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman on the field, he was a large part of the offense against Denver. He saw 11 targets, hauling in five for 58 yards and a score. He won't be Gronkowski -- no one is -- but Chandler will have the major opportunity while his teammate is out. I want those opportunities on my fantasy squad.
4. Anquan Boldin (WR, San Francisco 49ers) – Going back to Week 5 and subtracting the two weeks Boldin missed with injury, he has no fewer than seven targets in any game and only one game under 93 yards. I know he's in the 49ers' offense, so touchdown potential isn't there, but San Francisco trails often and has shown a semblance of life with Blaine Gabbert at the helm. Boldin will continue to see volume and has averaged 9.2 targets and 12.8 points per game in a .5 PPR setting since Week 5. Those are solid WR2 numbers.
5. Julius Thomas (TE, Jacksonville Jaguars) – Thomas now has back-to-back games with a touchdown, and it marks his third score since Week 6. He has become more of a focal point in the red zone for Blake Bortles and in the pas offense overall. Since Week 6, he hasn't had fewer than five targets in any one game and has had eight targets or more in four of those six. With tight end always being difficult to sort out behind the few big boys, Thomas makes for a solid TE1 with top upside (he finished Week 12 as the top scoring tight end), especially if you just lost Jimmy Graham to injury.
6. Alfred Blue (RB, Houston Texans) – He isn't flashy nor is he uber talented, but Blue's volume is there on a team that's rising toward the end of the season. The Texans are predicated on playing tough defense (which they have been great at of late) and running the ball. Blue has played on 49 percent of the snaps since Arian Foster's injury and over the last four games, he has piled up 63 carries and 10 receptions. He also has touchdowns in back-to-back games. Blue won't be a guy to carry your team to the title, but he can be someone that helps fill a void at flex or RB2 with a safe floor.
7. Ameer Abdullah (RB, Detroit Lions) – We know Abdullah was supposed to be a big help to fantasy owners and has been a disappointment instead, but his snap count and touches are on the rise, and the coaching staff is making comments about him earning a larger role. In the last two weeks, he has a combined 30 touches for 121 total yards. While it isn't anything spectacular, it's enough to warrant a pick-up, especially if you're hurting at running back. The Lions offense is starting to click, and their fantasy playoff schedule is a cozy one. We also know Abdullah has explosive upside. Capitalize by grabbing him if a former owner grew tired of his poor performances and dropped him.
8. Doug Baldwin (WR, Seattle Seahawks) – Trying to predict Baldwin's next big game is like finding a needle in a haystack, but with star tight end Graham done for the year, Baldwin may be in for an uptick in targets. Not only does he have that going for him, but he also has six or more targets in the last four games. In two of those four games, he has tallied six or more receptions, for more than 130 yards receiving and at least one score. He should be a solid WR3 moving forward.
9. Jay Ajayi (RB, Miami Dolphins) – Lamar Miller owners need to have Ajayi on their roster and non-Miller owners need to be thinking about a speculative add here. Miller's a free agent at the end of the year, and the Dolphins could want to give Ajayi an extended look down the stretch. Miller has yet to top 50 yards rushing in his last five games and was outgained in total yardage by Ajayi, 53-13, this past week. Ajayi has now totaled 18 carries and 108 yards rushing to go along with six receptions and 75 yards over his first four games.
10. DaVante Parker (WR, Miami Dolphins) – Here's one of those "swing for the fences" upside stash. Parker was the 14th overall selection in the 2015 draft and has elite No. 1 receiver attributes. He has battled a foot injury throughout the season but finally had a breakthrough game last week, catching four balls on 10 targets for 80 yards and a score. Similar to the situation with Ajayi and Miller, Rishard Matthews is a free agent at the end of the season and now has multiple fractured ribs. It's time for the Dolphins to take the training wheels off their new toy down the stretch. Parker has the natural ability to make a significant impact.
11. Kamar Aiken (WR, Baltimore Ravens) – Matt Schaub looked capable Monday night, albeit against a pitiful Browns defense, but Ravens are playing with nothing to lose and have some fight left in them. Aiken was the main beneficiary, catching six balls on a team-high 10 targets, racking up 80 yards and a score. The Ravens aren't going to pound anyone into submission, nor are they going to shut down any opposing pass offenses, so Aiken will have plenty of opportunities to put up WR3 numbers.
Just missed: Duke Johnson, Alfred Morris, Brandon Bolden, Theo Riddick, Keshawn Martin, Kendall Wright, Cecil Shorts, Dontrelle Inman, Kyle Rudolph and Vance McDonald.
Jack Thomason is 670 The Score's fantasy football expert and co-host of "Chicago's Fantasy Football Today," which can be heard every Sunday during football season from 8-9 a.m. CT on WSCR-670 and 670thescore.com/listen. Follow him on Twitter@jthomason77and feel free to ask fantasy questions.
