Week 13 Waiver Wire Report. Pat Freiermuth is Officially Back
Tired after Monday? I get it.
Three games on Thursday, a solo matchup on Friday, Thanksgiving meals, leftovers — like I said, I get it. The action has been non-stop. We could use a moment to reset, but now’s not the time.
The playoffs are right around the corner. Hopefully, you’re positioning your roster for a final push. Or maybe a Hail Mary play or two (not like the one the Jets tried) is what you need to get into the dance. Regardless, I’ve got the waiver picks you’ll need to get your squad on track for Week 13.
Looking for recommended FAAB budgeting and even more Waiver Wire analysis? Head to our Waiver Hub to get all of that and more, for FREE!
Injury Round-Up
- Browns
- Dorian Thompson-Robinson (head)
- Amari Cooper (ribs)
- Patriots
- Demario Douglas (head)
- Saints
- Rashid Shaheed (thigh)
- Chris Olave (head)
Waiver Claims
The List
- Pat Freiermuth
- Odell Beckham
- Jayden Reed
- Curtis Samuel
- Zack Moss
RB
Zack Moss, Colts
Zack Moss being on the field more than usual got lost in the shuffle of Jonathan Taylor’s first multi-score game of the season. At 30.8% of the Colts’ carries, it’s his third-highest tote rate since JT reclaimed the rushing throne. So, it’s not that notable at first. But it’s the third time Moss’ usage has spiked in close, high-scoring contests, as we saw similar upticks in Weeks 7 and 8 (18 and 11 carries).
Cleveland Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) works to bring down Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss (21) on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Sure, his workload can vary week-to-week. But Sunday was another reminder about how fruitful his skillset and situation are for fantasy purposes.
Indianapolis has the fifth-lowest early-down passing rate since Week 7. And Moss has thrived in his limited role. Against the Buccaneers (fifth-worst matchup against RBs), the former Buffalo RB posted a 62.5% success rate on his eight carries and nearly matched Taylor in every rushing efficiency metric. At worst, his contingent value should Taylor get hurt makes him a critical piece to stash on your bench. But with potentially tight games upcoming (TEN, CIN, PIT), Moss may have some flex appeal in standard formats.
Waiver Hub FAAB recommendation: 7%
Stash: Samaje Perine, Broncos
Javonte Williams briefly left the game during the Broncos’ first drive with a neck injury, which put Samaje Perine on the field for his short score. There’s no long-term concern for Williams, but the current trend indicates the Denver backfield is condensing around their top two options:
Jaleel McLaughlin saw his fewest snaps and touches since bursting onto the scene in Week 4. Meanwhile, Perine instantly came in for Williams and still mixed in as a receiver, making Perine a viable stash as we inch closer to the playoffs.
Waiver Hub FAAB recommendation: 3%
WR
Odell Beckham, Ravens
Odell Beckham came into the Week 12 as a game-time decision due to the shoulder injury he sustained against the Bengals. It explains him running only 12 routes on Lamar Jackson’s 36 dropbacks. But when he was on the field, Beckham was beating defenders on slants like it was 2016.
Beckham’s blistering 41.7% TPRR dwarfed the rest of the Baltimore pass-catchers. No one else was over 25.0%. The veteran WR took on 30.3% of the team’s air yards. Rashod Bateman was the next closest at 25.4%. He’s now earned five or more targets in three of his last four games and gets two weeks to rest. And with a matchup against his old team waiting for him on the opposite side of the bye (an average matchup for WRs), Beckham is a high-priority add and stash for the fantasy playoffs.
Waiver Hub FAAB recommendation: 10%
Jayden Reed, Packers
Without Aaron Jones active and Luke Musgrave on IR, Jayden Reed had his second-highest route rate of the season (78.8%) and matched his season-high of eight targets. But his involvement in the offense wasn’t limited to his pass-catching skills. The rookie WR got two carries, with one coming in the red zone.
Nov 23, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) has a pass from quarterback Jordan Love (10) go through his hands against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay’s play volume has been at or above the league average in four of their last five games. The only dud was when they controlled the script against Detroit. We shouldn’t expect the same this week against the Chiefs. With more on-field time and opportunities within the Packers’ offense, he should be a priority add for Week 13.
Waiver Hub FAAB recommendation: 15%
Curtis Samuel
Unfortunately, Curtis Samuel has only run a route on 60.4% of Sam Howell’s dropbacks in his last two full games.
Fortunately, the ball is likely coming his way when he's on the field. In Weeks 10 and 12, Samuel’s 24.0% and 36.4% TPRR led the Commanders’ WRs. He has one fewer target than Terry McLaurin over this span, and he’s the only other WR with a red-zone look from Howell. And a slight shift in Washington’s passing game may be behind Samuel’s resurgence.
Howell is still slinging it (+8.0% PROE), but not as far. He had an 8.6 aDOT in Weeks 6-9. Over the last three weeks, he’s averaged 7.1 air yards per attempt. Even with Samuel’s lack of routes, his usage and on-field deployment line up for continued fantasy production into Week 13.
Waiver Hub FAAB recommendation: 6%
Tutu Atwell, Rams
If your QB throws for four TDs and you lead the team in yards, you’ll likely wind up in a waiver column. But let’s contextualize his day.
As I said, Atwell was LA’s WR1 on Sunday. With three targets. For 76 yards. And 42 of them came on one reception.
Atwell only ran 13 routes and secured 9.7% of Matthew Stafford’s pass attempts. However, his 23.1% TPRR was behind only Puka Nacua, and Atwell’s speed allowed him to get to a 36.7% air yard share.
So, Atwell’s usage floor doesn’t lend itself to traditional leagues, but in deeper formats, he has appeal as a WR3, given his explosive nature. And potentially going up against a Myles-Garrett-less Browns’ pass rush, Stafford might have time to look downfield for Atwell.
Waiver Hub FAAB recommendation: 1%
TE
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers
There wasn’t much to get excited about after Pat Freiermuth’s Week 11 return. A single target in a Kenny-Pickett-led offense isn’t very inspiring. But since he was just coming back from a hamstring injury, we should’ve expected a ramp-up, and that’s what we got:
- Snap Rate: 54.4% (Week 11), 60.3% (Week 12)
- Route Rate: 39.4%, 67.6%
- Target Share: 4.0%, 34.4%
Diontae Johnson has “issues” with how things are currently going for him on offense, and George Pickens primarily plays on the boundary (19.4% slot rate over his last three games). Coincidentally, the Steelers will host the same offense that just allowed two scores to their opposing team’s TE. Regardless, Freiermuth’s opportunity share should be enough to get him on rosters for Week 13.
Waiver Hub FAAB recommendation: 15%
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