Waiver Wired, Week 13: Leonard Fournette’s Punch-Out!

For some of you, (me included) this is your last chance to make the playoffs. Some smart decisions and a big week here could lead you to fantasy glory. You know what doesn’t help? Melvin Gordon tearing up his knees. You know what else doesn’t help? Leonard Fournette watching Creed 2 before his games. Take a look at my recommendations and your waivers to see who is available to replace them this week. If you have any questions — as always — post a comment below and I’ll get back to you. Let’s get this chip!

Quarterbacks

Case Keenum, 9.2%, @ CIN: Truly a desperation pick in 2 QB leagues only. The Bengals have allowed the most fantasy points to QB all season and have been especially bad in the last six games. They’ve allowed an average of 25 fantasy points in those games. On top of that — Andy Dalton is done for the year so the Broncos defense should provide a lot of possession time for their offense. But more on them later…

Colt McCoy, 3.1%, @ PHI: Yes, this is 2018. Yes, Colt McCoy is still in the league. McCoy didn’t have too awful of a game last week putting up 268 yards with 2 passing TDs. Unfortunately, a lot of that scoring was undone by 3 interceptions, but 14 fantasy points isn’t COMPLETELY dreadful. In week 13 McCoy and the Redskins will take on the Eagles who have allowed the 5th most passing yards this season. If they can allow Blake Bortles to score 19 fantasy points, they can do the same to McCoy. I’m not saying you should run to the hills to grab McCoy, but if Keenum is a desperation pick in 2 QB leagues — then I can say the same for McCoy in 7 QB leagues.

Running Backs

Carlos Hyde, 38.8%, vs IND: You’re going to want to get in front of this story if possible. As of Monday evening, Leonard Fournette is suspended for week 13. Don’t know if that will get overturned or not through appeal, but if not you should get your hands on Hyde where he’s available especially if you’re a Fournette or Melvin Gordon owner hoping to fight your way into the playoffs. T.J. Yeldon will probably get a lot of the snaps, but there could be enough of a timeshare here for Hyde to have value in your flex spot. Especially since these same Colts allowed Fournette to score 27 fantasy points in week 10. Those points are available for Yeldon and Hyde now.

LeGarrette Blount, 18.5%, vs LAR: Another story you should get in front of is the injury to Kerryon Johnson. Blount got the majority of the rushing attempts (19 to 2) on Thanksgiving, but as always Theo Riddick was heavily involved in the passing game going 7 for 7 on receptions. The Rams have been pretty solid at preventing RBs in the passing game allowing the 6th fewest receiving yards out of the backfield so if you have a choice — grab Blount for this week.

Justin Jackson, 0.2%, @ PIT: Austin Ekeler is either gone in your league (54.6% owned) or is going to be gone soon so if he’s available — put a claim in for him first. But without Gordon, Jackson got his first major action of the season and did pretty well rushing for 57 yards on 7 attempts. With Gordon out for the foreseeable future I could see Jackson getting even more rushing attempts in week 13 while Ekeler gets a lot of the passing looks. Jackson was a four year starter at Northwestern and accumulated over 1000 rushing yards each year (only the 9th NCAA player to ever do that) on his way to becoming the program’s all-time leading rusher. .

Wide Receivers

Josh Doctson, 15.6%, @ PHI: With Paul Richardson and Jamison Crowder out Docston became the leading targeted WR for Colt McCoy. Doctson has averaged over 10 fantasy points in his last 5 games as well. The Eagles have allowed the second-most receiving yards to WRs this year. If it’s just Doctson and Trey Quinn lining up at WR then I’m thinking Doctson continues to be their most targeted WR.

David Moore, 6.8%, vs SF: Moore is as boom or bust as they come — he hasn’t caught more than 4 passes all season. However, when he does make catches — he makes them count. He’s scored under 10 fantasy points 4 times and over 12 points 4 times. The 49ers have allowed the 7th most fantasy points to WRs this season which could set Moore up for success in week 13.

Jermaine Kearse, 3.9%, @ TEN: Reunited with his old friend Josh McCown from 2017, Kearse had one of his best games this year finally catching his first TD. It’s looking likely that McCown will be the starting QB for the Jets again in week 13 which bodes well since they have established chemistry. The Titans have been pretty awful against WRs this season allowing an average of 39.7 fantasy points to opposing WRs.

Robert Foster, 0.1%, @ MIA: Foster’s had an interesting year so far. He had two catches for 30 yards back in week 2, but was then released by the Bills and re-signed to their practice squad. He was called up to the main roster and in Week 10 he caught 3 passes for 105 yards and 13 fantasy points. Then, last week he caught 2 passes for 94 yards and a TD for 17 fantasy points. Foster’s value will always be limited by Josh Allen who only had 8 completions on Sunday, but if he can continue to break out and catch the deep ball — he’ll have some value especially against the Dolphins who have allowed the 4th most receptions over 40 yards.

Tight Ends

Matt LaCosse, 0.0%, @ CIN: With Jeff Heuerman now done for the season, LaCosse is lined up to collect some more targets. In week 12 he caught his first TD pass of the year to collect 12 fantasy points. The reason I’m so bullish on LaCosse for week 13 is his opponent. The Bengals have allowed the most fantasy points to TEs this season. LaCosse has the opportunity to seize this opportunity as the Broncos TE1 for the rest of the season.

Defense/Special Teams

Denver Broncos D/ST, 39.7, @ CIN: No Andy Dalton? No A.J. Green? No problem. The Bengals were averaging the 7th fewest yards per game with those guys. Now without ‘em? Fuggetaboutit. Plus, holding the explosive Steelers to 17 points in week 12 should help inspire some confidence in this Broncos defense heading into this very exploitable match-up against the Bengals.

Kicker

Mike Badgley, 19.3%, @ PIT: Second verse, same as the first. I recommended you grab Badgley if you needed a replacement kicker and he put up a solid 9 fantasy points and still hasn’t missed a FG this season. The Chargers week 13 game against the Steelers could turn into an offensive pissing match which maybe could lead Badgley to have another high extra point game.