Week 13 Streamers and Stashes

Happy Thanksgiving! Now as an Australian, I didn’t grow up with Thanksgiving, but today I learnt a fun fact. Did you know that four countries celebrate American Thanksgiving with a public holiday? Canada, Liberia and of course the United States are all obvious, but the fourth is oddly Australia. Though not all of Australia. Just Norfolk Island, a small Australian territory of 2200 people about two days boat ride from my hometown of Brisbane. And they celebrate it on the Wednesday. So, when you’re celebrating with some football on Thursday, remember to give thanks for the Aussies of Norfolk Island. Now let’s get into some fantasy football.

To keep things simple, we’ll define a streamer as any player you wouldn’t usually start who is a viable option for this week. They may be on your bench or they may be on waivers, depending on your league. We’ll define a stash as any player you can probably find on waivers that you should stash for the future, either because they have a favorable match-up coming up, or because they could become a future fantasy starter.

Please also check out my rankings at ffdfantasyfootball.com and you can find my long-form videos on the Fantasy First Down Youtube channel and my Slot/Wide analysis on the Razzball Fantasy Youtube channel. If you have any questions, throw them in the comments below.

Be sure to check out the latest tools on Razzball.com: Slot vs. Wide PPG Allowed | WR Slot vs. Wide| DEF Targets Allowed | Home vs. Away | Wins vs. Losses | TD Tool

I’ll also be reporting my streamer record from the season to date above each section, to give you an idea of what to expect. Strong finishes mean top third of starters at the position, moderate means the top half of starters and a bust is anyone else.

QB Streamers (13 strong, 5 moderate, 7 bust):

• Player: CJ Stroud
• Matchup: Jaguars

The Jaguars have been the best quarterback matchup all season and I don’t expect that will change in Week 13. The return of Trevor Lawrence should turn this into a shootout making CJ Stroud a strong streaming option.

• Player: Russell Wilson
• Matchup: Bengals

Desperate for a low-end streamer? Russell Wilson has just one touchdown in the last two weeks but you can hardly blame him for struggling in the snow on TNF. This week he faces the third most generous quarterback defense in football in the Bengals. He’s got plenty of low-end upside but a lower floor than most.

QB Stash:

• Player: Sam Darnold
• Matchup: Cardinals

Sam Darnold has disappointed in good matchups at times but against the difficult Titans and Bears in the last fortnight, he somehow has two Top 10 finishes. He faces the Falcons in Week 14, when six teams are on byes. I like him as a stash and stream if you have Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson or Drake Maye as your starter.

 

RB Streamers (22 strong, 11 moderate, 7 bust):

• Player: Chuba Hubbard
• Matchup: Buccaneers

I was all about using Chuba Hubbard last week despite the matchup and, as anticipated, the Jonathon Brooks ramp-up is going to be slow. I would expect a strong Hubbard week against the generous Bucs defense in Week 13.

• Player: Bucky Irving and Rachaad White
• Matchup: Panthers

I’m going back to the Buccaneers again after last week’s success. This week the dynamic duo gets a great RB matchup against the Panthers. Irving is a must-start while White is a solid PPR flex option. Hopefully Tucker stops sniping touchdowns though.

• Player: Jeremy McNichols
• Matchup: Titans

Both Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler are at risk of sitting Week 13. I expect one or both to return after their Week 14 bye making Jeremy McNichols a one-week streaming option. The Titans aren’t the best running matchup but I’d still use McNichols if you’re struggling at the position.

RB Stashes:

• Player: Travis Etienne
• Matchup: Texans

Travis Etienne’s November from Hell continues as he gets the brutal Texans run defense. His poor production has led to his dropping in a lot of leagues, but he’s still got the lead running job in Jacksonville and has far easier matchups in the fantasy playoffs. He’s a solid pickup in small-medium leagues where he’s available.

Running backs get injured more than any other player in fantasy, with the average Top 36 running back missing two games per season in fantasy. For that reason, your best bet in fantasy is to roster running backs who are an injury away from an every-down role. Each week, I’ll be listing my favorite RB stashes, only including players you won’t be starting most weeks.

Top Handcuffs: Tyler Allgeier, Braelon Allen, Zach Charbonnet, Blake Corum, Ray Davis, Tyjae Spears, Devin Singletary, Cam Akers

 

WR Streamers (10 strong, 13 moderate, 14 bust):

• Player: DJ Moore
• Matchup: Lions

DJ Moore was a surprise starter for me last week and that panned out. This week, with the generous Lions secondary on tap, I’m going back to the well. Moore remains a risky option but in a Top 10 matchup, he’s a solid start for me.

• Player: Marvin Harrison Jr
• Matchup: Vikings

The Seahawks in Week 12 were MHJ’s first Top 10 receiving matchup since Week 3. And it certainly looked that way! Oh, sorry, my mistake, no, he busted royally. But this week he faces the Vikings and I’m expecting a strong rebound by the Cardinals as a whole.

• Player: Brian Thomas Jr
• Matchup: Texans

Brian Thomas Jr is another rookie who has been struggling. A chest injury has limited him while Mac Jones has been no Trevor Lawrence. And I say that knowing Trev hasn’t been great himself. But out of his bye week, against a generous Texans secondary, I’m expecting a big bounce back by the rookie first rounder.

WR Stashes:

• Player: All Browns Receivers
• Matchup: Broncos

Coming off a very tough Steelers matchup, things get even worse for the Browns receivers, who take on the Denver Broncos and their vaunted secondary. They’re a strong avoid for me this week, especially Cedric Tillman with his concussion, but I love their playoff upside, particularly against the Bengals in Week 16.

• Player: Christian Watson
• Matchup: Dolphins

Christian Watson has finally become the clear starter in the X receiver role for Green Bay. This week that meant… a big fat donut. Though it is worth noting that Watson dropped what would have been a guaranteed long touchdown. Romeo Doubs’ injury shores up Watson’s role further but I can’t start him in a tough Week 13 matchup against the Dolphins. In Week 14, when byes attack, Watson gets the Lions. That’s when you want him. So stash him now.

• Player: Adam Thielen
• Matchup: Buccaneers

Adam Thielen returned to a moderate snap count as the slot receiver in three receiver sets. Jalen Coker’s injury certainly helped, but for Thielen to have value down the stretch, he’ll need all of those slot snaps and probably some 12 personnel snaps too. He’s a fine stash but for now, but no more.

 

TE Streamers (7 strong, 6 moderate, 11 bust):

• Player: Dallas Goedert
• Matchup: Ravens

DeVonta Smith’s absence always opens up opportunities for Dallas Goedert and that’s what I’m banking on this week. While he was quiet against the Rams in Week 12, that was mainly because of Saquon Barkley’s dominance. Against the Ravens, I expect a lot more passing and a solid Goedert outing.

• Player: Cade Otton
• Matchup: Panthers

The Panthers have conceded the most points in the league to tight ends and Cade Otton had one bad week so just chill, OK? He’s still a solid start this week ahead of most other tight end streamers.

TE Stash:

• Player: Noah Gray
• Matchup: Raiders

This has nothing to do with Noah Gray’s four touchdowns in the last two weeks and everything to do with effective handcuffing. If you’re struggling at the tight end position or own Travis Kelce, Gray is a high-end stash just in case Kelce gets injured approaching the fantasy playoffs. Sadly he doesn’t have a famous girlfriend but I’ll leave the NFL to worry about that.

 

K Streamers (13 strong, 5 moderate, 6 bust):

• Player: Chase McLaughlin
• Matchup: Panthers

Welcome to Episode 13 of “Start Kickers against the Panthers”. Please enjoy.

• Player: Spencer Shrader
• Matchup: Raiders

He had a strong Week 12 and now he gets the best kicker matchup in football. I’m starting Spencer Shrader for the second straight week against the Raiders.

DST Streamers (16 strong, 1 moderate and 7 bust):

• Player: Washington Commanders DST
• Matchup: Titans

The Titans offer the best DST matchup in the league and this week, it’s Washington that gets the honor of some free fantasy points.

• Player: Dallas Cowboys DST
• Matchup: Giants

The Cowboys DST looked far better last week and Tommy DeVito…didn’t. I’m backing Micah Parsons et al in Week 13.

Please note I won’t be listing any kicker or DST stashes as you should never roster more than one of either of these positions.