Week 13 Fantasy Football Rankings: Lineup Advice for Every Position

We're about to enter the 13th week of the 2016 NFL season. For many of you, this means that the time for the fantasy postseason is upon you.

Many fantasy leagues, especially larger ones, will be starting their playoffs this week. For those of you who are still in the regular season but are looking at a playoff spot, this is still a critical point in the season.

While you'll be watching the playoffs from your couch regardless, the wrong moves this week could have you watching from the consolation bracket.

We're here to help, though, with our Week 13 positional rankings. We'll be running down the top players at each position based on projected performance and will also examine some risers and fallers at each skill position.

All of our choices are based on factors like past performances, matchups, projected role and player health.

Quarterbacks

Rank	Player	Matchup
1	Drew Brees, NO	DET
2	Andrew Luck, IND	@ NYJ
3	Matt Ryan, ATL	KC
4	Derek Carr, OAK	BUF
5	Philip Rivers, SD	TB
6	Aaron Rodgers, GB	HOU
7	Matthew Stafford, DET	@ NO
8	Tom Brady, NE	LA
9	Russell Wilson, SEA	CAR
10	Ben Roethlisberger, PIT	NYG

Up: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is playing about as well as he ever has. So far this season, he has completed 71.5 percent of his passes for 3,587 yards, 30 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.

The former Purdue standout has even proven effective against top-tier defenses. Last week against the Los Angeles Rams—who are rated seventh in overall defense by Pro Football Focus—Brees racked up 310 yards and four touchdowns.

This week, Brees and the Saints will host the Detroit Lions. Pro Football Focus rated Detroit just 31st in overall defense. Expect Brees to have another big day.

Down: Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton has been a viable fantasy starter in the past, and you may have streamed him for a week or two this season.

The main problem for Dalton this season has been an inability to reach the end zone. Even with weapons like A.J. Green, Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard at his disposal, Dalton has only thrown 12 touchdown passes to go with nine turnovers.

To make matters worse, Dalton now doesn't have Bernard and Green to target. Bernard is out for the year with a torn ACL. Green is out for an extended period with a hamstring issue.

Last week, Dalton mustered 283 yards but just one touchdown with two lost fumbles. This week, he'll go against a Philadelphia Eagles defense that is rated third in pass rush by Pro Football Focus.

If you're still streaming quarterbacks, look elsewhere this week.

Running Backs

Rank	Player	Matchup
1	David Johnson, ARI	WAS
2	Spencer Ware, KC	@ ATL
3	Melvin Gordon, SD	TB
4	Le'Veon Bell, PIT	NYG
5	Ezekiel Elliott, DAL	@ MIN
6	LeGarrette Blount, NE	LA
7	LeSean McCoy, BUF	@ OAK
8	Matt Forte, NYJ	IND
9	Devonta Freeman, ATL	KC
10	Mark Ingram, NO	DET
11	Todd Gurley, LA	@ NE
12	Jordan Howard, CHI	SF
13	Theo Riddick, DET	@ NO
14	Darren Sproles, PHI	@ CIN
15	Jay Ajayi, MIA	@ BAL
16	Rob Kelley, WAS	@ ARI
17	Devontae Booker, DEN	@ JAX
18	Carlos Hyde, SF	@ SF
19	Jeremy Hill, CIN	PHI
20	Latavius Murray, OAK	BUF

Up: Spencer Ware, Kansas City Chiefs

Spencer Ware continues to show that he can carry the load for the Kansas City Chiefs on the ground. The LSU product is averaging 4.7 yards per carry, has rushed for 705 yards and has added 24 receptions for 372 more yards.

Ware has three total touchdowns.

This week, Ware and the Chiefs will visit the Atlanta Falcons. While the Falcons have an incredible offense—one averaging an NFL-best 32.5 points per game—the Atlanta defense leaves something to be desired, especially against the run.

The Falcons are rated just 25th in run defense by Pro Football Focus.

Ware should be able to produce strong fantasy numbers against the Falcons this week. Adding to the likelihood is the fact that rookie receiver Tyreek Hill has started stretching the field for the Chiefs offense. Atlanta won't be able to clamp down on the Chiefs' running game for four full quarters.

Down: Chris Ivory, Jacksonville Jaguars

Running back Chris Ivory was a true fantasy stud while playing with the New York Jets last season. In 2015, he racked up 1,287 combined rushing and receiving yards with eight total touchdowns.

Unfortunately, Ivory hasn't held nearly as much fantasy value this year with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are averaging just 96.3 yards per game as a team. Ivory has produced just 350 rushing yards, 117 receiving yards and two touchdowns in nine appearances this year.

In Week 13, Ivory will have to go up against the vaunted Denver Broncos defense. That defense is rated eighth against the run by Pro Football Focus. This isn't a good week to take a chance on Ivory—or backfield mate T.J. Yeldon, for that matter.

Wide Receivers

Rank	Player	Matchup
1	Odell Beckham Jr., NYG	@ PIT
2	Julio Jones, ATL	KC
3	Antonio Brown, PIT	NYG
4	T.Y. Hilton, IND	@ NYJ
5	Mike Evans, TB	@ SD
6	Larry Fitzgerald, ARI	WAS
7	Jordy Nelson, GB	HOU
8	Amari Cooper, OAK	BUF
9	Brandin Cooks, NO	DET
10	Tyreek Hill, KC	@ ATL
11	Marvin Jones, DET	@ NO
12	Jamison Crowder, WAS	@ ARI
13	Michael Thomas, NO	DET
14	Julian Edelman, NE	LA
15	Doug Baldwin, SEA	CAR
16	Mike Wallace, BAL	MIA
17	Demaryius Thomas, DEN	@ JAX
18	Kenny Britt, LA	@ NO
19	Emmanuel Sanders, DEN	@ JAX
20	Tyrell Williams, SD	TB

Up: Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs

As we mentioned above, Hill is beginning to establish himself as a big part of the Chiefs offense. Over the last three weeks, he has produced a total of 23 receptions, 194 yards and a touchdown. He has also rushed for 15 yards and a score in that span.

Perhaps more importantly, Hill appears to be earning the confidence of his teammates.

"He’s that fast and that electric," Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said of Hill, per Vahe Gregorian of the Kansas City Star.

Hill is worth an add if you can get him—he's owned in 26.5 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues. Hill and the Chiefs face a Falcons defense that is surrendering an NFL-worst 282.2 passing yards per game.

Down: Kenny Stills, Miami Dolphins

Wideout Kenny Stills had a standout game for the Miami Dolphins last week, hauling in three catches for 72 yards and a score. Over the course of the season, though, he hasn't been a consistent fantasy producer.

For the season, Stills is averaging just over two catches and 43 yards per game. On the bright side, he is scoring a touchdown about once every other game.

It had looked for a bit like Stills might be in store for a bigger Week 13 role, as fellow wideout DeVante Parker suffered a back injury on Sunday. However, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald reported that the injury isn't serious:

This means Stills is likely to be in his regular role against a Baltimore Ravens defense that allows just 222.9 passing yards per game (sixth-fewest in the NFL) and is rated eighth in overall defense by Pro Football Focus.

Tight Ends

Rank	Player	Matchup
1	Travis Kelce, KC	@ ATL
2	Jimmy Graham, SEA	CAR
3	Greg Olsen, CAR	@ DEN
4	Kyle Rudolph, MIN	DAL
5	Martellus Bennett, NE	LA
6	Tyler Eifert, CIN	PHI
7	Jason Witten, DAL	@ MIN
8	Zach Ertz, PHI	@ CIN
9	Coby Fleener, NO	DET
10	Eric Ebron, DET	@ NO

Up: Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks

Even with the Seattle Seahawks playing inconsistently on offense, tight end Jimmy Graham has returned to being a fantasy star in 2016. So far, he has racked up 51 receptions, 706 yards and four touchdowns.

Hopefully, the Seahawks will be able to get back on track while playing at home this week. Regardless, Graham should remain a top-end tight end. He and the Seahawks are hosting the rebounding Carolina Panthers, who have improved on defense but still struggle at times.

Pro Football Focus rated Carolina just 26th in pass coverage. Graham is in prime position to take advantage of a favorable matchup.

Watch: Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins

We can't exactly say we're going to be down on Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed. If he plays, it's difficult to think about benching him. However, we will suggest caution with him this week—and are leaving him out of our rankings—because he recently suffered a shoulder separation.

As former NFL physician David J. Chao pointed out, Reed will be in position to play while injured:

However, we're not sure a less than 100 percent Reed is going to be a high-end play this week. The Redskins face the Arizona Cardinals, who are rated second in overall defense by PFF. If you're ever going to sit Reed in a week he's playing, this might be the week to do it.

At the very least, keep an eye on his status in the days leading up to Sunday.

Kickers

Rank	Player	Matchup
1	Matt Bryant, ATL	KC
2	Adam Vinatieri, IND	@ NYJ
3	Justin Tucker, BAL	MIA
4	Dan Bailey, DAL	@ MIN
5	Cairo Santos, KC	@ ATL
6	Dustin Hopkins, WAS	@ ARI
7	Josh Lambo, SD	TB
8	Caleb Sturgis, PHI	@ CIN
9	Brandon McManus, DEN	@ JAX
10	Wil Lutz, NO	DET

Defense/Special Teams

Rank	Player	Matchup
1	Denver Broncos	@ JAX
2	New England Patriots	LA
3	Arizona Cardinals	WAS
4	Seattle Seahawks	CAR
5	Pittsburgh Steelers	NYG
6	Minnesota Vikings	DAL
7	Dallas Cowboys	@ MIN
8	San Diego Chargers	TB
9	Indianapolis Colts	@ NYJ
10	New York Jets	IND