Fantasy Football Week 13: Sleeper Picks for Each Position

Injuries that ravage your roster can be devastating. Trying to decide between two under-performing players can be frustrating.

Who will stay hot?

Who will burn out?

And who will rise out of the ashes?

These seven players and one defense will outperform expectations in Week 13. Most projections have these players outside of the Top 12 at their position and some are even out of the Top 20.

Here's why these sleepers will be viable options in Week 13.

Carson Palmer, QB

Palmer threw his second 300-yard game of the season in Week 12 and the Raiders are going up against the 24th ranked pass defense of the Miami Dolphins this week.

Denarius Moore, Jacoby Ford and Darren McFadden are all out for Week 13. But Palmer showed last week that he can connect with other targets like Marcel Reece and Darius Heyward-Bey. I wouldn't be surprised if he picks up another 300-yard game.

For a slideshow of my top 10 quarterbacks for Week 13, click here.

Willis McGahee, RB

The Vikings have been pretty good against the run, but the relentless running attack of the Broncos cracks even the toughest fronts. McGahee had a solid performance in Week 12 with 117 yards on the ground.

The main concern, though, is that quarterback Tim Tebow takes a lot of the red zone carries. Still, McGahee will have plenty of opportunities to tote the rock. Even if he isn't averaging many yards per carry, there's a good chance he cracks 100 yards again.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB

Green-Ellis and the Pats are hosting the lowly Colts in Week 13. Indy has the 31st ranked rush defense. If the Pats take an early lead, and I suspect they will, Green-Ellis will get loads of carries in the latter stages of the game.

Green-Ellis was kept out of the end zone for five games before breaking out last weekend with two TDs. The Colts defense will provide him with the opportunity to continue the TD turnaround.

A.J. Green, WR

While going up against the vaunted Pittsburgh D is a tough task, Green has already shown he can produce as he had a touchdown catch in limited action against the Steelers in Week 10.

Green is Andy Dalton's favorite target, and while I don't think the Bengals will win this road game, I do expect them to put up some points.

Mike Williams, WR

Williams has a TD reception in two straight games. He's clearly the best—and maybe only—weapon for Josh Freeman on the outside. 

The Carolina offense is pretty dynamic and the Tampa Bay D is one of the league's worst. If the Bucs are down early, that could mean more downfield targets for Williams.

Greg Olsen, TE

Greg Olsen is the second leading receiver on the Panthers (Steve Smith is first). The Carolina offense is getting a favorable matchup against Tampa Bay.

This could turn into a big day for the Cam Newton-led offense and I suspect Olsen will be a fairly big part of it.

Denver D/ST

Von Miller and the Denver D have shown some potential and they get a favorable matchup this week against the Vikings without Adrian Peterson. Von Miller will be in a cast, but hopes to play.

The Vikings have given up an average of 7.8 points to opposing fantasy defenses.

The Denver defense is likely available to pick up as well. It's owned in less than 10 percent of leagues on ESPN.

Sebastian Janikowski, K

Janikowski is listed as questionable for this Sunday as a nagging hamstring injury continues to be an issue. While it has affected kickoffs, it hasn't been a factor on field goals.

Janikowski continues to prove he has one of the biggest legs in the NFL. He had a career high six field goals last week and is 22-of-24 on the season.