Week 13 Waiver Wire: Breakout Pickups, Targets and Tips for Fantasy Football

With the two prime-time games still to come, Week 12 has delivered us a compelling slate of games, including a Thanksgiving treat from the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night and two one-point games Sunday, with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers squeaking by the Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals, respectively.

We've also gotten to the point in the season where injuries have begun to plague teams, with big names like Mike Williams, Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson, Jerry Jeudy, and Joe Mixon inactive Week 12. For fantasy managers who are still in the race in their leagues, it's a crucial time to be smart about waiver claims.

Let's break down three players who had noteworthy performances in Week 12 and would be worthy of consideration as you contemplate some add/drops this week.

For our purposes, for a player to be considered a breakout contender, he must be rostered in less than 40 percent of leagues.

JaMycal Hasty, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Jacksonville Jaguars running back JaMycal Hasty (22) runs with the ball during the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 27, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Rostered: 2 percent

Week 12 stats: 12 att, 28 rush yds, 5 rec, 67 rec yds, 1 rec TD, 20.50 pts

Running back JaMycal Hasty has had his share of supporters in the fantasy community since the Jacksonville Jaguars claimed him off waivers in August...but there hasn't been much for them to point to to build their case.

Until Sunday.

Hasty had his breakout game Sunday, topping all fantasy running backs in scoring heading into Sunday Night Football, with 12 carries for 28 yards. Where he really shined, however, was in the passing game, bringing in all five of his targets for 67 yards and a touchdown.

The former undrafted free agent was stepping in for Travis Etienne Jr., who left the game against the Baltimore Ravens with a foot injury. Head coach Doug Pederson had nothing but praise for Hasty after the Jaguars' narrow 28-27 victory, saying his role in the win was "huge" and that his hat is "off for a guy we added to the roster beginning of the year" (h/t Carlos Sánchez).

The only other time Hasty's point total was in the double digits this season was in Week 6, with 12.2 points thanks to a rushing touchdown. He hasn't had a large role in this offense to this point, but if Etienne is out in Week 13 against the Detroit Lions, it's worth taking a flier on Hasty to see if he can repeat his performance from Sunday.

Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 27: Jauan Jennings #15 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a touchdown pass while defended by Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Levi's Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Rostered: 1 percent

Week 12 stats: 6 rec, 49 rec yds, 1 rec TD

To this point in the season, San Francisco 49ers wideout Jauan Jennings hasn't seen enough usage to warrant a fantasy pickup. Before Week 12, the most targets he had seen in a single game was six...in Week 1.

But things seem to be trending up for Jennings, who is coming off a huge day for the 49ers in their 13-0 blowout of the New Orleans Saints.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo went to Jennings early and often, targeting him seven times, tied with Deebo Samuel and (as expected) just shy of Brandon Aiyuk (eight targets). The wideout also hauled in his first touchdown of the season...and it was a wild one:

Jennings has become a reliable target for the 49ers, especially on third downs, and is a smart waiver pickup this week in PPR leagues. If he can continue to find the end zone, any fantasy manager looking for some receiver depth or a flex option should consider him.

DeAndre Carter, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

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GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 27: DeAndre Carter #1 of the Los Angeles Chargers scores a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Rostered: 23 percent

Week 12 stats: 7 rec, 73 rec yds, 1 rec TD, 20.30 pts

Savvy fantasy managers who were preparing for Los Angeles Chargers Mike Williams to be inactive in Week 12 may have already submitted a waiver claim for DeAndre Carter...and if that's the case, they're feeling pretty good about this week.

Carter did exactly what his team needed him to Sunday, racking up more than 20 points with seven receptions on 10 targets and finding the end zone on one of them, a beautiful 32-yarder from Justin Herbert.

This was a crucial game for the Chargers against the Arizona Cardinals, and Carter helped them win it 25-24.

It's unclear if Williams, who suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 7 and then reinjured the ankle in Week 11, will return for Week 13. If he's out, Carter is a must-start. Even if Williams is active, Carter is a solid waiver pickup this week.

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