Fantasy Football Week 13: Flex Rankings, Waiver-Wire Targets and Projections

Deep breath, folks.

The stretch run of the fantasy football season is upon us, leaving no margin for error or any time to waste.

With that in mind, we're not waiting for the culmination of the NFL's Week 12 slate to start looking ahead at Week 13 with rankings at the flex positions and a pair of waiver-wire targets—rostered in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, per FantasyPros—worth your consideration.

Top-10 Rankings at the Flex Positions

Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 23: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on November 23, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 31-13. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

Running Back

1. Christian McCaffrey, SF (at PHI)

2. Travis Etienne, JAX (vs. CIN)

3. Jonathan Taylor, IND (at TEN)

4. Derrick Henry, TEN (vs. IND)

5. Austin Ekeler, LAC (at NE)

6. Raheem Mostert, MIA (at WAS)

7. Isiah Pacheco, KC (at GB)

8. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (at NO)

9. Rachaad White, TB (vs. CAR)

10. Bijan Robinson, ATL (at NYJ)

Wide Receiver

1. Tyreek Hill, MIA (at WAS)

2. CeeDee Lamb, DAL (vs. SEA)

3. A.J. Brown, PHI (vs. SF)

4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (at NO)

5. Keenan Allen, LAC (at NE)

6. Mike Evans, TB (vs. CAR)

7. Chris Olave, NO (vs. DET)

8. Michael Pittman Jr., IND (at TEN)

9. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN (at JAX)

10. Brandon Aiyuk, SF (at PHI)

Tight End

1. Travis Kelce, KC (at GB)

2. George Kittle, SF (at PHI)

3. Sam LaPorta, DET (at NO)

4. Dalton Schultz, HOU (vs. DEN)

5. Trey McBride, ARI (at PIT)

6. Jake Ferguson, DAL (vs. SEA)

7. Taysom Hill, NO (vs. DET)

8. David Njoku, CLE (at LAR)

9. Evan Engram, JAX (vs. CIN)

10. Pat Freiermuth, PIT (vs. ARI)

Waiver-Wire Target: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (47 Percent Rostered)

Dylan Buell/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 26: Pat Freiermuth #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a pass during the first quarter of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh's offense notably perked up in the first game since the firing of former offensive coordinator Matt Canada. The Steelers may have only scored 16 points, but they authored their first 400-yard performance of the season.

Pat Freiermuth was front and center of this turnaround.

The third-year tight end turned his team-high 11 targets into nine receptions for 120 yards. These were, admittedly, outlier numbers for a player whose season-highs coming into the contest were four targets, three receptions and 41 yards, but given the state of the tight end position, it's still worth taking a flier on Freiermuth and seeing where this goes.

He clearly has the trust of quarterback Kenny Pickett, and that could matter more than it has all season given the change in play-callers. If you've been struggling to find stability at this position, there's a non-zero chance Freiermuth could solve that problem.

Week 13 projections: Six receptions, 72 yards, one touchdown

Waiver-Wire Target: Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers (47 Percent Rostered)

Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 23: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11), center, runs with the ball after catching a pass while Detroit Lions defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike (91) and Detroit Lions defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna (90) pursue his during a traditional Thanksgiving Day NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions on November 23, 2023 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Green Bay's offense has often lacked zip this season, but when the Packers have been able to find some oomph, Jaydeen Reed has often been the source.

The second-year wideout continued to flash his all-purpose skills while keeping his scoring streak going on Thursday.

His 10-yard touchdown grab was his sixth score of the season and marked his third game in a row with a touchdown. He finished with four receptions on eight targets for 34 yards and added 16 rushing yards on two carries. This was also his third consecutive contest with at least 50 scrimmage yards.

The Packers keep looking for ways to take advantage of Reed's playmaking—in addition to his catches and carries, he's also returned nine punts—and it keeps driving up his fantasy floor. He's not only deserving of a roster spot, he'll immediately warrant starting consideration at your flex spot.

Week 13 projections: Four receptions, 54 yards, three carries, 22 yards, one touchdown