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

Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season hasn't completely finished, yet plenty of fantasy football matchups have already been decided.

And a majority of them were likely controlled by the flex positions: running back, wide receiver and tight end.

Any managers who found themselves on the wrong end of the outbursts by Saquon Barkley (302 scrimmage yards, two scores), Josh Jacobs (three rushing touchdowns) or Jordan Addison (eight receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown) were unlikely to overcome it. When a flex position goes berserk, it often doesn't matter what else happens in that fantasy tussle.

So, as we shift our focus to Week 13, we're thinking about those flex spots with early rankings and a couple of waiver-wire targets worth your consideration.

Week 13 Flex Rankings

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

1. Saquon Barkley, RB, PHI (at BAL)

2. De'Von Achane, RB, MIA (at GB)

3. A.J. Brown, WR, PHI (at BAL)

4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, DET (vs. CHI)

5. Joe Mixon, RB, HOU (at JAX)

6. Puka Nacua, WR, LAR (at NO)

7. Nico Collins, WR, HOU (at JAX)

8. Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN (vs. ARI)

9. Bijan Robinson, RB, ATL (vs. LAC)

10. Christian McCaffrey, RB, SF (at BUF)

11. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, CIN (vs. PIT)

12. CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL (vs. NYG)

13. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, DET (vs. CHI)

14. Cooper Kupp, WR, LAR (at NO)

15. Mike Evans, WR, TB (at CAR)

16. Josh Jacobs, RB, GB (vs. MIA)

17. Derrick Henry, RB, BAL (vs. PHI)

18. Alvin Kamara, RB, NO (vs. LAR)

19. Breece Hall, RB, NYJ (vs. SEA)

20. Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND (at NE)

21. Tyreek Hill, WR, MIA (at GB)

22. George Pickens, WR, PIT (at CIN)

23. Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS (vs. TEN)

24. Courtland Sutton, WR, DEN (vs. CLE)

25. George Kittle, TE, SF (at BUF)

26. Travis Kelce, TE, KC (vs. LV)

27. Kyren Williams, RB, LAR (at NO)

28. Drake London, WR, ATL (vs. LAC)

29. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, SEA (at NYJ)

30. Chase Brown, RB, CIN (vs. PIT)

Waiver-Wire Target: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR, Tennessee Titans

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HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine #15 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

One of the trickiest things for fantasy managers to decipher is when a streak becomes not only worth paying attention to, but also worth acting upon.

There isn't, unfortunately, a definitive answer to that topic, but let's just say that when someone has six touchdowns over seven games, their heater is officially too hot to ignore.

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine admittedly doesn't play in the most prolific passing attack or even fill the most prominent role within it. What he does, though, is find the end zone—over and over and over again. Sunday, he turned his two receptions into 48 yards and a score, giving him six scores in his last seven outings.

He might be as touchdown-dependent as it gets—he has only reached 50 receiving yards twice in this stretch—but when the scores are piling up with this frequency, that concern isn't pressing enough to keep you away. Take the plunge, make the pickup and keep your fingers crossed that this magical run can continue.

Week 13 projections: Three receptions for 47 yards and one touchdown

Waiver-Wire Target: Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 17: Jaylen Warren #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball in the third quarter of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Between Jaylen Warren's burst and ability to make plays in the passing game, it always feels like the Steelers could (and should) get more out of him. As long as he's trapped in a timeshare with Najee Harris, though, there will be something of a cap on Warren's production.

Having said that, it looks like that cap could be climbing at least.

On Thursday, Warren handled a respectable 14 touches (11 carries and three receptions), giving him 10-plus touches in five consecutive contests. He converted those opportunities into 64 scrimmage yards and, most encouragingly, found the end zone for the first time this season.

With Najee Harris's rushing efficiency slipping (2.9 yards per carry over his last three games), it's fair to wonder—and speculate—whether Warren's role might continue to increase. He's worth an add now, due both to his rising floor and the chance his ceiling could seemingly spike at any time.

Week 13 projections: 13 carries for 57 yards, three receptions for 26 yards, one touchdown