Week 13 Waiver Wire: Box Score Stat Projections for Top Fantasy Pickups and Sleepers
It's a bye-free week in the NFL, which, in theory, should help fantasy football managers avoid needing to hit the waiver wire for potential fill-ins.
In reality, though, there's a decent chance the first dozen weeks of this campaign could have poked some holes in your roster. Maybe your players have been bitten by the injury bug, or perhaps there's a few underperforming ones you're ready to replace for the stretch run.
You've come to the right place to find replacements, as we're spotlighting three waiver-wire targets—rostered in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, per FantasyPros—and projecting their Week 13 outputs.
Russell Wilson, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (22 Percent Rostered)
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Russell Wilson's production has dried up over the past two weeks. After tallying seven touchdowns in his first three starts (six passing, one rushing), he has accounted for just a single score over his last two outings.
You should still try practicing patience here, though. A matchup with Cincinnati's defense is the biggest reason why.
The Bengals have allowed the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, per Yahoo. Five different signal-callers have thrown multiple touchdown passes against them, and one did it twice (Lamar Jackson, who threw four touchdowns apiece in each of their two meetings).
Cincinnati has had trouble containing big plays, which should open the door for at least a couple of big connections between Wilson and George Pickens.
Projected stats: 22-of-32 passing for 272 yards and two touchdowns; four rushes for 12 yards
Gus Edwards, RB, Los Angeles Chargers (17 Percent Rostered)
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Admittedly, there isn't much from Gus Edwards' statistical profile to prop up this recommendation.
His rushing yards per carry have cratered (career-worst 3.3), and his touchdown tally has all but evaporated. He found the end zone for the first time this season on Monday, meaning he's "only" 12 behind last season's total.
So, why even highlight Edwards here? Because his workload could see a serious spike.
J.K. Dobbins exited Monday's tilt early with a left knee injury, and if he misses any time, Edwards could move into a much more prominent role. You're betting on volume here, but that volume could be significant.
Projected stats: 17 carries for 68 yards, one touchdown
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, New Orleans Saints (2 Percent Rostered)
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Skepticism from the fantasy community toward Marquez Valdes-Scantling is fair. That doesn't mean you should follow it, though.
The worry with MVS is that the bottom could drop out any week. He sees such few targets (eight in three games with the Saints), that the bust potential is obvious.
Having said that, there's plenty of boom in his game, too. Over his last two outings, he turned seven targets into five receptions for 196 yards and three scores. He's a legitimate home run threat on any play, and his Week 13 opponent, the Los Angeles Rams, has been vulnerable to the long ball.
And while Valdes-Scantling's volume is minimal, it still feels reliable given the Saints are without Rashid Shaheed (knee) and Chris Olave (concussion).
Valdes-Scantling should have at least a handful of opportunities this week, and that's often all he needs to finish with fantasy-relevant numbers.
Prediction: Three receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown
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