Week 13 Waiver Wire: Examining Top Fantasy Football Targets

With all 15 Week 12 contests in the books, it's time for fantasy owners to make a mad rush to the waiver wire in an effort to claim the next breakout fantasy stud.

This week, that title could very well go to Oakland Raiders ball-carrier Latavius Murray.

Week 13 is the final week of the regular season for some leagues and the first week of the playoffs for others. No matter which of those scenarios you're in, adding viable talent from the waiver wire could be the difference between a title or finishing the year empty-handed.

Ask yourself this question: If the Green Bay Packers rest Eddie Lacy in Week 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because their playoff spot is already solidified, do you have a replacement? Many fantasy owners will be put into that type of predicament later in the year.

So, who are this week's waiver-wire targets? Here's a look at the top option, followed by several honorable mentions, for all four of fantasy football's major positions.

Quarterback

Zach Mettenberger, Tennessee Titans (4.1 percent owned)

Michael Perez/Associated Press

Mettenberger is beginning to come into his own in the NFL. He's improving every week, and that's evident in his production.

In Week 12, he eclipsed the 300-yard mark for the first time of his young career, completing 20 of his 39 passing attempts for 345 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for 19 fantasy points.

He has a knack of getting the ball into the end zone, passing for two touchdowns in three of his four starts this year. Mettenberger's strong arm is already affecting the Titans' big-play ability, completing passes of 48, 68 and 80 yards already in his young career.

Sure, fantasy owners will have to deal with rookie mistakes, as Mettenberger has tossed an interception in each of his starts. However, he still has yet to throw more than one in a single game.

Don't expect that to change much when taking his upcoming opponents into consideration:

Week	Opponent	NFL Rank vs. Pass	Avg. Fantasy Pts. to QB
13	Houston Texans	31st	15.8
14	New York Giants	24th	16.7
15	New York Jets	14th	19.9
16	Jacksonville Jaguars	28th	16.6
17	Indianapolis Colts	20th	16.7

That's a pretty favorable schedule for any fantasy quarterback.

Mettenberger, or any quarterback currently sitting on the waiver wire, shouldn't be considered a top priority for fantasy owners. With that said, those with a current starting quarterback who has a chance to see some rest near the end of the regular season should keep tabs on available players.

Honorable Mentions: Teddy Bridgewater, Kyle Orton, Josh McCown, Mark Sanchez

Running Back

Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders (10.1 percent owned)

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Most fantasy owners remained patient after Murray ripped off four carries for 43 yards, including a 23-yard scamper, and added three receptions for 16 yards in Week 11 against the San Diego Chargers.

Well, we're paying for it now.

Murray absolutely teed off on the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football, going for 112 yards and two touchdowns on just four carries. His night included a 90-yard run that marked the team's longest by a running back since Bo Jackson went 92 yards back in 1989, via ESPN Stats & Info:

Unfortunately, Murray's night ended early, as he was taken out of the game with a concussion. According to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, the running back's status is currently unknown:

Still, let's not make the same mistake twice. Grab Murray off your league's waiver wire while you can. His explosive running ability should see him garner a much larger workload out of a Raiders backfield that hasn't been good all season long.

Honorable Mentions: LeGarrette Blount, Anthony Dixon, Daniel Herron, Tre Mason

Wide Receiver

Jarvis Landry, Miami Dolphins (11.2 percent owned)

Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

Landry has been garnering the attention of quarterback Ryan Tannehill lately, and fantasy owners should be taking notice. The rookie out of LSU has now caught at least five passes in each of his last four games, scoring at least one touchdown in three.

Rotoworld's Adam Levitan tweeted updated totals for Dolphins wide receivers over the last four weeks:

On Sunday, the wide receiver was targeted a team-high 11 times, coming away with seven receptions for 50 yards and two touchdowns—leading the team in all of those categories—against the Denver Broncos.

Due to Landry's high volume of targets, he's very valuable in PPR leagues. He'll continue to maintain that value, as his remaining schedule is rather favorable with two games against the New York Jets, an injury-plagued Baltimore Ravens secondary, the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings.

This receiver belongs on fantasy rosters for the remainder of the season.

Honorable Mentions: Justin Hunter, Kenny Stills, Andrew Hawkins, Charles Johnson

Tight End

Tim Wright, New England Patriots (4.5 percent owned)

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Wright hasn't been the most consistent of players this season, but he's currently doing something all fantasy owners beg of their tight ends each week: scoring touchdowns.

On Sunday, Wright hauled in five passes for 36 yards and two scores, marking the fifth time he's found pay dirt over his last seven games.

Of course, he threw two goose eggs in there as well, but for fantasy owners in need of another option at tight end, Wright isn't a bad choice. He may be a boom-or-bust player, but recently, there's been a whole lot more boom.

Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com tweeted the increased time Wright is spending on the field:

With a difficult remaining schedule against the Green Bay Packers, San Diego Chargers and all three divisional opponents, rest assured that passing will continue to be an integral part of the Patriots offense, giving Wright plenty of chances to find the end zone.

Honorable Mentions: Scott Chandler, Kyle Rudolph, Garrett Graham, Jermaine Gresham

All fantasy statistics and ownership information courtesy of ESPN.com and current as of November 25 at 12:30 a.m. ET.