For purposes of this article, I assume your league uses $1000 FAAB. The newer names of each position are at the bottom of each positional listing. Please note that these names are not in order of preference, so look over the list carefully.
We are getting to crunch time and most of the names listed here will be players that you will want to stash in case of injury. Now is the time to dump your WR6 for the backup to your star receiver.
QB:
Derek Carr, Saints
Carr looked tremendous pulling off the upset victories against Atlanta and Cleveland. He is a starter, especially with all the teams on BYE in Weeks 12 and 14. FAAB: $15-20
Drake Maye, Patriots
I’m fully convinced that Maye’s star is on the rise, and if he gets the right matchup, he might put up enough points to help somebody win not only in seasonal leagues but in DFS as well. FAAB: $50-60
Will Levis, Titans
Levis looked pretty good against the Chargers, Vikings, and Texans, too. He has two games still against Jacksonville and I can envision him starting on fantasy teams in Week 14 with six teams on BYE. FAAB: $10-12
Bryce Young, Panthers
Young looked fantastic against the Chiefs. Is this the start of good things to come? I’m willing to be open-minded. FAAB: $3-5
New for Week 13:
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
Expect Lawrence to return to the starting lineup this week. Jacksonville has two matchups against the Titans weak pass defense over the next four games, so don’t be afraid to add him if he’s available. FAAB: $25-30
Cooper Rush, Cowboys
Rush played well against Houston and helped pull off the road upset this past week against Washington. He draws the Giants on Thanksgiving Day, which is a terrific matchup. FAAB: $5-10
RB:
Braelon Allen, Jets
Allen is Hall’s backup, and if he’s available in leagues, you need to pick him up! He’s difficult to stop when he gets a head of steam going. FAAB: $100-125
Ray Davis, Bills
He is the perfect complement for James Cook and will easily be productive if needed to start. FAAB: $100-125
Blake Corum, Rams
He is likely rostered in 99% of leagues, but if he is miraculously available in your league, he is a must-add. He is the RB2 to Kyren Williams, who regularly sees 20+ touches each week. Corum might be a top 15 play if he happens to start. FAAB: $100-125
Khalil Herbert, Bengals
The Bengals traded for Herbert right before the trade deadline. Herbert has Moss-type skills in that he is a power runner who is good at short-yardage situations. Look for him to spell Chase Brown, but Brown’s spot as RB1 is very secure. FAAB: $30-40
Trey Benson, Cardinals
James Conner has looked outstanding thus far, but when any running back gets over 20 touches a week, freak injuries can happen. Benson is the future in Arizona and has looked very good when given the opportunity. FAAB: $35-40
Cam Akers, Vikings
Kevin O’Connell knows him from their time together in Los Angeles, so he could be the starter if anything happens to Aaron Jones. FAAB: $5-10
Kenneth Gainwell, Will Shipley
Saquon Barkley looks like an MVP candidate, but Barkley has broken down before, and as the season moves forward, I can see the Eagles lowering his touches to keep him fresh for the playoffs. FAAB: Gainwell $5-10
Audric Estime, Broncos
Estime is very tough to take down and should be excellent on 1st and 2nd downs. Don’t overspend, however, as Payton always likes to rotate three running backs. FAAB: $25-30
Jerome Ford, Browns
If the Browns are in catch-up mode, he is the running back they use. Worth a few bucks in PPR formats. FAAB: $15-20
Jonathon Brooks, Panthers
He’s back! I’m not sure how many carries he will receive, but I know that I can’t wait to see how he looks. Stash and cash. FAAB: $80-100.
Ameer Abdullah, Raiders
Abdullah should have a role as the receiving back even if Mattison/White returns in Week 13. FAAB: $15-20
New for Week 13:
Jeremy McNichols, Commanders
Brian Robinson left the Dallas game with an ankle injury, and Austin Ekeler left the same game with a concussion. With the Commanders on BYE in Week 14, there is a really good chance that McNichols will end up as the starter in Week 13. FAAB: $35-40
Sean Tucker, Bucs
Bucs OC Liem Cohen insists on rotating three RBs, and Tucker scored against the Giants. He did fumble later in the game, so be careful not to overpay. FAAB: $5-10
Emanuel Wilson, Packers
Green Bay has become a run-first team, and Wilson is the clear RB2 behind Josh Jacobs. FAAB: $15-20
WR:
Noah Brown, Commanders
There are a lot of bodies in Washington, but Brown is good against man coverage and it appears like Daniels likes throwing to him. FAAB: $5-10
Ricky Pearsall, 49ers
Pearsall is a fantastic young receiver with terrific speed and excellent hands. I expect a lot of playing time for him, especially with Aiyuk out for the season. FAAB: $60-65
Kayshon Boutte, Patriots
He excels against man coverage. FAAB: $25-30
Marques Valdez-Scantling, Saints
Shaheed is out. MVS might have some sneaky upside, especially against man coverage. FAAB: $5-10
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans
They seem to look for him in the red zone, giving him more value than Boyd. FAAB: $20-25
Mike Williams, Steelers
Williams is a force on the outside, and so long as he can stay healthy, he gives them a bookend that will make defenses pay if they try to double Pickens. Pittsburgh still won’t throw a ton, but Williams does have value. FAAB: $25-30
Adam Thielen, Panthers
Thielen returned to the starting lineup against the Chiefs and looked like Young’s go-to receiver. He might be the top guy available. FAAB: $115-120
Adonai Mitchell, Colts
Mitchell gets incredible separation, and if either Joe Flacco or Anthony Richardson were more accurate, he probably would have 3 or 4 touchdowns by now. He’s starting to run crisper routes, and I think he’ll continue to show marked improvement with each passing week. FAAB: $45-50
Marvin Mims, Jr., Broncos
After languishing on fantasy benches last season, Sean Payton has started to realize what kind of weapon he has in Mims. He’s being used like Mecole Hardman, but he has way more skill as a receiver if they choose to use him that way, too. Don’t overpay for his recent TD explosion, but there are seeds of something interesting here. FAAB: $35-45
Devaughn Vele, Broncos
He’s beginning to emerge for Denver and is their best receiver against zone coverage. FAAB: $15-20
Kendrick Bourne, Patriots
His benching in Week 10 inspired him to score a TD in Week 11. I like him way more when the Patriots are playing from behind. FAAB: $5-10
Diontae Johnson, Ravens
The loss against Pittsburgh shows me that the Ravens need Johnson to step up and become a solid WR2. All he needs are the snaps and targets. FAAB: $15-20
Demarcus Robinson, Rams
Puka and Kupp are injury risks, and Robinson is the WR3 and talented in his own right. FAAB: $5-10
Cedrick Wilson, Saints
With all the injuries, he’s the WR2 in New Orleans. MVS is way better against man coverage, so don’t overlook Wilson when the matchup is more zone-related. FAAB: $3-5
New for Week 13:
Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Broncos
Bo Nix has been throwing to multiple receivers each week, and Humphrey is one of his preferred red zone targets. I like him a little more in standard leagues than in PPR. FAAB: $1-2
Jamari Thrash, Browns
ONLY bid on Thrash if it looks like Tillman misses Week 13 with an injury. FAAB: $1-2
Tim Jones, Jaguars
Gabe Davis and Christian Kirk are both on season-ending IR. Jones is the new WR2 in Jacksonville (for whatever that is worth). FAAB: $1-2
TE:
Noah Gray, Chiefs
Gray is a solid pass catcher and runs good routes. If Kelce were ever to get hurt, he would easily be a top-ten player at the position. FAAB: $25-35
Theo Johnson, Giants
Johnson is a very good athlete who seems to be getting better with each game. I think he’s a very sneaky pickup. FAAB: $15-20
Luke Schoonmaker, Cowboys
Jake Ferguson is questionable for Thanksgiving Day against the Giants. If needed, Schoonmaker is worth a start. FAAB: $20-25
Chig Okonkwo, Titans
He’s good for 2-3 catches per week. FAAB: $3-5
New for Week 13:
Dawson Knox, Bills
Kincaid is not a guarantee to return from injury, and if he’s out, Knox would be a must-start. FAAB: $5-10
Tommy Tremble, Panthers
Ja’Tavion Sanders left the Chiefs game with a horrible neck injury. I seriously doubt that he will return in Week 13. Canales has always used tight ends in his offense, and Tremble should be good for 3-4 targets per game. FAAB: $3-5
Defense:
Kansas City (vs. Las Vegas)
Desmond Ridder might start on Friday for Las Vegas. KC defense might be the start of the year if that happens. FAAB: $10-15
Dallas (vs. New York Giants)
The Giants are a complete mess. FAAB: $5-10
Tampa Bay (vs. Carolina)
Bryce Young looked much better, but he’s still capable of throwing two picks and taking 2-3 sacks. FAAB: $5-10
Houston (vs. Jacksonville)
Houston is desperate for a win, and Jacksonville is awful. FAAB: $5-10
