Week 13 Fantasy Sleepers: Jamaal Williams, Boston Scott among potential breakouts with favorable matchups

Four teams are on a bye, so all leagues will have some looking for replacements for Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, Nick Chubb, and D.J. Moore, among others. Circumstances could certainly be worse when it comes to a week with so many guys out of action, but it’s important to continue to find one-week answers to full your lineups as we head toward the fantasy playoffs. As always, we’re here to help you identify under-the-radar values specific to this week. Whether it’s with players on your roster or those sitting on the waiver wire, there are always guys, such as Jamaal Williams and Boston Scott, with sneaky upside ready to enter your lineups and be on our Week 13 fantasy sleeper list.

It’s worth noting that any of our selections could bust this week, but so could bona fide studs. We’re taking some chances here, as we don’t want to say anyone too obvious. A list of easy choices wouldn’t do anyone any good. You aren’t going to start the guys below over consistent, proven producers, but you’re probably not searching for fantasy sleepers if your lineup is set. However, even if that’s the case, our sleepers list can help you find value in DFS contests, as the prices of these players should be affordable.

WEEK 13 FANTASY: Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em

You’re happy if you started some of our Week 12 selections, including Mac Jones, Dontrelle Hilliard, Cedrick Wilson, Gerald Everett, and the Steelers defense. If you took our advice and started Cam Newton, Devonta Freeman, Ty Johnson, Marvin Jones, or Austin Hooper, we’re sorry, but that’s the nature of trying to pick sleepers. We had some other guys who fell right in the middle of a bust and an acceptable performance, so it was a fairly balanced effort.

WEEK 13 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Week 13 Fantasy Sleepers: Running backs

Boston Scott, Eagles @ Jets (Jackson Sparks). The Eagles will get back to their ground-and-pound attack, and with Jordan Howard (knee) likely to miss another game, Scott will continue to work alongside Miles Sanders (ankle) against a defense who gives up the most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to RBs. Don’t be shocked if there are multiple Philly backs with double-digit fantasy points.

Matt Breida, Bills vs. Patriots (Vinnie Iyer). Buffalo should have taken a cue from Tennessee’s run-heavy approach last week against a tough New England pass defense and feed their best new versatile option.

Jamaal Williams, Lions vs. Vikings (Matt Lutovsky). Williams was averaging around 13 touches per game when D’Andre Swift (shoulder) was healthy — imagine what he’ll do with the backfield to himself. Detroit will mix in other backs, but Williams should turn his 15-20 touches into close to 100 total yards against Minnesota’s 30th-ranked run defense.

WEEK 13 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Week 13 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Quarterbacks

Derek Carr, Raiders vs. Washington (Sparks). Washington is the worst defense against fantasy QBs, so this could be another 300-plus yard passing day for Carr. As bad as Russell Wilson seemingly struggled against Washington, he still put up 19 fantasy points with 247 passing yards and two touchdowns. That almost feels like the floor for Carr here, so we’re riding with him.

Matt Ryan, Falcons vs. Buccaneers (Iyer). Matty Ice should thaw quite a bit back in Hotlanta, as he’s overdue for some warm digits with high volume to make up for his team’s expected lack of rushing success, but you’ll likely need to live with more turnovers.

Tyrod Taylor, Texans vs. Colts (Lutovsky). Taylor hasn’t been particularly sharp in his three games since returning from injury, but he’s scored multiple TDs in each of his past two games. He’s also run for at least 23 yards in each game, raising his floor slightly. The Colts allow the eighth-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to QBs, and considering Houston likely won’t be able to run at all, Taylor should get plenty of opportunities for points. 

WEEK 13 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo

Week 13 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Wide receivers

Rashod Bateman, Ravens @ Steelers (Sparks). This isn’t the Steelers’ defense of years past. It allows the 10th-most FPPG to WRs and has been torched by Tee Higgins, Darnell Mooney, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams in recent weeks. Notice, those aren’t all No. 1 WRs. Pittsburgh might be able to limit a team’s top option, but there will be room for Bateman to eat here.

Kenny Golladay, Giants at Dolphins (Iyer). A QB change to Mike Glennon with Daniel Jones (neck) hurting could spark Golladay downfield for a big play in what might come in straight-up garbage time.

Jauan Jennings, 49ers @ Seahawks (Lutovsky). Jennings caught two-of-three passes for 24 yards and a TD last week, and with Deebo Samuel (groin) out, Jennings will see more playing time. The Seahawks rank 31st in pass defense, so Jennings will have opportunities to pay off this week. 

Week 13 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Tight ends

Foster Moreau, Raiders vs. Washington (Sparks). Darren Waller (knee) is likely to be out, and this offense likes to feature tight ends either way. When Waller was out against the Eagles, Moreau caught six passes for 60 yards and a touchdown, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him produce a similar line against Washington. Washington’s defense is a middle-of-the-pack unit against TEs, but it has largely avoided the league’s best players at the position. Just last week, Gerald Everett caught five passes for 37 yards and a touchdown when he faced off with the Football Team, so we’re not scared of the matchup.

Jack Doyle, Colts at Texans (Iyer). Everyone’s favorite hard-boiled private eye will detect the end zone again and keep feeling it with Carson Wentz.

C.J. Uzomah, Bengals vs. Chargers (Lutovsky). Uzomah has been the definition of “boom or bust” this year. He’s boomed just three times, but two of those booms have been week-winning efforts. He could have another one of those this week against a Chargers defense allowing the fourth-most FPPG to TEs.

Week 13 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Defense

Philadelphia Eagles @ Jets (Sparks). The Eagles are playing the Jets, who are allowing the third-most FFPG to D/STs. Need we say more? 

Minnesota Vikings at Lions (Iyer). Mike Zimmer’s defense has been playing like it’s been coached by a guy distracted by dating a Maxim model, but everyone gets well in Detroit against the try-hard Leos.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Broncos (Lutovsky). Over the past four games, the Chiefs have averaged 11.8 offensive points allowed, two takeaways, and 2.8 sacks per game. Against a Broncos team that allows the ninth-most FPPG to D/STs, a rested and ready Chiefs defense should have a solid day.