Honestly, this week’s early fantasy football waiver wire options are pretty uninspiring. We’ve got a few receivers who have taken over as top options for some of the league’s worst teams… and that’s about it. There were no major injuries, nor were there any massive breakout performances from surprising sources.
However, as bare as this waiver wire week appears to be shaping up to be, it’s even more important than usual to target the right options. Here are a few of the best names to consider so far for Week 13’s waiver wire.
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Early Week 13 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Wan’Dale Robinson (WR – NYG) | 63.2% Rostered
Wan’Dale Robinson is above my usual 50% threshold at 63.2% rostered, but that number should have been even higher coming into this week. Since Malik Nabers went down in Week 4, Robinson has been the Giants’ clear No. 1 WR. Coming into this week, he was averaging 9.4 half-PPR points (and 13.6 expected points) on a 27% target share and a 23% air yards share.
Those numbers are only going up after this week, as Robinson absolutely exploded. He started with a 39-yard touchdown on a flea flicker and just kept going. He finished with nine catches on 14 targets for 156 yards and that score. That’s 26.10 fantasy points, his largest outing of the year. If you need wide receiver help in any sort of PPR format, Robinson is a very solid add.
Christian Watson (WR – GB) | 33.3% Rostered
For the second straight week, Christian Watson operated as the Packers’ No. 1 WR. In Week 11, he led the team with a 79% route participation rate. This week, he once again led with 22 routes on 24 Jordan Love dropbacks (an elite 92% participation rate).
In both weeks, Watson turned his increased usage into respectable fantasy outings. Last week, he scored two touchdowns en route to an excellent 18.6-point finish. This week, he caught five of his seven targets for 49 yards and 7.4 points. We know that things can change in Green Bay’s receiver room at any time (especially when Jayden Reed and/or Matthew Golden return). But right now, Watson is the Packers’ No. 1 WR, and he is producing. He should be added in the vast majority of leagues.
John Metchie III (WR – NYJ) | 1% Rostered
With Garrett Wilson (and Josh Reynolds) on injured reserve (IR), someone has to step up as the Jets’ No. 1 WR. This week, that somebody was John Metchie, a former second-round pick for the Texans. He led the team with 31 routes and caught six of his seven targets for 65 yards and a score. That translates to a very solid 15.5-point fantasy outing.
Metchie taking over as the Jets’ apparent No. 1 WR is also more valuable with Tyrod Taylor seemingly providing more passing competence than Justin Fields did. However, that’s a low bar, and this is still far from an elite offense, so Metchie isn’t a smash add. But he is worth considering if you’re looking for receiver or Flex help in deeper formats.
Chimere Dike (WR – TEN) | 15% Rostered
With Calvin Ridley done for the season and fellow rookie Elic Ayomanor also sidelined, Chimere Dike stepped up as the Titans’ No. 1 WR. He led Tennessee receivers with 45 routes on 50 Cam Ward dropbacks, and also tied with Gunnar Helm for the team lead with seven targets. He caught five of those for 44 yards and a touchdown. He also chipped in on special teams with an impressive punt-return touchdown.
Put it all together, and that’s a very impressive 18.9-point outing against an elite Seattle defense. Going forward, even when Ayomanor returns from his hamstring injury, Dike should be the favorite to remain Tennessee’s No. 1 WR, which he was when Ridley was sidelined earlier this season. That makes him worth adding in most formats.
Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAX) | 40.1% Rostered
At the time of writing, the Jaguars’ matchup with the Cardinals had just gotten started. Bhayshul had yet to touch the ball, and Travis Etienne broke off a big run and then scored a receiving touchdown. (At the time of publication, Tuten has one carry for three yards.
Tuten was outcarrying his veteran teammate last week (and setting a career-high in snap share) before exiting early with an ankle injury. The explosive rookie also looked better than Etienne, with multiple splash plays. Obviously, wait and see how the backfield split develops for the rest of this week’s contest, but Tuten is worth adding if he can be even the RB1B for the Jaguars down the stretch.
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Ted Chmyz is a fantasy football contributor for FantasyPros.com. Find him on Twitter and Bluesky @Tchmyz for more fantasy content or to ask questions.
