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Welcome back to the Rookie Report! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. What I’m thankful for this holiday weekend is that there are no byes for my fantasy teams to account for. We’ve got 6 of them next week to work around, so enjoy this reprieve from the bye weeks while it’s here. Because all 32 teams are in action, the bar to clear to be worthy of a starting lineup spot this week is higher than it’s been in recent weeks, so I want to warn you that I’m going to sound like a broken record referencing that fact throughout the column. There are several rookies who fall on the wrong side of the borderline this week that probably wouldn’t if there were a few byes. Keep in mind as you read through the list of wide receivers I’d lean toward sitting this week that being listed under that header just means I don’t see them as top-36 options at the position this week. If you’re in deeper leagues with more than 3 wide receiver slots or multiple flex spots, several of them can be useful.

This week is a unique one when it comes to the NFL schedule. Thanks to 3 games on Thanksgiving and a Black Friday game, there are 8 different start times for NFL games this week (9 if you count 3:05 CT and 3:25 CT on Sunday as separate start times). If you have any players that are questionable this week that you’re planning to start, you need to be hyper aware of their start time and the start time of the replacement options. Make sure you don’t wind up in a position where your backup plan plays earlier than the questionable starter, and keep your Thursday/Friday starters out of the flex spots wherever possible. With all of that in mind, let’s talk about this week’s rookies.

A couple of housekeeping notes for the players listed below – All players listed under the same header at the same position are listed in the order that I would play them this week. All usage rates (snap share, target rate, air yardage share, etc.) are from the MB Fantasy Life Utilization Tool from Dwain McFarland, and all references to fantasy points and points allowed rankings are based on half-PPR scoring unless otherwise noted.

Let’s dive into week 13…

Rookies You Already Know You Should Start:

QB Bo Nix, DEN (Wk. 13: vs. Cle.): Like it or not, Bo Nix is a weekly top-12 QB play. He’s finished in the top-12 in 3 straight games and in 6 of his last 8, and nothing about this week’s matchup should scare you away from expecting similar production this week. The Browns have allowed multiple TD passes in 6 of their last 7 games, and 270+ passing yards in 3 of the last 4. They also allow the 9^th-most QB rushing yards per game. They play man-to-man defense at one of the highest rates in the league, which should allow for some opportunities for Nix to run. I’d treat Bo as a top-10 QB this week.

RB Bucky Irving, TB (Wk. 13: @ Car.): There may have been a long overdue changing of the guard in the Bucs backfield in week 12. Both Bucky Irving and Rachaad White finished last week’s game with the same 12 rushing attempts, but it was Bucky who served as the clear lead back. It was the first time all season that Irving ran more receiving routes than White in a game where both played, and it was by a sizable margin (19 routes to 11). Bucky also out-targeted White 6-to-1, and while the rushing attempts were equal, more than half of Rachaad’s rushing attempts came in 4^th quarter garbage time. Bucky dominated the work while the game was still in doubt, with even Sean Tucker mixing in ahead of Rachaad. Irving has been the more efficient back all season, and it seems as though the Bucs have finally redistributed the backfield work accordingly. White isn’t going to go away entirely, but Bucky should continue to lead the way against a Carolina defense that allows the most RB points per game and ranks dead last in FTN’s run defense DVOA. Irving has been a top-24 PPR back in 7 of the last 9 games, and his increased workload in this matchup means he’s probably a top-12 play this week.

WR Malik Nabers, NYG (Wk. 13: @ Dal.): We haven’t seen top-5 upside from Nabers in weeks, but we also haven’t seen him finish as worse than a WR3 in any game this season. He’s finished right around the WR2/3 borderline for 4 straight weeks, and as we saw last week, a new QB didn’t change that. I would expect similar results this week with Drew Lock likely to start. Nabers could get some squeaky wheel treatment after he complained about not getting any targets until late in the first half last week, so he could see even higher volume than usual. Dallas allows the 12^th-most WR points per game, and I don’t expect them to offer enough resistance to keep Nabers out of the top-24 receivers this week.

TE Brock Bowers, LV (Wk. 13: @ KC): Bowers is coming off a down game in week 12, finishing with just 4 catches for 38 yards, but he earned 10 targets in the process. He’s not going to have many games with that kind of production when he gets 10 targets. Unfortunately, Gardner Minshew broke his collarbone in that game, so the Raiders go back to Aidan O’Connell at QB, but O’Connell shouldn’t put much of a dent into Bowers’ upside. Brock has earned a 23.7% target share from O’Connell for the season, and in the one game that Aidan played from start to finish, he posted 9-71 on 10 targets against the Steelers. Kansas City allows the 5^th-most TE points per game, and they’ve struggled to slow down tight ends who serve as an offensive focal point. George Kittle, Cade Otton, Mike Gesicki, and Isaiah Likely all posted 75+ yards against KC. Bowers put up 5-58 in the first meeting, and I’d expect even more this time around. Bowers remains a top-5 TE option this week in a decent matchup.

Borderline Rookies I’d Lean Toward Starting:

QB Jayden Daniels, WAS (Wk. 13: vs. Ten.): Daniels seemingly righted the ship last weekend, finishing as the overall QB1 for the week after being outside the top-20 at the position in weeks 10 & 11, but some of the underlying issues in the passing game still remained. Prior to a long TD to Terry McLaurin in the final 30 seconds, Daniels had thrown for just 183 yards and 1 TD. If that pass falls incomplete, it would’ve been the lowest passing yardage total of the season for Daniels despite the fact that he matched his season-high with 38 pass attempts. Without that late TD, he still would’ve had a top-12 finish for the week thanks to a fantastic rushing day, but the passing struggles are worrying as he faces a Titans’ defense that has only allowed 250+ passing yards in a game once all year. That’s not to say the Titans are invulnerable – they’ve given up multiple QB scores in 6 of 7 games and rank a middling 16^th in pass defense DVOA. They’ve also allowed the 7^th-most QB rush yards per game and 4 QB rushing scores on the year. Daniels’ rushing upside in this matchup means he probably finishes among the top-10 QBs for the week, but the passing struggles give me at least a little bit of pause before calling him an auto-start. He has a QB1 overall ceiling, as we saw last week, but a lower floor than Bo Nix.

RB Tyrone Tracy, NYG (Wk. 13: @ Dal.): Tracy’s production was hurt last week with Tommy DeVito at QB as the Giants struggled to get much going offensively until late in the game. The team did lean on the run game when they could, and Tracy finished with a respectable 70 scrimmage yards and 4 catches, but he also lost a 3^rd quarter fumble and was benched for the following drive, a drive that ended with a 1-yard Devin Singletary TD. This week, it looks like Drew Lock will be under center for New York, which could prove to be an upgrade for the offense. Any improvement would mean more TD upside for Tracy, but the thing I’m most excited about for Tyrone this week is the matchup. Dallas ranks 29^th in run defense DVOA and has allowed the 4^th-most RB points per game. They’ve given up at least 140 rushing yards in 4 of their last 5 games, and Tracy should get the bulk of the rushing work. He let you down last week, but I like Tracy’s chances to get back to the RB2 ranks in this one.

RB Braelon Allen, NYJ (Wk. 13: vs. Sea.): This recommendation is entirely dependent on the status of Breece Hall this week. Hall developed knee soreness during the bye week, and his status for Sunday is genuinely up in the air. With the Jets sitting at 3-8, there’s no need to rush Breece back if the soreness lingers, so I wouldn’t be shocked if this is a multi-week absence. Braelon will serve as RB1 if Hall sits, and Seattle has been just a middling RB defense. They’ve allowed the 17^th-most RB points per game and rank 14^th in run defense DVOA. Hall has averaged 14 rushes and 5.5 targets per game this season. I’m not sure Allen takes on that full workload – fellow rookie Isaiah Davis and 2^nd-year pro Izzy Abanikanda could take a bigger share of the workload than Allen has been getting as RB2 – but I would treat Allen as a fringe RB2 this week if he starts, even with no byes. If your choice is between Allen and a back that plays on Thursday or Friday, and we don’t have clarity on Breece Hall yet, play the Thursday/Friday player. If Hall isn’t out, Allen won’t be worth the wait. Braelon has scored 5+ fantasy points just once in the last 7 games.

WR Ladd McConkey, LAC (Wk. 13: @ Atl.): McConkey has been a rock-solid weekly fantasy starter, finishing as a top-30 PPR WR in 6 of his last 8 games, but if you’ve read this column before, you know McConkey does his best work against man coverage – he averages nearly two and a half times as many fantasy points per route run vs man-to-man as he does vs zone – and Atlanta plays man-to-man at one of the lowest rates in the NFL. The Falcons’ pass defense is bad. They rank 28^th in pass defense DVOA and have allowed the 4^th-most WR points per game, so McConkey should be just fine in fantasy lineups as a fringe WR2 option, but be aware that Quentin Johnston has been the most productive Chargers’ WR vs zone coverage.

WR Brian Thomas, Jr., JAX (Wk. 13: vs. Hou.): It appears that Trevor Lawrence is going to play this week, but we saw ahead of the bye that Thomas can produce with Mac Jones under center as well, tallying 5-82 against the Lions with Mac at QB. We saw a dip in Thomas’ production for a couple weeks due to a chest injury and the adjustment to Jones, but he’s still the PPR WR14 on the year and he faces a Houston defense that allows the 6^th-most WR points per game. It’s likely he faces shadow coverage from Derek Stingley in this one. Stingley has been solid this season, but far from unbeatable. If Lawrence returns, Thomas should be a solid WR3 with upside for more. If It’s Mac Jones again, I’d downgrade him a bit.

WR Marvin Harrison, Jr., ARI (Wk. 13: @ Min.): Harrison has been one of the most maddening players to roster in fantasy football this season. We’ve seen tantalizing upside, but we’ve also seen a scheme that doesn’t always make him the focal point of the passing game. Far too often, he’s been out-targeted by Trey McBride. Still, Harrison Jr. is the clear WR1 and about to face a defense that allows the 2^nd-most WR points per game and was picked apart by the Bears last weekend. Harrison was held below a 20% target share last weekend for the first time since week 1 (not counting his concussion game). I expect the ball to come his way a bit more this week, and in this matchup I’d treat him as a volatile WR2/3 option.

Borderline Rookies I’d Lean Toward Sitting:

QB Drake Maye, NE (Wk. 13: vs. Ind.): Maye has sneaky QB1 potential facing a Colts’ defense that allows the 13^th-most QB points per game and has been shaky vs. the pass in recent weeks, but I’d view him as more of a mid-to-high end QB2 rather than a QB1. The Colts have allowed 260+ passing yards in 4 of their last 5 games, and Maye has finished as the QB18 or better in every full game he’s played, but many of those weeks included byes for other teams, so there were fewer QBs Maye had to beat out to finish that high. All 32 teams are in action this week. There may be a little bit of extra rushing upside for Maye this week as well. The Colts haven’t faced many mobile QBs this year, but they’ve allowed 40+ rushing yards to 3 of them – Malik Willis, Josh Allen, and Justin Fields.

QB Caleb Williams, CHI (Wk. 13: @ Det.): We’re now two weeks into the OC Thomas Brown era in Chicago, and the results so far have been two of the most efficient performances we’ve seen from Caleb since early October. Things seem to be back on track for the rookie and this offense as a whole, but they run into a buzzsaw this week in Detroit. The Lions’ defense has been playing as well as any unit in the league in recent weeks. Detroit has allowed just 4 QB touchdowns since their bye in week 5, and a total of just 1 touchdown to opposing QBs in their last 4 games. They’ve also held 3 straight opponents below 250 passing yards. I wouldn’t write off Caleb’s ability to keep up his recent strong play, but in this matchup, I still would treat him as just a mid-range QB2.

RB Trey Benson, ARI (Wk. 13: @ Min.): Benson finished as a top-24 PPR back in both week 9 and week 10, but last weekend was a reminder that he just isn’t involved enough in competitive games. Benson has logged at least 9 touches in 4 games this season, and every one of those games was decided by 20+ points. Arizona is a 3.5-point underdog this week against a Minnesota team that hasn’t been quite as dominant in recent outings as they were early in the year. If the Cards keep this game competitive, Benson will likely be limited to just a few touches. Even if it does turn into a blowout, the Vikings allow the 2^nd-fewest RB points per game. I’m not sure 10 touches makes Benson even an RB3 against that defense.

RB Audric Estime, DEN (Wk. 13: vs. Cle.): There’s no way you can reliably start Estime given the recent RB usage in Denver. Over the last 3 weeks, Estime has seen his snap share go from 45% to 22% to 8% last weekend. It’s possible he suddenly gets a bunch of work again this week, but the Browns allow the 7^th-fewest RB points per game and there are no byes this week. That’s the kind of bet I’d only make if Estime had a good matchup, and I was desperate for a fill-in.

RB Ray Davis, BUF (Wk. 13: vs. SF): Davis has been as boom-or-bust as can be for a backup running back this season. He’s scored 11+ PPR points in 3 of his last 8 games, but he’s scored fewer than 3 points in each of the other 5. The 49ers have been a dicey run defense, ranking 21^st in run defense DVOA and allowing the 10^th-most RB points per game, but Davis hasn’t reached a 25% snap share in a game since week 6. He’s just not getting on the field enough to be counted on in a week with no byes.

WR Rome Odunze, CHI (Wk. 13: @ Det.): Odunze has been much bigger part of the Bears’ passing game over the past month or so than he was early in the year. He’s earned a 24% target share since week 8, averaging 7.8 targets in that span and posting 3 top-40 PPR finishes in spite of scoring zero TDs in those games. I expect his increased usage to continue going forward, but Detroit’s defense has been on a heater for the past several weeks. The Lions have allowed the 9^th-most WR points per game for the season, but their recent hot streak has moved them all the way up to 1^st in pass defense DVOA, and the last time they allowed two pass catchers to put up 40+ receiving yards against them in the same game was week 7 against the Vikings. If that pattern holds, how good do you feel about Odunze being the one Bears’ WR to top 40 yards? Odunze is still in play as a WR4 option this week, but he’d have to snap the Lions’ hot streak to pay off on Thursday.

WR Xavier Legette, CAR (Wk. 13: vs. TB): The Diontae Johnson trade and Bryce Young’s recent improved play have made Legette a viable weekly WR3/4 option, but I’d view him as more of a WR4 than WR3 in this one. The Bucs are certainly a burnable defense – they rank 21^st in pass defense DVOA and have allowed the 8^th-most WR points per game – but they play zone coverage at a top-5 rate, and Legette is much better vs. man-to-man. Legette averages more than twice as many fantasy points per route run vs man coverage as he does vs. zone. We know he’s been on the field for close to 100% of the team passing dropbacks in the last 3 weeks, and his recent production makes him a reasonable fantasy start in this good matchup, but his struggles vs. zone are just enough for me to lean against starting him this week.

WR Xavier Worthy, KC (Wk. 13: vs. LV): Worthy’s production all but vanished in the first two games with DeAndre Hopkins on the roster (he totaled just 1.1 PPR points in those two contests), but he’s seemingly found an equilibrium since, finishing as the PPR WR19 and WR35 in the last two weeks. Xavier is worthy of consideration this week (pardon the pun), but his volume (11 targets and 2 rushes in the last 2 weeks) is low enough that he remains a volatile weekly option. He’s at his best when he hits splash plays – he’s finished as a top-24 receiver 3 times, and he had a catch for 30+ yards in all 3 of those games – but the Raiders don’t allow many splash plays. They’ve allowed the 5^th-fewest completions of 20+ yards and the 2^nd-fewest of 40+. If Worthy doesn’t hit a big play, he’s likely finishing the week as no better than a WR3, and likely worse than that since all 32 teams are in action.

WR Keon Coleman, BUF (Wk. 13: vs. SF): Coleman hasn’t suited up since week 9, but he’s practicing in a limited capacity this week and should be able to return on Sunday. He might not immediately play a full complement of snaps though, and he faces a 49ers’ defense that gets Charvarius Ward back this week and has allowed the 11^th-fewest WR points per game. We saw Coleman have a mini-breakout with PPR WR12 and WR16 finishes in weeks 7 & 8, but he was limited to just 1-21 on 2 targets in week 9. His bread and butter all season has been splash plays, and the 49ers have allowed the 3^rd-fewest completions of 20+ yards this season. There’s upside here – a player with Coleman’s skills playing with Josh Allen always has upside – but I think he’s just a volatile WR4 who is a better option in non-PPR formats.

WR Devaughn Vele, DEN (Wk. 13: vs. Cle.): Vele has established himself as Denver’s clear WR2 behind Courtland Sutton in recent weeks, but his Achilles’ heel remains man-to-man coverage. Vele has finished as a WR3 or better in 3 straight games - a top-20 WR in two of them – but for the season he’s totaled just 4 catches for 22 yards against man coverage, and the Browns play man coverage at one of the highest rates in the league. I wouldn’t write off Vele completely this week, but I’d view his as more of a PPR WR4 option than WR3 in this one.

WR Jalen McMillan, TB (Wk. 13: @ Car.): McMillan led the Bucs’ receivers in routes run in his return to the lineup last weekend, but he was targeted just twice and finished the game with 1 catch for 11 yards. With Mike Evans back in the mix, it’s going to be harder for McMillan to make an impact on the perimeter, as the running backs and Cade Otton will likely remain heavily involved in the passing game. The Panthers rank just 30^th in pass defense DVOA, but they allow the 9^th-fewest WR points per game. Most teams attack them on the ground first. I wouldn’t treat McMillan as anything more than a WR5 option this week.

WR Ricky Pearsall, SF (Wk. 13: @ Buf.): Even if I told you to start Pearsall, I can’t imagine you’d listen after he put up back-to-back zeros in his last two games. The expected return of Brock Purdy should help this week, but Buffalo allows the 8^th-fewest WR points per game. He’ll likely see just 4-5 targets or so in this one as the team WR3, so if you start him, you’re betting on him producing with those limited opportunities. He has some big play potential, but it’s tough to roll those dice with no byes to fill in for this week.

WR Jalen Coker, CAR (Wk. 13: vs. TB): Coker was inactive in week 12, and he’s not practicing ahead of week 13 as of Wednesday. There’s no reason for the Panthers to rush him back after David Moore put up 6-81-1 last weekend, and it’s hard to envision any of Moore, Adam Thielen, or Xavier Legette going to the bench to make room for Coker to play a full-time role this week. If Coker plays, look for him to play a smaller snap share than we’re used to, which makes it hard to start him even against a Tampa defense that allows the 8^th-most WR points per game.

TE Theo Johnson, NYG (Wk. 13: @ Dal.): Theo has put up at least 3 catches and 30 receiving yards in 6 of the last 7 games, but he’s reached 40 yards in only 2 of them, and 10 PPR points in just 1. Dallas is just a middling TE defense, allowing the 15^th-fewest TE points per game, but we haven’t really seen much of a ceiling here. I don’t think Johnson’s outlook changes much if Drew Lock is under center…he’s a mid-range TE2 with around a 6-point PPR floor no matter who starts.

TE AJ Barner, SEA (Wk. 13: @ NYJ): Barner has filled in well enough while Noah Fant has been sidelined the last few weeks, but he isn’t seeing the kind of workload that can make him a fantasy starter. Fant is practicing in full as of Wednesday, but if for some reason Noah is held out again, Barner has totaled just 42 air yards on 14 targets in the last 3 weeks, hasn’t finished higher than the PPR TE19 in any of those games, and the Jets have allowed the 4^th-fewest TE points per game. He’s a fringe TE2 if Fant sits.

TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, CAR (Wk. 13: vs. TB): It’s hard to imagine that Sanders gets cleared to play this week after being carted off with a scary neck injury late in the first half last Sunday, but the only update we’ve gotten so far is that the injury isn’t serious. He was on track to have a solid game against the Chiefs, racking up 3-49 on 3 targets in that first half. If he’s somehow able to suit up this week, I’d view him as at least a mid-range TE2 against a Bucs’ defense that allows the 5^th-most TE points per game. Sanders had finished as a top-15 TE in 4 of 5 games prior to last week, and seemed to be on his way there again before the injury. I would expect Sanders will be out this week, but he’s playable if not.

Rookies You Already Know You Should Sit:

RB Jaylen Wright, MIA (Wk. 13: @ GB): Wright has handled at least 5 touches in all but two games this season, but he’s only topped 4 PPR points once, and that was in a game where De’Von Achane was sidelined. Wright tallied 7 carries last Sunday against New England, but 6 of them came in garbage time after the ‘Phins had opened up a 24-0 lead. With all 32 teams in action this week, a change-of-pace back (who doesn’t catch passes) like Wright doesn’t merit real consideration.

RB Blake Corum, LAR (Wk. 13: @ NO): Corum was limited to his usual pittance of snaps in week 12. He was on the field for just 10% of the offensive plays against Philly and touched the ball just once. The Saints are a great matchup if Corum had any kind of workload to speak of, but he doesn’t.

RB Jonathan Brooks, CAR (Wk. 13: vs. TB): Brooks finally made his NFL debut last weekend, but was limited to just a handful of snaps and 2 rushing attempts as Chuba Hubbard dominated the backfield work as usual. This week’s opponent, the Bucs, are much more giving to running backs than the Chiefs – they allow the 9^th-most RB points per game while KC allows the fewest – but it’s clear the Panthers are going to bring Brooks along slowly. I think 4-5 touches is a reasonable expectation here for Brooks, barring injury for Hubbard.

RBs Sincere McCormick & Dylan Laube, LV (Wk. 13: @ KC): I was hopeful for Dylan Laube to play a meaningful role last week with both Alexander Mattison and Zamir White sidelined, but he didn’t log a single offensive snap against the Broncos. Instead, fellow rookie Sincere McCormick was elevated from the practice squad to serve as the RB2 behind Ameer Abdullah, but he didn’t play much either. Abdullah handled nearly 90% of the snaps and McCormick got the scraps. It’s worth nothing that McCormick did manage to put up 33 yards on 5 rushes (Abdullah rushed just 8 times), and the team has talked up getting him more involved going forward, but it’s hard to envision him putting up a useful fantasy performance on an RB2 workload against KC. The Chiefs allow the fewest RB points per game. Alexander Mattison is expected to return this week – he got in a limited practice to start the week, so it’s possible McCormick just splits the RB2 work with Abdullah. Laube isn’t in consideration, and at best, McCormick is a TD dart throw.

RB Carson Steele, KC (Wk. 13: vs. LV): The last time Carson Steele scored 3 or more PPR points was week 3, and Andy Reid has said that, barring a setback, Isiah Pacheco will be active against the Raiders. Steele’s already small role is likely shrinking further.

WR Troy Franklin, DEN (Wk. 13: vs. Cle.): Franklin might have a little extra upside this week since he’s proven to be better vs. man coverage than zone (he averages more than twice as many fantasy points per route run vs. man as he does vs. zone), and the Browns play a lot of man-to-man, but the rookie hasn’t earned more than 4 targets in a game in any of his last 5 contests, and he’s topped 20 receiving yards in just one of them. You can’t reasonably rely on him for more than a couple of targets each week.

WR Jermaine Burton, CIN (Wk. 13 : vs. Pit.): The Bengals have tried to make Jermaine Burton happen in the last few weeks, but just have not had success doing so. He got extended run in 2 games that Tee Higgins missed, and then was still in a route on 25% of the team dropbacks in week 11 (his highest mark in any game that Higgins has played), but all of that playing time has resulted in 3 catches for 60 yards on 12 targets. His only path to usefulness is catching a deep ball or a TD, and the Steelers rank 6^th in pass defense DVOA on deep throws. Burton’s not a good bet this week.

WR Luke McCaffrey, WAS (Wk. 13: vs. Ten.): McCaffrey continues to play about the same amount as Olamide Zaccheaus and Dyami Brown, which is to say, not much. He’s been under a 40% route participation rate in 4 of the past 5 games, and he’s been alternating goose eggs with 1-catch performances for the last 7 games. If the pattern holds, he’s due for a zero this week. If it doesn’t, the upside here is still just 1-2 catches. 

WR Ja’Lynn Polk, NE (Wk. 13 : vs. Ind.): Polk is routinely logging route participation rates in the mid 30’s, and he’s been held below 3 PPR points in 6 of his last 7 games, including goose eggs in 3 of the last 5. His season has been entirely downhill since his game-winning TD against Miami was ruled out of bounds. Before long we may see fellow rookie Javon Baker pass him on the depth chart. Baker set a season-high with a 17% route participation rate in week 12.

WR Malik Washington, MIA (Wk. 13: @ GB): Washington is getting on the field just enough that he should be on our radar, but he’s averaged just 19 scrimmage yards per game over the last 3 weeks. There isn’t a good reason to start him with all of the firepower ahead of him in the pecking order.

WR Malachi Corley, NYJ (Wk. 13: vs. Sea.): Corley remains a distant 4th on the WR depth chart in an offense where 90% of the WR targets over the last month have gone to two players – Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams. There’s no reason to roll the dice on the 1-2 targets Corley will get this week.

WR Jordan Whittington, LAR (Wk. 13: @ NO): After Demarcus Robinson was arrested on suspicion of DUI this week, I thought there was a chance for Whittington to get back into the WR3 mix here if the team held Robinson out of action, but Sean McVay announced that he expects Robinson to be active in week 13. Whittington can continue being ignored. 

TE Cade Stover, HOU (Wk. 13: @ Jax.): Stover posted the best game of his career last Sunday, finishing as the TE11 for the week, but over 80% of his fantasy points were scored on the first play from scrimmage – a 19-yard TD catch. He was in a route on just 23% of the team’s passing dropbacks while Dalton Schultz logged a 75% rate. Stover is a TD dart throw who scored a TD last week. The Jaguars are a good TE matchup, but it’s a low-percentage bet that Stover finds the end zone again.

Deep League Sleepers and Stashes:

RB Kimani Vidal, LAC (Wk. 13 : @ Atl.): JK Dobbins left Monday night’s contest with a  sprained knee ligament, and he’s already been ruled out for week 13. Vidal has been a healthy scratch in every week where both JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards were active, but he was the clear RB2 during the 4 games that Gus Edwards missed this season. That will likely be the case again with Dobbins out, but it’s worth noting that Gus is a less well-rounded player than Dobbins, so that RB2 role could be larger than it was earlier in the season, and it’s not impossible (though not terribly likely) that he takes over a lead back role. I don’t know that you can start him anywhere this week – Vidal scored fewer than 3 PPR points in 3 of the 4 games Gus missed and the Falcons allow the 10^th-fewest RB points per game – but he’s worth a speculative add in deeper leagues in case his role is bigger than we think. He could be a difference maker in a week 15 fantasy playoff matchup when he faces the Bucs.

WR Adonai Mitchell, IND (Wk. 13: @ NE): Josh Downs is dealing with an injury and seems like a longshot to play this week. If he sits, that means Mitchell gets to play a full complement of snaps. Yes, Mitchell has more upside when Joe Flacco is at QB, but if we get the version of A-Rich that showed up against the Jets in week 11, Adonai is a swing-for-the-fences option in deep leagues. The Patriots allow the 10^th-most WR points per game, and rank 31^st in pass defense DVOA. If Downs sits, I expect Mitchell to see at least 4-5 targets, and New England is vulnerable to splash plays – they’ve allowed the 6^th-most completions of 20+ yards this season.

WR Johnny Wilson, PHI (Wk. 13: @ Bal.): With DeVonta Smith sidelined last week, Wilson was in a route on 69% of the team’s passing dropbacks, and while he was targeted just once, that target was in the end zone. Smith isn’t practicing yet this week and seems likely to miss Sunday’s game as well. That would mean Wilson will be on the field quite a bit against the team that allows the most WR points per game. The Eagles were largely in control for most of last Sunday’s game and they were able to lean on the run. That might not be the case in Baltimore. I don’t think Wilson will see more than a few targets, but he’s an interesting ‘anytime TD’ dart throw this week.

TE Brevyn Spann-Ford, DAL (Wk. 13: vs. NYG): Jake Ferguson has already been ruled out for this week, and while that means Luke Schoonmaker will serve as the TE1 on Turkey Day, Spann-Ford has played a significant amount behind him and finished as the PPR TE15 and TE24 over the last two weeks. The Giants have allowed the 2^nd-fewest TE points per game this season, but they rank just 29^th in pass defense DVOA. They’ve largely limited tight ends because teams have been able to pick them apart with wide receivers. With Cooper Rush under center, Dallas’ primary passing weapons have been CeeDee Lamb and the tight ends, so I don’t expect them to go completely away from Schoonmaker and Spann-Ford this week. There isn’t a big ceiling here, but don’t be surprised if Brevyn puts up 5-6 PPR points and finishes as a top-24 TE again.

That’s all I’ve got for this week. Hopefully it helps you sort through your lineup decisions and find your way to a win this weekend. Feel free to hit me up on Twitter/X (@Shawn_Foss) if you have any questions or want to yell at me about anything written above, and always make sure to apply what’s written in the context of your own league rules and roster. Keep a close eye on the injury report throughout the week if you have any guys who are questionable and do a final pre-game check to make sure you don’t start any inactive players. As always: Good luck, trust your gut and have fun. It’s just a game.