2013 Fantasy FootballAlan HarrisonFantasy Football

2013 Fantasy Football, Week 13 Waiver Wire: Josh McCown To Feast On The Vikings

Welcome to TheFantasyFix.com’s week 13 fantasy football waiver wire. We’ll be looking at players like Josh McCown, Nate Burleson, Brandon Bolden and Benny Cunningham that could make a positive impact on your team in week 13 and beyond.

Before we get to this week’s potential waiver wire pickups, it’s important to note that I indicate below each name what type of waiver priority I would use on said player as well as the amount of FAAB I’d be willing to use to acquire their services. Despite the lack of high profile names that may be available this late in the season, I continue to be aggressive, not only to build the depth of my own team for a playoff run, but to prevent other teams from adding crucial pieces where possible.

You may notice that a few of these names are making their second appearance on this list, but that’s because those players are not yet owned in as many leagues as they should be. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments below.

Nate Burleson | Lions

On Sunday, Burleson took to the field for the first time since week three. From the get-go, it appeared as if the former third-round selection was primed for a HUGE game, but his targets and receptions tapered as the game wore on. He finished Sunday’s contest with seven receptions on ten targets for 77 yards and a touchdown. Going forward, Burleson should make for a nifty WR3/4 in leagues with twelve or more teams and even more valuable in points-per-reception formats. The Lions get the Packers and Eagles over the next two weeks, which on the surface, appear to be nice matchups for the Lions and each of their pass catchers. Add Burleson for the stretch run.

Consider in leagues: 10-team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 4 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 10-15%
Players I’d drop for him: Greg Jennings, Vincent Brown, Nate Washington

Brandon Bolden | Patriots

Stevan Ridley continues to put the ball on the ground. Don’t be surprised if he fails to see another carry for the rest of the season. In his stead, Brandon Bolden earned 13 carries and chewed up 58 yards (4.5 y/c) and found the end zone once in doing so. Although large chunk of those yards (33) came on one run, Belichick kept going back to the former undrafted free-agent, presumable because he was both effective and able to hold on to the rock. With Shane Vereen virtually cemented into the Patriots passing game, those who are looking to add Brandon Bolden will be more likely to do so in standard formats.

Consider in leagues: 12-team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 6 or lower
Spend this much FAAB 10-15%
Players I’d drop for him: Roy Helu, Jacquizz Rodgers, Mark Ingram

Benny Cunningham | Rams

Cunningham stepped in for the injured Zac Stacy and trampled over the porous Bears’ run defense for 109 yards on 13 carries (8.4 y/c) and score. While Cunningham’s workload is dependent on Stacy’s health, we do know that if asked to fill that starting role again, he’s able to do so. Cunningham is averaging an impressive 6.0 yards per carry on the season, 2.7 yards after contact per carry and displays the ability to shed potential tacklers as evident by his seven missed tackles on the year. Look to add Cunningham in deeper leagues, in leagues where you own shares of Zac Stacy and in dynasty type formats. You’re doing so with the understanding that the Rams upcoming schedule against the 49ers, Cardinals, Saints and Bucs isn’t exactly the friendliest to opposing fantasy backs. He’s a “break glass in case of emergency” type of running back the rest of the way.

Consider in leagues: 12-team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 6 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 10-15%
Players I’d drop for him: Roy Helu, Jacquizz Rodgers, Mark Ingram

Ladarius Green | Chargers

Over the past two weeks, Green has hauled in seven passes on ten targets for 161 yards and a touchdown. Even more impressive is the fact that 99 of those 161 yards have come after the catch. According to ProFootballFocus, Green is earning more snaps each-and-every week. Could be a sneaky play going forward.

Consider in leagues: 12-team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 8 or lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 10-15%
Players I’d drop for him: Kyle Rudolph, Scott Chandler, Jermaine Gresham

Dennis Johnson | Texans and C.J. Anderson | Broncos

Johnson landed on our waiver wire a few weeks back, and based on his performance in week 12 and current ownership rates, he deserves to be mentioned again. He ran the ball 13 times for 74 yards (5.7 y/c) with a long of 29 yards. He added two receptions on two targets for an additional 13 yards. Not bad day for a back on a sputtering offense, right? He’s an elusive back with the ability to force defenders to miss, so consider making the add if you’re hurting.

Anderson earned three carries resulting in 16 yards in the Broncos devastating (for the Broncos and their fans) loss on Sunday evening. It’s yet to be said how John Fox and the Broncos will deal with Montee Ball’s inability to hold onto the ball going forward, but those speculating, could add Anderson to add depth to their stable of backs.

Consider in leagues: 14-team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 10 or lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: <5%
Players I’d drop for him: Your least valuable asset

Josh McCown | Bears

No Jay Cutler again in week 13 means Josh McCown gets to feast on a Minnesota Vikings defense who yield the second-most fantasy points per week (25.30) to opposing gun-slingers. Love the matchup this week with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey, two of the top pass catchers in the NFL running routes against the generous Vikings defensive secondary. And if McCown happens to be the quarterback under center in week 14, you potentially have one of the better matchups for the fantasy playoffs as the Bears face the MOST generous defense to opposing quarterbacks in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys.

Consider in leagues: 10-team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 6 or lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 15-20%
Players I’d drop for him: Ryan Tannehill, Mike Glennon, Mike Vick

Cleveland D/ST and Buffalo D/ST

If you followed our suggestion to roll with the Bills defense against the Jets in week 11, congratulations, you feasted. And if you were able to hold onto the Bills through their bye-week, they could be a decent option against the Falcons, Buccaneers, Jaguars and Dolphins over the next four weeks. However, the Cleveland defense looks to be the best bet for those streaming defenses in week 13. The Jaguars are yielding more than 13 fantasy points per week to opposing defenses, the most generous in the NFL.

Consider in leagues: 10-team
Waiver Priority Worthy: N/A
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 5%
Players I’d drop for him: Minnesota, Oakland, Houston

Advanced NFL statistics courtesy of our friends at ProFootballFocus.com.

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3 Comments

  1. Sam
    November 26, 2013 at 12:05 pm

    Alan – Thanks for the great insights. I’m on the cusp of a playoff berth and in a must win situation. Got a couple waiver wire questions for you at the RB and TE positions.

    At RB I have MJD and D. Brown on my bench (AP and R. Rice starting). Would you consider adding any of the RBs listed above and drop a bench guy(s)?

    At TE I have R. Housler on my bench (D. Walker starting). Would you consider adding Ladarius Green and dropping either of them?

    • November 26, 2013 at 7:28 pm

      Thanks for the kind words, Sam
      And to answer both of your questions in one shot: I’d likely play with the cards in your hand at both positions.
      Busy night over here, sorry for the lack of analysis. Best of luck!

  2. November 27, 2013 at 1:33 am

    Cutler is already conceding that he will probably be offered and accept the Franchise tag. He will get top 5 money and the Bears can evaluate if they want to go long term based on what he achieves in his second year under Trestman’s system. If he can stay healthy and with a better understanding of the playbook and not changing OCs like changing underwear, they will see if he can put up or they go after a QB in the 2015 draft. Depending what McCown wants to do will dictate if he stays or not. I can’t blame him if he takes an offer to start somewhere. There are teams drooling to have him. He could start for the Vikings, Jags, Jets, Cleveland right now