Waiver Wire Week 13: Stat Projections for Top Fantasy Pickups and Sleepers

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Stacy Bengs/Associated Press

Christian McCaffrey and Dalvin Cook are not only among the top running backs in the NFL, but they’re two of the most reliable players for fantasy football managers. At least when they’re healthy, and that’s not the case for either.

McCaffrey, who has been slowed by numerous injuries over the past two years, is done for the 2021 season after getting placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. As for Cook, his shoulder injury may not shut him down for the rest of the year, but he’s likely going to miss some time.

Fantasy managers who had been starting McCaffrey or Cook may now be seeking replacements with only two weeks to go in the fantasy regular season for most leagues. It’s possible they could have extra RBs to plug in from their bench, or they may have to go scour the waiver wire.

Here’s a look at several of the top waiver-wire targets heading into Week 13.

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Alexander Mattison has no fantasy relevance when Dalvin Cook is healthy, as the Vikings typically rely heavily on their starting running back. But Mattison has proved that he can be a strong fill-in option for Cook in the past, including earlier this season.

While Cook was sidelined by an ankle injury, Mattison had a pair of strong showings early in the year. He had 171 total yards (112 rushing, 59 receiving) in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks, and he had 153 total yards (113 rushing, 40 receiving) and a receiving touchdown in Week 5 vs. the Detroit Lions.

Some fantasy managers likely kept Mattison on their bench in case Cook got hurt again. However, Mattison is still available in 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and 34 percent of ESPN leagues, and he needs to be added in those in which he isn’t rostered.

In Week 13, the Vikings face the Lions for the second time this season. And after Mattison excelled against Detroit’s weak defense in the previous meeting between the NFC North rivals, he should have another strong showing with Cook likely to be sidelined.

Projection: 120 yards and a touchdown.

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Jacob Kupferman/Associated Press

Over the Panthers’ past three games, Chuba Hubbard’s usage had gone way down. That’s because Christian McCaffrey had returned from a hamstring injury to reclaim his role as Carolina’s lead back. However, McCaffrey is now injured again, and he’ll miss the rest of 2021 because of the ankle ailment.

That means Hubbard is poised to be the Panthers’ No. 1 RB in McCaffrey’s absence again. And plenty of fantasy managers dropped Hubbard once McCaffrey came back, so Hubbard is going to be available on the waiver wire in a lot of leagues.

Hubbard, who is rostered in 37 percent of Yahoo leagues and 34 percent of ESPN leagues, was more effective as he gained experience during his rookie season. He scored three touchdowns from Weeks 6-10, and he had his first 100-yard game when he rushed for 101 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5.

Cam Newton struggled in Week 12, and Carolina doesn’t have much of a passing attack at the moment. So it should rely on Hubbard and its rushing attack when it returns to action from its Week 13 bye. The Panthers will take on the Atlanta Falcons in Week 14, which should give Hubbard an opportunity to put up solid numbers.

Projection: 91 yards and a touchdown.

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Matt Ludtke/Associated Press

Even with Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. in the same receiving corps, Van Jefferson is getting plenty of chances in the Rams’ passing game. Jefferson has been targeted at least seven times in each of Los Angeles’ three games, and while he’s had only three catches in each contest, the opportunities have been there.

In Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers, Jefferson had a career-high 93 receiving yards and scored his fourth touchdown of the year. That may be a performance that he builds off of heading into the Rams’ Week 13 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jefferson is available in 48 percent of Yahoo leagues and 42 percent of ESPN leagues, so he’ll be the top wide receiver on the waiver wire in many leagues this week. So if you’re seeking a WR who you can immediately plug into your flex spot, Jefferson fits the bill.

Los Angeles has lost three straight games, so it’s likely going to be looking to put up a lot of points and notch a bounce-back victory in its favorable home matchup against Jacksonville. Because of that, Jefferson should have another solid performance.

Projection: 77 yards and a touchdown.