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Fantasy Football 2020: Week 13 FAAB Guide

By Peter Chung
Keke Coutee Week 13 FAAB Guide

With another thrilling week officially in the books, we’re eager for an exciting new slate of games in the National Football League. But from the aftermath of last week, there is a new batch of readily available players that could provide a much-needed boost to your roster. Which one(s) should you grab? Are they starters that you can rely on for the rest of season (ROS), or just another batch of one-hit wonders? This Week 13 FAAB Guide will help you with these decisions and serves as a resource on how to manage your FAAB, i.e. Free Agent Acquisition Budget.

Each week, I outline available players (with <70% Fantrax availability) that should be picked up and my recommendations on how much of your FAAB should be used on your bids for them. If you don’t see a popular name mentioned below, then they are likely already rostered on over 70% of Fantrax leagues (e.g. Latavius Murray, Alexander Mattison, Cam Akers, J.K. Dobbins, Allen Lazard, Jalen Reagor, Dallas Goedert). If your league utilizes standard waiver claims instead of the FAAB system, then you can still use these recommendations to prioritize your waiver claims. Also, make sure to catch our weekly Waiver Wire report as well.

Since each Fantasy Football league’s format is different, I will suggest bid amounts by percentage rather than dollar amount. Also, since each league is different, use this guide as general advice but apply it with your knowledge of your own league mates. For example, if you want to bid on Devontae Booker but your league is full of Raiders fans, then you should probably bid higher than suggested below.

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Week 13 FAAB Guide

QUARTERBACKS

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (70% rostered in Fantrax Leagues)
In last week’s FAAB Guide, I recommended grabbing Taysom Hill as he would have a safe rushing floor with scoring upside as the team’s goal-line vulture, akin to a poor man’s Josh Allen. He impressed in his first showing, but that was against Atlanta’s defense — the worst in the league. With a following matchup against Denver’s middling defense and nonexistent QBs, Hill struggled to get anything going, completing just nine passes for 78 scoreless yards. However, his fantasy day was saved with not one, but TWO rushing TDs, to the dismay of Alvin Kamara managers everywhere. But the team didn’t need him to pass much at all as they destroyed the Broncos to a whopping 31-3 result.

In Week 13, Hill is gifted with a rematch against the fantasy-friendly Falcons. While he may not repeat his top-five performance, he’s a near-lock to finish in the top-10. With a heavy bye week and fantasy playoffs on the horizon, take a serious look at Hill if you’re in need of QB assistance. But beware that Drew Brees’ return looms, so have a contingency plan in case the old-timer’s multiple fractured ribs and collapsed lung suddenly heals sooner than anticipated.

Recommended Week 13 FAAB Bids: 5-7% in regular leagues, 17-20% in 2QB or SF leagues.

 

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins (52% rostered)
Guess who’s back? None other than the legendary bearded one, Ryan Fitzpatrick. After rookie Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out due to a surprise thumb injury, Fitzpatrick turned on the magic in a #RevengeGame against the Jets. He completed 24 of 39 passes for 257 yards and two TDs, finishing as the week’s QB7. Head coach Brian Flores is adamant that Tagovailoa will be the starter if healthy. But if he’s inactive again, then Fitzpatrick will have another ideal matchup on deck against a fledgling Bengals team that will surely provide positive game script due to their inept offense. He should be a popular streaming candidate as he’s tallied 250+ passing yards and/or three total TDs in EVERY GAME he’s started this year since Week 2. It’s quite simple: if Tua’s out, then it’s Fitzmagic time.

Recommended Week 13 FAAB Bids: 5% in regular leagues, 15% in 2QB or SF leagues.

 

RUNNING BACKS

Devontae Booker, Las Vegas Raiders (37% rostered)
Next man up. That’s where backup RB Devontae Booker finds himself after lead back Josh Jacobs sprained his ankle during an embarrassing loss against the Falcons. Though reports say Jacob’s injury looked worse than it is, there’s a realistic chance he’ll be held out for Week 13. That would give Booker the spotlight in a juicy matchup against the Jets’ porous defense. Talk about a smash spot.

In his last game with 15+ carries, he blew off the roof with 81 rushing yards and two TDs. And that was against a decent Broncos’ defense, WITH Jacobs leading the team in touches. If he’s given the reins, then the sky’s the limit under a run-heavy Jon Gruden offense. Even if Jacobs is active, there’s a chance he’ll be limited as ankle injuries are no joke. Booker’s potential opportunity makes him one of Week 13’s top waiver adds and worthy of a hefty FAAB bid.

Recommended Week 13 FAAB Bids: 10-12%

 

Frank Gore, New York Jets (63% rostered)
As mentioned in Week 12’s FAAB guide:

It’s never fun rostering someone under the tutelage of human tonsil stone Adam Gase, but Frank Gore may prove to be the exception. The ageless wonder rushed 15 times for 61 yards and a TD in a loss to the Chargers. He also caught both targets for an extra 13 yards. Though rookie La’Mical Perine was expected to take over the helm after Le’Veon Bell was cut earlier this year, he’s inexplicably taken a backseat to Gore instead.

Things won’t change as Perine suffered a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss time. That means Gore should see more opportunities as the sole leader of the Jets backfield. It’s not ideal, but any starting RB during a brutal COVID-infested season is worth rostering. He’ll have a decent shot to produce against a mediocre Miami defense in Week 12. Gore will also have TD upside as the Dolphins just gave up two rushing scores to the Broncos’ Melvin Gordon.

So how did Gore do last week? He ran 18 times for 74 yards, adding three catches for 12 more yards. Pedestrian numbers, sure, but that came off a landslide 3-20 defeat, courtesy of the Dolphins’ underrated defense. He’ll get an easier matchup in Week 13 against the Raiders, who’ve just allowed 75 total yards and a TD to the Falcons’ Ito Smith of all people. Gore won’t be a ceiling play, but he’s a fine Flex option for those struggling at the position.

Recommended Week 13 FAAB Bids: 10%

 

Brian Hill, Atlanta Falcons (65% rostered)
Ito Smith, Atlanta Falcons (18% rostered)
With lead back Todd Gurley unexpectedly inactive due to a knee injury, most assumed understudy Brian Hill would presume the starring role with Ito Smith mixed in as relief with the occasional goal-line carries. Instead, it was a near even split, as Hill rushed 13 times for 55 yards while Smith had 12 carries for 65 yards and a TD against a lackluster Raiders team. Smith also caught four of five targets for an additional 10 yards.

Not only did Smith outproduce Hill (5.4 yards per attempt vs 4.2), but he also saw the valuable Red Zone looks and heavier target share. If Gurley is unavailable for Week 13, then Smith is my preferred pickup over Hill, although both guys will likely be rendered ineffective against a stout Saints defense. There are too many cons against these guys, so don’t break the bank on them unless you’re in desperate need.

Recommended Week 13 FAAB Bids: 3-5% for either

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Keke Coutee, Houston Texans (12% rostered)
This is why we can’t have nice things. In a shocking reveal, Texans star wideout Will Fuller — who had just dominated on a Thanksgiving primetime showcase — tested positive for PEDs and is effectively suspended for the rest of the fantasy season. That leaves star QB Deshaun Watson with just Brandin Cooks and Keke Coutee as his only reliable receiving weapons. What bad timing, as their only other deep threat, Kenny Stills, was just released last Friday.

Though Coutee is more of a direct replacement for the injured Randall Cobb (IR, toe), his established rapport with Watson will likely be leaned on in Fuller’s absence, leading to an increased target share and a more prominent role with the offense. However, that doesn’t mean Coutee will automatically become a must-start play, as I expect Watson to involve his TEs more. But he could evolve into a reliable Flex player in PPR leagues with occasional scoring upside. After all, Watson has to throw it to someone, so why not the guy that he already likes and trusts?

Recommended Week 13 FAAB Bids: 10%

 

Denzel Mims, New York Jets (63% rostered)
The rise of the rookie receivers continues with Baylor product Denzel Mims, as he snatched four of eight targets for 67 yards against the Dolphins. He and Breshad Perriman led the team in targets and receptions, though Mims could’ve seen more looks had he not briefly left the game due to a leg injury. But the kid showed flashes of greatness, reminding everyone why he deserved such a high draft capital in a crowded WR draft.

Mims has surprisingly tallied 60+ yards in his last three games, though he’s remained scoreless thus far. He’ll look to change that in Week 13 against a forgiving Raiders secondary, followed by the BEST matchup possible in the Seahawks. He could definitely be a bust this year, but he’s worth stashing in hopes that the Jets’ uninspired offense finally starts clicking. Then again, that doesn’t look possible so long as the team is shackled under Adam Gase’s incompetence:

Recommended Week 13 FAAB Bids: 3%

 

Breshad Perriman, New York Jets (57% rostered)
Don’t look now, but our third Jets player makes his appearance on Week 13’s FAAB guide. Deep threat Breshad Perriman reeled in four of eight targets for 79 yards against Miami. He led the team in receiving yards while tying Denzel Mims in targets and receptions. Though he’s certainly a risky, volatile option, it helps that he has Charmin-soft matchups on the docket against the Raiders and Seahawks. If you’re feeling lucky, take a shot at Perriman. Just be prepared for a wide range of mad-lib results.

Recommended Week 13 FAAB Bids: 2%

 

TIGHT ENDS

Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (60% rostered)
Is the Washington Football Team, led by comeback player-of-the-year frontrunner Alex Smith, suddenly a fantasy goldmine? Their rookie RB, Antonio Gibson, has burst through the doors as a bona fide RB1. WR Terry McLaurin is proving he’s a baller every single week, regardless of who’s throwing the pigskin at him. Their defense has been on fire lately. Could TE Logan Thomas be next? He caught all four targets for 20 yards and a TD in a dominating victory over the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Since returning from their Week 9 bye, Thomas has seen 6 or more touches each game. He’s a low-end TE1 for ROS, though his upcoming matchups against the Steelers, 49ers, and Seahawks are incredibly unfavorable for TEs. Nevertheless, Thomas has been productive more often than not, making him the top TE pickup.

Recommended Week 13 FAAB Bids: 7-10%

 

Trey Burton, Indianapolis Colts (30% rostered)
Jim and Pam. Ross and Rachel. Phillip Rivers and tight ends. The difference is, only one of these famed couples are real. The curmudgeonly QB has exhibited a budding connection with seventh-year TE Trey Burton. He caught three of six targets for 42 yards and a beautiful TD in a losing rematch to the Titans.

Burton’s efforts landed him as last week’s TE9 in PPR. That’s now five scores in his last six games. He gets a chance to build on his rapport with a decent matchup against the Texans in Week 13. Though he could certainly be lost in the shuffle as Rivers loves to spread the ball around, Burton’s Red Zone prowess makes him a decent dart-throw each week in a desolate TE landscape.

Recommended Week 13 FAAB Bids: 3-5%

 

Jordan Akins, Houston Texans (26% rostered)
With lead WR Will Fuller out for the ROS, all Houston pass-catchers get a boost. And though it’s been painful predicting which of the Texans’ TEs will see the most action on any given week, it’s still worth considering fourth-year TE Jordan Akins. I know, I know, “didn’t he just goose-egg last week?” Yeah, but so did all the other TEs, and at least Akins led the group in targets, including one in the Red Zone. He gets an awful matchup in Week 13 against the Colts formidable defense, so expectations should be lower than Adam Gase’s next coaching prospects. But with Fuller’s ~7 targets/game and 73 air yards/game suddenly vacant, the door’s are wide open for someone to thrive under Watson’s lucrative offense.

Recommended Week 13 FAAB Bids: 1%

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