Week 13 Early Pickups and Waiver Wire Adds

With six teams on a bye next week, fantasy managers need to find players who can step up.

Here’s an early look at the fantasy players you’ll be targeting off the waiver wire this week. None of these players are rostered in more than 50% of Yahoo! leagues. The actual Yahoo! ownership percentage is included in parentheses. Players are listed from the most owned to the least owned after Sunday’s games. Be sure to check out Jen Piacenti’s expanded list of waiver-wire players every Tuesday!

Pat Freiermuth, TE, Steelers (48%)

Kareem Elgazzar/USA TODAY Network

When you consider how thin the tight end position has become, I was shocked to see Freiermuth is available in more than 50% of Yahoo! leagues. That being said, he needs to be rostered across the board, especially after his 120-yard, 21-point stat line in a win over the Bengals. He could push for TE1 value the rest of the year.

Jayden Reed, WR, Packers (47%)

It’s tough to predict which Packers wideout will be the most productive on a weekly basis, but Reed has been pretty consistent in recent weeks. He’s scored 11-plus points in five of his last six games, including three straight games with at least 15 points. Reed should be rostered in far more than 47% of fantasy leagues.

Elijah Moore, WR, Browns (42%)

Moore didn’t put up a great total against the Broncos, but he was targeted nine times and has now seen at least seven targets in three straight games. The Browns also lost Amari Cooper to injured ribs, which could cause him to be listed as questionable for Week 13. Regardless, Moore is worth a look for those in need.

Gardner Minshew, QB, Colts (16%)

Minshew hasn’t been putting up great numbers, but the quarterback position is a wreck and there’s six teams on a bye in Week 13. As a result, the man we call the “Magic Mustache” is well worth a look for those in need against the Titans. Their defense had allowed the eighth-most points to quarterbacks in Weeks 8-11.

Wil Lutz, K, Broncos (11%)

When the waiver wire dries up, you start to talk kickers. Lutz has been on fire in the stat sheets, scoring nine or more points in three straight games and four of his last five. The Broncos have done a complete 180 and are actually winning games, and that’s given Lutz some life. He’s been the second-best kicker since Week 9.

Juwan Johnson, TE, Saints (9%)

The Saints are hemorrhaging wide receivers, as Chris Olave (concussion) and Rasheed Shaheed (thigh) both left Sunday’s game against Atlanta. With Michael Thomas already on injured reserve, Johnson could see more opportunities in the pass attack moving forward. He saw seven targets in a loss to the Falcons.

Jalin Hyatt, WR, Giants (3%)

Danielle Parhizkaran/USA Today Sports

Hyatt is coming off his best game in the NFL, catching five passes for 109 yards for 15.9 fantasy points in a win over the Patriots. The Giants have nothing to play for the rest of the season, so it makes sense for coach Brian Daboll to see what he has in his rookie wideout. The Giants have a bye next, but Hyatt is still worth a look.

Greg Dortch, WR, Cardinals (2%)

Dortch had just three catches against the Rams, but one of them went for a score and he was targeted nine times. He’s now posted double digits in each of the last two weeks, and the Cardinals wideout schedule is favorable down the stretch. With Michael Wilson still injured, Dortch should be added for those fans in need.

Tucker Kraft, TE, Packers (1%)

Fantasy managers in need at tight end might want to look to Green Bay, where Kraft should see a bigger role in the offense without Luke Musgrave. The rookie had a nice line on Thanksgiving Day, scoring a touchdown and double-digit points in a big win over the Lions. At what is a thin position, Kraft could be a nice asset.

DeVante Parker, WR, Patriots (1%)

Parker isn’t a very attractive option in a pathetic New England pass attack, but the team lost Demario Douglas to a head injury. If he is unable to return in time for next week’s plus matchup against the Chargers, Parker could turn into a desperation play for managers in need in deeper leagues. It’s thin out there, folks.

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