Week 13 Waiver Wire: Breakout Pickups, Targets and Tips for Fantasy Football

Week 13 in the NFL brings with it bye weeks for the prolific Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills offenses, as well as the Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, and New York Giants, meaning there will be holes on some fantasy squads in need of a quick fill in.

Fantasy managers will look to the waiver wire to help fill them but who they can slot in at key positions on their rosters, in a pivotal week that could very well decide whether they make it to their league's playoffs, is the question.

Ahead of next week's slate of games, these are just a few of the players who managers can expect to exploit favorable match-ups and hold down the proverbial fort until their regular starters return.

All stats from FantasyPros unless otherwise stated.

Jordan Love balled out on Thanksgiving Day, putting up 268 yards and three touchdowns against the division-leading Detroit Lions on the road. It was also Love's second, consecutive 20-plus-point fantasy showing.

Over his last four games, he is averaging 20.25 points per game.

That does not make him a worthy full-time starter but it is worth grabbing him off the waiver and stashing him if you lack a quality backup or have questions about your starter.

Against Detroit and the Chargers the week before, Love has posted five total touchdowns and no interceptions, a potential indicator that he is growing into the role of Packers starter in his first full season under center.

He will be tested in Week 13, against a Chiefs defense that is sixth-best against opposing quarterbacks and has allowed just 12 passing touchdowns all season.

Luckily, Love is starting to see production out of wide receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, as well as another flex player who will appear a bit later on this list.

The Packers will have the opportunity to run the ball against the Chiefs, but it may very well come down to Love's ability to complete a big-time pass down the field that determines whether Green Bay can continue their winning ways or if they suffer a crucial defeat in their pursuit of the playoffs.

Love is currently available in 48 percent of Yahoo leagues and 52 percent of ESPN.

The Indianapolis Colts have inexplicably clawed their way to a game over .500 with their win over Tampa Bay Sunday, partly due to their effort on the ground.

Running backs Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss, quarterback Gardner Minshew, and receiver Isaiah McKenzie accounted for 155 rushing yards, with the latter scoring twice.

Taylor's touches have negatively affected Moss' fantasy output in 2023, but he has five games of double-digit points and is still a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. As the Colts continue their improbable push to the playoffs, Moss will factor heavily into the offensive plans, even with the presence of Taylor, because of the inconsistent play of Minshew.

In Week 13, Moss gets a Tennessee Titans team giving up 17.3 points to opposing backs. From there, he will make up one-half of a two-headed rushing attack against Cincinnati (19.5) and Pittsburgh (20.7).

At worst, he is Taylor's handcuff and will pair nicely with the franchise back, to the benefit of any fantasy manager wise enough to grab him off the waiver wire.

Moss is currently available in 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and 41 percent of ESPN.

Jayden Reed may not be a household name, nor does he have the recognition of Watson or Doubs in Green Bay, but the rookie receiver has made an impact both for the Packers and fantasy managers of late.

Reed has contributed both through the air and on the ground, with three consecutive double-digit scoring efforts and a touchdown in each of his last three games.

Up next is Kansas City, who are allowing 11.9 yards per reception to slot receivers and have given up eight touchdowns. Considering the team has allowed only 12 passing touchdowns all season, it is especially susceptible to them from that position.

Reed will have an opportunity to exploit that match-up, add to his fantasy totals on the ground, and potentially have a direct impact on the outcome of the game.

With his role increasing and his fantasy point totals adding up, it is time to grab Reed off the waiver wire and add him to your roster as a potential starter on a weekly basis.

He is available in 53 percent of Yahoo and 68 percent of ESPN leagues but will not be for long if he continues to be productive for a Packers offense that is finally finding its way.

Tyler Conklin is not going to wow fantasy managers with his stats and probably should not be a waiver wire pickup unless you are hurting for a player at the position.

He does have 19 catches over the last four games and as a safety net for whichever outmatched quarterback the Jets are starting from week to week, he has the potential to have a solid game every time he takes the field.

He went over six catches in week nine and 10, as well as 50 yards, but did not record a touchdown. In fact, Conklin has yet to find the endzone this season, a massive disappointment for a player with a considerable amount of upside.

Still, with Tim Boyle getting another start in Week 13, he is a worthy start for those managers in dire need of a tight end due to injury or a bye week.

There is no reason to trust that he may score, but against an Atlanta team that is eighth worst in the league against opposing tight ends and giving up 11.2 points per game, there will be opportunities for Boyle and the maligned Jets offense to exploit.

Conklin is predictably available in 84 and 83 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues, respectively.