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Fantasy Football Insider: Top Waiver-Wire Pickups For Week 13

Seahawks.com Fantasy Insider Scott Engel offers a look at the waiver-wire after Week 12.

Scott Engel is in his eighth season of providing Fantasy Football coverage for Seahawks.com. An inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame, he is in his 23rd year as a Fantasy analyst and professional. You can now find more of his work and weekly rankings on RotoBaller.com and hear him every Saturday night on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.

If you are reading this column with an eye towards the Fantasy Football playoffs, be confident that you can make it to the postseason next week. You have survived challenges and obstacles to persevere so far, and you are on the verge of being rewarded. In an average 12-team Fantasy Football league, only half of the field makes the postseason. By ending up in the Top Six of your league, you certainly will have accomplished something of significance if you survive past this week and advance.

Of course, the work is not done this week or afterwards. If you have not clinched a playoff berth yet, the pressure is very high entering Week 13. Beyond this week, one loss and your season is over. If you do end up with a bye, that is a terrific achievement, because it assures you of advancing past the first round, and it will take only one win to reach the Super Bowl. That is how many leagues work: Six teams make the playoffs, two receive byes and the other four play in the first round in Week 14 of the NFL regular season.

Of course, there are varied structures, but that is the preferred standard of postseason formatting. While this is a must-win week for a good chunk of you, one piece of positive news is that the byes are over and you can start your very best players in this crucial week.

Working the waiver wire now is still important for depth purposes. Every week, injuries and coaching decisions about who may start and get increased or decreased reps will demand that you continue to be active in Fantasy Football free agency. 

Week 13 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

Running Backs

Rashaad Penny, Seahawks (29.3 owned in NFL.com leagues): He may be the most sought-after free agent in Fantasy Football this week after a career performance against the Eagles in Week 12. His 129 rushing yards were the best in his two pro seasons so far, and his 58-yard TD run was also the longest since he arrived in the NFL. Penny can be an explosive runner in space and his speed makes him an ideal complement to Chris Carson. He does have the potential to be useful as a flex play during the upcoming Fantasy Football playoffs. He is also a quality add for further RB depth Fantasy wise.

Benny Snell, Steelers (0.5): He was a surprise lead ball carrier for Pittsburgh in Week 12 as the Steelers looked to jump-start their running game. Snell returned from a knee injury and provided respectable totals, rushing for 98 yards on 21 carries. Pittsburgh is making changes on offense and Snell could continue to play a lead role in the short term while also being the main handcuff when James Connor is available again.

Darrel Williams, Chiefs (2.8): The Kansas City RB situation is unclear, as Damien Williams is dealing with rib issues and LeSean McCoy appears to be getting a limited workload. Darrel Williams is frequently being worked back into the picture, as he offers versatility as a physical runner and receiver out of the backfield. He could be needed to play an expanded role at any time, so keep him on your Fantasy roster for possible usage. 

Wide Receivers

Cole Beasley, Bills (8.1): He was one of the key pieces acquired in the offseason to help QB Josh Allen and improve the Buffalo passing game. The Bills have become a potent team via the airwaves behind Allen the past few weeks, and Beasley is becoming a more productive Fantasy player than ever before. He has at least four receptions in each of his past three games and he has scored in four of his last six. Beasley is another quality depth guy for your Fantasy playoffs.

Sterling Shepard, Giants (42.2): He caught five passes for only 15 yards in his return to action in Week 12, but with a game of reps now behind him, you should expect better production going forward. When he is at his best, Shepard is a sharp route runner who can also gain additional yardage after the catch. Golden Tate is in the concussion protocol, so Shepard may have to play a featured role in the Giants passing game in the shorter term, too.

Robby Anderson, Jets (34.7): He was cut in many leagues over the past few weeks, as there was a sense of unreliability from Fantasy perspectives surrounding Anderson. But the New York offense and passing game has come to life recently, and Anderson remains their preferred big-play target. He has scored in each of the past two games and has friendly matchups with the Bengals and Dolphins in the next two weeks. He Is a risky play, but worth the flier if you need some WR help. 

Tight Ends

Jack Doyle, Colts (28.7): Eric Ebron is now on injured reserve because of ankle issues, and the Colts have been dealing with continual health issues among their pass-catchers. Doyle could now see a bit of a larger role as receiver the rest of the way. It's worth adding him to find out if the loss of Ebron could help his numbers.

Kyle Rudolph, Vikings (48.3): Some owners passed on him because Minnesota was on a bye. Now that the Vikings off week has passed, there is no reason not to add Rudolph if you do not own another top-level TE. Rudolph has re-emerged as a productive Fantasy performer, having scored four times in his past three games and five in his past five. He has his best game of the year before the bye, with five catches for 67 yards and a TD, which came on a 32-yard reception. 

Quarterbacks

Ryan Tannehill, Titans (4.6): He was the top-scoring Fantasy QB of Week 12, as he threw for 259 yards and two TDs and added 40 rushing yards and two scoring runs. Tannehill is consistently delivering in the 19-point range or better as he is working with the best supporting cast of his career to this point.

Sam Darnold, Jets (12.9): He has thrown for 608 yards and six TDs in his past two games, and has rushed for scores in two of his past three games. Darnold threw for 315 yards and two TDs and rushed for another score in Week 12, and only Tannehill scored more Fantasy points at the QB position. If you are still streaming QBs to survive, you have to like his next two matchups against the Bengals and Dolphins. Dolphins.

Seahawks Fantasy Update

Russell Wilson remains the No. 2 scorer in Fantasy Football and among NFC quarterbacks with 250.58 points on NFL.com. … Penny was the seventh-highest scoring RB of Week 12 with 18.90 points. …. Carson remains in the Top 10 overall at RB, ninth with 168.90 points. … Tyler Lockett is the ninth highest scoring WR with 181.60 points. … With three sacks and five turnovers and nine points allowed, the Seahawks defense was the third-highest scoring unit of Week 12 with 17 points. The unit is rising in appeal, as the defensive line has played very well over the past two games and the addition of Quandre Diggs has boosted the secondary.

Seahawks Fantasy Mailbag

Keith Landau of New York asks: I own both Kenyan Drake and David Johnson, and now Chase Edmonds appears to be close to returning. Which RB will be best to use from Arizona going forward?

Engel: Ever since he came over from Miami in Week 9, Drake has functioned as the lead back for the Cardinals, as Johnson and Edmonds have dealt with injuries. He had one game with 162 yards from scrimmage and one with 80. He will continue to play a significant role in the backfield, but may end up in a time share with Edmonds or Johnson when both are healthier. If there comes a point where all three seem to be healthy, we could be looking at a full-blown committee. Monitor the situation on a week to week basis, but for now Drake still seems to be the guy to go with as the other two try to work back into form.

For more from Scott Engel, get the RotoBaller.com 2019 Fantasy Football Package_, which includes his lineup rankings and regular weekly columns. Enter code "Seahawks" at checkout for a discount. The price has already been slashed for your Fantasy Football playoff push.

Game action photos from the Seattle Seahawks' Week 12 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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