Early Fantasy Football pickups for Week 13 playoff push

Brad Evans

With Week 13 looming, it’s your last chance to improve your roster to get into the Fantasy Football playoffs. We have a quarterback, running back and a receiver to consider adding on the waiver wire.

Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants – 45 percent owned

It’s been a lost season for the Giants, especially for Mr. Reliable, but this is the week for No. 10 to possible crack the QB1 class. Yes, he ranks outside the top-15 in total production at the position and hasn’t thrown a TD pass since Week 10, however, his matchup in Week 13 is downright delectable. Oakland, badgered by opposing signal callers, has surrendered well north of 7.0 yards per attempt. With Sterling Shepard hopefully back in action, it’s possible he surpasses 250 yards with two or more touchdowns. Stream merrily.

Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, RB – 7 percent

A string of unwanted performance and one concussion later, Doug Martin is expendable in 12-team leagues. With the Muscle Hamster in protocol, Rodgers is again fantasy relevant. Tampa’s line couldn’t open a hole for a chuckwalla, but volume and matchup mean everything in this addictive little game. If Martin is unavailable, ‘Quizz would be FLEX worthy in Week 13 no matter format. His opponent, Green Bay, has been dreadful in all facets defensively. Against RBs, it ranks inside the top-10 in most fantasy points allowed. Peyton Barber, who scored twice against Atlanta, is also a player of interest in deeper leagues. Fire the cannons.

Zay Jones, WR, Buffalo Bills – 14 percent

Before the season began, I predicted Jones would set the pace among rookie wide receivers in fantasy production. Though he has a mountain to climb to surpass Cooper Kupp, the Buffalo youngster has started to pay the fantasy bills. Including his noteworthy effort in Kansas City (3-33-1), he’s scored in two of his past three contests. Matched against a mostly generous New England secondary in Week 13, Jones should continue to attract admirers.