After a multitude of delays in Week 12, we finally had all the games played on Wednesday (yes Wednesday) afternoon. The 2020 NFL season has been a crazy one, but with the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic seemingly affecting the fantasy football world more than ever before this past week, it is never a sure thing when it comes to who you should throw in your fantasy football lineup week after week. Here’s a rundown of the key players in the top three skill positions that will play above their value for your Week 13 fantasy football squad.
Week 13 Fantasy Football: Top Value Players
“Value” Quarterback of the Week: Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
So, maybe you swooped in and grabbed the Saints’ Swiss Army Knife after he was named the starting quarterback after Drew Brees went on injured reserve leading up to Week 11. Sure, you can’t throw Taysom Hill in your tight end slot any longer, but he finished as a top 12 quarterback in both of his starts the past two weeks (a top-five quarterback in Week 11). While the sample size is small, and the Saints didn’t need to do much in last week’s quarterback-less matchup against the Denver Broncos, New Orleans faces an Atlanta Falcons team again in Week 13 that has given up the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. This is the team Hill produced against with his legs and through the air in his Week 11 debut at the position. While the same can’t be said for first-round fantasy draft pick Alvin Kamara in Brees’ absence, if you need a solid offense performance from a Saints’ player with high upside due to his running ability, look no further than Sean Payton’s prized jewel.
All Taysom Hill does is make plays for the @Saints.
At QB1.
Or… literally anywhere else.📺: #NOvsDEN — TOMORROW 4:05pm ET on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app pic.twitter.com/CAaVKV4ChB— NFL (@NFL) November 29, 2020
Other Value QBs for Week 13: Kirk Cousins, Ryan Fitzpatrick/Tua Tagovailoa
“Value” Running Back of the Week: Myles Gaskin/Salvon Ahmed, Miami Dolphins
What a year it has been for the Miami Dolphins. Whether it’s because of the “Tom Brady Curse” being broken or not, the Dolphins are right in the running for a playoff spot in the AFC this year. While much of their success can be accredited to their outstanding defensive play (and yes, the fact that both of their quarterbacks have proven capable of winning games – are we taking notes, Chicago?) one thing that has truly improved this season for the Dolphins is their run game. After paying a steep fee for now-cut Jordan Howard and rarely used Matt Breida, Miami has found themselves a pair of solid young backs in Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed. While the two haven’t been healthy in the same week as of yet, whoever is able to play this week against the struggling Cincinnati Bengals is worth firing up as Miami looks to continue to dominate on both sides of the ball. If both backs are healthy, anticipate Gaskin to lead this backfield, but we may see some sort of committee at first. Keep an eye on the injury report throughout the week but lock Gaskin in as a solid RB2 with or without Ahmed, and treat Ahmed as RB2 worthy with Gaskin out against a Bengals’ defense that has surrendered at least 100 yards to a running back in five of their last six games.
DOLPHINS PRACTICE REPORT, per @JCTSports and @ArmandoSalguero :
* No DeAndre Washington
* Tua Tagovailoa is practicing w black tape around his left wrist and lower part of his left thumb.
* Myles Gaskin wore compression sleeve on his left leg.
* Kindley and Ahmed both present. https://t.co/dbIPZXXET0— Action Network NFL Injury News (@ActionNetNFLInj) December 2, 2020
Other Value RBs for Week 13: Wayne Gallman, David Montgomery
“Value” Wide Receiver of the Week: Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has been playing quarterback at an amazing level since the firing of former head coach Bill O’Brien after the Texans 0-4 start. However, a lot of that success has benefited wide receiver Will Fuller, who just this week, was handed a six-week suspension for a PED violation. Another receiver who has been playing exceptionally consistently thus far in Watson’s re-emergence? Brandin Cooks. Posting only one game with less than 60 yards, and only two with less than eight targets, after the Week 5 swing for the Texans offense, Cooks has been a great go-to receiver for Watson as well. While Fuller had an edge in total yards and touchdowns in that span, Cooks was not far behind. Look for Cooks to fill the void for Watson and this high-flying Texans’ offense going forward. Without another true WR1 to step up into the role, expect Cooks to get more looks and make even more big plays (he leads the team in deep targets and catches) down the field as the Texans continue to try to salvage their season, starting this week against an Indianapolis Colts defense that has been getting torched as of late.
Texans WRs this year by snaps and current status
Will Fuller V – 578 – suspended
Brandin Cooks – 571 – WR1
Randall Cobb – 370 – IR
Kenny Stills – 165 – FA
Keke Coutee – 68 – WR2
DeAndre Carter – 21 – Chicago Bears
Steven Mitchell Jr. – 8 – PS, likely WR3
Isaiah Coulter – 0 – WR4— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) November 30, 2020
Other Value WRs for Week 13: Deebo Samuel, Michael Pittman
