Winning your fantasy football league is the dream for every fantasy team owner. That goal is still possible for many of you as the regular season draws to a close. If you are still trying to get in or get a bye week, you need the best possible lineup. In some cases, that will mean dialing up a sleeper pick because of injuries. Here are my favorite sleepers at each position for week 13.
Quarterback
Josh McCown NYJ
Here we have a player that is no stranger to sleeper and waiver wire columns. This up and down journeyman is having one of his better seasons with the Jets. This has been aided by a breakout campaign by wide receiver Robby Anderson. The connection between McCown and Anderson has resulted in big numbers over the last six weeks. In that span, Anderson has AVERAGED 106 yards and a score (total numbers: 643 yards 6 touchdowns).
Week 13 features a matchup with the Chiefs, who cannot stop any passing game, and that means more McCown goodness. He is available in 60% of leagues and it is basically just his name keeping him out of lineups.
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Running Back
Jaquizz Rodgers TB
There is next to no chance that Doug Martin plays this weekend due to a concussion. That would mean that Rodgers will get the start at running back. He has had success starting for the Bucs in the past, including this season. In the last game before Martin returned, Rodgers had 16 carries for 83 yards and 2 catches for 25 yards.
The Bucs are going to want to be conservative with Jameis Winston in his return from shoulder injury. That should mean a lot of running plays and short passes. The Packers are better against the run than the pass, but the volume should be enough to overcome that. It is still possible to pick up Rodgers in 84% of leagues based on Yahoo statistics. He could secure your playoff spot if Martin does miss the game.
Wide Receiver
Photo Credit: Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire
Cordarrelle Patterson OAK
Former breakout candidate extraordinaire, Cordarrelle Patterson is back! For a minute anyway. The Raiders are scrambling between having a dinged up Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree being suspended. Although Patterson has disappointed in the past, he has changed his mindset and plays the complementary role well.
The matchup in week 13 is nice as the Giants have struggled throughout the year...with everything. Now Geno Smith is starting and turnovers should be plentiful, giving the Raiders some extra possessions. If Patterson can get the ball in space, he will make things happen against a subpar tackling defense. For teams needing wide receiver or flex help, Patterson is still out there in 88% of Yahoo leagues.
Tight End
David Njoku CLE
There is excitement surrounding the Browns as they have Corey Coleman healthy and now Josh Gordon is returning. It is likely that the Chargers will be game planning for those two big play receivers. Lost in the shuffle is the young tight end, Njoku. He is coming off his best catch and yardage totals of the season, 4 and 47. These are not amazing stats, but Kizer is looking his way and they have a fair rapport. 3 of Kizer's 5 touchdown passes have gone to Njoku (you read that right, Kizer has 5 TD passes all year).
The Chargers do not allow anything against opposing wide receivers. They are going to blanket Coleman and Gordon, probably successfully. If the Browns are going to score, it will probably be Njoku. This is a bit of a desperation move, but I think that it will pay off, if only for a week.
Make sure to check back over the weekend as the staff bold predictions will be coming out. That is always a fun read, and once in a while we get one right. Check us out on Twitter for more: @_knuckleheads, @BrendanCole16, @JakeTrowbridge and @Eric_theClark.
