As Week 13 wraps up, fantasy managers are either celebrating unexpected heroes or lamenting underwhelming performances.
This was a relatively low-scoring slate, where many studs disappointed while some waiver wire picks exploded this week, as Week 14 has four teams on bye as the last week for byemaggedon to strike. These teams that are on break include the New England Patriots, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Carolina Panthers.
Let’s break down the biggest surprises and disappointments from this week’s action in Week 13.
Surprises of Week 13
- Adonai Mitchell, WR, New York Jets
Fantasy Points: 24.2 – PPR
Why It’s Surprising: Seeing a Jets wide receiver be the only 100-yard wide receiver this past week, not being Garrett Wilson with Tyrod Taylor as his quarterback, is insane. Adonai Mitchell showed his potential as a future starter in New York and the number two receiver when Wilson comes back, with John Metchie as the third option or alternating with AD.
Fantasy Impact: He is a must-add in all formats, as receivers on waivers this week are thin, but if you need a desperate flex, Mitchell could be a start against the Dolphins, who gave up passing TDs to New Orleans.
- Devaughn Vele, WR, New Orleans
Fantasy Points: 24.8 – PPR
Why It’s Surprising: While Chris Olave had a good enough game, the game Devaughn Vele had was surprising as the second receiver option for rookie Tyler Shough. This is likely just a boom week for him, as he is at the very least, a starting wide receiver for an NFL team, but I would want to see this again in a tougher matchup or back-to-back games to consider it more than just a blimp on the radar. The Buccaneers aren’t a bad matchup this week.
Fantasy Impact: While you could add him off waivers, I just don’t know how much upside the number two receiver on the Saints will have ultimately. He might be a good PPR stash, and if the Jets’ receivers get claimed, Vele could be the next guy available to add and hope he repeats at least with a double-digit fantasy day.
- Bonus Surprises: Bryce Young (QB), Jalen Coker (WR), and Chuba Hubbard (RB) Carolina Panthers; Kimani Vidal (RB) Los Angeles Chargers, Tyrod Taylor (QB) New York Jets, A.J. Brown (WR) Philadelphia Eagles, Bucky Irving (RB) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Disappointments of Week 13
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Fantasy Points: 4.3 -PPR
Why It’s Disappointing: This was his first “really” bad game, as the consensus wide receiver one in fantasy busted when managers potentially needed him most. I expect a Jaxon Smith-Njigba bounce-back next week, but it is concerning how bad Sam Darnold has looked in certain games, as the Vikings lost due to defensive scores like previous Seahawks games.
Fantasy Impact: JSN is still a must-start and should be able to rebound the following week against the Falcons, after getting tormented by Taylor in Week 13 and Bryce Young in the Panthers‘ win back in Week 11.
- Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Fantasy Points: 3.15 – PPR
Why It’s Disappointing: We already outlined the concern level on Justin Jefferson on the Panic Meter, but with UDFA rookie quarterback Max Brosmer, I didn’t expect things to get better in a tough matchup against the Seahawks. While J.J. McCarthy has become the meme of the season, Jetty was already barely a WR2 for fantasy weeks before this, but at least he gets a decent matchup against the Commanders.
Fantasy Impact: With Minnesota likely riding out with JJ at QB, Jettas might be a benchable option depending on who you have. Even the flex appeal isn’t that high, as regardless of the targets, if they aren’t catchable or quality, it might not matter that much for fantasy, and starting him could hurt your fantasy team right before the playoffs. If you got him, I guess you have to start unless you have other players with higher ceilings available.
- Bonus Busts: Travis Etienne Jr. (RB) Jacksonville Jaguars, Zay Flowers (WR) and Lamar Jackson (QB) Baltimore Ravens, Michael Pittman Jr. (WR) Indianapolis Colts, Rome Odunze (WR) Chicago Bears, Khalil Shakir (WR) Buffalo Bills, Oronde Gadsden (TE) Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Goedert (TE) Philadelphia Eagles
