The Big Lead

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 13: Colin Kaepernick Surges Up the Fantasy Charts; Handcuffs for Playoff Time

By Jason Lisk

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Colin Kaepernick (40%) is coming off a game at Miami where he had almost 300 yards passing while rushing for over 100 yards. Over the last five weeks, he is 3rd in QB fantasy points per game, behind only Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins. This week, he is playing the equally inept Chicago Bears, and should again put up top starting numbers. If you need a final week boost, and you aren’t into protesting with your player pickups, he’s the best impact option in a thin week as we head to the playoffs.

This will be the final waiver wire of the year–as many leagues don’t have further pickups in the playoffs. The other thing you should consider, especially if that is your league, is handcuffing any key players. Obviously, it’s easier to do when you have a clearly identifiable backup. But what you should be asking yourself is who you would start if your top running back got hurt? His backup, or that flex option who gets 12 carries a week?

Good luck.

 

QUARTERBACKS

Average and Shallow Leagues: Alex Smith (44%) at ATL is the other option, if you miss out on Kaepernick, based on matchup.

Deep: Matt Barkley (3%) against the 49ers makes him a low end QB2 in start-2 leagues.

 

RUNNING BACKS

Shallow Leagues: Kenneth Dixon (64%) matched Terrance West in touches last week and put up 80+ yards from scrimmage for 2nd time in 3 games. Could be an emerging option entering the playoffs, getting healthy.

Derrick Henry (64%) is the top handcuff option as he would become a top 6 start if Murray missed a game.

Average and Deep Leagues: Rex Burkhead (8%) vs PHI and Dwayne Washington (18%) vs NO are two stop-gap flex options this week. I would lean Washington given the matchup.

Alfred Morris (37%) is worth a lottery ticket/handcuff play for the fantasy playoffs.

Andre Ellington (10%) is a low end handcuff in case David Johnson has to miss a game (Johnson is expected to play through the finger injury this week).

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Shallow: Tyreek Hill (57%) had his breakout game, and has been a bigger part of the offense in recent weeks. The matchup this week is Atlanta.

DeSean Jackson (59%) looks to be getting healthy.

Tyler Boyd (55%) had more targets and catches than Brandon LaFell last week in AJ Green’s absence.

Quincy Enunwa (49%) crossed the century mark last week and gets the Colts, with Ryan Fitzpatrick back.

Deep: Anquan Boldin (30%) vs NO is a great matchup play and the veteran has been a consistent part of the offense.

Marquess Wilson (0%) has a great matchup vs SF and was targeted 11 times last week by Matt Barkley, with 8 catches.

 

TIGHT ENDS

Shallow: CJ Fiedorowicz (58%) at GB has been a consistent part of the offense and has a good matchup this week.

Deep: Vance McDonald (16%) vs CHI continues to be a favorite of Colin Kaepernick and has a favorable scoring matchup.

 

SHALLOW LEAGUES

  1. QB Colin Kaepernick, SF
  2. WR Tyreek Hill, KC
  3. TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, HOU
  4. WR DeSean Jackson, WAS
  5. WR Marquess Wilson, CHI
  6. RB Kenneth Dixon, BAL
  7. WR Quincy Enunwa, NYJ
  8. WR Anquan Boldin, DET
  9. WR Tyler Boyd, CIN
  10. RB Derrick Henry, TEN

 

AVERAGE LEAGUES

  1. QB Colin Kaepernick, SF
  2. WR Marquess Wilson, CHI
  3. WR Quincy Enunwa, NYJ
  4. WR Anquan Boldin, DET
  5. TE Vance McDonald, SF
  6. RB Alfred Morris, DAL
  7. QB Alex Smith, KC
  8. RB Andre Ellington, ARI
  9. RB Dwayne Washington, DET
  10. RB Rex Burkhead, CIN

 

DEEP LEAGUES

  1. WR Marquess Wilson, CHI
  2. WR Anquan Boldin, DET
  3. TE Vance McDonald, SF
  4. RB Andre Ellington, ARI
  5. RB Dwayne Washington, DET
  6. RB Rex Burkhead, CIN
  7. QB Matt Barkley, CHI