Filling out the backend of a DFS roster requires value players and key mid-range options with upside. Low-priced quarterback and receiver hooks are essential to reaching win conditions in GPP formats. Here’s a look at some potential lineup fillers in Week 13:
Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans (DK: $4,600/FD: $6,400)
Entering Week 12, Ward had his best performance (293 combined yards with two touchdowns). He has relied more on his legs in his last two starts (3/33 and 6/37/1). The Titans played four of their last five games at home, allowing completions (25, 24, and 28) but not passing touchdowns. Operating as a dink-and-dunk passer (5.9 yards per pass attempt), Ward never had more than one passing score in a game.
The Jaguars have the quarterback to show yards per pass attempt (6.7), but they have beaten them by 25 touchdowns. The quarterbacks rank 29th in quarterback defense (266.10 fantasy points), while averaging 37.9 pass attempts.
· Brock Purdy (322 combined yards with two touchdowns)
· Patrick Mahomes (378 combined yards with two touchdowns)
· Sam Darnold (295/2)
Matthew Stafford (182/5)
· Geno Smith (284/4)
Davis Mills (312 combined yards with three touchdowns)
· Jacoby Brissett (337 combined yards with one touchdown)
Somehow, the Jaguars defense dominated Justin Herbert (102 combined yards with no touchdowns) in Week 12 at home. Ward is trending high with an extremely cheap salary, suggesting a great cheat opportunity this week, and I’m expecting him to post the best day of his career.
Chimare Dike, Tennessee Titans (DK: $4,400/FD: $5,600)
Over the past five weeks, Dyke is playing winning value in the DFS market three times (17.00, 16.40, and 21.40 fantasy points), helped by scoring on two punt returns. Despite his progress, the Titans targeted him only 19 times in those contests. Tennessee put him on the field for 89%, 87%, 27% and 80% of snaps over the last four weeks.
Jacksonville will allow catches to wide receivers (137), but they only gain 11.6 yards per catch with 12 touchdowns. The Jaguars rank 22nd in fantasy points allowed (368.80) to wideouts in PPR formats.
· Jammer Chase (14/165/1)
Nico Collins (8/104/1)
· Jaxom Smith-Njigba (8/162/1)
· Davante Adams (5/35/3)
Nico Collins (7/136)
· Michael Wilson (10/118)
The combination of Ward and Dyke provides salary cap relief to help players make an impact on the roster. If they combine for more than 40.00 fantasy points, their results will yield more than 4 times the odds.
Breece Hall, New York Jets (DK: $6,000/FD: $7,400)
In his last four starts, Hall gained over 100 combined yards in three contests, with his highlight game (147 combined yards with two touchdowns and two catches) coming against a porous Bengals defense in Week 8. Their weakness remains touchdowns (3). The Jets have 21 offensive scores (six by running backs).
The Falcons’ defense has favored running backs in recent weeks (288.10 fantasy points – 27th). The back gains 4.5 yards per carry with 12 touchdowns.
· Christian McCaffrey (201 combined yards with two touchdowns and seven catches)
· D’Von Achane (91 combined yards with one score and five catches)
· Jonathan Taylor (32/244/3 with three catches for 42 yards)
Overall, Atlanta’s run defense has been favorable, with the star running backs having the most success. Hall is still at risk of being stripped for a rushing touchdown by the Jets quarterback, which could lower his ceiling. He has set a fair price for his opportunity.
Quinshawn Judkins, Cleveland Browns (DK: $6,200/FD: $7,800)
In the first part of my projections, Judkins didn’t come off the DFS cheat sheet, but he was projected to have a 100% chance of scoring. His pass-catching opportunity has left the building in his last two starts (no catches on two targets), and his rushing efforts have been missing the daylights in his last six matchups (3.2 yards per carry). Judkins has two games with multiple touchdowns, with the ability to score from anywhere on the field.
The 49ers rank poorly in running back defense (274.40 fantasy points – 23rd). He has allowed a league-high in catches (69), despite gaining only 6.3 yards per catch. The running back has 10 touchdowns, a league-average value in yards per rush (4.2).
Alvin Kamara (120 combined yards with six catches)
· Travis Etienne (19/124/1 with one catch for one yard)
· Kyren Williams (131 combined yards with two touchdowns and eight catches)
Bijan Robinson (92 combined yards with one touchdown and six catches)
· Woody Marks (111 combined yards with four catches)
· Kieran Williams (14/73/2 with two catches for 11 yards)
I think Judkins will have a long hit this week and may surprise with several touchdowns. His ownership percentage should be lower this week. Maybe the change to Shedure Sanders will create more pass catching opportunities for the Browns’ rookie running back.
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (DK: $6,800/FD: $7,000)
The best value at wide receiver this week is Waddle. His salary is below his cap hit, and Miami projects him as one of the top two ball-moving players. In his last seven games, he has gained more than 80 yards in five contests (6/110/1, 6/95, 6/82, and 5/84/1). The downside is that Waddle doesn’t have any games with more than nine goals, and New Orleans lit up the scoreboard with its offense.
The Saints are about league average in wide receiver defense (331.90 fantasy points – 15th). They allow a high catch rate (66.9%) with 13 touchdowns.
Marvin Harrison (5/71/1)
Juan Jennings (5/89/1)
Jackson Smith-Njigba (5/96/1)
· Khalil Shakir (5/69/1)
· Kayshon Boutte (5/93/2)
· Davante Adams (5/60/2)
· Puka Nakua (7/95/1)
· Darnell Mooney (3/74/1)
Two difference makers in the DFS market arrived on the day. Waddle needs eight catches a game for 100 yards and a touchdown, a plateau he has yet to reach in 2025.
Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (DK: $6,300/FD: $7,600)
McConkey turned in an unsuccessful game in Week 11 (3/13 on four targets), in a game when the Chargers’ offense turned in a losing performance against Jacksonville. His play was in line with expectations in Week 6 (7/100/1), Week 8 (6/88/1) and Week 10 (4/107/1). The Raiders finished the season with five catches for 48 yards on five targets.
The Raiders rank 28th in wide receiver defense (395.00 fantasy points). They allow a high catch rate (67.0%) with wideouts gaining 12.3 yards per catch while scoring 13 touchdowns.
· Kayshon Boutte (6/103)
· Keenan Allen (5/61/1)
· Quentin Johnston (3/71/1)
Rome Odunze (4/69/1)
Rashi Rice (7/42/2)
· Parker Washington (8/90)
· George Pickens (9/144/1)
Los Angeles has depth at the receiver positions, making it more challenging to give time to the Chargers’ wideouts unless their matchup is high scoring. McConkie brings possession value with fair scoring opportunities in Week 13.
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