SportfootballInjuries and Suspensions
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups, Week 13: Devin Neal, Jayden Higgins among top players to target
The fantasy football landscape has been violently reshaped by Week 12's carnage, leaving managers scrambling for replacements like a coach searching for a playmaker in the fourth quarter. The waiver wire, that great equalizer, is where championships are forged in the crucible of mid-season desperation.This week, the injury to New Orleans Saints' workhorse Alvin Kamara—suffering an MCL sprain that could sideline him for the fantasy playoffs—has created a golden opportunity. Stepping into that void is rookie Devin Neal, who immediately showcased his dual-threat capability by playing 74% of the snaps and racking up 61 scrimmage yards, with a significant 43 coming through the air.While Taysom Hill will undoubtedly vulture some red-zone work, Neal’s projected volume against a Saints schedule featuring the Dolphins, Buccaneers, Panthers, Jets, and Titans—a veritable who’s who of defensive softness—makes him a volume-based RB3 with legitimate RB2 upside, reminiscent of a young Alvin Kamara himself in his rookie campaign. The Houston Texans' offense is about to receive a monumental boost with the expected return of quarterback C.J. Stroud, and the primary beneficiary appears to be rookie wideout Jayden Higgins.Much like Justin Jefferson’s mid-season breakout years ago, Higgins has been building momentum, finishing as a top-36 fantasy receiver in four of his last five outings while consistently seeing seven or more targets. He has solidified himself as the clear WR2 in an ascending offense, and with Stroud back under center, his floor is a solid WR3/flex with a ceiling that could see him challenging for WR2 status by season's end.The quarterback streaming pool remains a treacherous landscape, but Stroud himself, despite a middering QB24 ranking in fantasy points per game, represents the top option after showing flashes of top-12 production before his injury. The matchup against the Indianapolis Colts is less than ideal, but in the barren wasteland of Week 13 waiver options, he is the king of a depleted hill.Elsewhere, Chris Rodriguez Jr. continues to quietly ascend in the Washington Commanders' backfield, having produced three straight respectable outings and now facing a fantasy playoff schedule of the Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys—all favorable matchups for running backs.His role isn't flashy, but it's consistent, the kind of steady production that wins close playoff matchups. In the passing game, Parker Washington of the Jacksonville Jaguars reasserted his value with a five-catch, 71-yard, one-touchdown performance, reminding managers he is a crucial piece of Liam Coen's scheme, at least until Brian Thomas Jr.returns. For those in deeper leagues or dealing with injuries at tight end, Chicago Bears rookie Colston Loveland has been a model of consistency, posting three straight usable lines and flashing the elite ceiling we saw in his 188-yard, two-touchdown explosion in Week 9.He’s a low-end TE1 who could be the difference-maker in a position notorious for its volatility. Navigating the waiver wire at this critical juncture requires a blend of aggressive bidding and strategic foresight, identifying not just who can help you now, but who can carry you through the playoffs. These pickups are the chess moves that separate the contenders from the also-rans.
#fantasy football
#waiver wire
#Devin Neal
#Jayden Higgins
#injuries
#featured
