Week 13 Rankings For Fantasy Football: Jacoby Brissett, Derrick Henry and More Upgrades
Dwain McFarland breaks down his Week 13 rankings and highlights the biggest risers and sicko starts.
It is time to set our fantasy lineups for Week 13, and with that in mind, let's follow the data to analyze some of the biggest risers and fallers in the Week 13 rankings to help you make those start-sit decisions.
Risers In My Week 13 Rankings For Fantasy Football
See below for the notable risers in my Week 13 fantasy football rankings, sorted positionally.
Jacoby Brissett enters top-12 fantasy QB territory.
Brissett is on an absolute heater, averaging 315 yards and 1.8 passing touchdowns in six games as the Cardinals' starter. Over that span, he has averaged 20.7 points as the QB3 in fantasy football.
With Brissett under center, Arizona has gone all-in on its passing game with a 6% dropback rate over expected (DBOE). That ranks first over that period. At the same time, they have ramped up their work from under center and their use of play-action (28%).
This weekend, Brissett faces a Buccaneers defense that has coughed up 21.1 fantasy points per game through the air over the last four contests. That sounds like a match made in heaven, y'all.
Projection Model (using my PPR projections):
- Xfinity Best (ceiling): 23.7
- Median: 18.3
- Floor: 14.5
Brissett is my QB10 in Week 13.
QB Rapid Fire: Week 13 Rankings Upgrades & Pending News
- Jaxson Dart | Giants: Dart is progressing through the concussion protocol and could be ready to go for Monday Night Football against the Patriots. Dart has averaged 23.2 fantasy points in games with at least 75% of the snaps—that ranks second behind Josh Allen. New England has allowed the eighth-largest fantasy boost to QBs at 2.5 points per contest. Have a backup plan like Jameis Winston ready, but Dart is a low-end QB1 with upside. Dart carries the No. 6 Xfinity Best ceiling projection at 24.9 points, even after a haircut in the rushing department.
 - Bo Nix | Broncos: Nix has been a matchup-dependent QB in 2025. This weekend, he gets a Commanders defense that has sanctioned the fifth-largest fantasy boost to QBs at 2.8 points per game. Over the last four games, Washington has elevated opposing QBs to an additional 29 yards and 0.4 TDs per game via the air. Denver is a 6.5-point favorite with a healthy 25-point team total. Nix is a borderline QB1.
Derrick Henry is ready to feast on Thanksgiving.
Since the return of Lamar Jackson in Week 9, the Ravens have returned to their smashmouth ways on offense. Over that span, they have a -7% DBOE and have featured heavy personnel.
Baltimore has used 21 personnel (2RB, 1 TE), getting their fullback, Patrick Ricard (aka, Pancake Pat), involved on 21% of plays—the second-most, behind the 49ers (46%) over that period. Baltimore has used 22 personnel (2 RBs, 2 TEs), a league-leading 18%. The Ravens are opting to play bully ball down the stretch.
Henry has averaged 16.9 fantasy points over that stretch, including back-to-back top-eight performances over the last two games.
Now King Henry gets to face the best RB fantasy matchup in the land—the Bengals. Cincinnati has green-lighted a 7.9-point per game fantasy boost to opposing RB rooms.
The Ravens carry the fourth-highest spread (7.0) and the best team total (29.25) on the slate. Historically, that has been a friendly combination for high-volume backs like Henry. Â
- Xfinity Best (ceiling): 23.8
- Median: 15.7
- Floor: 11.7
Henry is a mid-range RB1 in a SMASH spot against the Bengals in Week 13.
RB Rapid Fire: Week 13 Rankings Upgrades & Pending News Â
- TreVeyon Henderson | Patriots: Henderson retained the majority of the workload in Rhamondre Stevenson's first game back. We don't know for sure if the team is slowly working Stevenson back in or if Henderson has overtaken the clear-cut RB1 role. Either way, this isn't a week to be shy with Henderson. He has the No. 2 RB matchup against a Giants defense offering the No. 2 fantasy boost to RB rooms at 7.5 points per contest. The Patriots own the fourth-highest team total (27.0) and are 7.5-point favorites. This is a SMASH scenario for Henderson. The rookie is a low-end RB1 with upside—his Xfinity Best ceiling is 22.8 points.Â
 - Travis Etienne | Jaguars: Etienne has averaged 17.5 points over the last four weeks with RB12, RB13, RB11 and RB7 finishes. Jacksonville is a 6.5-point favorite with a 24.5-point team total. Typically, those data points would be enough for me to get Etienne inside the top 12. However, Freedman's NFL Betting Game Model sees this as a tighter game with the Titans as a five-star bet to cover the spread. His model has the Jags as 2.5-point favorites with a 21.4-point team total. Additionally, the Titans have been a better run defense over the last four games, holding opponents to a negative fantasy boost (-2.5) rushing. Etienne is a mid-range RB1.Â
 - RJ Harvey | Broncos: Harvey was a disappointment in his first start in Week 11, with only 8.0 fantasy points. However, he was the lead back, handling 61% of the attempts and garnering a 9% target share. He finished the day with 11 totes and two targets. Denver is a 6.5-point favorite with a 25-point team total. They face a Commanders defense that has boosted opposing rushing attacks by 4.7 fantasy points per game over the last four outings. Harvey is a mid-range RB2 with RB1 upside—his Xfinity Best ceiling is 23.5 points—in a similar range with Henry!
 - Kenneth Walker | Seahawks: Walker has posted snap shares over 50% in the last two games (51% and 64%). In those games, he has averaged 16.6 fantasy points on 13.5 attempts and 3.5 targets per game. Seattle boasts the fifth-best team total (26) as 10.5-point favorites over the Vikings. Walker is a low-end RB2 with a 19.4-point Xfinity Best ceiling projection.    Â
 - Omarion Hampton | Chargers: The Chargers opened Hampton's 21-day practice window on 11/25. The Bolts are 10-point favorites over the Raiders with a 25.75 team total. If Hampton can suit up, he would be a borderline RB2 in his first game back, given some uncertainty about his workload. If Hampton is inactive, Kimani Vidal would surge to mid-range RB2 territory.
 - Trey Benson | Cardinals: Benson's 21-day practice window opened last week. If the second-year back returns to the lineup, he would be a high-end RB3 in a matchup against the Buccaneers.
Rashee Rice could be the WR1 overall in Week 13.
Rice has averaged 19.4 points per game with a 26% target share in five games. Over that span, he has finished WR10, WR3, WR12, WR33, and WR8.
The Chiefs are set up for a potential shootout with Dallas on Turkey Day. Kansas City is a 3.5-point favorite and boasts the second-highest team total (28) in Week 13.
The Dallas defense has been better over the last two games, with their defense getting healthier, but A.J. Brown still cooked them for 25 fantasy points last weekend. The Cowboys have consented to the No. 1 fantasy boost for WR units at 7.8 points per game. Â
- Xfinity Best (ceiling): 26.8
- Median: 18.2
- Floor: 13.7
Rice is in a SMASH situation against Dallas, making him a high-end WR1.
WR Rapid Fire: Week 13 Rankings Upgrades & Pending News
- A.J. Brown | Eagles: Brown has been a volatile fantasy asset in 2025 thanks to a run-heavy and uninnovative offense. However, over the last five games, Brown has secured WR19, WR4, WR66, WR21 and WR5 finishes. Over that span, he has averaged eight targets (29%) and 95 air yards. He has averaged 16.5 points with an 80 Utilization Score. The Eagles own the sixth-highest team total (26.8) in Freedman's model, and the Bears have supported the No. 10 fantasy boost to WR units at 3.0 per outing. Brown is a borderline WR1 in Week 13.Â
 - Michael Wilson | Cardinals: In two games without Marvin Harrison Jr., Wilson has averaged 27.7 fantasy points (third) with a 96 Utilization Score (T-second). Over that span, he leads the NFL with 16 targets and 185.5 air yards per contest. The Buccaneers' defense has boosted opposing pass attacks by 30 yards and 0.6 TDs over the last four weeks. That has led to the No. 3 boost to passing attacks over that span at 6.8 points per game. Wilson is a high-end WR2 with a 23-point Xfinity Best ceiling if Harrison doesn't play. If Harrison is active, Wilson retreats to WR3 territory.
 - Wan'Dale Robinson | Giants: The fantasy community went into massive overreaction mode with all the Robinson analysis this weekend. He has been earning targets all season; the difference was a gigantic outlier performance in air yards (185) with Jameis Winston under center. Since the loss of Malik Nabers, Robinson has averaged 14.2 points per game, cracking the top-24 WRs in three of eight games, including two top-10 performances. While we may lose Winston from the lineup, Robinson gets a juicy matchup against the Patriots. New England has empowered the No. 2 fantasy boost to opposing WRs at 5.8 points per game. Look for the Giants to protect Robinson from coverage by Christian Gonzalez by kicking him into the slot and moving around the formation. Robinson is a low-end to mid-range WR2 with an 18.3 Xfinity Best ceiling.
 - Zay Flowers | Ravens: Flowers has been a steady floor WR3 but has been unable to break out for large fantasy performances. However, it is hard to hold him outside of the top 24 with Baltimore's astronomical team total (29.5). The Bengals have given up the third-most fantasy points to pass catchers over the last four games at 41.4 per contest. Flowers is a low-end to mid-range WR2 with a sneaky 21.3-point Xfinity Best ceiling.Â
 - Christian Watson | Packers: Over the last three games, Watson has averaged 12.3 fantasy points in a near-full-time role (83% route participation). Over that stretch, he has 5.3 targets and 97 air yards per game with a 68 Utilization Score—WR3 level numbers. The Lions have endorsed the seventh-best fantasy boost to WR rooms at 3.8 points per contest. Watson is a high-end WR3 with an 18.5-point Xfinity Best ceiling.
 - Troy Franklin | Broncos: Franklin is the Broncos' No. 1 target with a 22% target share. Over the last four games, he has outtargeted Courtland Sutton 28% to 18%. Over that span, Franklin has averaged 15.1 points per game with 161 air yards per game and an 81 Utilization Score. His routes went down slightly in Week 11 with the return of Marvin Mims Jr., but he remained the clear No. 2 WR in playing time with a 79% route participation rate. The Commanders have given up the eighth-largest fantasy boost (3.6 per game) to opposing WR corps. Over the last four weeks, Washington has enhanced opposing pass-catching units by 5.6 points per game. Franklin is a mid-range WR3 with big-time upside.
 - Kayshon Boutte | Patriots: Boutte returned to the lineup with a thud in Week 12, scoring only 3.5 points. However, he was back in a strong role with an 85% route participation rate. New England owns the fourth-highest team total (27.8) in Freedman's model, and the Giants have conceded the third-largest fantasy boost to WRs at 5.1 points per contest. Boutte rejoins the boom-bust WR4 tier.
TE Rapid Fire: Week 13 Rankings Upgrades & Pending News
- Mark Andrews | Ravens: Andrews' play has fallen off in 2025, but he remains the No. 2 passing game option behind Flowers with a 17% target share. The big plus for Andrews in Week 13 is the matchup against Cincinnati, which has boosted opposing TE production by an astounding 8.4 points per game. That is almost five points ahead of the Dolphins, which is the second-best matchup. Andrews is a mid-range TE1.
 - Juwan Johnson | Saints: Johnson has averaged 14.9 points in two contests without Shaheed. He has finished as the TE3 and TE11 in those games. He faces the second-best fantasy matchup for TEs this weekend. Miami has provided a 3.5-point-per-game boost to opposing TE rooms. Johnson is a low-end TE1 with an Xfinity Best projection of 16.1 points.
Sicko Starts From My Week 13 Rankings For Fantasy Football
I want to throw in a few names for all my fellow fantasy managers who are in a SICKO league. If you are in a 12-team league with three starting WRs and two flexes, these are for you! Or you are in a more typical setup, but need a name to help get you through injuries; these are for you!
We are looking for players with a rostership under 50% who aren't in many starting lineups.
Let's go, you sickos.
- Week 1: Daniel Jones (hit), Jerome Ford (miss), Rashod Bateman (miss), Hunter Henry (hit)
- Week 2: Trevor Lawrence (hit), Tyrone Tracy Jr. (miss), Kayshon Boutte (hit), Juwan Johnson (hit)
- Week 3: Tyrod Taylor (hit), Tyler Allgeier (miss), Wan'Dale Robinson (miss), Cole Kmet (hit)
- Week 4: Jaxson Dart (hit), TreVeyon Henderson (hit), Troy Franklin (hit), Cade Otton (miss)
- Week 5: Jaxson Dart (hit), Rhamondre Stevenson (hit), Malik Washington (miss), Mason Taylor (hit)
- Week 6: Trevor Lawrence (hit), Kimani Vidal (hit), Isiah Bond (miss), Mason Taylor (miss)
- Week 7: C.J. Stroud (miss), Kendre Miller (injury), Tez Johson (hit), Oronde Gadsden II (hit)
- Week 8: Joe Flacco (hit), Kyle Monangai (miss), Troy Franklin (hit), Colston Loveland (miss)
- Week 9: J.J. McCarthy (hit), Brashard Smith (miss), Chimere Dike (miss), Colston Loveland (hit)
- Week 10: J.J. McCarthy (miss), Devin Singletary (miss), Darius Slayton (hit), Luke Musgrave (miss)
- Week 11: Aaron Rodgers (inj), Emanuel Wilson (hit), Tez Johnson (miss), Theo Johnson (miss)
- Week 12: Jacoby Brissett (hit), Brian Robinson Jr. (miss), Luther Burden (miss), Dalton Schultz (miss)
Tyler Shough | QB | Saints
Shough is rostered in 8% of Yahoo leagues and is in 4% of starting lineups.
Shough has shown life in his last two starts with 282- and 243-yard performances. Vikings fans might give up their Thanksgiving holiday and draft picks for a performance like that.
The rookie was also an above-average option on the ground in college. Over the last two games, he has scrambled three times for 15 yards and handled five designed rushing attempts. It's worth noting that all five of his designed attempts came in Week 12 with the backfield short-handed after an injury to Alvin Kamara.
Miami has licensed a 4.4-point per game fantasy boost to opposing passing attacks over the last four games.
- Xfinity Best (ceiling): 17.1
- Median: 13.2
- Floor: 10.4
Shough is a low-end QB2, but his favorable matchup and the potential to run more make him an interesting option if you are in a bind in the deepest of leagues.
Keaton Mitchell | RB | Ravens
Mitchell is rostered in 3% of leagues and in less than 1% of lineups.
As usual, finding any RBs with rostership under 50% with any sort of projectable volume isn't easy. Thus, we pivot to an emerging RB2 in a great matchup who would be on the cover of every waiver wire article in Week 14 should something happen to Henry.
Justice Hill has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries, but Mitchell has played three games with Hill since Week 8. In those games, Mitchell has been the No. 2 ground game option.
Mitchell vs. Hill rush shares:
- Week 8: 12% vs. 3%
- Week 9: 15% vs. 4%
- Week 12: 7% vs. 0%
The third-year back hasn't touched the ball often, with only 23 carries, but he has looked great, averaging 5.8 yards. He has broken 17% of his totes for 10-plus yards.
With a massive team total (29.25) and the No. 1 RB matchup versus the Bengals (7.9 fantasy boost), Mitchell could come through with a surprise RB3 performance on one long tote.Â
- Xfinity Best (ceiling): 6.4
- Median: 3.4
- Floor: 2.4
Mitchell is an RB5 who could surprise with a long TD run.
Jayden Higgins | WR | Texans
Higgins is rostered in 29% of Yahoo leagues and is in only 12% of starting lineups.
Higgins has improved his playing time over the last month. In the last three games, he has a 21% target share with 12.8 fantasy points per game. The Texans' 2025 second-round pick looks like the WR2 behind Nico Collins.
The Colts have granted the No. 4 fantasy boost to WR units at 4.0 per game.
- Xfinity Best (ceiling): 15.2
- Median: 9.4
- Floor: 6.9
Higgins enters WR4 territory and offers WR2 upside.
Brenton Strange | TE | Jaguars
Strange is rostered in 22% of Yahoo leagues and starts in 8% of lineups.
Strange operated as the No. 3 passing-game option in his first game back with an 18% target share and 80 Utilization Score. He finished Week 12 with 14.3 fantasy points.
Brian Thomas Jr. could return to the fold in Week 13, making things slightly more crowded, and the Titans are a tough matchup. Tennessee has held opposing TEs to a negative fantasy boost per game (-3.1), making them the fourth-most stingy defense.
Still, Strange is a third-year Round 2 NFL draft pick with a path to a full-time role on a team without an alpha target earner in 2025. There is a chance he finishes the season as a low-end TE1 or even higher. Hey, stranger things have happened!
- Xfinity Best (ceiling): 12.8
- Median: 8.3
- Floor: 6.2
Strange is a high-end TE2 option in Week 13.
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