Top-6 Biggest Fantasy Surprises from Week 13

I compiled a top-6 list of the most surprising fantasy finishes that were successful but may not continue down that path. The list should be used as a guideline for the waiver wire. 

For the following, the quarterbacks I list should not continue to fall within the top 12; running backs and wide receivers are flex options or below. For the week, all players are within the top 24 (QBs are within the top 12). 

Without further ado, here are my guys for Week 13.

Quarterbacks

Jake Browning- Browning looked like a first-round pick as he hit eight targets with a touchdown to Ja’marr Chase on a 76-yarder in the third quarter. He also plunged in the end zone on a one-yard score. Browning also drove the Bengals down for the winning field goal in a 12-play drive in overtime. He completed 86 percent of his passes (32 of 37) for 354 yards and no interceptions while rushing for 22 yards. Browning will have another opportunity for a big performance against the Colts but has not been very good outside of Monday Night Football. 

Others to Consider: Gardner Minshew

Running Backs

Ezekial Elliot– Even though Elliot was nursing an injury (thigh), he had 21 touches and rushed for 52 yards on 17 carries. Another significant contribution was through the air, as he brought down four of five targets for another 40 yards. This gave him 13.2 PPR points, his highest on the season, and an RB15 finish. Elliot capitalized on having Rhamondre Stevenson exit the field due to an ankle injury. Look for more of a backup role for Elliot if Stevenson does return for Sunday.

Tyjae Spears– Spears rushed for 75 yards on 16 carries while adding four receptions on six targets for 13 yards against the Indianapolis Colts. Spears was a backup for most of the game to Derrick Henry, as 13 of his 20 touches came after Henry (head) left the game. However, Spears was critical in a game-tying drive as he gained 20 yards in the fourth quarter and put up another 27 in overtime. If Henry misses time, Spears could be in line for a starting role, but he will return to his regular role if cleared to play.

Others to Consider: Zach Charbonnet, AJ Dillon

Wide Receivers

Alec Pierce– After only scoring 51 points in 11 games, Pierce scored 19 in Week 13 against the Tennessee Titans. Pierce only caught three passes on six targets but turned that into 100 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown came from 36 yards, and then he had another 55-yard reception in overtime that set up the game-winning score. It was the first time Pierce recorded 100 yards; his previous high was 81 and his highest fantasy point total. 

Jauan Jennings– Jennings finally got into the end zone this season and brought down three passes for 44 yards on four targets. He finished as the WR23 on the week. Jennings’ production came in the blowout against the Philadelphia Eagles. The former 7th-round pick has scored the most fantasy points (13.4) since Week 12 of 2022, and it was only his second double-digit performance this season. 

Others to Consider: Parker Washington, Demarcus Robinson