Turkey Day was filled with some entertaining and some not-so-entertaining football. All in all, it was a great day filled with action on both sides of the ball. On offense, DJ Moore, Rico Dowdle, and Jonnu Smith were the standouts in their respective games and at their positions. On the IDP side of things, Tyler Nubin continued his strong play, Gervon Dexter popped off, Za’Darius Smith got going for the Lions, Eric Kendricks and DeMarvion Overshown proved once again that middle linebacker is not the Cowboys issue, Micah Parsons showed up again, and Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie stood out for the Packers. Looking ahead to this weekend, we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.
Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Week 13
Start em
Malik Harrison (LB – BAL)
Malik was excellent on Monday night, tallying seven solos, six assists, and one tackle for loss. Harrison shined with Roquan Smith sidelined and may finally be ready to realize his potential after building some confidence against the Chargers. Treat Malik as an LB3 option for Week 13, thanks to the plus matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Christian Rozeboom (LB – LAR)
Rozeboom was excellent in Week 12, tallying seven solos, five assists, and one tackle for loss. Rozeboom has put together spike weeks in three of his last four games and should be treated as an LB2 option for Week 13, thanks to a plus matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Start Rozeboom where needed.
Brandon Jones (S – DEN)
Jones was excellent in Week 12, reeling off five solos, one interception, and two passes defended. Jones has produced multiple splash weeks en route to DB9 status in fppg and should be treated as a DB1 option the rest of the way. Start him with confidence for a plus Week 13 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
Taylor Rapp (S – BUF)
Rapp showed up in Week 11, tallying three solos, three assists, one interception, and one pass defended. Rapp has quietly strung together three strong weeks in a row and should be treated as a DB2/3 option for Week 13 despite no teams being on bye, thanks to a plus matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Braden Fiske (DE – LAR)
Fiske was excellent in Week 12, racking up two solos, two assists, one sack, and two tackles for loss. Fiske has caught fire for the Rams and now has five of his six sacks in his last four contests (with three coming in the last two). Fiske has bullied his way into the DL2 conversation for Week 13 and should be treated as one despite the tough on-paper matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
Sit em
Javon Kinlaw (DT – NYJ)
Kinlaw showed up in Week 11, racking up two solos, three assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Kinlaw has just 2.5 sacks on the season and has yet to make good on his raw tools at any point in his career. Still, he is a worthy DT3 option but should be far from minds as a DL3 or even a DL4 option. Look elsewhere for your Week 13 DT2/DL3.
Carl Granderson (DE – NO)
Granderson was excellent in Week 11, notching three solos, one assist, one sack, and two tackles for loss. Granderson is up to 4.5 sacks on the season, but this was his first full sack since Week 3. Granderson belongs on rosters in deeper competitive leagues but should be far from starting lineups for Week 13, especially with no teams on bye and a tough on-paper matchup on tap against the Los Angeles Rams.
Jadeveon Clowney (DE/LB – CAR)
Clowney showed up in Week 12, tallying two solos, one assist, 1.5 sacks, and two tackles for loss. Clowney is still a plus run defender but has just 2.5 sacks on the season and is far from the everydown impact player he was just last season in Baltimore. Clowney is nothing more than a desperation flex2 in 11 v 11 leagues. Leave him on benches or the waiver wire for Week 13.
Anthony Nelson (DE/LB – TB)
Anthony Nelson showed up in Week 12, tallying two solos, three assists, one sack, and two tackles for loss. Nelson is up to three sacks on the season, but this was his first QB takedown since back in Week 4. Nelson can safely be ignored for Week 13 despite the intriguing matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
Derek Barnett (DE – HOU)
Barnett is heating up for the Houston Texans, most recently tallying three solos, one assist, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Barnett now has a sack in two straight, making him worthy of roster consideration. The truly desperate can chase the sacks, but in a non bye week, you shouldn’t find yourself in that deep of a bind unless you play in a 20+ team league. Add Barnett where needed, but keep him glued to benches until his role expands (not happening with Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter healthy), or he becomes undeniable. Look elsewhere for your Week 13 DL4/flex2.
Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.
