Fantasy Focus Football — Week 13 PREVIEW: Who Are The BEST Players To Fill Out Your Lineup?

Date: November 26, 2025
Hosts: Field Yates, Daniel Dopp, Mike Clay
Theme: The crew previews Week 13, providing deep lineup advice, injury insight, and strategic tips for setting winning fantasy football lineups amid a packed weekend slate.

Overview

This episode dives deep into the Sunday and Monday games of Week 13, focusing on start/sit debates, player value discussions, and the evolving injury landscape. The hosts bring stats-driven analysis, debate fringe decisions (especially at RB and WR), and field live questions—all in a playful, energetic tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Saints Backfield if Alvin Kamara is Out

Timestamps: 02:25–05:28

• Devin Neal (rookie, Saints) emerged after Kamara left last week, playing 58/66 snaps and grabbing 10 carries with 8 targets. Taysom Hill also involved but largely as a wild card.
• Field: "Devin Neal ranked highest, but outside my top 20. Not super thrilled to start him." (04:15)
• Mike: Taysom Hill benched late after fumble—uncertainty in usage. "I don't think I'm going to start him." (05:04)
• Warning: Saints have league-low 3 rushing TDs, 3.6 YPC (third-worst), and Kamara himself hasn’t been a locked-in fantasy RB1.

2. DeAndre Swift Losing Trust?

05:29–06:29

• Swift was out-snapped (34–26) by Khalil Herbert last week—the first time all year.
• Not much pass game work, minimal production (under 2 fantasy points last week).
• Mike: “Seattle-esque situation... best avoided.” Only trust him in deep leagues.

3. Is Emeka Egbuka Still a WR2 With QB Issues?

06:35–09:46

• Had 10+ targets/game since Week 7 but only one productive outing (23.5 points)—otherwise under 60 yards, five or fewer receptions in 5/6 games.
• Daniel: “I’m low on Egbuka for fantasy playoffs. The shine has worn off.”
• Mike: “Still a starter: I have him as WR15. If Baker’s healthy, he should bounce back.”
• Field: Non-throwing shoulder injury for Mayfield, expects him to play but volume and offensive struggles are concerns.
• Egbuka ranks: Daniel WR26, Field WR18, Mike WR15.

4. Jonathan Taylor Worries?

09:46–12:45

• Texans have allowed just one 20+ point RB all year (James Cook last week with one big play). McCaffrey and Derrick Henry struggled vs. Houston, too.
• Field: “Taylor’s receiving work is limited lately. RB1 but slightly less of a 'set-and-forget'.”
• Mike: “Projection is up this week (90s rushing yards), top 5 RB play, expect a rebound.”

5. Running Backs Returning From Injury: How Safe to Start?

13:23–15:21

• Bucky Irving, Marion Hampton, Trey Benson: All likely limited, ranked as flex-level plays (RB25–30 range); caution about expecting 17+ touches immediately.
• Mike: “Play it safe, flex options at best.”
• Daniel: “Rather not start someone off multi-week injury unless desperate.”

6. Jalen Warren & Kenny Gainwell as Flex Options

17:34–20:48

• Jalen Warren: At least 8 points every week, but limited ceiling; Najee Harris and Gainwell cut into workload.
• Kenny Gainwell: Surging in passing game—19 catches, 150 yards, 2 TDs over last 4.
• Daniel: “I have Gainwell ranked ahead of Warren, but both are flex options.”
• Mike: “Warren’s stuck as RB2/flex—just needs more touchdowns to really hit.”

7. RJ Harvey (Broncos): Worth the Start?

20:48–22:36

• 61% snaps, 11 carries, 3 targets last outing—vultured at goal line by McLaughlin but positive game flow and matchup (vs Commanders).
• Field: “Low-end RB2 for me—RB17.”
• Mike: “Usage gives optimism, but others will mix in. Still, great matchup, good start.”

8. Broncos Pass Catchers: Start Everyone?

22:38–24:04

• Bo Nix: Lined up as a lineup lock vs. weak Washington secondary.
• Courtland Sutton & Troy Franklin: Both startable; secondaries allow highest yards/catch and yards/target.
• Mike: “No clear shadow coverage, start everyone relevant.”

9. Cardinals WRs (Michael Wilson & Marvin Harrison Jr.)

24:14–27:40

• Jacoby Brissett's volume (43.5 attempts/game) makes both Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. flex-worthy.
• Wilson: 33 targets in past 2 games. Even w/ Harrison back, both viable.
• Daniel: “Emotionally, hard to bench Wilson after those two monster games.”

10. Jacoby Brissett: Every-Week Start?

27:35–29:03

• Top-12 QB for 6 consecutive games.
• Mike: “Still QB13 for me, but with everyone healthy, it’s close.”
• Daniel & Field: Trust Brissett on volume; compare him closely to Joe Burrow this week.

11. Burrow vs. Brissett Debate

29:18–31:45

• Daniel: “If I play Brissett and Burrow goes off, I can live with that. But if Brissett keeps rolling and I bench him, that’ll sting.”
• Field: Trust issue—safe with Brissett’s floor or upstairs with Burrow’s upside coming off injury.
• Poll: 51% Brissett, 49% Burrow among chat voters.
• Mike: Slight lean Burrow, but razor close; “Could go either way.”

12. Tyrone Tracy (Packers) and RB Splits

31:46–33:18

• Two big games (23 touches, 16+ points each) but still splitting with Devin Singletary and now Jameis Winston starts, plus tough New England matchup.
• Mike: RB22 this week, usable flex.

13. Risers: Jacoby Myers & Chargers Pass Catchers

33:18–36:07

• Jacoby Myers: Snap share climbing (up to 84%), trending as flex play, especially if Brian Thomas Jr. sits.
• Chargers (McConkey, Johnson, Allen, Gadsden II):
  • McConkey: Most trust (2 games 20+ pts, 2 games under 10).
  • Quinton Johnson: Benched until further notice.
  • Keen Allen: Usage down, not more than 6 targets or 4 catches last four games.
  • Ronde Gadsden II: Quietly steady 5+ targets/gm, low-end TE1.

14. Bills vs. Seahawks WR Dilemma: DK Metcalf or Khalil Shakir?

40:05–42:48

• Shakir: 17 pts last week, 8+ pts in 8/11 games, 7+ targets in 4/5, Steelers weak vs WRs.
  • Daniel: “WR23 for Shakir, WR25 for DK.”
• Metcalf: Finally produced (14.4 pts), but only 22 yds receiving. Better matchup, but less confidence than Shakir—both are flex plays.

15. Vikings Offense in Turmoil

43:11–44:49

• JJ McCarthy: Highly aggressive, lowest catch-rate in NFL.
• Justin Jefferson: Under 11.5 pts for 3 straight, but target share remains elite.
• Jordan Addison: Can be benched.
• TJ Hockenson: Averaging just over 6 pts/game since McCarthy’s return.
• Bench conversation: Would you play Michael Wilson over Justin Jefferson if Harrison is out?
  • Field: “If I told you to bench Jefferson for Wilson...! It’s come to this.” (44:42)

16. Joe Burrow (Returns from Injury)

46:10–46:43

• Debate remains, but Mike ranks him QB11—startable, but hedge your bets for upside with someone like Brissett.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Field (re: Saints RBs) [04:15]

  “Devin Neal ranked the highest, but outside my top 20. Not super thrilled to start him.”

• Daniel (on Emeka Egbuka) [08:01]

  “A lot of that magic... has just worn off, and now there’s concerns about Baker Mayfield. I have gone from Egbuka being a clear WR2 to looking for other flex options.”

• Mike (Burrow/Brissett debate) [29:54]

  “Joe Burrow is coming back from a significant injury. The Ravens have allowed under 15 fantasy points to QBs six straight games.”

• Field (on Michael Wilson/Marvin Harrison Jr.) [25:44]

  “We don’t know if Marvin’s back, but even if he is, both are potentially startable. Brissett averages 43.5 attempts—volume rules.”

• Mike (on Justin Jefferson) [44:06]

  “I don’t feel good starting Jefferson, but you’re still probably wide receiver 25—you have to start him. No one else.”

• Daniel (on DK vs. Shakir) [41:46]

  “I have Khalil Shakir at WR23 and DK Metcalf at WR25. Both are flex plays.”

• Field (on the daily struggle) [45:06]

  “We spend hours in the offseason and then in-season, and suddenly... you’re benching Justin Jefferson for Michael Wilson!”

Important Lineup Rankings & Tiers

• Top RBs in Question: Jonathan Taylor has dropped from weekly RB1 into RB4–RB5 range.
• Risky Flexes: Devin Neal (RB33), returning RBs (Irving, Hampton, Benson = Flex at best, 25–30 range), Kenny Gainwell/Jalen Warren, RJ Harvey (RB17).
• Downgrades at WR: Emeka Egbuka (WR15–26 depending), Justin Jefferson (fringe WR2/3 area), Michael Wilson surging into the conversation.
• QB Conundrum: Jacoby Brissett (volume-based, QB13-15), Joe Burrow (return from injury, QB11).

Start/Sit & Mailbag Highlights

• Metcalf vs. Shakir: Both endorsed as flex options; Daniel slightly prefers Shakir.
• Michael Wilson vs. Justin Jefferson: If Harrison Jr. is inactive, Wilson gets the nod; otherwise, lean Jefferson.
• Burrow vs. Brissett: Split, true toss-up with Brissett’s volume and matchup vs. Burrow’s reputation but uncertain health.
• Returning RBs: Wait a week unless desperate—uncertain workload after layoff.

Fun/Signature Segment: Thanksgiving Food Draft

[57:01–61:45]

• Stuffing taken first; homemade mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, turkey, corn, cranberry sauce, butter rolls, pumpkin pie all get play—lighthearted, with debate over optimal dinner construction.

Final Thoughts & Tone

• The energy and chemistry are classic Fantasy Focus—debatable, stats-heavy, but always accessible and funny. The hosts balance real-world NFL news (injuries, role changes) with practical lineup advice, stressing risk management and letting listeners make the "what will I regret?" call for close fantasy decisions.
• They emphasize enjoying the holiday but also being ready for one of the most pivotal fantasy weeks of the season.

Quick Reference Table

| Player/Topic | Recommendation | Rank/Comment | Timestamp | |----------------------|-------------------|------------------------------------------|-----------| | Devin Neal | Flex only | RB33, Saints RBs risky | 02:25-05:28 | | DeAndre Swift | Downgraded | Losing work to Herbert, risky | 05:29-06:29 | | Emeka Egbuka | Downgraded | WR15-26, volume but low production | 06:35-09:46 | | Jonathan Taylor | Still RB1, with caution | RB4-5, matchups tough | 09:46-12:45 | | Warren/Gainwell | Flex plays | Both viable, Gainwell slight edge | 17:34-20:48 | | RJ Harvey | Low-end RB2 | RB17, Commanders matchup | 20:48-22:36 | | Broncos WRs | Start both (Sutton, Franklin) | Both have strong matchups | 22:38-24:04 | | Chargers WRs/TE | McConkey locked, Gadsden II fringe TE1 | Allen/Johnson risky | 33:18-36:07 | | Michael Wilson | Flex | Especially if Harrison out | 24:14-27:40 | | DK Metcalf/Shakir | Both flex | Shakir slightly higher (Daniel’s ranks) | 40:05-42:48 | | Justin Jefferson | Fringe WR2/3 | Still start, but confidence slipping | 43:11-44:49 | | Jacoby Brissett | Startable, volume play | QB13, top 12 last 6 weeks | 27:35-29:03 | | Joe Burrow | Fringe QB1/2 | QB11, coming off injury | 46:10-46:43 |

Closing Notes

• The podcast wraps with gratitude for the audience and production crew, a reminder to enjoy time with family, and to have fun setting your lineups for this crucial fantasy week.

For a week loaded with tough calls, questionable injury returns, and make-or-break matchups, the Fantasy Focus crew arms you with stats, context, and—above all—confidence to trust your process. Good luck in Week 13!