FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: "Fantasy Football Week 13 Waiver Wire: Must-Have Players to Add to Your Roster" (Ep. 1863)

Date: November 24, 2025
Hosts: Joe Pisapia ("Joey P."), Derek Brown ("DBro"), Pat Fitzmaurice
Theme: An in-depth, actionable breakdown of Week 13’s top waiver wire adds and streaming options for quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, defense, and kicker. Includes strategic advice on FAAB budgeting, matchup exploitation, depth stashes, and drop candidates.

Episode Overview

This special holiday edition dives deep into the Week 13 waiver wire landscape. The trio brings their signature banter, ultra-practical advice, and statistical insights to help fantasy football managers make the most of a relatively thin waiver week. They cover high-upside stashes, injury pivots, handcuffs, and sneaky flex plays, always contextualizing for league depth and playoff aspirations.

Pat and Dbro highlight the importance of league awareness, FAAB management as the season winds down, and embracing the unexpected during “stuffing and cuffing” season—where depth and handcuffs can make all the difference. The episode is peppered with memorable food debates, humorous asides, and sharp, actionable fantasy recommendations.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

MetLife Turf & Flag Football Anecdote (00:00–04:23)

• Joe shares his experience coaching and winning with his youth flag football team at MetLife Stadium — highlights the notoriously poor field conditions, drawing parallels to recurring NFL injuries seen at the venue.
  • Quote: “That turf… is the worst turf I’ve ever been on. It’s just cement with a little bit of green on top…” (Joe, 03:12)

Week 13 Waiver Wire Context (04:34–06:09)

• Framing the Week: Not the strongest waiver pool; situational awareness is crucial. More focus on matchups, depth, and injury pivots than on clear-cut breakout stars.
• “It’s not the greatest waiver wire week, so just want to preface this. Situational stuff does matter.” (Joe, 04:34)

Top Waiver Add: Jaden Higgins, WR, Houston Texans (06:09–09:09)

• Derek Brown’s Take: Higgins is earning significant snaps and target share; “growing into a weekly strong flex play and WR3…all he needed was playing time.”
  • “Since Week 10, his per-route metrics have been filthy. This guy is drawing a target on 33% of his routes.” (Derek, 06:26)
• Pat’s View: Not a league-winner, but there’s upside, especially for fantasy semis with the Texans’ soft week 16 matchup.
  • “He’s surprisingly fast for a bigger receiver. He looks really polished as a route runner for a rookie and he’s got good hands.” (Pat, 08:21)

Running Back Adds & Prioritization (09:09–14:37)

Devin Neal, New Orleans Saints

• Neal’s opportunity hinges on Kamara’s injury—but Taysom Hill’s vulture usage and a battered Saints O-line lower the ceiling.
  • “Taysom Hill…outcarried Devin Neal 10 to 7. Saints don’t have much of a running game.” (Pat, 10:53)
  • Still, PPR usage (16% target share, 7 targets) and favorable schedule make Neal valuable if Kamara misses extended time.
  • Suggested FAAB bid: 10%+ if Kamara’s absence is confirmed; may not be necessary if RB demand is low.

Chris Rodriguez, Washington Commanders

• Rodriguez offers steady ground volume with little PPR upside; attractive as a cheaper add or fallback if Neal is gone.
  • Derek: “If he rolls up 50 total yards and gets into the end zone, he’s probably sniffing low-end RB2 production.” (12:54)
  • Suggested FAAB: 8–10%

Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns

• Potential for PPR flex value as more of a receiving back, especially if Browns trail often.
  • “Sampson…he’s going to have PPR flex value. We’ve seen more hope out of Shadur Sanders at QB than at any point with Dylan Gabriel starting.” (Derek, 15:44)
  • Pat’s Skepticism: Only stash in deeper leagues unless Judkins is injured.

Drops: Isaiah Davis, Rhamondre Stevenson

• Both considered droppable unless handcuffed to lead backs or in deeper formats.
  • “It’s Travion Henderson’s backfield now.” (Pat, 18:02)

Wide Receiver Pickups & Streamers (21:52–36:35)

Andrei Iosivas, Cincinnati Bengals

• Upside with T. Higgins out (concussion, likely out Thursday)
  • “Yosavash is still going to be the Bengals’ number two receiver, and he’s probably going to be Joe Burrow’s number two receiver…” (Pat, 22:31)
  • FAAB guidance: $2–4 should secure him in most leagues.

Chimere Dike, Tennessee Titans

• Flashes as a return man and WR, but Tennessee’s WR usage is volatile (“gotten rug pulled” before).
  • “He’s worth a pickup...but out of all these guys, every time we want to buy into this, we get rug pulled…” (Derek, 25:55)
  • Best viewed as a dynasty stash or deep-league dart.

John Metchie & Adonai Mitchell, NY Jets

• With Tyrod Taylor, Jets passing game stabilizes somewhat; both are low-ceiling, matchup-dependent PPR options as floor flexes in deep leagues.
  • “Mechie could be a decent floor play down the stretch…deep league option. Jets have favorable passing matchups…” (Pat, 28:27)
  • “Pick up both these guys and just play the matchups.” (Derek, 30:51)

Greg Dortch, Arizona Cardinals

• Strong one-week PPR streamer if Marv Harrison Jr. sits, especially vs. Tampa (gives up points to slot WRs).
  • “If I’m picking up Dorch, it’s specifically to flex him this week in a deeper league.” (Derek, 32:09)
  • Value vanishes on MHJ’s return.

Other Mentions

• Browns WRs (Isaiah Bond, Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman): Too much uncertainty and “not enough apples on the tree” to warrant investment, even in 14-teamers (34:46).

Additional Notable Tips & Waiver/Drop Debates (36:35–39:15)

• Drops: Matthew Golden, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed all candidates if you need room for hot pickups.
  • “Golden is droppable. Let me throw two more—Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed.” (Pat, 37:15)
• Importance of handcuffing and “stuffing and cuffing” season: now is the time to hold high-leverage RB2s.

Streamers for Week 13 (40:58–44:54)

Quarterbacks

• Cam Ward (Titans): Desperation/superflex start for managers hurting at QB.
  • “Ever since the Titans came out of their buy, Cam Ward has had two of his three best fantasy performances…” (Pat, 40:58)
• Trevor Lawrence: Good matchup, plenty of passing opportunity – high upside.

Tight Ends

• Dalton Schultz: “Pick him up immediately…fringe TE1 on a surging Texans attack.” (Derek, 42:52)
• Isaiah Likely: Strictly for matchup purposes versus the Bengals (TE-friendly D).

Defense

• Chargers: Facing turnover- and sack-prone Raiders, good for points.
• Jaguars: Versus Titans and Cam Ward; expect defensive scores and turnovers.

Kicker

• Will Lutz (Broncos): “Denver will move the ball at will vs Commanders.” (Derek, 44:27)
• Evan McPherson (Bengals): “He’s averaging 11.2 fantasy points over his last five games…now gets Joe Burrow back.” (Pat, 44:42)

Top 5 Waiver Priorities – Consensus (45:43–46:46)

Derek Brown's Ranking

1. Jaden Higgins
2. Chris Rodriguez
3. Devin Neal
4. Colston Loveland (emerging at TE)
5. Brian Robinson, Jr. (“stuffing and cuffing” season handcuff)

Pat Fitzmaurice's Ranking

1. Jaden Higgins
2. Chris Rodriguez
3. Brian Robinson, Jr.
4. Blake Corum (premium handcuff)
5. Colston Loveland

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On waiver wire reality this week:
  • “We’re just trying to catch a shooting star.” (Pat, 08:31)
• On stuffing and cuffing:
  • “It’s stuffing and cuffing season, man, you should be picking up all these RB2s…embrace the uncertainty of injuries…” (Derek, 39:15)
• Food tangent:
  • “If I get taken out by stuffing, Joe, it’s okay. It’s my time.” (Derek, 40:32)
• On what to drop for a pickup:
  • “Golden is droppable. Let me throw two more—Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed.” (Pat, 37:15)
• Advice on RB stashing:
  • “Volume is piling up…guys missing a week in the most pivotal time of your fantasy schedule, and you have the RB2, like an Emmanuel Wilson, can make the whole difference.” (Derek, 39:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• MetLife turf/flag football intro: 00:00–04:23
• Waiver wire setting: 04:34–06:09
• Jaden Higgins discussion: 06:09–09:09
• RBs: Devin Neal, Chris Rodriguez, Dylan Sampson: 09:09–17:23
• Drops: Isaiah Davis/Rhamondre Stevenson: 17:23–18:11
• WRs: Iosivas, Dike, Metchie, Dorch, Browns WRs: 21:52–36:35
• Debates: Drop/hold strategy, handcuffs: 36:35–39:15
• Streamers section (QB/TE/DST/K): 40:58–44:54
• Top 5 waiver priorities: 45:43–46:46

Conclusion

This episode delivers a candid, statistics-backed assessment of a tough waiver week, emphasizing depth moves and proactive stashing. While no “league-winners” emerged, managers are urged to load up on high-upside handcuffs, make matchup-driven streaming decisions, and prepare for playoff volatility, all with a side of lively “Thanksgiving sides” banter.

Key actionable takeaways:

• Higgins is the top WR add, with upside in the fantasy semifinals.
• Neal and Rodriguez headline the RB pool (situation-dependent), while deep-league managers should keep a keen eye on Sampson for PPR.
• Don’t hesitate to drop fading WRs and RBs for high-leverage depth, especially handcuffs.
• Know your league—FAAB bids may not need to be excessive this late into the season.
• Stream smart: target QBs, TEs, and DSTs with volume/matchup in your favor.
• “Stuffing and cuffing”—stockpile those handcuffs and play the attrition game!

For more, use FantasyPros’ Waiver Central tool at fantasypros.com/myplaybook and join their Tuesday livestream for waiver Q&A.

Happy Thanksgiving & good luck in Week 13!