FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode Summary: Jake Ciely’s Top Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets For Week 13 (Ep. 1862)

Date: November 24, 2025
Host: Joey P. (Joe Pisapia)
Guest: Jake Ciely (The Athletic)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Joey P. and waiver-wire expert Jake Ciely break down Week 13’s top fantasy football waiver wire pickups. With the regular season’s home stretch and playoffs looming, they focus on key adds—especially running backs and wide receivers—who can provide either immediate or depth value. The discussion is peppered with actionable insights, an honest assessment of recent performances, and some lively banter about fantasy dilemmas late in the season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Emmanuel Wilson — RB, Raiders

• Situation Recap:
  • Last week’s top waiver add, especially with Josh Jacobs out.
  • Jake: “He feasted to lean into all your little puns that you just had there…” (01:39)
  • Josh Jacobs’ status was doubtful all week, and Wilson capitalized.
• Week 13 Outlook:
  • Jacobs says he’s playing, but Jake is skeptical given the short turnaround & divisional dynamics.
  • Waivers will likely process before official injury news drops.
  • Summary: Wilson is a prime FAB-spend, likely a one-week-only play, but the kind that makes a difference.

2. Devin Neal — RB, Saints

• Context:
  • Opportunity opened by Alvin Kamara’s in-game injury. Neal shared duties with Taysom Hill.
• Jake’s Assessment:
  • “This isn’t Emmanuel Wilson…this is volume.” (03:10)
  • Cautious on Neal’s effectiveness, but acknowledges the upside for desperate owners.
  • Touts the possibility of late-season breakouts by under-the-radar rookies, referencing Amir Abdullah’s impact in a prior campaign.
• Notable Banter:
  • Joey and Jake riff on idioms: “Thumb your nose… throw your nose in the air…”
  • “You can tell the break is close, everybody.” (04:14, Joey P.)

3. Chimera DK (D.K.) — WR, Titans

• Recap:
  • Five catches for 44 yards and a touchdown; also scored on a punt return.
  • Immediate value in leagues with return yardage.
• Jake’s take:
  • DK is now the main intermediate option; floor is WR4, but with favorable schedule and healthy rapport.
  • “He’s the intermediate option and he’s going to be the one that’s kind of peppered more than anybody else.” (05:10)
  • “He looked the best he’s looked as a rookie against a really good defense.” (05:50 on QB Cam Ward’s impact)
• Joey’s Reflection:
  • Admits reluctantly dropping DK; commiserates with the fantasy struggle of roster decisions.

4. John Metchie — WR, Jets

• Backstory:
  • Overcame cancer; back to relevance after climbing Jets’ depth chart.
• Recent Stats:
  • 6 catches on 7 targets for 65 yards and a TD from Tyrod Taylor.
• Joey’s Insight:
  • “Not trying to buy in because it’s a good story… but because I think he’s a good possession receiver.” (06:23)
• Jake’s Analysis:
  • Sees Metchie as a steady, low-upside PPR WR4 option, mainly due to the limited Jets’ offense.
  • “He was actually out there the most of all the Jets wide receivers.” (07:57)
  • Warns scoring potential is capped by offensive issues: “The implied total... was like 13 and a half... the Jets barely got to that.” (08:05)

5. Jaden Higgins — WR, Texans

• Role:
  • Functioning as the #2 receiver; red zone looks from both CJ Stroud and Davis Mills.
• Outlook:
  • Another WR4/flex candidate—valuable mainly in deeper leagues or as a spot start.
• Jake’s Advice:
  • “Wide receiver fours have value, and Jaden Higgins has been running as the number two.” (10:27)
  • Don’t overreact to changes in QB circumstances for the Texans.

6. Greg Dortch — WR, Cardinals

• Performance:
  • 6 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD — 9 targets.
• Jake’s Data:
  • Cardinals threw 49 times (including OT), with three main target hogs: Michael Wilson (15 targets), Trey McBride (10), Dortch (9). (12:38)
• Caveat:
  • Dortch’s value hinges on Marvin Harrison Jr.’s appendectomy recovery; if Harrison sits, Dortch is top waiver priority among available WRs.
• Joey:
  • Highlights the unknowns at QB and general volatility, but likes Dortch’s usage in pass-friendly scripts.

7. Bonus Section: Deep Adds and Handcuffs

- Andrei Yosivas (Yoshivas) — WR, Bengals

• Value on the rise with Tee Higgins in concussion protocol—short week likely keeps Higgins out.
• Jake: “Now you get another one week play out of him.” (16:24)
• Deep-league add for this week.

- Luther Burden — WR, Bears

• Handcuff-type stash; steps up only if D.J. Moore or Rome Odunze get hurt.
• “If anything happened to A Dunes A or DJ Moore, make sure Luther Burden... is rostered right now.” (15:41)

- Mitchell Tinsley — WR, Bengals (super-deep leagues)

• Saw increased action; could inherit extra targets if more Bengals WRs miss time
• “Mitchell Tinsley is available in your league. Don’t lie to me.” (16:56, Jake)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On waiver wire desperation:

  • “At this point of the season... you have to take the chance on him [Neal] as the number one because this is... who was one of the biggest running backs… the final few weeks? Amir Abdullah.” (03:34, Jake)

• On Metchie’s journey:

  • “He had the worst set of circumstances... and then has to deal with cancer and, you know, made it back to the NFL, which is amazing. But guys pass him on the depth chart and all that and he’s getting a second lease here literally on life and career, which is great.” (06:23, Joey)

• On fantasy handcuffs:

  • “Similar to handcuff running backs, [Luther Burden] is rostered right now…” (15:41, Jake)

• Banter on sleep, exhaustion, and neck injuries:

  • “But… the closest you’ll get to Jake Seeley, a good time Jake Seeley, quote, unquote, is always overtired Jake Seeley, which I think we’re getting tonight with a combination of maybe a couple pills for the neck.” (13:40, Joey)
  • “I’m on drugs for my neck.” (13:39, Jake)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Emmanuel Wilson Waiver Impact: 00:33–02:34
• Devin Neal as Kamara Replacement: 03:10–04:30
• Chimera DK’s Breakout & Value: 04:32–06:23
• John Metchie: PPR Sleeper: 06:23–08:05
• Jaden Higgins Analysis: 10:27–11:18
• Greg Dortch & Cardinals’ WR Dynamics: 11:18–14:09
• Deeper League WR Flyers (Yoshivas, Tinsley): 14:30–16:56
• Bonus Banter & Deep Stash Recap: 14:37–15:58

Final Takeaways

• Late-season waiver wire is about chasing opportunity and volume over name value.
• Running backs with injury-induced openings (Wilson, Neal) are top priorities, even for one week.
• Wide receiver depth is the name of the game—most adds are WR4/flex types who may deliver spot value based on role and matchup.
• Deep handcuffs and stashes (Luther Burden, Mitchell Tinsley) could swing deeper leagues or the fantasy playoffs.
• Stay alert to injury updates before waivers clear—situations around key players (Jacobs, Kamara, Marvin Harrison Jr., Tee Higgins) are in flux.