Footballguys Fantasy Football Show

Episode: Week 13 Rankings and Sleepers || Fantasy Football 2025
Hosts: Alfredo Brown & Dave Kluge
Date: November 26, 2025

Overview

This episode delivers a deep dive into Week 13 fantasy football rankings, with a special focus on Thanksgiving and Black Friday games. Alfredo and Dave break down positional tiers for running backs and wide receivers, dissect injury impacts, matchups, player trends, and recommend who to start or bench. The show is lively, full of sharp debates, playful banter, and bold fantasy advice for managers looking to secure a win during the crucial week.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early NFL News & Banter (01:29–06:42)

• Minnesota Vikings Daniel Jones Rumor: Hosts discuss Jeremy Fowler’s report/rumor that the Vikings may pursue Daniel Jones. Both find the speculation excessive and humorous.
  • Dave (01:38): “It’s like breaking up with a girl in college and then seeing the wedding pictures…”
  • Alfredo (04:26): Jokes about Jameis Winston “fixing America” if signed by the Vikings, riffing on the idea of Winston as a reality-show star or the next Bachelor.
• Segment ends with whimsical ideas for NFL reality shows.

2. Week 13 Format & Strategic Approach (06:42–08:18)

• Focus is primarily on Thursday and Friday games to give timely, actionable info. Injury news is relatively stable this week, but always “expect the unexpected.”
  • Alfredo (08:21): “The only thing that we do know about the NFL is that we know absolutely nothing at all.”

3. Running Back Rankings & Tiers

Tier 1: RB1–RB8 (08:25–12:46)

Christian McCaffrey, Jameer Gibbs, Jonathan Taylor, Devon Achan, Bijan Robinson, James Cook, Derrick Henry, Chase Brown

• Chase Brown gets special attention:
  • Both hosts rank him above consensus—superior usage with Joe Flacco, explosive big play upside.
  • Dave (09:12): “...with Joe Flacco, Chase Brown’s been pretty darn good…top five running back over the last month and a half.”
  • Alfredo (10:35): “Don’t get cute with these guys. Just start ‘em.”
• Thanksgiving RB Trends:
  • Alfredo (12:08): Wonders if running backs always have “monster games” on Thanksgiving due to core memories.
  • No hard data, but both reminisce on past holiday performances.

Tier 2: RB9–RB19 (13:00–20:45)

Key RBs: Saquon Barkley, Trayveon Henderson, Kyron Williams, Josh Jacobs, Travis Etienne, Breece Hall, Javonte Williams, Omarion Hampton, Rico Dowdle, Bucky Irving, Jalen Warren

• Trayveon Henderson vs. Ramondre Stevenson: Henderson out-played Stevenson, but caution advised as Stevenson ramps up post-injury.
  • Dave (14:26): “Don’t want to be the wet towel here…but as Stevenson gets healthier, we could see [carry split] tighten up.”
• Javonte Williams: Volume high, touchdowns lacking lately. Still a must-start.
  • Alfredo (16:15): “The volume is still there...both remain confident.”
• Rico Dowdle: Committee emerging with Chuba Hubbard; further from “top 8” upside, more solid RB2 now.
• Bucky Irving: Both discuss recent adversity (injury, family losses); hope he regains mental and physical health before expecting RB1-level production.

Tier 3: RB20–RB27 (20:45–24:23)

Names: Quinshon Judkins, RJ Harvey, Tyrone Tracy, Ken Walker III, Woody Marks, Aaron Jones, DeAndre Swift, Trey Benson

• DeAndre Swift/Manungai: Philly backfield is a “hot hand” approach; Swift’s role feels unstable—expect flex-level output.
  • Alfredo (22:52): “I don’t know if I can trust him every week going forward.”

Tier 4: RB28–RB35 (24:44–31:02)

• All RBs in this tier are “basically the same,” offering volume-based, touchdown-dependent flex value.
• Devin Neal is the “mystery box” back—fresh legs, potential for a stretch-run breakout.
  • Dave (27:34): “Sometimes that’s all that matters.”
• Kareem Hunt/Isaiah Pacheco: Chiefs’ backfield a frustrating split; no clear workhorse emerges.

Tier 5: RB36–RB41 (31:02–32:17)

• Raheem Mostert: Limited expectations on bad offense (assuming Jinty is out).
• General advice: This is “dart-throw” territory, best avoided if you have safer options.

4. Wide Receiver Rankings & Tiers

Tier 1: WR1–WR10 (33:49–36:43)

Top names: Rashee Rice, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jamar Chase, Puka Nacua, Amon-Ra St. Brown, George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb, Davante Adams, Jaylen Waddle, Nico Collins

• All are “set and forget,” especially in holiday slates.
• George Pickens: Massive breakout, even outperforming Lamb post-CDL’s return.
  • Dave (35:19): “At a certain point, you are what your fantasy production says you are…Pickens is the WR2 in fantasy.”

Tier 2: WR11–WR22 (38:09–43:29)

Notables: Chris Olave, Tet McMillan, AJ Brown, Ladd McConkey, Devonta Smith, Zay Flowers, Justin Jefferson, Michael Wilson, Stefon Diggs, Emeka Egbuka, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jameson Williams

• Michael Wilson: Pure volume WR2 if Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kyler Murray are out.
  • Dave (39:59): “If this is what we see going forward...Michael Wilson is going to be a league winner.”
• Philly WRs (AJ Brown, Devonta Smith): Smith quietly outproducing Brown; both are startable but lack WR1 confidence.
  • Dave (41:04): “Devonta Smith is playing as the better receiver this year...in almost every single metric.”
  • Alfredo (43:29): “There’s something in me that keeps ranking AJ Brown higher...the upside is there.”
• Zay Flowers: Great peripherals but underwhelming output—draws Hollywood Brown comp.
• Jameson Williams: Usage up, output down—still volatile boom-or-bust play.
  • Dave (47:02): “The Jameson Williams experience. Welcome, ladies and gentlemen.”

Tier 3: WR23–WR31 (48:12–52:54)

Highlighted: Khalil Shakir, Michael Pittman Jr., Roma Dunze, Troy Franklin, Jauan Jennings, Courtland Sutton, Deebo Samuel, DK Metcalf, Christian Watson

• Roma Dunze: Falling to WR3/4 territory due to crowded offense and tough matchups.
• Christian Watson: Trending upward, more involved in intermediate game; higher floor as he recovers from ACL.

Tier 4 & 5: WR32–WR46 (53:58–59:02)

Names: Darnell Mooney, Alec Pierce, Quentin Johnston, Jacoby Myers, Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, Xavier Worthy, Romeo Doubs, Ricky Pearsall, Andre Iosivas, Chimera DK, Luther Burden, Jaden Higgins, Parker Washington…

• DJ Moore & Luther Burden: Flex appeal due to lower expectations; big-play upside for Burden in particular.
  • Alfredo (56:06): Predicts big TD for Burden on Adoree Jackson this week.
• Xavier Worthy: Disappointing, injury-plagued, not trusted as fantasy starter.
  • Dave (57:34): “He’s probably a lot more Kadarius Toney than he is Tyreek Hill.”
• Andre Iosivas: Flashes upside but faces competition from Tinsley; hosts recommend Mike Gesicki as the better streamer if desperate.

5. Notable Quotes

On Unlikely Upside and Fantasy Pain

“Don’t get cute with these guys. Just start them.”
— Alfredo Brown on RB studs (10:35)

“At a certain point, you are what your fantasy production says you are.”
— Dave Kluge on disappointing names (41:08, 57:34)

On Real Life Impact and Player Compassion

“These are people, right? They’re not just players…Let’s just be humans. Please.”
— Alfredo Brown on Bucky Irving’s personal struggles (20:33)

On Thanksgiving Week and Priorities

“If you miss a football game this week, it’s not the end of the world…spend time with family. That’s what means a lot this time of year.”
— Dave Kluge (63:32)

On Jameson Williams’ Ups and Downs

“You live by the Jameson and you die by the Jameson. And we may have died last week, but hoping for resuscitation in Week 13.”
— Dave Kluge (47:37)

6. Must-See Segments & Timestamps

• Vikings’ Daniel Jones Rumor Banter: 01:29–06:42
• Chase Brown Boom Case: 09:12–12:46
• Philly RB Uncertainty (Swift/Manungai): 22:52–24:23
• George Pickens’ Breakout: 35:19–36:43
• AJ Brown vs. Devonta Smith Analysis: 41:04–43:29
• Jameson Williams Volatility: 46:50–48:00
• Bears Rookie Luther Burden as a Deep Flex: 56:06

Summary Table: Notable Tiers, Players & Takeaways

| Tier | RB Focus (Notables) | WR Focus (Notables) | Key Takeaways | |--------|----------------------|---------------------|--------------| | 1 | McCaffrey, Gibbs, Brown | Rice, Pickens, Lamb | Start studs, don't overthink Thanksgiving slates; ride with upside backs like Chase Brown | | 2 | Henderson, Williams, Dowdle | Olave, A.J./Smith, Flowers, Wilson | Value committee backfields cautiously (Dowdle, Bucky), monitor injury returns closely | | 3 | Neal, Hunt, Pacheco | Shakir, Pittman, Dunze, Watson | Toss-up flex options, all share similar floor | | 4–5 | Mostert, Charbonnet | Mooney, Worthy, Pearsall, Iosivas | True dart throws—use only if desperate; prioritize matchups and snap trends |

Final Thoughts

Dave and Alfredo deliver a highly actionable, entertaining rundown for Week 13, blending sharp football insights with fantasy philosophy and real-life empathy. Stick with your studs, embrace volatility when needed, and always remember that at the heart of fantasy football—and life—are the people, not just the numbers.

Happy Thanksgiving and good luck in Week 13!

Listen to the full episode for more:
Footballguys Fantasy Football Show – Week 13 Rankings and Sleepers