The Ringer Fantasy Football Show – Week 13 Waivers (Nov 25, 2025)

Episode Overview

In their Week 13 Waivers episode, hosts Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Craig Horlbeck guide fantasy football players heading into the crucial final weeks before the playoffs. They break down the best waiver wire options at running back, wide receiver, tight end, and quarterback, focus on short- and long-term needs, and sprinkle in their signature trivia, banter, and offbeat tangents. The episode is rich with actionable advice, comedic camaraderie, and a strong “help you win, or at least not lose last place” vibe.

Key Discussion Points & Player Recommendations

Waiver Wire Strategy Overview (03:16)

• Heifetz sets the context: Waivers matter for two main groups: teams clawing for the playoffs and those planning ahead for playoff weeks.
• No bye weeks in Week 13, but Week 14 has numerous teams off. Plan ahead!
  • Notable byes coming: Patriots, Giants, Panthers, 49ers (for players like T.E. McMillan, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle).

Running Backs – Top Waiver Adds

• Craig’s Pick: Chris Rodriguez (Commanders)

  • Now the lead back in Washington, offering rare starter upside from waivers. Tough Week 13 matchup vs Denver, but nice schedule later (especially vs the Giants in Week 15).
  • “You’re not going to find very many starting running backs on waivers and Chris Rodriguez is.” (03:24)

• DK’s Pick: Bashal Tootin (Jaguars)

  • Recent ankle injury, but showed league-winner potential when healthy. Shared snaps with Etienne and out-produced him pre-injury.
  • “In terms of like workload, he’s kind of right there with Devin Neal and Chris Rodriguez. But I think talent-wise … if any of these guys are going to be an end-of-year league winner, I think it’s Bashal Tootin.” (04:01)

• Heifetz’s Pick: Blake Corum (Rams)

  • Faces the Panthers—a favorable spot for garbage-time and touchdown chances. Even if recent numbers look bad, context matters (tough defenses). Major upside if Kyren Williams gets hurt.
  • “Blake Corum is … just as likely to get a bunch of garbage time carries … He could totally end up with a touchdown against the Panthers.” (05:14)

Other Notables:

• Julian McLaughlin (Broncos): Total wild card with some upside in Week 14 vs Raiders (06:53)
• Devin Neal (Saints): Top short-term fill-in if Kamara misses time; especially useful for this week (11:03)

Wide Receivers – Top Waiver Adds (12:04)

• Craig’s Pick: Parker Washington (Jaguars)

  • Has developed strong rapport with Trevor Lawrence; 7 targets, 71 yards, touchdown last week. Trusted by QB and coaching staff.
  • “He’s basically just been their best receiver in the last month or so.” (12:18)

• DK’s Pick: Jaden Higgins (Texans)

  • Clearly ascending, with 16 targets in last 2 weeks and a TD. Passes the eye test and offers higher ceiling potential, especially with Davis Mills possibly starting due to Stroud in concussion protocol.
  • “I feel like the odds of Higgins’s arrow going up … we have not seen the ceiling of Jaden Higgins.” (14:00)

• Honorable Mentions:

  • John Metchie (Jets):
    Resurfacing with chemistry with Tyrod Taylor (7 targets, 65 yards, touchdown)
  • Luther Burden (Bears):
    Growing role, more a later-season stash. Bears’ tough schedule noted.
  • Kayshawn Booty (Patriots), Isaiah Hodgins (Giants):
    Monday Night options if you need flexibility for late-week injuries.

Craig on depth options:
“Shamir DK from the Titans has been really good lately … Isaiah Hodgins, I like that one.” (22:51)

Tight Ends – Top Waiver Adds (24:55)

• Brenton Strange (Jaguars)

  • First game back from injury: 5 targets, 5 catches, 93 yards. Played 72% of snaps. “They really missed him, I think … he’ll be valuable for the rest of the year.” (24:58)

• Mike Gesicki (Bengals):

  • Streamer special with T. Higgins out; strong fill-in for this week only.

• Colson Loveland (Bears), Mason Taylor (Jets):

  • Loveland: Rookie talent, “probably the best one” for plug-and-play.
  • Mason Taylor: Good schedule, especially for deep/TE-premium leagues.

• Darren Waller (Giants):

  • Opened his practice window—good stash if you can wait for his return.
  • “Colby Parkinson for the Rams has caught a touchdown in three straight games … Gunner Helm for the Titans: more dynasty, but growing role.” (30:13)

• Taysom Hill (Saints):

  • With Kamara hurt, could see more short-yardage “goal line back” usage. Risky but live in deeper leagues.

Quarterbacks – Top Waiver Adds (30:56)

• Cam Ward (Cardinals):
  • 24 points last week, reasonably mobile, attractive opposing defenses ahead.
• Tyrod Taylor (Jets):
  • Serviceable and mobile; surprisingly solid with the benefit of experience.
• Jameis Winston (Saints):
  • Live if Jackson Dart (starter) misses time.

Defenses – Streaming Options (31:58 | 33:37)

• Chargers: Off bye, vs Raiders (just fired OC, giving up sacks galore). “Always available, division rival, feels like a good spot.” (33:00)
• Jaguars: Facing Titans rookie QB.
• Cardinals: Against potentially banged-up Bucs (possible Teddy Bridgewater start).
• 49ers: If Browns start rookie Shedeur Sanders.
• Colts: Texans with Davis Mills could yield sacks/turnovers.
• Vikings: “If you're feeling dangerous,” Sam Darnold vs Brian Flores blitzes.
• Kicker pro-tip: “If you made the playoffs, get some indoor kickers, get the indoor guys, get the indoor boys.” (33:45)

Memorable Quotes & Notable Banter

• On the stress of the playoff push:
  “It’s getting tight. Me and Bill Simmons are fighting for the sixth seed in the ringer league. My team’s in shambles, and the problem is Bill’s team’s going up. My team is headed down.”
  — Danny Kelly (00:27)

• On show trivia:
  “The most important part of the show is who’s winning trivia, not who wins waivers.”
  — Danny Kelly (08:04)

• On Andre the Giant’s weight, Hulk Hogan, and fantasy tight ends:
  “When Andre the Giant wrestled Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 3 in 1987, how much did Andre weigh?”
  — Danny Heifetz (26:24-28:01)
  Consensus: No one's sure what the real number is, but “Hulk Hogan said he was 666.” “He lied by 200.” “I’m comfortable besmirching Hulk Hogan.” (34:19-35:27)

• On the “The Restaurant” strip club concept, discovered to be real:
  “There is literally a strip club in Arlington, Virginia, named The Restaurant in Crystal City … people stop by with their families, thinking it was a restaurant near the airport.”
  — Danny Heifetz (44:37)

• On “ick” with underhand football passes (funny tangent):
  “If you underhand throw a football, it should be a fumble. ... I'm not making a logical argument. I'm saying that when I watched it, I'm like, that's just—should be a fumble. … It's an ick that a professional quarterback could just do that and, like, that's not a fumble, though.”
  — Danny Heifetz (39:39-43:35)

• On nostalgia (and the Cup Song):
  “It was like the Soulja boy dance for people who can't dance. … The cup thing, it was like, ‘Can you do it or not?’”
  — Danny Heifetz (54:01-54:10)

Timestamps for Core Segments

• Waivers Overview & RBs: 03:16–11:03
• WRs: 12:04–23:09
• TEs: 24:55–30:13
• QBs: 30:56–31:38
• Defenses/Kickers: 31:58–34:05
• Trivia, tangents, banter: Interspersed throughout, with themed showdowns at 07:55, 16:12, 25:53

Tone and Takeaways

• The hosts keep advice highly actionable and directly tailored to both playoff-pushers and long-view planners.
• Signature trivia adds a competitive but fun distraction and underscores the show’s chemistry.
• Tangents about strip clubs, underhand football passes, Andre the Giant, and fantasy drafting—always delivered with good humor—give listeners plenty of laughs alongside their waiver analysis.
• The consistent message: Stay aggressive, prepare for the crucial playoff weeks, and have some fun on the ride.

Bottom Line

Week 13 is a make or break juncture. Focus on upside, consider playoff byes, and stream wisely at RB, WR, TE, QB, D/ST, and even Kicker. And if your leaguemates are listening to other pods, you’re not missing out—this one’s got the edge … and a side of movie-themed strip club business plans.

Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, Craig Horlbeck
Date: November 25, 2025
Source Podcast: The Ringer Fantasy Football Show