With four games played already through Friday, we help you fine-tune lineups for the rest of the Week 13 fantasy football slate. There are still some challenging lineup decisions to be made. This special weekend column opens with an in-depth fantasy breakdown of Jaxon Smith's Njigba's recent fantasy ascension. The analysis leans to Points Per Reception (PPR) formats and players are listed in order of preference for starting lineups at their respective positions.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Fantasy Spotlight: Creating Good Problems
It is apparent that Jaxon Smith-Njigba has arrived as a prime playmaker for the Seahawks and a difference-maker in fantasy football. Over the past three games, he totaled 367 receiving yards, the most in such a span since Steve Largent in 1984.
"JSN" is not only being mentioned in the same sentences with Largent, he also can draw some comparisons to other outstanding Seahawks WRs of recent seasons. Smith-Njigba is a sharp route runner who can challenge defenses at every level much like Doug Baldwin did. He is a smooth fundamental WR and technician in the mold of Tyler Lockett.
Over the past three weeks, JSN ranks as the No. 5 fantasy WR overall, ahead of standouts such as Puka Nacua and A.J. Brown. He is third in Average Fantasy Points Per Game during that span (25.2), behind only Bengals WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. On the season, Smith-Njigba is the No. 8 fantasy WR overall and is 15th in FFPG (15.2).
In the past three weeks, JSN has performed well alongside DK Metcalf and when he was out. He posted a career-high 37.0 fantasy points in Week 9, finishing as the No. 1 WR for the week. So the 2023 first-round pick for the Seahawks is apparently going to deliver the fantasy goods whether he is the unrivaled top target for the week or a prime complement to Metcalf.
Most who drafted JSN this season initially slotted him in as their fourth WR. Now he has ascended to the fantasy WR2 tier and creates a good problem for many fantasy players. Who do you start him over if the lineup choices in any given week are all worthy of consideration? Do you bench Smith-Njigba in any scenarios?
While every lineup situation is unique, the recent statistical surge by JSN demands that you start him right alongside fantasy superstars such as Chase, Brown, Justin Jefferson, and Nico Collins. If a player you drafted as a WR1 or WR2 is no longer performing at that level, then strongly consider starting Smith-Njigba over the other option.
The matchups will often give you more clarity when faced with the tightest decisions, but if Smith-Njigba keeps rolling, he will eventually be considered matchup-proof. A strong fantasy performance against the Jets will only further elevate his fantasy appeal. Over the past four weeks, the Jets rank 12th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to WRs, so the fantasy draw should not sway you to reserve JSN.
NFL Week 13: Running Back Starters
START Chase Brown
Fantasy players might see the matchup against Pittsburgh and immediately consider reserving Brown for Week 13. The Bengals should come to play with tenacity against the Steelers, and their defense did allow six rushing TDs to RBs over the past four weeks, the most in the NFL during that span. Brown is now the unquestioned lead RB for Cincinnati and is a regular goal-line finisher for a potent offense.
START Bucky Irving
The Tampa Bay rookie is also forcing close fantasy decisions, as he is beginning to earn consideration as an authentic RB2. Irving has good vision, makes defenders miss, and displays his speed in the open field. He rushed for TDs in each of the last two games and posted a career-high 144 scrimmage yards last week. The Panthers allow the most FFPG to RBs. Give Irving the nod when considering another option who might not draw a favorable matchup.
START Rhamondre Stevenson
The Patriots need to establish the ground game to take pressure off Drake Maye, and Stevenson gets a good matchup to produce at least adequate fantasy totals. The Colts rank 29th in rushing yards allowed to RBs. Indianapolis has allowed 10 rushing TDs in 12 games.
FREE AGENT ALERT: J.K. Dobbins might miss some time with a knee injury, and Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins are candidates to see more playing time. Vidal can slide right away as a complement to Gus Edwards and Haskins may also figure into the mix as an inside banger. Check your free agent list for both Chargers RBs.
NFL Week 13: Wide Receiver Starters
START Ladd McConkey
Justin Herbert's new No. 1 WR is solidifying himself as a regular fantasy starter. The Chargers rookie totaled 14-plus fantasy points in each of the last two games. Atlanta ranks 28th in FFPG allowed to WRs.
START Khalil Shakir
The Bills are coming off a big win over the Chiefs before their bye week and will want to make a further statement against the 49ers. Shakir caught 29 passes on 38 targets in the past four games and should continue to be a busy receiver for Josh Allen as Buffalo drives for a top playoff spot in the AFC.
START DeVaughn Vele
Bo Nix may have found his new No. 2 WR. Vele can be considered as a deeper streamer. He registered double-figure fantasy point totals in each of the last three games and posted his best stat line of the year last week (six catches for 80 yards on nine targets). Vele has an 86.8 WR/CB matchup grade on Pro Football Focus For Week 13 against the Cleveland CBs, which is an "Excellent " grade.
FREE AGENT ALERT: Seahawks.com will continue to update the injury outlooks of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett here. Jake Bobo is a viable fantasy add for deeper consideration if he is needed to take on an expanded receiving role against the Jets.
NFL Week 13: Quarterback Starters
START Bo Nix
Nix went undrafted in most one-QB fantasy leagues and is now a consistent top 10 starter at his position. In each of the last two weeks, he finished as a top 7 fantasy QB. Cleveland ranks 21st in FFPG allowed to QBs.
START Justin Herbert
Los Angeles will look to get back on track after a loss to Baltimore. The Falcons rank 26th in FFPG allowed to QBs, and the Chargers' offensive line has the best pass-blocking advantage grade of any unit on Pro Football Focus for Week 13.
NFL Week 13: Tight End Starters
START Cade Otton
The return of Mike Evans may continue to cut into Otton's overall numbers a bit, but he can still operate as a prime secondary target for Baker Mayfield. The Panthers have allowed the most FFPG to TEs this season.
START Taysom Hill
While he is not a pure TE, Hill qualifies at the position on many fantasy platforms. He is getting involved more in the New Orleans offense and is coming off a monumental performance in which he rushed for three TDs and caught eight of 10 targets for 50 yards. The ultimate diverse weapon in the league, Hill can be considered as a top 10 fantasy TE play every week regardless of the matchup.
Week 13 Defensive Streamers: Washington (vs. Tennessee), Indianapolis (vs. New England), and the Seahawks (vs. the New York Jets). If the Seahawks shut down the running game as they did last week, then the defensive front should be able to generate a strong pass rush. Sacks and a potential lower score allowed can lead a quality fantasy performance, so Leonard Williams and Boye Mafe are capable of contributing to your overall fantasy success this week.
Check out the Seahawks 53-man roster for the 2024 season.
This is a 2024 photo of Laviska Shenault Jr of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81)
This is a 2024 photo of Rayshawn Jenkins of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2).
This is a 2023 photo of Michael Dickson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4)
This is a 2023 photo of Jason Myers of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5)
This is a 2024 photo of Sam Howell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6)
This is a 2023 photo of Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7)
This is a 2024 photo of Coby Bryant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback/safety Coby Bryant (8)
This is a 2024 photo of Kenneth Walker III of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9)
This is a 2024 photo of Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11)
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13).
This is a 2024 photo of DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14)
This is a 2024 photo of Tyler Lockett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16)
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18).
This is a 2024 photo of Jake Bobo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks rookie receiver Jake Bobo makes his first touchdown catch on a pass from Geno Smith in the fourth quarter.
This is a 2024 photo of Julian Love of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20)
This is a 2023 photo of Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21)
This is a 2024 photo of Tre Brown of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22)
This is a 2024 photo of Kenny McIntosh of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25)
This is a 2024 photo of Zach Charbonnet of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26)
This is a 2024 photo of Riq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27)
This is a 2024 photo of Nehemiah Pritchett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28)
This is a 2024 photo of Josh Jobe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks S Jerrick Reed II is in his first season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32).
This is a 2024 photo of Dee Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Williams (33)
This is a 2024 photo of Brady Russell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38)
This is a 2024 photo of Chris Stoll of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41)
This is a 2024 photo of Drake Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42)
This is a 2024 photo of Tyrice Knight of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48)
This is a 2024 photo of Trevis Gipson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Trevis Gipson (50).
This is a 2024 photo of Olu Oluwatini of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51)
This is a 2024 photo of Boye Mafe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53)
This is a 2023 photo of Dre'Mont Jones of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (55)
This is a 2024 photo of Derick Hall of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58)
This is a 2024 photo of Jalen Sundell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks offensive lineman Jalen Sundell (61)
This is a 2024 photo of Sataoa Laumea of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63)
This is a 2024 photo of Christian Haynes of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64)
This is a 2024 photo of Michael Jerrell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65)
This is a 2024 photo of Charles Cross of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2024 photo of Laken Tomlinson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson (70)
This is a 2023 photo of Abraham Lucas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72).
This is a 2024 photo of Anthony Bradford of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75)
This is a 2024 photo of Cody White of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82).
This is a 2024 photo of Dareke Young of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83)
This is a 2024 photo of Pharaoh Brown of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86)
This is a 2022 photo of Noah Fant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 6, 2022 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87)
This is a 2024 photo of AJ Barner of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88)
This is a 2024 photo of Jarran Reed of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90)
This is a 2024 photo of Byron Murphy II of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91)
This is a 2024 photo of Mike Morris of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94)
This is a 2024 photo of Johnathan Hankins of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (97)
Seahawks defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris (98).
This is a 2024 photo of Leonard Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99)
