It’s time for Start Sit Week 13 in Fantasy Football! Which players should you be starting this week, and which players should you consider benching? We will cover it all in this weekly article!
Every week of the NFL season, fantasy gamers juggle players to insert into lineups at each position. Are you questioning which players face easy matchups and which players face tougher paths to production? You are in the right place! For seasonal leagues, DFS, and more, this week’s must-start and must-sit picks can give you some guidance on setting your lineups.
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Quarterback Start Sit Week 13
Start: Justin Herbert
In spite of the lack of surrounding talent, Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ passing game have been clicking as of late. Herbert has finished as a top-12 quarterback in five straight games, in part due to his increased rushing. After a slow start nursing a foot injury, he’s rushed for at least 29 yards in four of the last five games.
justin patrick herbert
📺 | @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/PzzlVrDAKk
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 26, 2024
This week, he lines up against the Falcons, who allow the sixth-most fantasy points, the highest completion percentage, and the fourth-most passing touchdowns per game to quarterbacks. The Chargers will also be without their main rusher, J.K. Dobbins, forcing them to lean more on the pass. Against Atlanta’s funnel defense, Herbert should put up another top-12 performance.
Honorable Mentions (Starts): Drake Maye, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson
Sit: Brock Purdy
In what is essentially a must-win game for the 49ers, Brock Purdy should be set to return to action. That does not mean I am starting him. Going into Buffalo to face the Bills, who allow the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, is already a daunting task. Add in that Trent Williams is still not practicing and likely won’t suit up. This 49ers team is banged up and struggling.
San Francisco is likely to try and drag Buffalo into a slow, gross, low-scoring matchup. The allure of the 49ers always makes it tough to keep those players on the bench, but it’s wise to stay away from this matchup. If Purdy ends up inactive, slide Geno Smith up to the top spot here (with the holiday, I’m unlikely to be able to make any post-inactive updates).
Honorable Mentions (Sits): Geno Smith, Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins
Running Back Start Sit Week 13
Start: Chuba Hubbard
Chuba Hubbard shined in his biggest test against Kansas City, finding the end zone en route to a top-12 positional finish. The stats won’t blow you away, but if he can produce a usable week against Kansas City, he certainly can do it against Tampa Bay. The Bucs allow the eighth-most fantasy points per game and yards per rush attempt to opposing backs.
Even with rookie Jonathon Brooks back in action, Hubbard is still this team’s workhorse back. As long as he continues to see this level of opportunity, Hubbard is near must-start territory.
Honorable Mentions (Starts): Chase Brown, Tony Pollard, Bucky Irving
Sit: Kareem Hunt
Isiah Pacheco is back. While he’s unlikely to be thrown right into the mix, surely Pacheco will get some run if he’s activated. Any touch that’s taken away from Hunt is a major downgrade. His volume has been enough to prop him up lately, but inserting another back into this mix makes Hunt more of a touchdown-dependent asset.
Hunt is a fine flex option but has a very low floor and a limited ceiling, given what we’ve seen out of the Chiefs’ offense as of late. Vegas wields a talented rush defense and a pass-funnel offense; I’ll pass on Hunt this week. If Pacheco ends up inactive, I’m okay starting Hunt and would move Najee Harris to the top Sit.
Honorable Mentions (Sits): Najee Harris, Javonte Williams, Bucky Irving
Wide Receiver Start Sit Week 13
Start: George Pickens
George Pickens is Russell Wilson‘s favorite target. He’s earned a 29-percent target share this season and averaged eight targets per game since Wilson became the starter. Not only is he dominating the team’s receiving opportunities, but he’s also producing efficiently. Generating 2.52 (No. 9) Yards per Route Run and 2.5 (No. 5) Yards per Team Pass Attempt, Pickens is emerging as an elite threat.
Now he’ll be matched up against the Commanders’ secondary, who are allowing nearly 7.0 yards per pass attempt and over 10.0 yards per reception. They’re getting torched by anyone who walks in front of them. Given the number of deep looks and red zone targets he’s getting, Pickens is easily the start of the week.
Honorable Mentions (Starts): Ladd McConkey, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Courtland Sutton
Sit: Deebo Samuel
It’s been a very inconsistent season for Deebo Samuel. He’s finished under 10 fantasy points in four of the last seven games and is facing a four-year low in target share. It appears age may be catching up to him. He’s not producing as efficiently as he used to and is still seeing the low-air-yard, YAC-reliant role that is normally difficult to succeed in.
With seemingly the entire 49ers’ lineup injured this week, it would make no sense to play Deebo. I’d even play Nick Westbrook-Ikhine over him if I had no other choice.
Honorable Mentions (Sits): Michael Pittman Jr., Christian Watson, DeAndre Hopkins
Tight End Start Sit Week 13
Tight ends are perhaps the most disgusting they’ve ever been for fantasy football. If you have one of these guys, you’re probably looking to just start them every week and hope for the best:
If not, consider these options:
Start: Taysom Hill
Taysom Hill dominated the last time he was in action. Not only did he collect eight receptions on 10 targets for 50 receiving yards, he took seven carries for 138 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Oh wait, he also had 18 passing yards. Talk about a jack of all trades. With Rashid Shaheed out for the season and the offense struggling, they’ll certainly go back to the spark that came from Hill’s Week 11 usage.
For Week 13, the Saints line up against the Rams’ defense, which has been ceding big plays to tight ends this season. When he’s being used in both facets of the New Orleans offense, Hill is a must-start.
Honorable Mentions (Starts): Jonnu Smith, Will Dissly, Hunter Henry
Sit: Kyle Pitts
Pitts has only scored 15 or more points in two games this season and has fallen under 10 fantasy points six times, including in each of the last three games. Earning under five targets per game, Pitts is yet again seeing a disappointing share of his team’s targets. The Chargers are a tough defensive matchup, getting after the quarterback and limiting explosive pass plays. Atlanta’s offense runs through Bijan Robinson, and the passing game runs through Drake London and Darnell Mooney. There’s no room to play this team’s fourth fiddle.
Honorable Mentions (Sits): Chig Okonkwo, Dalton Schultz, Pat Freiermuth
Set Your Lineups!
It is time to set lineups! Fire up those fingers and plug in your productive players (and bench the sits!). Check back for weekly must-starts and must-sits based on the action that unfolds this season. Need some more options? Check out PlayerProfiler’s Upside Finder, or DM me on Twitter! It’s time again for a season full of ups and downs. Buckle up!
