Welcome to Week 13 of the NFL season, where the playoff race is intensifying, and every decision could make or break your fantasy season. With the fantasy postseason rapidly approaching, this is the time to make the moves that will give your team a chance to bring home a championship. Bye weeks, injuries, and fluctuating player performances continue challenging fantasy rosters, but savvy trades can help you navigate these obstacles. Heading into Week 14, targeting players who are not on a bye is especially crucial, as having your roster intact through that week could be the difference between a playoff berth and an early exit.
In Week 13, we’re honing in on crucial Buy Low and Sell High targets who can help you avoid the Week 14 bye-week pitfall while setting your team up for a strong finish. If you’ve been holding onto a player who’s underperformed or is dealing with an injury, now could be the perfect time to acquire someone primed for a strong finish. On the flip side, if you’ve been enjoying the ride of a breakout player, it might be time to cash in and sell high before their production starts to regress.
With trade deadlines approaching or already passed, the window to make meaningful roster upgrades is closing fast. Whether you’re strengthening your depth, targeting a potential league winner, or making a calculated risk to secure a playoff spot, now is the time to act. Let’s dive into the top Buy Low and Sell High candidates for Week 13 to ensure your team is poised for success in Week 14 and beyond.
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- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
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Fantasy Football Buy-Low Trade Targets
TE David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
After playing a pivotal role in helping fantasy managers secure championships last season with a solid late-season surge, David Njoku is once again a prime trade target for the 2024 stretch run.
Though Njoku posted a lackluster performance last week, it's important to consider the context: he was up against a tough Steelers defense in challenging weather conditions, including a blizzard. Despite the difficult matchup, Njoku had a golden opportunity to score, but he dropped what should have been an easy touchdown catch—a mistake that doesn’t diminish his overall potential.
david njoku managers LOOK AWAY pic.twitter.com/59aYww2vJB
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) November 22, 2024
Looking ahead, Njoku has a highly favorable schedule to close out the season, with several high-scoring matchups against defenses that struggle against tight ends.
His fantasy playoff slate includes games against the Chiefs, Bengals, and Dolphins, all of whom rank among the bottom third in defending the position. Given his upside and these favorable matchups, Njoku could be poised for another late-season breakout.
WR George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
George Pickens is a strong buy-low candidate heading into Week 13 despite a rough outing in Cleveland last week. In a blizzard-like game against the Browns, Pickens finished with just four catches for 48 yards, and it was clear the weather conditions played a significant role in his struggles. Pickens voiced his frustration with the conditions, and it's safe to assume he won’t be dealing with snowstorms every week.
Looking ahead, Pickens has a much more favorable schedule and could thrive in better weather. The Steelers will face several defenses in the coming weeks that could force them into pass-heavy, negative game scripts—creating more opportunities for Pickens to get involved. With Russell Wilson and the offense finding some rhythm, Pickens should continue to see a solid target share.
WR George Pickens (PIT) v. CIN: This is in tandem with Russell Wilson, but Pickens sets up as a solid play against a Bengals D that is bottom 10 in the NFL against opposing fantasy WRs. Remember that I’m still not a big Pickens fan, and I don’t like excuses, but I do believe that…
— Joshua Cho (@jbchoknows) November 29, 2024
Since the arrival of Wilson as the starter, Pickens has been trending up as a potential top fantasy wide receiver. With his strong downfield ability and the continued growth of the Steelers’ passing game, Pickens has the talent to post big plays and could easily finish as a top wideout the rest of the way.
TE Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers
This season, Will Dissly has quietly emerged as a reliable, under-the-radar tight end. With a favorable schedule down the stretch, he could be a key asset for fantasy managers pushing for championships. With a more prominent role as the starting tight end for the Chargers, Dissly developed strong chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert and is becoming a more noteworthy target in the offense.
The Chargers' offense has been firing on all cylinders lately, scoring at least 23 points in each of their last five games. This uptick in offensive production has created more opportunities for Dissly to get involved and put up consistent fantasy points.
Looking ahead, the Chargers have one of the best schedules for tight ends, with each of their next four opponents ranking in the bottom 10 for defending the position.
Because of Dissly’s somewhat low profile—he’s not a flashy name—many fantasy managers may still hesitate to treat him as an every-week starter. This opens the door for you to buy him at a very reasonable price, with the potential for solid performances during fantasy’s most crucial weeks.
Fantasy Football Sell-High Trade Targets
RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
The thought of considering trading away Christian McCaffrey after holding onto him all season might be challenging, especially through his Achilles injury. Still, it may be your fantasy team's best move now. McCaffrey’s explosiveness and burst have noticeably diminished, and he doesn't quite look like the dynamic playmaker we've seen in previous years.
The 49ers’ offense has also taken a step back recently. Injuries to key players, including quarterback Brock Purdy and offensive lineman Trent Williams, have slowed down what was once one of the most potent offenses in the league.
Williams' injury is particularly significant for McCaffrey, as he’s one of the league’s top run-blocking linemen, and his absence has directly impacted McCaffrey’s ability to find running room.
Additionally, the 49ers are on the outside looking in for the playoffs and have a tough matchup with Buffalo this week.
If San Francisco's playoff hopes continue to dim, there’s a real possibility they may shut McCaffrey down or limit his workload in the second half of the season, especially as they focus on his long-term health. With that in mind, selling McCaffrey now, while he still has name value, could be a wise strategy to maximize your return before further decline.
TE Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
Zach Ertz has been on a tear over the past two weeks, making now the perfect time to sell high.
While he's been a reliable option for fantasy managers all season, his recent performances have been primarily fueled by a couple of touchdowns, which has significantly boosted his value. Before this two-game stretch, Ertz had just one touchdown all season. As we know, touchdowns are notoriously tricky to predict, and it's unlikely that his hot streak will continue at this level.
Zach Ertz before the final drive: 4.5 fantasy points
Zach Ertz after the final drive: 18.7 fantasy points
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) November 15, 2024
Ertz has been a dependable safety blanket for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, but his recent spike in production may be more about touchdown luck than sustainable usage.
With his value peaking, this is a prime opportunity to shop him around to tight-end-needy teams looking to bolster their roster for the fantasy playoffs. Adding to the case for selling is Ertz’s upcoming bye week, which could make him an even easier sell for managers looking to improve their playoff chances.
RB Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Nick Chubb finally delivered a big fantasy performance last week, making this an ideal time to trade him. While his stat line (two rushing touchdowns) may make some managers think he’s back to his old self, it’s important to look closer at his overall production.
Chubb ran for just 59 yards on 20 carries, a modest 2.95 yards per carry, and he was hardly involved in the passing game, registering just one catch for one yard.
The heavy workload in that blizzard-like game made sense, but once the weather improves, the Browns may lean more on their passing game, reducing Chubb’s overall volume.
Adding to the concern is Chubb’s demanding upcoming schedule, with matchups against some of the league’s best defenses, including Denver, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City. These are not favorable matchups for a running back who struggles to contribute to the passing game and might be more game-script-dependent.
RB Nick Chubb (CLE): In a game that ended with a blizzard, Chubb took a flurry of runs and scored twice for the Browns and for fantasy managers who plugged him into their lineups on Thursday Night. Just 60 yards, but love the scores! pic.twitter.com/JP1dCOxaFG
— Joshua Cho (@jbchoknows) November 25, 2024
Now is the time to sell Chubb while his value is inflated from last week's performance. With a brutal fantasy schedule ahead, relying on him as a weekly starter will be hard. Moving on from him now allows you to capitalize on his recent success and trade him for a more reliable option down the stretch.
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