FAAB Waiver Wire Bidding - Fantasy Football Pickups to Target for Week 13 (2025)

November 26, 2025

Nick Mariano's fantasy football waiver wire FAAB bidding guide for Week 13 (2025) -- how many FAAB dollars (free agent acquisition budget) to spend on waivers.

The fantasy football playoffs are knocking on the door, so I'd like to congratulate those of you who are still in the hunt. This week can be where some teams throw everything they've got left at the wire in survival mode, while others start making adds based on playoff matchups. We're all working toward the same championship goals with our famous waiver wire pickups list and our fantasy football waiver wire columns by position -- specially tailored for leagues using FAAB.

Remember that these FAAB prices do not indicate how much these free-agent players will go for, and you need to adjust for how much FAAB is left for the others in your league. This week means no team is on a bye, which should alleviate your short-term waiver needs. But then the 49ers, Giants, Panthers, and Patriots will miss Week 14 in the season's final bye week.

As always, I cannot know your specific league outlook, so please try to leverage historical data and personal knowledge whenever possible. We will cap the rostered rate at 40% on Yahoo!, but you can adjust if someone is dropped or remains on the wire above that threshold. Some of you may wind up getting an enticing second waiver run of drops from do-or-die teams who need the roster slot elsewhere.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Quarterbacks

Tua Tagovailoa (QB, MIA) - 17% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%

I know. And I genuinely hope that all 32 teams in play means you don't really need to dip into the widely available streamer pool, but we must play the hands we are dealt.

The Dolphins have won three of their last four games, but Tagovailoa has been feast-or-famine lately. We saw consecutive three-interception games from him in Weeks 6-7 against some top-five defenses before a four-touchdown trouncing of Atlanta.

Lately, we’ve seen more bad than good, but international games (Week 11 in Madrid) saw a season-low 20 pass attempts. The good news is that he comes out of the bye with an encouraging stretch of schedule (NO, NYJ, PIT, CIN, and TB).

Cam Ward (QB, TEN) - 7% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%

Are the sands shifting for the 2025 No. 1 overall pick? Ward hung tough against a stout Seattle defense, completing 28-of-42 passes for 256 yards and a TD, adding another 37 yards and a score on the ground. The team did a good job at giving him designed throws behind the line, as well as attacking the middle of the field.

This comes after a respectable battle against the high-flying Texans defense that reduced a leading MVP candidate to meager fantasy output as well. Ward has endured a brutal schedule without a single top-12 fantasy QB matchup until now, as he draws a strong Jacksonville date.

We hadn’t seen him run much before the bye, but now we’ve seen 3-33-0 and 6-37-1 in back-to-back games. Those in dire straits can take solace in recent trends.

Kirk Cousins (QB, ATL) - 9% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%

Cousins and the Falcons were in control for much of the 24-10 win over the Saints, so the QB only had 23 pass attempts next to 29 team rush attempts (two were his!). There was no reason to risk more action for Cousins with the lead, and no Drake London limited the passing game’s efficacy anyhow.

That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the fact that he uncorked a deep bomb to Darnell Mooney for the wideout’s first TD of the year. The veteran also gave David Sills V his first career TD! We could see a similar gamescript play out against the beleaguered Jets in Week 13, though they did manage to push Baltimore on Sunday.

*C.J. Stroud at 36% rostered would be a solid add at Indy, but remains in concussion protocol.
*Jameis Winston is 4% rostered if Jaxson Dart (concussion) cannot clear protocol.
*Marcus Mariota is 10% rostered, but must host Denver’s defense.
*Tyler Shough is also at 10% with a favorable RoS schedule, yet a low ceiling.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Running Backs

*Tyler Allgeier is 44% rostered and gets a favorable matchup with the Jets, making him a top add where available. 

Devin Neal (RB, NO) - 3% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 20-25%
Aggressive Bid: 25-35%
Desperation Bid: 35-50+%

Neal is the next man up following a knee injury to Alvin Kamara after an awkward tackle. This team already lost Kendre Miller to a torn ACL several weeks back, but Neal stepped up with a (2025) Kamara-esque performance in the second half.

The rookie only gained 18 yards on seven carries, but was able to catch five of his seven targets for 43 yards. That’s the kind of usage and PPR upside that many of us should jump for! If Kamara’s knee MRI brings bad news, Neal and the Saints face only above-average fantasy defenses the rest of the way, with Miami up first.

Alvin Kamara has an MCL sprain, according to a source. Avoided a major injury, but we'll see how it progresses. He could take a little time, but nothing that's super serious or threatening long term. Hard to know how long. Alvin and his team often beat timelines. https://t.co/qG8LQANY8L

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) November 24, 2025

Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB, WAS) - 16% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 10-15%
Aggressive Bid: 15-20%
Desperation Bid: 20-30%

If all your leaguemates do is sort waiver adds by Week 12 results, then they’ll whiff on Washington’s starting RB! The Commanders were on bye, but don’t forget that Rodriguez led their effort in Madrid with 85 total yards on 16 touches.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt underwhelmed again (10 touches for 33 yards), and Jeremy McNichols only had six touches in an ancillary role. Rodriguez gets the lion’s share of the carries, including goal-line looks, and has the best results.

The problem is that they now face Denver’s front seven and then the Vikings before getting the Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys in the fantasy playoffs. Those with immediate needs can lean elsewhere, but the first-round date with NYG alone is worth an add to most.

Michael Carter (RB, ARI) - 6% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Aggressive Bid: 5-7%
Desperation Bid: 7-10%

We’re trying to thread a couple of needles here, but Carter could sneak back into the starter’s role if Trey Benson isn’t ready to go in Week 13. Bam Knight was ineffective (10 carries for 12 yards), but more importantly, he sustained a lower-leg injury late in the game.

Could Carter, who gained 28 yards on five totes with three catches for 30 more yards, step into another RB1 bottom line, as we saw in Week 5? It's tough to sweat multiple injury fronts for Carter's utilization to be worthwhile, but having seen top-12 upside already does help.

Raheem Mostert (RB, LV) - 1% rostered
Zamir White (RB, LV) - 0% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Aggressive Bid: 5-7%
Desperation Bid: 7-10%

Ashton Jeanty hurt his ankle in the last minutes of the loss to Cleveland and did not return to play. As with Rodriguez, the Raiders do not have enviable matchups (LAC, DEN, PHI, HOU) on the docket. But at least this next week against the Chargers, who rank 17th vs. RBs in half PPR, is “fine.”

We’d expect White to become active and handle short-yardage situations if Jeanty misses time, while Mostert would absorb the receiving work. The offensive roles could also be in flux following Chip Kelly’s firing, so we'll give a slight lean to Mostert and his 5.3 yards per touch at this time.

Dylan Sampson (RB, CLE) - 11% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1-3%
Aggressive Bid: 3-4%
Desperation Bid: 4-6%

Sampson’s first TD since Week 2 came on a beautiful 66-yard scamper that showed off how quickly that top speed can come out to play. He amassed seven carries for 23 yards, largely due to Quinshon Judkins’ brief concussion check. We can’t count on fantasy viability here with Judkins A-OK, but it’s nice to see the spark from time to time.

*Bhayshul Tuten (48%) may be dropped in many leagues following a disappointing result, but could pop at Tennessee if a gamescript similar to Week 11’s 35-6 win emerges.

*Jaleel McLaughlin (1%) should remain the overlooked platoon-mate of RJ Harvey in Denver.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Wide Receivers

*Players in the shallower 35-40% rostered range to consider around the 10-20% range: Parker Washington (40% rostered), Kayshon Boutte (37%), and Jayden Reed (36%).

Jayden Higgins (WR, HOU) - 22% rostered
Christian Kirk (WR, HOU) - 14% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 7-10% / 2-4%
Aggressive Bid: 10-14% / 4-6%
Desperation Bid: 14-20% / 6-10%

With Xavier Hutchinson once again on the periphery, Higgins and Kirk both scored in the 23-19 upset of Buffalo. Higgins saw a season-high nine targets, which makes for seven or more looks in four of the last five contests (with TDs in three of them).

Kirk is the bigger surprise, with five receptions leading to 54 yards (his most since before getting hurt in Week 5) and his first TD in Houston. It’s not surprising to see Higgins gaining steam in the second half, whereas Kirk may be more hit-and-miss. Either way, this team is built on its defense and Nico Collins will be the No. 1 WR.

Doing an early update to the WR/CB spreadsheet for Week 13 @RotoBallerNFL.

22 wide receivers had a 25% target per route rate before Sunday Night Football in Weeks 11-12.

📈Jayden Higgins is second in TPRR and 25th in YPRR
🚀Michael Wilson is fifth in TPRR and fifth in YPRR pic.twitter.com/sal3mX4ojC

— Corbin (@corbin_young21) November 24, 2025

Chimere Dike (WR, TEN) - 14% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 4-6%
Aggressive Bid: 6-8%
Desperation Bid: 8-12%

The rookie stepped up amidst the injuries to Calvin Ridley (leg) and Elic Ayomanor (hamstring), catching five balls for 44 yards and a score, as well as housing a 90-yard return. The work and his 80% snap share are encouraging, especially when Van Jefferson had one catch on his 91% snap rate.

Otherwise, the Titans leaned on Gunnar Helm and Chig Okonkwo while rotating Xavier Restrepo, Mason Kinsey, and James Proche II as the No. 3 WR. Dike’s stood tall when given a clear path to primary reps. His Week 13 outlook gets another bump thanks to facing Jacksonville’s funnel defense.

John Metchie III (WR, NYJ) - 1% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Aggressive Bid: 5-7%
Desperation Bid: 7-10%

Metchie continued to shine with Garrett Wilson (knee) sidelined, securing six catches for 65 yards and another TD. He was Tyrod Taylor’s go-to WR, with few others stepping up beyond the established Breece Hall.

This followed a respectable 3-45-1 line at New England in Week 11, with the recent output completely eclipsing fellow newcomer Adonai Mitchell, who has just three catches on 13 targets. Metchie missed his 2022 rookie year while dealing with leukemia, and then he wound up buried on the depth chart after Houston took Tank Dell in 2023.

After that, he was moved to Philadelphia, which plays its backup WRs less than most teams. This is his first true chance to run as a starter in the NFL, and the early signs are promising, though NYJ’s low offensive ceiling remains a daunting factor against Atlanta in Week 13.

Andrei Iosivas (WR, CIN) - 20% rostered
Mitchell Tinsley (WR, CIN) - 0% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Aggressive Bid: 5-7%
Desperation Bid: 7-10%

Iosivas and Tinsley enjoyed more run with Ja’Marr Chase serving a one-game suspension, which left Tee Higgins to get tied up with Christian Gonzalez.

We envisioned a one-and-done fantasy mercenary situation here, but Higgins suffered a late concussion, so the backups get another ride. And now, it’ll be Joe Burrow at QB at Baltimore rather than Joe Flacco against the Pats.

Greg Dortch (WR, ARI) - 9% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Aggressive Bid: 5-6%
Desperation Bid: 6-8%

The Cardinals are stuck on a three-game losing streak, but it is no fault of the passing game. Dortch has come alive with back-to-back six-catch games, logging 66 and 53 yards with a TD in each affair. He had five catches for 14 yards outside of the TD, for the record.

Jacoby Brissett being a gunslinger, Arizona falling in the hole, and Marvin Harrison Jr. missing these two games have created quite the constellation of events. Michael Wilson has become a star, but Dortch’s increased role is PPR-viable against Tampa Bay’s secondary if MHJ remains out.

Isaiah Hodgins (WR, NYG) - 0% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1-3%
Aggressive Bid: 3-4%
Desperation Bid: 4-6%

Hodgins outsnapped and outproduced Darius Slayton, which continues an upward trend for the vet since joining NYG from Pittsburgh’s practice squad. Slayton had a 23-yard catch on two targets, but Hodgins caught two balls for 42 yards and a TD on six targets.

Jameis Winston has thrown for 567 yards over the last two weeks, but may cede the starting role back to Jaxson Dart if the rookie has recovered from his concussion for Week 13 at New England. It seems that Hodgins has easily leapfrogged Jalin Hyatt, but perhaps Slayton’s deep routes are becoming more situational.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Tight Ends

Brenton Strange (TE, JAC) - 13% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 5-8%
Aggressive Bid: 8-10%
Desperation Bid: 10-14%

Strange wasted no time in his return to play, setting a season-high mark with 93 yards on five catches on Sunday. The 27-24 win over Arizona did turn into a bit of a shootout down the stretch, though we’re just happy to see that Strange’s role as a starter remains clear.

Expecting field-stretching receptions is not advised here, and Strange also benefited from Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle) missing the game. But this is now four consecutive healthy games with five or more targets for Strange. With BTJ set to return in Week 13 against the Titans, let’s see what Strange can do with his decent weekly floor.

Mike Gesicki (TE, CIN) - 2% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 2-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-6%
Desperation Bid: 6-8%

Playing in his first game since Week 5, Gesicki immediately re-established himself as Cincy’s starting TE with six targets to Noah Fant’s one. Though four catches for 35 yards isn’t going to dazzle anyone, the Bengals may need the ancillary pass-catchers on Thanksgiving night against Baltimore, with Tee Higgins (concussion) unlikely to play.

Gesicki showed up with a 43% snap share, with Fant down to 28%. More importantly, Gesicki ran 25 routes (64% route participation) to Fant’s six. The team is making priorities clear at TE when they’re healthy, so we must follow.

Colby Parkinson (TE, LAR) - 1% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1-3%
Aggressive Bid: 3-4%
Desperation Bid: 4-6%

Parkinson scored in his third straight game, posting four catches for 41 yards and the score against the Bucs on Sunday night. There’s no avoiding that secondary/tertiary receivers on the Rams must vie with Davante Adams’ historic TD run by the goal line, but they score enough for everyone.

There are two players in the NFL that are currently on three-game streaks with at least one touchdown reception - Davante Adams and Colby Parkinson. @tae15adams @colbyparkinson pic.twitter.com/hEWj4bXKGC

— Los Angeles Rams PR (@TheLARamsPR) November 25, 2025

You may have seen how the Rams lead the league in “13” personnel at ~18%, with one wide receiver and three TEs, which gives Parkinson and company more time on the field. And while the 68.4% 11 personnel rate is also a top-six rate, it means their 12 rate is near the bottom, so being the top TE remains crucial.

Tyler Higbee (ankle) is on the IR for at least another three games, and Davis Allen had 3-29-0 on his four targets (Terrance Ferguson remains uninvolved). Parkinson ran 18 routes, Allen 14, and Ferguson had eight. Parkinson draws a top-10 fantasy TE defense at Carolina next week.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Defense/Special Teams

*The Rams (59% rostered, at CAR), Falcons (49%, at NYJ), and Jaguars (42%, at TEN) are all strong 12-team targets above our typical range.

Los Angeles Chargers Defense (vs. LV) - 38% rostered

FAAB Bid: 2%
Aggressive Bid: 3%
Desperation Bid: 4-5%

The Chargers' defense got rolled for 35 points by the Jaguars in Week 11, failing to record a sack for the first time all year. We’re hoping that lights a fire going into a home showdown with the Raiders.

Of course, Las Vegas just surrendered 10 sacks to Cleveland, which makes 20 combined sacks alongside only 33 points scored in their last three games. That’s a winning recipe for any D/ST streamer, eh?

San Francisco 49ers Defense (at CLE) - 23% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%
Desperation Bid: 3-4%

Cleveland’s aforementioned stellar defensive day against the Raiders helped take the pressure off the offense, with a pair of Quinshon Judkins Wildcat TDs carrying the day. Shedeur Sanders made some strong throws, but also some typical rookie mistakes.

If the Niners can create a risk-taking negative gamescript, then the expectation for turnovers rises. There’s no skirting that San Francisco’s front has struggled to generate pressure (only eight sacks in the last nine games), but you’ll hope for momentum carrying them here. And they’ll face Tennessee at home after a Week 14 bye.

Miami Dolphins Defense (vs. NO) - 2% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%
Desperation Bid: 3-4%

Don’t look now, but Miami comes out of the bye with a pair of strong matchups (they face the Jets after this). Mix in that the defense played its best football in the two games before the bye against Buffalo and Washington, with a combined four sacks and five turnovers to 26 total points allowed, and we’ve got life.

We hope that Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson can stay strong and force the Saints, who may be without Alvin Kamara, into several mistakes. Some of you need to dredge the 10% and under tier, and Miami comes out looking shiny against the rest!

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