Week 13 of the NFL season has concluded, and so did your fantasy football matchups as we are edging closer and closer to the playoffs.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Are you in a prime position heading into the postseason or are you would be up against a powerhouse if they were today?
Well, whatever predicament you are in, the newest addition to the Burn City Fantasy Football Flavor of the Week’s series is out to help get you prepared for the playoffs.
Here were my recommendations from Week 13:
Trade For: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed vs. Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 3 — 4 receptions, 16 yards = 1.6 Fantasy Points
Waiver Wire Pickup: Denver Broncos running back Samaje Perine vs. Houston Texans on Dec. 3 — 2 receptions, 1 yards = 0.6 Fantasy Points
Cut: New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas vs. Detroit Lions on Dec. 3 — N/A (on injured reserve)
Recap of Week 13
As you can see, my highlighted players for Week 13 did almost nothing and one did nothing, literally.
Thomas (knee) has been on injured reserve since Nov. 21.
Besides Thomas being an obvious drop, Perine and Reed both played but made little impact.
To give Reed the benefit of the doubt, he did go up against the Kansas City Chiefs who are one of the better teams in the league.
Especially with WR Christian Watson injuring his hamstring, Reed should have a bigger role against the New York Giants this week, however.
As for Perine, it was a coin flip with him doing well or not since it is so hit or miss when regarding the fantasy waiver wire.
Now, no matter what your record is, I have circled a free agent pickup and a player you need to drop ASAP since the trade deadline in fantasy has expired.
Here is who I got my eye on for Week 14:
Waiver Wire Pickup: RB Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles
Like I said before, take these free agent options with a grain of salt.
Sometimes they’ll turn out to be bargains, and sometimes they do next to nothing.
For this week, I am banking on Gainwell having a more expansive role due to fellow Eagles RB D’Andre Swift going down with an injury.
At first glance, Gainwell does not stick out as somebody who could do major damage, but at this stage of the season, dropping someone who is on the IR for at least some points is helpful.
Averaging 4.2 fantasy points per game, picking up Gainwell as a free agent option is worth a shot.
Three games ago, Gainwell had a 22-yard touchdown on just one reception against the Dallas Cowboys, and ended up grabbing 8.3 points.
Overall, Gainwell has started one game this season out of 11 played, scored 2 touchdowns and ran for 207 yards from 59 carries.
Owned in 27% of Yahoo and 14% on ESPN leagues, Gainwell can be a good option for deeper, 12+ team leagues.
But, don’t say I didn’t warn you if he turns out to not be anything special or if Swift comes back.
Drop: Running Back Elijah Mitchell, San Fransisco 49ers
With superstar Christian McCaffrey getting most of the touches, the effectiveness of Mitchell on the 49ers has dwindled.
So much so, Mitchell is only averaging 1.6 fantasy points this season.
Furthermore, he has not surpassed the double-digit mark in carries this season more than once (10 attacks vs. Giants on Sept. 21).
Mitchell went from starting 10 games in 2021 to none in 2023 as McCaffrey has been the 49ers’ go-to-guy.
Additionally, Mitchell only has 44 carries for 149 yards, which is far below 963 yards from 207 attacks just two years ago.
With no touchdowns this season either, Mitchell needs to be dropped ASAP.
Rostered in 17% of both Yahoo and ESPN leagues each, there may not be any other options in 14+ team leagues, but for 12 and below, there is surely someone much better than Mitchell.
If you want to hold onto Mitchell and see what he can do with the 49ers having an easier schedule, besides the game against the Baltimore Ravens, that is up to you.
49ers Upcoming Schedule (For Fantasy Playoffs)Â
- vs. Seattle Seahawks (6-6), Dec. 10.
- at Arizona Cardinals (3-10), Dec. 17.
- vs. Baltimore Ravens (9-3), Dec. 25.
- at Washington Commanders (4-9), Dec. 31
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Alec Cipollini is a reporter of the Arizona Coyotes and Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini
