Week 13 QB Waiver Wire Targets: Caleb Williams, Cooper Rush, Matthew Stafford, Will Levis, Russell Wilson and More

This season, I’ve been combining quarterback and tight end waiver wire options into one story. With the season winding down and each matchup becoming more and more important, I’m going to separate the two positions this week.

Here, we’ll check out the top fantasy quarterback waiver options. Check back soon for the tight end article.

Explore the best in-season fantasy football tool to manage your team and get league rankings with the Fantasy Assistant. Use our  trade analyzer and trade value charts to break down trade scenarios with Fair Trade ratings. Need a fantasy expert on call for waivers specific to your league? Our AI Fantasy Expert can break down any player for you inside the Fantasy Assistant.

Waiver Wire Options

Keeping my list to guys rostered in 70% of leagues or less, Caleb Williams, Matthew Stafford, Cooper Rush, Will Levis, Bryce Young, Drake Maye, Russell Wilson, Anthony Richardson, Jameis Winston, Trevor Lawrence, Derek Carr and Aaron Rodgers are worth talking about.

Williams threw for 340 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions on 32-of-47 passing in week 12. He also rushed for 33 yards on six carries. That’s now back-to-back average-or-better fantasy performances for the rookie.

Stafford had 243 passing yards, two scores and no picks on 24-of-36 passing in week 12. He rushed once for 15 yards and avoided a fumble. Stafford has scored over 18 fantasy points in four of the past five games.

Rush was 24-of-32 passing for 247 yards, two touchdowns and no picks in week 12. He also avoided a fumble. Rush has 35 fantasy points over the past two games and seems to be settling in a bit now.

Levis was 18-of-24 passing for 278 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on Sunday. He rushed for 10 yards and eight carries and also lost a fumble. Levis has at least 16 fantasy points in three straight games.

Young was 21-of-35 passing for 263 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions against the stout Chiefs’ defense in week 12. He rushed for 20 yards on three carries and did not lose a fumble. Young has between 10-17 fantasy points in his past four starts.

Maye had 222 passing yards, a touchdown and a pick on 22-of-37 passing this week. He added 26 rushing yards on five attempts, which helped offset a fumble a bit. Maye has 12 or more fantasy points in four straight games.

Wilson was 21-of-28 passing for 270 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions on Thursday night. He had 10 rushing yards on three carries and lost a fumble. Wilson has 13 or more fantasy points in four of his five starts.

Richardson was just 11-of-28 passing, but for 172 yards on Sunday. He didn’t have a touchdown or pick, and rushed for 61 yards on 10 attempts. Richardson, who didn’t lose a fumble, wasn’t as good as he was in week 11, but he avoided turnovers again and had over 200 total yards, which is solid fantasy production.

Winston was 18-of-27 passing for 219 yards, no touchdowns and a pick on Thursday night. He had seven rushing yards and a score on three attempts, and also lost a fumble. Winston has at least 13 fantasy points in his four starts so far.

Lawrence, Carr and Rodgers all had their byes in week 12. 

There’s been talk that Rodgers could be benched and placed on injured reserve soon, but he’s still a fantasy option if he’s starting. He’s scored over 16 fantasy points in three of the past four games.

Lawrence is working his way back from an injury. He scored 21 and 24 points in his previous two starts.

Carr has scored between 13-20 fantasy points in his first three starts back from injury.

Week 13 Matchups

Williams takes on the Lions on Thursday to kick off week 13. Rush plays against the Giants that day.

On Sunday, Wilson takes on the Bengals. Richardson and Maye square off in the same game. Levis takes on the Commanders, while Young faces the Buccaneers.

Stafford and Carr are also part of the same matchup. Winston will take on the Broncos on Monday night to cap week 13. Rodgers takes on the Seahawks, while Lawrence faces the Texans.

Most of the matchups are pretty average ones. Young and Wilson have the most favorable matchups, while Rush’s is also pretty favorable. Stafford, Williams and Winston have below-average matchups this week.

Waiver Priority Lists

In terms of the best streaming options for week 13, I really like Wilson against the Bengals. That matchup is great, and Wilson has looked pretty good so far this season. I’d take him first among this bunch of waiver wire QBs.

I know Stafford’s test against the Saints isn’t super favorable, but I also trust him the most of the remaining quarterbacks. I’d start Stafford confidently in week 13.

I’d take Richardson next as a streaming option. He’s looked pretty good since reclaiming the starting QB job in Indy, and his dual-threat ability makes him a good starting option most weeks, even in some tougher clashes.

I’d take Maye in the other half of that NFL matchup next. He might get a lot of his fantasy numbers with volume passing stats, but they all count the same. I see another nice scoring week for Maye.

I’d play matchups and roll with Young next. He’s looked better of late, and with a favorable matchup ahead, I’m trusting the young QB to keep things rolling.

I’d stick with the favorable matchups and try Rush next. He looked good in week 12, and has a chance for another strong showing while taking on the Giants this coming week.

Give me Williams next. The matchup is tough, but I think this is a case where a fantasy QB could deliver as he tries to keep his team in the contest. On a short week, I could see another heavy-passing day coming for the rookie.

I’d take Levis after that. The matchup is pretty solid, and Levis has looked good of late. I think he continues trending up this week.

Lawrence would go here if he’s able to return to the field. He could finish way higher based on volume passing numbers too.

Carr doesn’t have many offensive weapons to pass to, but he’s got a solid enough matchup to expect a good amount of fantasy points from.

Rodgers has a similar matchup, but might get to a good fantasy total with all the passing he’ll have to do to keep the Jets in the game.

Winston is a gunslinger, but that matchup against the Broncos is no joke. I’d only want to play him in the deepest of fantasy leagues this week.

As far as the best waiver options for the remainder of the season, I’d look to the guys with the best schedules ahead and the guys I trust the most. 

Wilson doesn’t have the most favorable schedule of these guys, but he’s proven himself and that’s why I’m sticking with him as my top guy.

Stafford has an even tougher schedule remaining, but he can overcome those with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp as passing options.

I’d want Richardson next because of his dual-threat ability. His schedule is also tough, but dual-threat QBs can overcome those tests by using their legs to score a few extra points.

After those three, it’s a big toss up, so I’d heavily favor the remaining schedules of these QBs.

Levis has the most favorable schedule of any quarterback, so I’d take him fourth. He’s never a super safe play, but the matchups say to trust him down the stretch.

I trust Rush slightly more than Young at this point. Both have super favorable schedules ahead, but Dallas probably will need to pass more, so Rush gets the slight edge here.

I’d take Carr, then Lawrence and then Rodgers in my next batch of QBs. Carr has the toughest schedule of the three, but I just trust his team and offense more, even though it’s banged up.

Williams, Maye and Winston round things out for me. Winston has the best schedule ahead, but I like the young QB’s ability to affect the game with their legs, so they get the edge. Those three are more streaming options than ones I’d turn to for the rest of the season because of some tougher matchups.