Week 13 Starts and Sits

It's the final week of byes (woo hoo!) for the 2016 NFL season. Tennessee and Cleveland get the week off. After last week, some new names surfaced on the waiver wire. Which players will stay hot and which ones will fizzle? Find out in the Week 13 starts and sits list...

Starts:

QB: Colin Kaepernick, 49ers

Remember, just because a player is on a bad NFL team doesn't mean they aren't a decent fantasy football option. Kaepernick has thrown at least two TDs in three of the past four games. He also ran for 113 yards on ten carries last week. CK7 is averaging 62.2 rushing yards per game this season. That's more than Frank Gore (60.9), Jonathan Stewart (57.6), and Todd Gurley (58.3).

Others to start: Tyrod Taylor (Bills), Carson Palmer (Cardinals), and Philip Rivers (Chargers)

RB: Jordan Howard, Bears

I expected more from Jay Ajayi against the 49ers last week, but at least he found the end zone. I'll continue to promote running backs facing San Francisco. Howard has at least 15 carries in four straight games. He's notched at least 77 yards per game during that span, too. With the limited weapons for the Bears, Howard is also using in the passing game. He caught three balls for 43 yards last week.

Others to start: Kenneth Dixon (Ravens), Rashad Jennings (Giants), and Theo Riddick (Lions)

WR: Donte Moncrief, Colts

Apparently, Moncrief is quarterback-proof. I downgraded his stock last week when Andrew Luck was out. What did Moncrief do? He caught six passes (only 45 receiving yards) and Moncrief scored in his fourth consecutive game. Luck is back this Monday and I expect yet another TD for Moncrief against the Jets.

Others to start: Sammy Watkins (Bills), Marquess Wilson (Bears), and Tyreek Hill (Chiefs)

TE: Zach Ertz, Eagles

In the past four weeks, Ertz is averaging the second-most targets among tight ends (eight), behind Travis Kelce (9.2 targets per game). As for the Bengals and how they defend opposing TEs, while they've allowed only one TD in the past three weeks, Cincinnati still ranks fourth in fantasy points allowed per game (16.2 in PPR formats).

Others to start: Jason Witten (Cowboys), C.J. Fiedorowicz (Texans), and Jermaine Gresham (Cardinals)

Sits:

QB: Kirk Cousins, Redskins

Cousins has been great this season, but the matchup is just too difficult to endorse him this week. Cousins has thrown three TDs in back-to-back games and at least two touchdowns in four straight games. However, Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu will be on the other side of the ball. With only two teams on a bye (does anyone have a Browns starting QB on their fantasy roster?), you don't need to dig deep to find your QB. Bench Cousins this week.

Others to bench: Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Jameis Winston (Buccaneers), Andy Dalton (Bengals)

RB: Tim Hightower, Saints

Hightower had yet another great performance last week, right? Wrong. Sure, he scored 16 fantasy points (18 in PPR), but his stat line was lacking until Hightower caught a 50-yard TD pass from Willie Snead. That's 11 fantasy points in one play (12 in PPR). Hightower averaged 3.4 yards per rush against the Rams. Mark Ingram in the primary back in New Orleans. He ran for 146 yards last week on 14 carries.

Others to bench: Tevin Coleman (Falcons), Chris Ivory (Jaguars), and Wendell Smallwood (Eagles)

WR: Taylor Gabriel, Falcons

With Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu covered by Peterson and Mathieu (mentioned earlier), Gabriel benefited. Matt Ryan threw two similar passes to Gabriel and he did a majority of the work taking it to the end zone (35 and 25 yards). This week, Atlanta faces Kansas City. The Chiefs have been one of the worst teams at allowing points to opposing wide receivers, which means more work for Jones and Sanu, too.

Others to bench: Cameron Meredith (Bears), Jamison Crowder (Redskins), and Kenny Britt (Rams)

TE: Jared Cook, Packers

I think it's time to turn the page on Cook as a fantasy football contributor. Last week, he caught one pass on two targets for seven yards. That is three times in five games this season where Cook produced only one catch.

Others to bench: Julius Thomas (Jaguars), Jesse James (Steelers), and Austin Hooper (Falcons)