Fantasy football: How to gain a post-Thanksgiving advantage for Week 13

Anyone who has played fantasy football in the past can attest that Thanksgiving week can be one of the most difficult.

Between holiday travel schedules, family gatherings, three Thursday games, a fourth on Black Friday and more holiday travel, it is very easy to miss waiver-wire work, lineup-setting deadlines and the latest NFL news.

This year even more so as it is NFL Week 13, which means you only have one more game left before the fantasy playoffs.

If you’ve been distracted and sit on the playoff bubble while those atop your standings have stayed focused, there is still time to gain an edge and it comes from the tight end position.

Saints tight end Juwan Johnson remains available in more than half the leagues on ESPN and Yahoo and faces a Dolphins team that ranks 21st in DVOA (Defensive Value Over Average) against the tight end and is allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to the position.

On top of that, he’s actually second on the team in targets behind Chris Olave and has built a nice rapport with QB Tyler Shough.

On the other side, Miami may have Darren Waller returning from IR this week.

Prior to his injury, Waller was seeing the second-most targets after Tyreek Hill went down, and his work inside the red zone was huge for fantasy owners.

If he plays, he could prove to be invaluable.

If neither are available, Texans tight end Dalton Schultz is also available in 50 percent of leagues across the major platforms.

It sounds like CJ Stroud could be returning from his concussion and they’ll team up against the Colts, who rank 28th in DVOA against the tight end and allow the fourth-most fantasy points per game to them. 

Betting on the NFL?

And, of course, everyone’s favorite sleeper, Colby Parkinson.

The Rams’ new top tight end has a TD in each of his last three games and should make it four, facing Carolina this week. 

Most still dismiss the tight end position and roll out the same old same old.

Get your edge and steal a win on your way to the big dance.

Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy football news and advice.