Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him @JHelmuth or "like" CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
Note: All start percentages based on Yahoo statistics as of Saturday, November 30, 9:30 AM PST.
Week 13 Fantasy Football Must-Starts
-
Donald Brown RB - Indianapolis
He's been a boon or bust type player, but if I have a flex in a deep league I'm starting Brown this Sunday, hands down. Brown, again, although incredibly inconsistent and splitting carries with Trent Richardson, completely lit up the Titans two weeks ago (who he faces again this week), scoring 21 fantasy points of his own. The Titans have an atrocious run defense, ranking third-worst in the league. Brown is only being started in 13 percent of leagues. That number needs to go up.
-
Josh McCown QB - Chicago
I know, this is crazy talk. Start a guy that's been a career back-up until just a few weeks ago? But what if I told you that he's projected to score the fourth most fantasy points amongst quarterbacks this weekend and is only being started in 25 percent of leagues? If you're in a deep league, let's face it, you could do way worse than McCown.
The Vikings have allowed nearly 24 fantasy points per game via opposing quarterbacks and McCown has completed 65 percent of his passes while tossing a TD/INT ratio at just 7/1. He won't win you a fantasy championship, but this spot start could help you survive one more week.
-
Julian Edelman WR - New England
Edelman is coming off a monster two TD game and yet he's only being started in 21 percent of leagues. Sure, Brady's targets have been very inconsistent all season and the Texans are better than their record indicates, but Edelman is projected to score at least seven points on Sunday and I'm never betting against Tom Brady.
-
Steve Smith WR - Carolina
Sure, Smith has been a disappointment overall so far this season, but he's still projected to score nine points against a banged up Darrelle Revis this weekend. Smith is only being started in 59 percent of leagues even though he practiced Friday (Smith is a little banged up as well). If I were a betting man, I would still say that Steve Smith will have a better day than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Start Smith as your WR3.
-
Zac Stacy RB - St. Louis
Most of you reading this are saying, "duh." But what if I told you he's currently only being started in 55 percent of leagues?
The Rams cleared him to play Friday for his game against the 49ers Sunday and if he's any shell of his regular badass self he's going to put up numbers. The 49ers have a very mediocre rank as a rush defense and since Stacy took over starting duty he's been a top five running back. He's projected to score at least 12 points this week against San Fran.
