Week 13 Fantasy Football Fades

Still looking for the perfect six-for-six! Let's get started!

One thing, just because a player receives a "fade" or "bust" designation doesn't mean they should be benched—it depends on the rest of your roster or the options on your waiver wire. But you can expect them to underperform (when I get it right).

Happy Holidays, and without further ado, here's my list for Week 13 of the 2025 season.

Sam Darnold, QB, Seahawks

Although many fantasy managers don't rely on Sam Darnold every week, he has enough upside in redraft leagues and DFS that he could be a good "fade." Despite the hype surrounding him and Seattle's attacking efficiency, Darnold has scored single-digit fantasy points in three of his last five games. In his four games against the "Red Team," Darnold has averaged 9.97 fantasy points per game, including three touchdown passes and six interceptions. He'll get another chance this weekend, as the Seahawks face the Vikings after a very close win over the Titans. Unless Darnold can hit several deep passes (which is certainly possible) and avoid another wave of turnovers (which is unlikely), he will disappoint again in Week 13.

Rico Dowdle has had a rollercoaster ride this year. His three games with 27+ fantasy points were impressive, and he now carries high-end RB2 expectations most weeks, even with Chuba Hubbard back. Unfortunately, it's not so clear that he should, especially in Sunday's matchup against the Rams. Over the past three weeks, he's averaged just 3.2 yards per carry, and in all three, he's had fewer than 55 rushing yards. Over the past two weeks, Dowdle has managed good fantasy days through the air (nine catches for a total of 91 yards), but he had just six carries against the 49ers on Monday night. Against the Rams, he'll need that receiving work again, as they've allowed the fourth-fewest yards per carry (3.8) and the fewest rushing scores (just two) to running backs all season. Dowdle is the least "bustable" in all PPR leagues, but his capacity is limited anyway, forcing him to go by committee against lockdown defenses.

What to do ❓ In most situations and in most leagues, Dowdle is still a starter. But he's closer to the low-end RB2 range than he has been in most weeks, and it might be wise to avoid him in DFS.

Devin Neal, RB, Saints

Who? If you're asking this question, you probably didn't select Devin Neal on the waiver wire, but many did—he was added in 45% of Yahoo leagues—with considerable excitement. I'm not so optimistic. Yes, Neal played 74.4% of the snaps on Sunday due to Alvin Kamara's knee injury and missing the game, and yes, he managed to generate 61 yards on 12 touches (seven carries, five catches). But New Orleans will activate (at least) another back (probably Audric Estime) for Week 13, Taysom Hill will likely remain in the backfield, and Neal will likely see difficult splits, as he was a sixth-round rookie with 10 career carries last weekend.

More importantly, this offense is bad. No, it's very bad. No New Orleans RB has scored more than 13 fantasy points in a game this season, and I don't expect that to change this weekend. And the Dolphins have been quietly playing very well against this position since Week 8, holding Bijan Robinson, Derrick Henry, James Cook, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. to a combined 8.5 fantasy points per game on 16.5 touches.

What to do ❓ Many fantasy managers are excited to add Neal to their lineups after snatching him off waivers. I wouldn't. He's an RB3 with a low floor and ceiling, and the offense is unclear and unproductive.

Terry McLaurin, WR, Commanders

We won't have the final injury report when this article is published, but it appears Terry McLaurin will return to the Commanders' lineup after three weeks and the Washington bye. In four games played this season, McLaurin has scored double-digit fantasy points just once, thanks to a touchdown in Week 8 (his only TD of the year). He's no longer a "clear-cut WR1" even when healthy, playing alongside Marcus Mariota on Sunday night and facing a Broncos secondary that has completely destroyed opposing wideouts all year. Denver has held names like Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, AJ Brown, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Nico Collins, and Rashee Rice to fewer than 12 fantasy points—and McLaurin isn't even close to that level right now. Considering where you drafted him—if you drafted him at all—you might consider starting McLaurin in his long-awaited return, but that would be a mistake.

What to do: You can keep him on your bench instead of releasing him on waivers, but he can't start this week.