Best fantasy football RB waiver wire pickups for Week 13

Hello and welcome to the Week 13 waiver wire watch for running backs!

Thanksgiving week is finally here and we’re entering the home stretch of the 2025 NFL season. That means we’re also just a few weeks away from the playoffs starting in most fantasy football leagues and it’s crunch time for managers everywhere. So you better start getting your roster in order before it’s too late.

We’ll go over some RB performers that you should consider scooping off the waiver wire ahead of Week 13 and as always, we’ll classify a waiver add as someone who is rostered in 60% of leagues at the max. Every team is in action this week, so there are no byes for you to worry about. You should also keep in mind that there are three games to be played this Thursday for Thanksgiving and one game scheduled for Black Friday, so be extra mindful when setting your lineups this week. You don’t want to get to Sunday and realize that one of your guys has already played.

Week 13 byes: None

Hunt has done a decent job filling in for Isiah Pacheco over the past few weeks and got plenty of work in the team’s 23-20 overtime victory over the Colts on Sunday. The veteran Pro Bowler toted the rock 30 times at Arrowhead Stadium throughout the contest, logging 104 yards and a touchdown while also making a few grabs through the air.

That marked the fourth straight game where he has punched in a score on the ground, bringing his total to six for the season. Even when Pacheco does finally return from his knee injury, the Chiefs should probably keep rolling with the vet as their main tailback.

Week 13 matchup: @ Dallas Cowboys, 4:30 p.m. ET (Thursday afternoon)

The Bears were able to edge the Steelers 31-28 for their fourth straight win on Sunday and Monagai played a helping hand in that ‘W’. The seventh-round rookie out of Rutgers was able to produce 12 carries for 48 yards and a critical fourth-quarter touchdown and he has now crossed the goal line for a score in three straight outings for Chicago.

Monagai has been an effective backup for D’Andre Swift this season and entered Week 12 as just one of a handful of running backs with a positive rushing EPA this season. Whether you’re a Swift manager that forgot to secure him as a handcuff or just someone that needs RB depth, this will most likely be the final week where Monangai could pop up on your waiver wire. Submit a bid ASAP.

Week 13 matchup: @ Philadelphia Eagles, 3 p.m. ET (Friday afternoon)

Shedeur Sanders is the talk of the NFL world after leading the Browns to a 24-10 over the Raiders on Sunday and he certainly had plenty of help to make that happen. His first-career touchdown pass went to a fellow rookie teammate in Sampson, who housed a screen pass for 66 yards in the fourth quarter to effectively ice the game for the struggling AFC North franchise.

Sampson has gotten just a smattering of touches while backing up fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins this season, but managed to have his most productive day since Week 1. Several first-year playmakers for the Browns are getting an opportunity to play late in the season and with Sanders poised to start against the 49ers this Sunday, Sampson may also get more reps after his long touchdown against the Raiders.

Week 13 matchup: vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1 p.m. ET

Speaking of rookie tailbacks getting extra reps late in the year, Neal was heavily involved in the Saints’ 24-10 loss to the Falcons on Sunday, recording seven carries for 18 yards on the ground and five receptions for 43 yards through the air. This was mostly due to Alvin Kamara exiting the game in the first quarter with a knee injury, but the rookie out of Kansas had already seen an uptick in snaps in recent weeks .

Kamara’s diagnosis is an MCL strain that could potentially sideline for a few weeks, meaning Neal could be toting the rock as the Saints’ starter as they head into the holiday season. This could be an audition for a bigger role for him in 2026, so I’d keep that in mind if you’re mining for fantasy sleepers on the wire this week.

Week 13 matchup: @ Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET