Fantasy Football Week 13 Start Decisions Involving Eagles: DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert and More

A fun three-game Thanksgiving NFL slate is in the books, and now we are on to a Black Friday battle between the Eagles and Bears. Let's look at trending fantasy football start/sit decisions involving players from that contest.

We will look at Eagles in trending decisions first. Check back in a bit for the story involving the Bears in trending decisions.

Having trouble deciding who to start? Let the FantasySP start/sit tool help you make a decision.

DeVonta Smith Trending Decisions

Smith is in several trending decisions, so let's discuss him first.

I had Smith ranked 26th in my week 13 fantasy football wide receiver rankings. That puts him as a flex-level option for this week, but close enough to the top 20 to get plenty of standard league starts.

The Eagles' wideouts have an above-average matchup against the Bears, so Smith could shine in this contest, even if he's the second, or even third, option for Philly.

He is in trending decisions with Ladd McConkey, Stefon Diggs, Emeka Egbuka and Tetairoa McMillan.

Fantasy owners prefer Smith over McConkey, but both are being started in nearly 59% of fantasy leagues. Both are projected for the exact same number of fantasy points.

I have McConkey way up at No. 12 this week, so I really like him over Smith. McConkey has a super favorable matchup against the Raiders, and as the Chargers' No. 1 wideout, I like him over the Eagles' No. 2. Both are fine to start for week 13, but if needing to choose just one of them, McConkey gets the nod for me.

Diggs is the slight favorite over Smith, with both starting in 55% of leagues. The projections like Smith by just under two fantasy points.

I have Diggs ranked 23rd this week, so these wideouts are very close in my eyes. I still prefer Diggs, mostly because he's the Patriots' No. 1 wideout. He has a super favorable matchup against the Giants, so I'm more confident in him in week 13. Again, both are fine starting options for this week, but I do prefer Diggs by a bit between the two.

Egbuka is the preferred starter over Smith, with both starting in 50% of leagues. The projections favor Egbuka by 0.2 points.

Egbuka is ranked 18th for me in week 13, so I think fantasy owners got it right here. It's closer than you think because of Egbuka's struggles of late, and with the Bucs' wideout facing a below-average matchup. I still would take the No. 1 wideout over Smith if needing to choose between the two though.

McMillan is easily preferred over Smith, but both are starting 56% of the time. The projections favor Smith by 1.6 points.

McMillan is No. 16 in my rankings, so he's the choice if needing to choose between him and Smith. McMillan has a pretty average test coming against the Rams, and as his team's No. 1 wideout, I like his upside over Smith. 

It might seem like I'm not a fan of Smith after going over these decisions, but it's all about upside, and as a secondary option in the Eagles' offense, I prefer the other wideouts over Smith. The Eagles' wideout is still a very good option, especially in a favorable matchup, so feel free to fire him up in all league types still.

Dallas Goedert Trending Decisions

Goedert is another Eagle involved in several trending decisions, so let's discuss him next.

I have him ranked eighth for week 13. His matchup against the Bears is another above-average one, so the Eagles' tight end could be in line for a big showing - that's partly why I have Smith ranked lower this week, even in his favorable test.

Goedert is up against Oronde Gadsden, Brenton Strange and Hunter Henry in trending decisions right now. 

Goedert is preferred over Gadsden, but it's close, and both are starting just 12% of the time. The projections like Goedert by just a bit.

Gadsden is my No. 14 tight end, so I do like Goedert over him rather easily. Gadsden has a tougher test against the Raiders, which is why I'm down on him. Gadsden is still a flex-level option, but I'd go with Goedert over him in week 13.

Goedert is definitely preferred over Strange, and fantasy owners are only starting both guys 6% of the time. The projections like Goedert by nearly two full fantasy points.

I have Strange at No. 16, so a spot after Gadsden. I like Goedert over Strange if needing to just choose one starting spot, but Strange is a sneaky good flex option for this week - I don't love his tougher test against Tennessee though, although he could do more if Brian Thomas is out again.

Fantasy owners are taking Goedert over Henry, and starting both 25% of the time. The projections like Henry here.

I agree with fantasy owners and took Goedert over Henry - I have Henry ranked 10th, so two spots after Goedert. With Henry ranked 10th though, he's a pretty good flex option. If you have another way to get him in your lineup, I'd definitely consider it. He has a tougher test against the Giants, so that's partly why he is ranked lower this week.

Goedert has been an underwhelming fantasy asset of late, but a good matchup puts him in a good spot to succeed today. We'll see if he can.

A.J. Brown Trending Decisions

Brown is the Eagles' top wideout, and has found new life over the past couple weeks.

I have him ranked 13th for week 13 going into a favorable matchup against the Bears.

He's in just one trending decision with Egbuka, and fantasy owners are taking Brown, but starting both nearly 72% of the time. I'd definitely find a way to get both wideouts in my lineup for week 13, but I do prefer Brown over Egbuka after how these two wideouts have looked of late.

Other Starting Options

Jalen Hurts is the Eagles' quarterback and has an above-average matchup coming against the Bears.

He might not be doing anything too spectacular in real life, but Hurts has remained a high-end fantasy QB, so he needs to be starting in week 13. I have him ranked third - the only QBs I ranked ahead of him were Patrick Mahomes (he was great on Thursday) and Josh Allen.

I have running back Saquon Barkley ranked ninth for this week. His matchup against the Bears is average.

Barkley has underwhelmed most of the season, but between injuries and tougher matchups, I like him as a top-10 finisher in week 13. He'd have ranked even higher if the wideouts and tight ends didn't have favorable matchups.

There's no other Eagles who were ranked in my quarterback, running backs, wide receiver or tight end ranking stories.

The Eagles DST is projected for seven fantasy points today. They are starting in nearly 32% of fantasy leagues.

The Chicago offense has been pretty good this season, so it's not a great matchup. I do like Philly to win and put up a fair amount of fantasy points still. I'm surprised they aren't starting in more fantasy leagues, but there's also definitely better matchups out there.

Kicker Jake Elliott is projected for seven fantasy points as well today. He's starting in 41% of leagues.

The game has an over/under of 44, so nothing too high. I think the Eagles' offense will move the ball, but a couple possessions could bog down, ending in Elliott field goals. I think he's a fine fantasy starting option for this week, so feel free to fire him up.