What to do with Michael Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Tre’Quan Smith in Week 13 fantasy football

Game day update: Michael Thomas is likely your best play in fantasy football for a Saints wide receiver this week. Without Drew Brees under center, the Saints have leaned on their ground game, which features Taysom Hill, Alvin Kamara, and Latavius Murray. On Sunday, they face a Falcons’ defense, which has had their struggles this season. Thomas had 10.4 fantasy points when they last played in Week 11, a season’s-best for him. ESPN projects Thomas to score 9.9 fantasy points, while Emmanuel Sanders, and Tre’Quan Smith to score 4.3 and 2.6 points.

There wasn’t much fantasy goodness to go around for the Saints passing game in Week 12. The virtually quarterback-less Broncos did not pose a threat to the NFC-leading Saints in the slightest bit. Now, New Orleans heads to Atlanta to face off against its division foes for the second time in two weeks, and the receiving corps will look to get much more involved.

Fantasy Football analysis: Saints WRs Michael Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Tre’Quan Smith

Week 11’s matchup was Taysom Hill’s first start replacing the injured Drew Brees, and he was able to throw for 233 yards. Unfortunately, even though the Falcons have allowed the second-most receiving yards to opposing WRs, the Saints are one of the more run-heavy offenses in the league with Hill behind center. This will make it difficult to hope for production from most of the receivers in New Orleans, with one exception.

Over the past two weeks, Hill has targeted Michael Thomas on nearly 50% of his passes, resulting in nearly 50% of his passing yards. In the previous game versus the Falcons, Thomas torched the secondary for nine catches and 104 yards. While he hasn’t found the end zone with Hill yet, he’s clearly the favorite option here. Aside from Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders (5-for-70 in two games with Hill) and Tre’Quan Smith (1-for-16) have faded to the background as of late.

Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendation

Of all of the receiving options in New Orleans, only Michael Thomas should be in your starting lineup while Taysom Hill is the starter.