Week 13 of the NFL marks an important time for fans every where. Whether your favorite team is a contender, a pretender or looking forward to the draft, fantasy football is alive and well. Some leagues will begin the playoffs this week. Some leagues, depending on the format, will have their postseason in the upcoming weeks, but this one is important for seeding and match-ups.

It is extremely rare for a fantasy football team to complete a season fully healthy at all positions. From quarterback to tight end, injuries occur at a high rate and it effects all teams differently. The waiver wire is an important part of fantasy and if handled correctly, it can lead to a championship.

Heading into the playoffs, these are five key players that can be used as fill-ins if needed at every position.

Lamar Jackson, Ravens
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QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens traded up to get Jackson with the last pick of this year's draft. With Joe Flacco set to be a free agent after the season, it is obvious that Jackson was part of their future plans but they were forced to use the Louisville product a little early.

Jackson has been used sparingly as a runner throughout the season but he has started the last two games and made the most of his opportunity. In those two starts, he has only throw for one touchdown compared to three interceptions but it is how he uses his legs that will be valuable in fantasy. Jackson has run for 190 yards and a touchdown in the last two games. Side note, the Ravens are 2-0 in those games so it looks like they are going to roll with Jackson for the rest of the year.

Joe Flacco, Lamar Jackson, Ravens
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Baltimore is facing a Falcons squad this week that has lost three straight games and have given up big games to quarterbacks all year. This is a favorable fantasy football match-up because of Atlanta's lack of ability to play defense and for the fact that the Ravens are trying to claim a wild card spot in the AFC.

WR Trey Quinn, Washington Redskins

Mr. Irrelevant himself has proven to be anything but for the Redskins. He missed eight games due to injury but Washington has big plans for the last pick of this year's draft.

The Redskins are tied for first place in the struggling yet competitive NFC East and because of their lack of offense, Quinn will get his fair share of targets. This week has them matched up with a decimated Eagles team who is missing multiple starters in the secondary. Quinn is the perfect slot receiver who can get lost easily by defenses.

The rookie out of SMU has nine catches in the last two games and was able to find the end zone on Thanksgiving in Dallas. The return of Jamison Crowder might take away some targets but there is no guarantee when Crowder will return. Against this Eagles defense, there should be plenty of receptions to go around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlHlLlRiQNw

RB Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts

If you are looking for a quick, one-week fantasy football replacement and have looked at Hines' recent numbers, you might be alarmed. It must be taken into account that Marlon Mack is questionable with a concussion and Hines would see a serious upgrade in workload if Mack doesn't play.

Hines is a speedy back who can put up a hefty amount of points in PPR formats. His work running the ball has not been great but his job as a receiver is well done. The Colts are preparing to face the Jaguars who are as dead as any team in the league. It would be a good spot to keep Mack out to get him healthy. With the way Andrew Luck is playing, they can win this game with Hines in the backfield and that seems like the plan.

RB Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

Ekeler is the latest player that will take advantage of a terrible injury to one of the league's great players. Melvin Gordon went down with a knee injury but the Chargers are confident Ekeler can fill in nicely.

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This is not to say that Ekeler will see the same success but he has put up impressive numbers even with Gordon in the lineup. Last week against the Cardinals, Ekeler had 35 yards and a rushing touchdown to go along with 10 catches for 68 yards. That is 26.3 points in PPR formats. Now, granted it was against the Cardinals, those are still big time numbers. The Chargers will face a much tougher test with the Pittsburgh Steelers but the Bolts like to use their backs and do it effectively.

Ekeler is averaging 5.8 yards per carry this season and has 32 catches for 354 yards and three touchdowns. He will adapt nicely to being the lead back and this is an opportunity that he can run with. Fantasy football owners who had the handcuff of Gordon and Ekeler will see some return on their investment in this one.

TE CJ Uzomah, Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have not been going to their big tight end as of late. Uzomah has not scored a touchdown in four games and his targets have gone down. Last week, he was able to bring in six catches for a handful of yards. The 6'6 unit might have been dropped in many leagues. If he was in yours, this is a perfect time to take a flier on him.

Andy Dalton has been put on IR with a thumb injury. This means that Jeff Driskel has been handed the keys. This might sound like a nightmare but young quarterbacks love to use their tight ends as security blankets. The Bengals have lost four of five and now have lost their quarterback. All hope might be gone fir their season but players like Driskel and Uzomah have a lot to prove.

Uzomah has yet to eclipse 60 yards in a single game this season and has only found the end zone twice. This might be a tough sell but if you have been dealing with injuries at this position, like losing Delanie Walked in week one, it is worth it to take a chance.