Waiver Wire Week 12

Waiver Wire Pickups, Week 12: These fantasy players may be worth an add this week or in the coming weeks as teams prepare for the playoffs. 

Week 11 is officially in the books and it came with the typical ups, downs, and unpredictability that makes fantasy football so interesting. Prior to Monday Night’s game had Jeff Driskel sneak into the top-12 quarterbacks. We also saw Tony Pollard and Gus Edwards crack the top-12 running backs in PPR formats. It was also a very interesting day at wide receiver as John Brown, D.J. Chark, Calvin Ridley, Michael Gallup, Deebo Samuel, Randall Cobb, and Davante Parker were all in the top-12 (depending on formatting).   

In Week 12 we encounter four teams with a bye — the Cardinals, Chiefs, Chargers, and Vikings. This means we continue to have quite a bit of fantasy-relevant players you may need a fill-in for, which once again we don’t have much excitement, but there are still some players who could help out your team. 

It’s also important to note that we have the fantasy playoffs sneaking up on us, which means if your playoff contention it’s still important to be active on waivers to make a playoff push. I’ve also continued to list some handcuffs at running backs and defenses with good fantasy playoff schedules.   

As always, we want to continue to pay attention to injuries as more news comes out for some players. Most of the players listed below are the ones who are most likely available on your waiver wire in your league and I’ve found a few players at each position that may be available in your league. Every player listed is owned in less than 50 percent of leagues (Yahoo and ESPN formats) with a few who might have a little more ownership, but possibly available. 

Week 12 Waiver Wire: Possibly owned, but worth a look

Jamison Crowder (WR, NYJ) 

Crowder continues to be a quality fantasy option in New York and had 5 receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown in week 11. He continues to sit between 70 and 80% owned in Yahoo and ESPN, which means he is available in about 25% of leagues. If he’s available in your league he is definitely worth rostering, especially with the Jets getting Oakland, Cincinnati, and Miami the next three weeks. 

Kareem Hunt (RB, CLE) 

Hunt is another player in the 70 to 80% ownership but is a definite add in PPR formats. In week 11, Hunt had 6 rushing attempts for 12 yards, but also caught 6 receptions for 46 yards. He brings stand alone flex appeal and should Chubb go down with injury he has league-winning upside. 

Less than 50% ownership 

Running Back Handcuffs (Tony Pollard, Alexander Mattison, etc.) 

Once again it is always important to grab some running back handcuffs if your heading towards the fantasy football playoffs. Like I’ve said before you can handcuff your top running backs, but still is beneficial to have these guys even if you don’t own the running back ahead of them. 

Sam Darnold (QB, NYJ) 

Sam Darnold looked good in Week 11 again completing 19 passes for 293 yards and 4 touchdowns. He gets three more weeks of decent matchups but then encounters the Ravens, Steelers, and Bills. He’s a strong streaming option for the next three weeks. 

Nick Foles (QB, JAX) 

Nick Foles had a strong outing in week 11 as he completed 33 passes for 296 yards and 2 touchdowns. He gets the Titans and then Tampa Bay in the next two weeks and could fill in if you’re in need at quarterback. 

Jonathon Williams (RB, IND) 

Marlon Mack left the game with an injury that appears will sideline him for a few weeks. Williams came in out of nowhere and rushed 13 times for 113 yards and 1 reception for 31 yards. Things may get a little murky once Jordan Wilkins returns from his injury and Nyheim Hines is still there as a passing-down back, but Williams is worth an add. Williams will most likely be the hot commodity off waivers this week. 

Jordan Wilkins (RB, IND) 

If you’re not interested in the Williams sweepstakes, Wilkins could possibly be a cheaper waiver wire option. He was not active in Week 11 but may return in week 12. 

Nyheim Hines (RB, IND) 

Hines found the endzone in Week 11, but only saw 3 rushing attempts for 11 yards. He also pulled in 3 receptions for 24 yards. He’s going to be more valuable in PPR formats, but he’s worth a pickup to see exactly how this backfield might shake out. 

Bo Scarbrough (RB, DET) 

Just like everyone saw coming, Scarbrough rushed 14 times for 55 yards and one touchdown in week 11. This Detroit backfield has been a mess and it’s very difficult to tell what will happen week to week. However, Scarbrough is worth an add to see if he stays relevant.

Derrius Guice (RB, WAS) 

Guice worked as the backup to Peterson in Week 11 but found the endzone on a 45-yard reception. He rushed just 7 times for 24 yards but is worth an add to see if his workload continues to increase.  

Cole Beasley (WR, BUF) 

A weekly addition to this list, Beasley was very much his usual self as he caught 4 receptions for 38 yards. As I’ve said before, he’s not going to win you a matchup, but he’s about as safe for 8 to 12 points in PPR formats as you’re going to get. 

James Washington (WR, PIT) 

The Steelers are facing multiple injuries at the wide receiver position after their Thursday night matchup. Washington may get bumped up to primary pass-catching responsibilities should either Smith-Shuster or Johnson not be able to suit up. The Steelers offense is far from high powered, but receivers have shown flashes. The difficult part will be guessing when/if Washington might, but he’s worth a speculative add. 

Randall Cobb (WR, DAL) 

Cobb managed to top 115 yards on four receptions in week 11. Michael Gallup and Cobb both appeared to benefit from Amari Cooper not playing his typical share of snaps. Facing the Patriots in week 12 may make it tough to trust Cobb, but should Cooper continue to not be 100% Cobb may continue to get more work. 

Jacob Hollister (TE, SEA) 

Hollister was on a bye in Week 11 and is still somewhat of an unknown. What we do know is that Seattle has been putting up points and it never hurts to have players from productive offenses. He’s worth an add for Week 12. 

Kyle Rudolph (TE, MIN) 

Rudolph is on a bye in Week 12 but could be a decent stash option if you’re able to do so. He scored again in week 11 and has 5 touchdowns in the last 5 weeks. 

Ryan Griffin (TE, NYJ) 

Griffin had a strong week 11 as he topped 100 yards on 5 receptions while also finding the endzone. He has now had 3 games out of the last 4 where he has had at least 50 yards receiving. However, the one game he didn’t he managed -2 receiving yards. Tight end is rough all around, but Griffin is worth an add. 

Playoff Streaming Defenses 

Another possible stash candidate from the waiver wire is always defenses with good matchups when the fantasy playoffs occur. If you’re in the position, either headed towards playoffs or have the bench space, it’s always good to look ahead at possible defensive streamers. I’d check first on Baltimore or Pittsburgh who both have good playoff matchups for fantasy. If you’ve missed on picking them up, Philadelphia should still be available. 

Philadelphia Eagles (34% Yahoo, 36% ESPN) 

The Eagles held the Patriots to 17 points, but get the Seahawks in Week 12. This should keep their ownership down, but then they get the Dolphins, Giants, and Redskins. You will have to pivot in week 16, but three solid weeks isn’t bad.