Fantasy Football: Week 12 Waiver Wire Targets
By Pat Pitts
Week 11 started slow, but ended with late game coming down to the final possession... except for the Jets. These battles gave us another group of guys poised for a roster spot heading into Week 12. With that being said, let’s go.
Quarterback
Phillip Rivers (Rostered in 10% of ESPN leagues and 27% of Yahoo leagues)
Phillip Rivers has looked like himself again over the last few weeks, and continued to do so by throwing for 288 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in Week 11.
Rivers is the safest fantasy quarterback you can add to your lineup, as he's finished with double-digit points in 80% of his games this season. He has two fantastic matchups ahead against Tennessee and Houston, and is worth adding if you have a bad matchup or one of the final Bye weeks looming.
Derek Carr (Rostered in 39% of ESPN leagues and 37% of Yahoo leagues)
I’m pretty sure this is my third week in a row writing about Derek Carr.
Carr racked up 275 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception on Sunday night in an epic showdown with the Chiefs. He has a dream next two games in real life and for fantasy as faces the Falcons depleted secondary and the winless Jets. Carr is the best pickup of the week if your roster is headed towards the playoffs and needs a QB upgrade.
Kirk Cousins (Rostered in 21% of ESPN leagues 42% of Yahoo leagues)
We are at the point of the season where I am advising you to pick up Kirk “Coupons” off the waiver wire.
Cousins had a solid outing against the Cowboys, throwing for 314 yards and three touchdowns. Bye weeks still exist, and sadly Joe Burrow is out for the season, so Cousins would be a solid replacement.
Running Backs
Frank Gore (Rostered in 9% of ESPN leagues and 10% of Yahoo leagues)
Gore put up RB2 numbers in Week 11 rushing for 61 yards and a score, while adding two catches for ten yards totaling 15.1 fantasy points in full-point PPR. While Perine is certainly the player to have for Keeper and Dynasty purposes, Gore is a sneaky add for your playoff push.
Tony Pollard (Rostered in 21% of ESPN leagues and 19% of Yahoo leagues)
Tony Pollard is the best backup RB to roster in fantasy football. He left his mark on the scorecard in Week 11, rushing for a 42-yard touchdown late in the 4th Quarter.
Pollard gets carries even when Zeke is in, but usually depends on how well the game is going. I still would snag Pollard because of the impending fantasy playoffs. He's a ridiculously valuable handcuff and NFL teams tend to play backups and young guys in Weeks 15-17. With how bad the Cowboys are, Pollard could be very valuable and worth the pick up this week.
Carlos Hyde (Rostered in 37% ESPN leagues and 46% of Yahoo leagues)
Last week on the show, Seahawks.com writer Logan Reardon talked about how Carlos Hyde was poised for a great game against the Cardinals. 14 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown is not too bad in my book. Until Chris Carson is back, Hyde needs to be on your roster.
Wide Receivers
Demarie Byrd (Rostered in <1% of ESPN leagues and 2% of Yahoo leagues)
The Byrd is the word in Foxboro. The veteran WR had a monster performance on Sunday catching six passes for 132 yards and a touchdown against the Texans.
Byrd is more of a dynasty/deep league add, but has some value in redraft leagues. Jakobi Meyers is the clear WR1, but Cam needs another target to throw to. If you have a spot you can sacrifice, I would give it a go.
Nelson Agholor (Rostered in 10% of ESPN leagues and 20% of Yahoo leagues)
Nelson Agholor has caught six touchdowns this season and Derek Carr loves targeting him downfield. He averages 18.5 yards per reception this season. He may be a boom or bust type of player, but I am snagging him this week for all that upside.
Tim Patrick (Rostered in 13% of ESPN leagues and 21% of Yahoo leagues)
Patrick has transformed into a WR1 in the absence of Courtland Sutton. He tacked on another sensational week, catching five passes for 119 yards. It was his third 100+ yard game this season. I am 8-3 in the 4th and Goal League of Record, not a big deal, and Tim Patrick has been a big reason for it.
Tight Ends
Jordan Akins (Rostered in 2% of ESPN and Yahoo leagues)
Akins finished with the most targets and receptions he's had since Week 2, snagging five passes for 84 yards.
Not the sexiest stat line, but when a pass catcher sees over five targets in a game, it means something. Watson has utilized Akins and Darren Fells way more in the offense since Bill O’Brien was fired. If you need a boom play at TE, Akins is your man.
Richard Rodgers (Rostered in 6% of ESPN leagues and 3% of Yahoo leagues)
Rodgers has become a reliable target for Carson Wentz in the absence of Zach Ertz. He found the end zone in Week 11, launching him into fantasy relevancy.
I would not be opposed to starting him at TE in Week 12 with the Eagles hosting the worst passing defense in the NFL in the Seattle Seahawks.
Will Dissly (Rostered in <1% of ESPN leagues and 1% of Yahoo leagues)
Greg Olson suffered a potential season-ending injury on Thursday night against the Cardinals. Russell Wilson relied on him in the red zone and on crucial third downs. This is simply an addition if you are that desperate in Week 12 and potentially moving forward if Dissly sees success.
Make your claims and don’t forget we have three games on Thursday! Happy Thanksgiving y’all!