Hello and welcome to the Week 12 waiver wire watch!
Another weekend of NFL action is mostly in the books and don’t look now, but we’re rapidly approaching Thanksgiving and that means the fantasy playoffs are right around the corner. So you better start getting things in order for a postseason push. We still have the Monday night showdown between the Cowboys and Raiders to get to this evening, but it’s not too early to start looking for ways to fortify your rosters for next week.
We’ll go over some performers that you should consider scooping off the waiver wire ahead of Week 12 and as always, we’ll classify a waiver add as someone who is rostered in 60% of leagues at the max.
Week 12 byes: Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers (18.0%)
Young stepped up with possibly the best game of his pro career as he led the Panthers to a 30-27 overtime victory over the Falcons. The former No. 1 overall pick briefly exited the contest with an ankle injury and still managed to throw for a career-high 448 yards and three touchdowns in the big win over their division rival. What’s promising is that he’s starting to take advantage of weapons like Tet McMillan and Xavier Legette while his 54-yard pass to Tommy Tremble set up the game-winning field goal in OT.
And hey! With the Buccaneers suddenly struggling, there’s a real chance that the Young-led Panthers could capture first place in the NFC South by the end of Week 12. Look, he ranks near the bottom in several stats for starting QB’s, but the prospect of actually being in the playoff hunt could force him to elevate his game. If you believe in the power of momentum, Young will be sitting right there on waiver wire waiting.
Week 12 matchup: @ San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m. ET (Monday night)
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (33.6%)
Speaking of former No. 1 overall picks, Lawrence helped guide the Jaguars to a 35-6 trash-canning of the Chargers on Sunday, gaining some ground on the idle Colts in the AFC South race. T-Law finished the game with 153 yards with one passing touchdown, one rushing touchdown, and one interception. Not spectacular, but not bad and his 16 fantasy points was right in line with what he has been producing this season.
As we’ve mentioned in previous weeks, Lawrence isn’t going to will your fantasy lineup to a win by himself, but he’s a nice piece to have if you have stronger weapons surrounding him on your roster. With the struggling Cards on deck, it might be a smart decision to scoop him up.
Week 12 matchup: @ Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. ET
Sean Tucker, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (18.2%)
The Buccaneers came up short in a 44-32 shootout loss to the Bills, but we have to assume that Sean Tucker is pleased with his performance. The third-year Bucs running back was a monster on Sunday, racking up 106 rushing yards, 34 receiving yards, and three total touchdowns to earn 30+ fantasy points in all scoring formats. The third-year back out of Syracuse has gotten an increased number of snaps over the last month in Bucky Irving’s absence and kept getting fed more and more touches throughout Sunday’s loss.
One thing to note is that Irving did return to practice last week, but was eventually ruled out of Sunday’s game and that’s an indicator that his return could be on the horizon. Even if he does suit up for this Sunday’s critical showdown against the Rams, we can expect Tucker to remain an important figure in the offense moving forward.
Week 12 matchup: @ Los Angeles Rams, 8:20 p.m. ET
Emanuel Wilson, RB, Green Packers (8.0%)
The Packers prevailed over the Giants in a 27-20 victory, but it got a bit dicey on offense with both Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs exiting with injuries at various points. Jacobs was eventually ruled out with his knee injury, leaving Wilson to pick up the slack and did just that with 11 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown.
Jacobs entered Week 11 with the second-most rushing TD’s in the NFL and his potential absence would be a huge blow for the Packers. We’ll find out the severity of the injury this week, but it would be wise to start looking for Wilson on the wire. Especially if you’re a Jacobs manager that didn’t secure him as a handcuff yet.
Week 12 matchup: vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers (13.9%)
Legette was a ghost in the Panthers’ loss to the Saints the week prior, but stepped up huge in their 30-27 overtime victory over the Falcons on Sunday. Four receptions, 83 yards, and a critical third-quarter touchdown is what the second-year South Carolina product posted and that was good enough for him to finish as a top-10 fantasy wideout for the week.
The Panthers have inserted themselves into the NFC playoff picture and the momentum that they have right now could be a good thing for skill position players like Legette. Keep him in mind if you’re scouring for receivers this week.
Week 12 matchup: @ San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m. ET (Monday night)
Michael Wilson, WR, Arizona Cardinals (29.9%)
Well, the Cardinals were beaten down by the 49ers in a 41-22 blowout, but there was plenty of time for garbage time numbers. Jacoby Brissett completed an NFL record 47 passes in the loss and several of them went to Wilson, who hauled in 15 of 18 targets for 185 yards to finish the week as the top fantasy wide receiver in PPR leagues.
Wilson obviously won’t get that many receptions in a game moving forward, but there is an appeal for him as a potential garbage-time sleeper in fantasy. He’s put up decent numbers with Brissett at QB over the last few weeks and with the Cards most likely playing from behind in most of their remaining games, he could be a solid play.
Week 12 matchup: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4:05 p.m. ET
Darnell Washington, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (1.1%)
It wasn’t pretty, but the Steel Curtain got the job done against the Bengals with help from Washington, who was stiff-arming defenders left and right in the 34-12 rout. The third-year tight end out of Georgia grabbed four targets for 67 yards and a touchdown, a new career mark for him. This was his fourth 3+ reception game in his last six outings and he’s managed to get on the field for a decent amount of snaps alongside Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth. Keep him in mind as he could become a useful target for Aaron Rodgers as Pittsburgh tries to secure the AFC North title.
Week 12 matchup: @ Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET
Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans (50.8%)
Schultz has been a reliable hand for the Texans and came through with six receptions for 51 yards in their 16-13 win over the Titans on Sunday. The veteran has been flying under the radar as he ranks in the top 10 among tight ends in categories like receptions, yards, and target share, but his fantasy value has been depressed by his lack of touchdowns on the year. Nevertheless, he’s been a go-to option for both C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills and that should continue moving forward.
Week 12 matchup: vs. Buffalo Bills, 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday night)
