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Antonio D'Arcangelis | Archive | Email |
Staff Writer


Through The Wire - Week 12
11/23/15; Updated: 11/24/15

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Targeting weekly waiver picks is a completely subjective business, but this column hopes to point out some obvious and not-so-obvious selections to help your team from week to week while you strive to collect fantasy wins, reach your league playoffs and win the elusive title that your friends say is out of your grasp. While I’m a big proponent of making trades to bolster your roster, the waiver wire can be an almost limitless resource when it comes to discovering fantasy value in strange places. Each week, I’ll highlight some of the popular (and not-so-popular) players who can help your squad and may still be available in your league.

Feedback is always welcome, appreciated and encouraged. I’ll get to as many e-mails as I can.



Quarterbacks

Brian Hoyer/T.J. Yates, HOU – Yates threw for 229-2-0 in the win over the Jets Sunday and the Texans get the Saints’ awful pass defense next week in a home game. Just about anybody can heave it up for DeAndre Hopkins, and whether it’s Hoyer under center (Bill O’Brien said it’s likely he returns) or Yates, the Texans QB offers decent upside. Yates is available in around 95 percent of fantasy leagues, while Hoyer is owned in about 20 percent. There’s no official word yet on Hoyer’s availability or if he’s cleared the concussion protocol, but the early word is that Hoyer will be ready.

UPDATE: O'Brien confirmed Monday that Hoyer has passed the NFL's protocol concussion testing, and will regain the starting job from Yates, who played well. Hoyer looks like a possible QB1 streaming option this week.

Matt Hasselbeck, IND – The veteran QB completed 18-of-29 passes Sunday, throwing for 213-2-2 in the win over Atlanta, another competent if unexciting performance. He’s owned in just 15-20 percent of fantasy leagues and faces the Bucs next week.

QB Updates

Jay Cutler, CHI – It was a disastrous day for Cutler and the Bears, who were missing Matt Forte and Alshon Jeffrey. Cutler couldn’t complete a comeback against the Broncos, and he finished with just 265-0-1 and a lost fumble. He should rebound with a high-end QB2 type performance next week against Green Bay if he can get his premier offensive targets back.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ – Fitzpatrick got off to a slow start on Sunday but finished with 216-1-2 and a rushing TD – nothing spectacular but not the full-fledged bust that Derek Carr and Philip Rivers were this week.

UPDATE: There was some speculation that Fitzmagic could be benched in light of his recent struggles, but that’s not happening. He’s capable of solid QB2 numbers against the Dolphins.

Jameis Winston, TB – Hopefully some of you took advantage of my Winston (246-5-0) recommendation. I sat him in favor of Tony Romo in one league and will be sweating the MNF game as a result. Winston still has about 50-60 percent ownership, and he’ll likely be owned in about 75 percent of leagues after this week’s waiver wire.

Mark Sanchez, PHI – Sanchez (25-30 percent owned) had a decent first half but finished with three turnovers, throwing for 261-2-3 in the loss to Tampa Bay. He’ll get the Lions on Thanksgiving in Week 12 and makes a solid QB2 in that matchup.

UPDATE: Eagles coaches confirmed that Sam Bradford has been cleared from his concussion, but that he’s still dealing with a shoulder injury and that no decision has been made regarding who will start on Thursday.

Marcus Mariota, TEN – Mariota had a quiet Week 11 (231-0-0, rushing TD) against the Jaguars and faces the Raiders in Week 12. He’s a risky play but certainly maintains upside because of his offensive versatility.

Brock Osweiler, DEN – Osweiler’s 250-2-0 in a 17-15 win over Chicago was a decent debut for the Broncos. He’s 35-40 percent owned in fantasy leagues and is capable of statistical variance in Week 12 facing the Pats – if he’s still the starter. There’s some chatter that Peyton Manning wants to play, which is a horrible idea considering his injuries and the fact that Osweiler appeared to have a handle on the offense.

UPDATE: Manning has been ruled out for Week 12 and is getting a second opinion on his foot injury. Continue to deploy Osweiler as a risk-reward option and QB2.

Johnny Manziel, CLE – Manziel might be a decent plug-n-play QB2 or DFS dart throw against the decimated Ravens in Week 12. It’s anybody’s game, but it’s likely the Browns will be throwing against Baltimore’s soft secondary.

Case Keenum, STL – Keenum gave us about what we expected 136-1-0 and two lost fumbles. We should also be wondering about his health considering he smacked it against the ground and somehow remained in the game.

UPDATE: Keenum was definitely concussed in Week 11 and could yield the starting job back to Nick Foles, who will probably somehow have the game of his life against the Bengals in Week 12, because that’s the kind of nonsense that Foles pulls. So just ignore him this week and punch yourself in the face when he inexplicably throws four TD passes.

Thomas Rawls

Filling in: Thomas Rawls led all running backs on Sunday with 209 rush yds, 46 rec yds and 2 TDs.

Running Backs

Thomas Rawls, SEA – After Rawls’ huge day (209 rushing yards, TD; 3-46-1 receiving) against the 49ers, there must be a few Seattle fans wondering if he shouldn’t be getting an equal number of touches even when Marshawn Lynch is healthy. His ownership is up around 50-60 percent, but on a playoff contender squad that rests Lynch frequently, he’s a must-add.

UPDATE: Pete Carroll doesn’t expect Lynch (abdomen) to play in Week 12 vs. the Steelers, making Rawls the top waiver wire add. Consider Javorius Allen the 1B pick to Rawls’ 1A.

Spencer Ware, KC – Ware (nearly universally available) had 96 rushing yards and two TDs in relief of Charcanderick West, who left Week 11 with a hamstring injury. If West is forced to miss the Week 12 tilt with Buffalo, Ware could see a decent workload.

Ahmad Bradshaw, IND – Bradshaw (10-15 percent owned) had just nine carries for 32 yards but caught 4-20-2 on four targets and made the most of his touches. The Colts seem to be intent on getting him some looks, so he’s worth adding in 12-team and deeper leagues.

Javorius Allen, BAL – Justin Forsett broke his arm early in Week 11, so Allen (who rushed for 67 yards on 22 carries and added 5-48-0 receiving) will be a popular add this week. He’s just 10-15 percent owned and could be a huge factor as an RB2 in Week 12 in Cleveland.

Tevin Coleman, ATL – Coleman filled in as the workhorse back when Devonta Freeman left with a concussion, rushing for 48 yards on 17 carries and failing to register a catch in the passing game despite a couple of targets. He’s about 40-50 percent owned and could get a chance to contribute if Freeman is forced to miss additional time.

UPDATE: Dan Quinn said that Freeman is “off to a good start” in clearing the concussion protocol in time for this week’s matchup with Minnesota, but Coleman is a valuable handcuff regardless. I’d make sure he’s not on the waiver wire in 12-team leagues by week’s end.

UPDATE: James White, NE – White rushed twice for 14 yards and a TD and hauled in 2-32-1 on three targets in the MNF win. He’s worth adding in all formats and could continue to be an effective option as an RB3 in PPR leagues.

RB Updates

Jeremy Langford, CHI – Gone was most of the explosiveness we witnessed in previous weeks, but Langford still got on the board with 25 rushing yards and a TD, as well as 3-17-0 receiving. His value takes a serious hit with Matt Forte expected back in action soon.

Matt Jones, WAS – Jones had as poor showing after a Week 10 breakout, rushing for zero yards on five carries with a lost fumble and just 2-12-0 receiving. It’s going to be very difficult to predict which Washington backs get the bulk of work and who will perform from week-to-week.

UPDATE: The Washington RB situation is a mess, but with Alfred Morris day-to-day with a rib injury, Jones will need to conquer his fumbling issues to get consistent touches. Chris Thompson looks to be a solid add, especially in PPR leagues.

Dexter McCluster, TEN – McCluster has a quiet game with 2-18-0 receiving and two carries for zero yards. He’s gradually losing whatever value he had during mid-season, though he’s a far superior pass game back than Antonio Andrews.

Andre Ellington, ARI – Ellington laid an egg with just one catch for 5 yards and two carries for 2 yards on Sunday night against the Bengals stout front seven. He looks like a draft day bust.

Darren Sproles, PHI – As expected, Sproles picked up some looks in the absence of Ryan Mathews, carrying the ball six times for 21 yards and adding 3-38-1 receiving to finish as a top 15 fantasy back on Sunday. He’s still available in about 25-40 percent of fantasy leagues but is a huge risk since he’s not always part of the game plan.

Denard Robinson, JAC – T.J. Yeldon was active so Robinson saw just seven carries for 27 yards. He’s safe to ignore for now.

David Cobb, TEN – Cobb tallied -3 yards on four carries Thursday but should see more work in the coming weeks.

Wide Receivers / Tight Ends

Tyler Lockett, SEA – Lockett (10-15 percent owned) had 4-48-2 in the win over San Fran, though his production will be hard to predict as the Seahawks make their usual conservative run toward the playoffs. He’s a talented, explosive player in a tough system to excel – just ask Seahawks TE Jimmy Graham.

Terrance Williams, DAL – Williams (60 percent owned) isn’t targeted often in the Cowboys offense, but the return of Romo increases his fantasy value moving forward. The third-year WR had 4-79-1 in the win over Miami.

Devin Funchess, CAR – He and Ted Ginn are both on the upswing in terms of value, since Cam Newton is looking sharp over the past few weeks and the offense has opened up. Funchess (15-20 percent owned) had a season-high eight targets in Week 11 and caught 4-64-1. He’s a red zone target and a tall, athletic receiver who could be a viable WR3 the rest of the season.

Golden Tate, DET – Tate isn’t available in too many leagues (75-85 percent owned) but was targeted 11 times by Matthew Stafford and caught 8-73-0 in the win over Oakland. He should be owned in all formats. The Lions have won two in a row and have a great matchup with the Eagles and their banged-up defense on Thanksgiving.

UPDATE: Cody Latimer, DEN – Emmanuel Sanders is dealing with a high ankle sprain and Latimer may help fill some of the target void with Osweiler under center if Sanders misses additional time. He’s low owned and capable of upside as he’s developed some rapport with the young QB and caught 2-22-1 on three targets Sunday.

TE Kyle Rudolph, MIN – It appears as though the Vikings are finally involving Rudolph in their game plan. The veteran TE had season highs in targets (9), catches (6) and yardage (106), finding the end zone as well in the 30-13 home loss to Green Bay. He’s just 30-40 percent owned and makes for a high-end TE2 with upside.

TE Jordan Cameron, MIA – Cameron had just two catches for 21 yards on five targets, but one was for a score. It makes little sense that Cameron isn’t more involved in the offensive approach taken by the struggling Dolphins, and I’m betting that he’ll get more looks (especially in the red zone and on third down) moving forward, as more attention is focused on Jarvis Landry.

WR/TE Updates

Michael Floyd, ARI – Floyd was inactive Sunday night and WR J.J. Nelson stepped up in his place, hauling in 4-142-1. Nelson has some big-play upside but is unlikely to be a consistent fantasy contributor.

UPDATE: Bruce Arians has claimed the team will be cautious with Floyd as he returns from his hamstring injury, which could easily be aggravated and appears to be a multi-week injury. It’s worth exploring the Cards other WRs in Nelson (likely available) and John Brown (likely not available).

Doug Baldwin, SEA – Baldwin had 6-60-0 but failed to fins the end zone Sunday. He’s a low-upside WR3/4 in 12-team leagues.

Jamison Crowder, WAS – DeSean Jackson was active and Crowder was targeted just once in the drubbing at the hands of undefeated Carolina. He could be more busy against the Giants in Week 12.

Danny Amendola, NE – Update coming Tuesday.

UPDATE: On Monday night, Amendola was targeted 12 times in under three quarters and racked up 117 yards on nine catches before leaving with a knee injury. He’ll get an MRI Tuesday but just about all the Patriots fringe WRs (Brandon LaFell, Chris Harper) make decent pickups. Aaron Dobson also went down with what looked like a serious ankle injury.

Dontrelle Inman, SD – Inman recorded 3-51-0 but the Bolts just couldn’t get much done against the Chiefs. The matchup with Jacksonville in Week 12 promises more production for the entire chargers offense.

TE Crockett Gillmore, BAL – Gillmore was targeted eight times and hauled in 5-101-0 in the win over St. Louis. His new QB will be Matt Schaub, who offers less upside than Joe Flacco (torn ACL).

TE Zach Miller, CHI – Miller had 3-47-0 in the loss to Denver. He’s a low-end TE2 with risky upside moving forward.