Each week I’ll provide you with a rundown by position of key
waiver wire adds. We’ll evaluate not just breakouts based
on past performance, but also who could deliver this week based
on a soft matchup. Stats will be provided based on a 12-team PPR
league, with players less than 75% (preferably less than 50%) ownership
being considered.
Week 12 Byes: Denver, LA Chargers, Miami, Washington
Brissett put up a 452-2-2 line on a whopping 57 attempts as the
Cardinals were in catch-up mode all day, but it wasn't enough
to avoid a blowout loss to the 49ers. He'll be a fantasy
option in Week 12 against a Jaguars team that has given up the
3rd-most points to opposing QBs.
Young threw for a career-record 448 yards and 3 touchdowns in
a back-and-forth win over the Falcons for the season sweep of
their division rivals. Up next, he gets a struggling 49er defense
that has given up over 700 yards passing and 6 TDs in their last
two games.
Rodgers threw for 116-1-0 in the first half of a win over the
Bengals before injuring his non-throwing wrist. Rudolph started
the second half and threw for 127-1-0 on 75% completions so he
can be a capable replacement if Rodgers can't go. Either
will be an option this week against the Bears' 2nd-worst
defense against QBs.
Marcus Mariota, WAS @ MIA: Mariota had a decent day in a losing
effort against Miami, rushing for 4-49-0 and passing for 213-1-1,
although they struggled more than expected against a porous defense.
Washington is on bye this week.
Tua Tagovailoa, MIA vs WAS: Tagovailoa couldn't take advantage
of a struggling Commanders defense, throwing for only 171 yards
without a touchdown. He'll now get a bye week and try to
get the offense back on track.
Joe Flacco, CIN @ PIT: Flacco couldn't duplicate his 342-yard,
3 TD performance against the Steelers when they met a month ago,
throwing for only 199-1-1 in a blowout loss, including a backbreaking
pick-6. Up next, he’ll get a challenging Patriots defense
that is in first place in their division.
Gainwell saw more work after Jaylen Warren exited with an ankle
injury, and gashed the Bengals for 9-24-0 on the ground and 8-7-81-2
through the air. He's had big games whenever Warren sits, so if
Warren can't suit up, Gainwell would be a must-start against the
Bears.
Tucker has been spelling Rachaad White while Bucky Irving has
been nursing a shoulder injury, but he broke out with a monster
game against the Bills with a 19-106-2 rushing line and chipping
in 2-2-34-1 receiving. Bucky might be back this week which would
limit his touches, but if he's out again, Tucker could find himself
getting plenty of work against a tough Rams defense.
Wilson saw more work after Jacobs left with a knee injury, going
11-40-1 on the ground and catching his lone target for 9 yards,
while adding a 2-point conversion. Jacobs' injury isn't
expected to be serious, but he's going for further tests
and could miss Week 12. If so, Wilson should benefit as the Packers
want to run the ball against a tough Vikings defense.
Singletary is still the RB2 to Tyrone Tracy Jr., but he's seeing
a lot of snaps and still had 17 touches in a close loss to the
Packers, rushing for 16-44-2 and adding a 3-yard reception. He
should get plenty of snaps again against the Lions this week.
Emari Demercado,
ARI vs SF: Demercado saw 7 touches before leaving a blowout loss
to the 49ers with an ankle injury. It's a maddening committee
with him, Bam Knight, and Michael Carter. Up next is a surprisingly
tough Jaguars defense.
Tyjae Spears,
TEN vs HOU: Spears saw only 4 carries but produced a 5-5-31-0
receiving line, so he’s seeing a decent floor in PPR leagues.
He should see a similar work load against a stingy Seahawks defense
this week.
With Calvin Ridley breaking his fibula, there's opportunities
for other Titans receivers. Ayomanor should be the primary beneficiary,
but he went 6-2-11-0 receiving while dealing with a hamstring
strain. Jefferson led the team in targets with a 7-3-22-1 line,
and if Chimere Dike (concussion) is out, he should be in the starting
lineup against a tough Seahawks secondary.
Mitchell led the team in targets (6) in his first game as a Jet,
but only managed 1 reception for 10 yards in a loss to the Patriots.
He should have a better day this week (especially if Justin Fields
is benched) against a Ravens defense that has allowed the 4th-most
fantasy points to WRs.
With Adonai Mitchell getting traded to the Jets, Pierce has seen
more work, with 20 targets over the last two games. He'll
get a tough Chiefs defense this week, but the week before the
bye he had a 7-4-84-1 night against a similar Falcons defense.
Wilson saw a ridiculous 18 targets, catching 15 for 185 scoreless
yards as Jacoby Brissett threw 57 passes. With Marvin Harrison
Jr out with appendicitis, Wilson saw more work than normal, but
he's been seeing consistent volume with Brissett behind
center. He gets another juicy matchup this week against the Jaguars.
Mooney was 2nd on the team in targets, and had a 7-3-34-0 receiving
line in an overtime loss to the Panthers. With Drake London injuring
his knee, Mooney may be the de-facto WR1 if London has to miss
time. The Saints this week are a neutral matchup, but he could
get a high target count if London is out.
Barner had a monster game against the Rams, ending up 2nd on
the team in targets with a 11-10-70-0 receiving line. He's
only had one other game this year with more than 4 targets, so
it's tough to say if this is an aberration or a breakout.
The Titans haven't given up a ton of points to TEs, but
if Barner can maintain this target share it can't be ignored.
Okonkwo managed a 3-3-56-0 receiving line in a loss to the Texans,
but this week he faces a Seahawks defense that has given up the
4th-most points to TEs.
Loveland managed a decent 4-3-40-0 game in a win over the stingy
Vikings defense as the Bears have won 7 of 8 games. Up next, he
gets the Steelers, who have allowed the 5th-most points to opposing
TEs.
Troy Franklin, DEN vs KC: Franklin saw another solid workload,
this time delivering an 8-4-84-0 line in a big win over the division
rival Chiefs. The Broncos have now won eight straight and lead
their division, with Franklin being a key contributor. He's
worth holding if you can through the bye week.
Jayden Higgins, HOU @ TEN: Higgins had a solid day in a tight
win over the Titans, putting up a 7-4-55-0 receiving line. He
seems to be taking over the WR2 role for the Texans, and might
be called upon versus an explosive Bills offense.
Parker
Washington, JAX @ HOU: Washington took a backseat to new Jaguar
Jakobi Meyers, who led the team in targets in a blowout win over
the Texans. Washington managed only a 2-2-20-0 line as the Jags
rushed the ball 42 times. Up next is a Cardinals team that has
done a good job defending wide receivers.
Update:Tyler
Lockett, LV vs DAL: Lockett managed a 3-3-33-0 receiving line
in a loss to the Cowboys on Monday Night Football. He’ll
get the tough Browns defense this week.
TE Theo Johnson, NYG vs GB: Johnson had a ho-hum day with Jameis
Winston getting the start after Jaxson Dart was out due to concussion,
delivering a 4-3-36-0 fantasy line. He should see more work if
Dart returns.
Harold Fannin Jr., CLE vs BAL: Fannin was 2nd on the team in
targets, but only managed a 5-2-26-0 line as Dillon Gabriel struggled
before getting a concussion and Shedeur Sanders only completed
25% of his passes in relief. Fannin should have better days, but
it might not come next week if Sanders gets the start.
TE Dalton Schultz, HOU @ TEN: Schultz had another nice day in
a slugfest with the Titans, putting up a 9-6-51-0 receiving line
and ranking 2nd in targets. He’s seeing consistent volume,
although that might be tough to convert against a Bills defense
that shuts down TEs.
Defense/ Special Teams
Jaguars @ ARI
The Jaguars defense dominated the Chargers in a blowout win,
getting 3 sacks and a turnover while holding them to 6 points.
Up next, they get a Cardinals team that has a spark with Jacoby
Brissett at the helm, but has still given up the 3rd-most points
to opposing D/STs.
Browns @ LV
The Browns defense can’t be blamed for the team’s
poor record, as they had 5 sacks and 3 turnovers (with a defensive
TD) in a slugfest with the dangerous Ravens offense. This week
they’ll get a Raiders team that has given up the 7th-most
points to opposing defenses.
Falcons @ NO
The Falcons have lost five straight, and their defense hasn’t
been stingy on the points, but they’re creating plenty of
pressure (18 sacks in their last three games). This week they’ll
face a Saints team that has scored the 4th-fewest points and is
starting rookie Tyler Shough.
Other D/ST to consider: Raiders vs CLE
Last week’s waiver adds:
Bears @ MIN: The Bears managed 2 turnovers and
held the Vikings to 17 points in a nice divisional win. Up next,
they’ll get the Steelers, which is a much less forgiving
offense.
Ravens @ CLE: The Ravens have been struggling
on defense, but playing the Browns can cure all ills. They managed
3 sacks and a turnover while holding them to 10 points. You can
start them again versus the Jets this week.
Patriots vs NYJ: The Patriots got 2 sacks and
a turnover in a win over the hapless Jets on Thursday Night Football.
If you picked them up you can start them again versus the Bengals
this week.
