Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 12

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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Rostered percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are set off a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 60% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / GettyTaysom Hill, Saints

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
at DEN	43%	$9

We were excited about Jameis Winston's fantasy potential in New Orleans' offense, but Sean Payton named Hill the starter. Hill went on to finish as a top-12 fantasy quarterback Sunday, rewarding his coach's faith and giving fantasy managers a new weekly starter at QB.

Hill passed for 233 yards while adding 51 yards and two scores on the ground against a Falcons defense that's given up the most fantasy points to quarterbacks.

Tougher matchups are on the way, but Hill's rushing ability will keep him in the QB1 conversation for as long as he's starting. Based on the latest reports on Drew Brees' health, this could be Hill's job for several weeks.

Derek Carr, Raiders

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
at ATL	36%	$1

As we just mentioned, the Falcons are the easiest matchup for fantasy quarterbacks. This week's beneficiary is Carr.

The Raiders passer is coming off a strong showing against the Chiefs, throwing for 275 yards and recording his seventh multi-touchdown game this season.

Carr should have no problem racking up stats in what's projected to be the highest-scoring game of Week 12.

Streamer options: Daniel Jones at CIN (28% rostered), Andy Dalton vs. WAS (9% rostered), Baker Mayfield at JAX (31% rostered), Kirk Cousins vs. CAR (42% rostered), Philip Rivers vs. TEN (26% rostered), Alex Smith at DAL (10% rostered)

Injured streamer options (if healthy): Teddy Bridgewater at MIN (39% rostered), Gardner Minshew vs. CLE (13% rostered)

Running backs Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / GettyGus Edwards, Ravens

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
at PIT	28%	$14

J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, making it impossible for them to get cleared for Thursday night's matchup with the Steelers.

That leaves Edwards as the last man standing in what was once a three-man committee. Dobbins took a commanding lead in playing time (41 snaps) and production (85 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown) in Week 11, but he'll now be forced to sit out while Edwards handles the bulk of the work.

Edwards has shown he can perform, whether down the stretch in 2018 or even more recently when he carried the ball 16 times for 87 yards and a score against this same Steelers defense back in Week 8.

Pittsburgh's ability to stop the run has been greatly diminished by the loss of linebacker Devin Bush, so treat Edwards as an RB2 in what's likely to be a one-week stint as the frontman in the Ravens' backfield.

James White, Patriots

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
vs. ARI	40%	$9

White had seemingly been passed on the depth chart by Rex Burkhead after seeing under 30% of the snaps in three of his last four outings heading into Week 11.

However, with Burkhead suffering a torn ACL on Sunday, White was thrust back into a significant role. He led the backfield in snaps while totaling a season-high 83 yards from scrimmage and six catches.

Damien Harris remains the Patriots' lead back, but White has returned to fantasy relevance as an RB3/flex option moving forward.

J.K. Dobbins, Zack Moss, Salvon Ahmed, Jamaal Williams, Latavius Murray, Wayne Gallman, and Phillip Lindsay are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.

High-upside backups Alexander Mattison (33% rostered), Boston Scott (29% rostered), Carlos Hyde (46% rostered), and Brian Hill (7% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options: Frank Gore vs. MIA (10% rostered), Adrian Peterson vs. HOU (54% rostered), Kerryon Johnson vs. HOU (16% rostered), Tony Pollard vs. WAS (19% rostered)

Risky flex options: Cam Akers vs. SF (31% rostered), Malcolm Brown vs. SF (28% rostered), Justice Hill at PIT (0% rostered), Jordan Wilkins vs. TEN (10% rostered), Devontae Booker at ATL (10% rostered), Ty Johnson vs. MIA (0% rostered)

Other backups to roster: Sony Michel vs. ARI (25% rostered), Benny Snell Jr. vs. BAL (5% rostered), Joshua Kelley at BUF (28% rostered), D'Onta Foreman at IND (0% rostered), Jeremy McNichols at IND (1% rostered), Samaje Perine vs. NYG (1% rostered), Devine Ozigbo vs. CLE (1% rostered)

Injury stashes: Tevin Coleman at LAR (18% rostered), Rashaad Penny at PHI (4% rostered)

Deeper stashes: Anthony McFarland Jr. vs. BAL (1% rostered), Darrel Williams at TB (2% rostered), Jordan Howard vs. SEA (17% rostered), Royce Freeman vs. NO (1% rostered)

Wide receivers Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / GettyMichael Pittman Jr., Colts

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
vs. TEN	44%	$19

Get ready to see some familiar names in the receiver section because it's filled with players we recommended last week.

Pittman has clearly asserted himself as the Colts' top receiving option. In addition to posting stat lines of 4-56-0, 7-101-0, and 3-66-1 over his last three games, the rookie led the receiving corps in snaps by a wide margin this past week.

If he's still available in your league, Pittman is a WR3 with WR2 upside for the rest of the season.

Tim Patrick, Broncos

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
vs. NO	21%	$14

Patrick is about to set a record for most consecutive appearances in my waiver wire column, yet he somehow still remains available in 79% of leagues.

Let's once again remind everyone about Patrick's weekly production since Courtland Sutton went down. Here are Patrick's stat lines over the last seven games:

• 4-43-1
• 6-113-1
• 4-101-0
• 3-44-0
• 4-29-1
• 4-61-0
• 5-119-0

Patrick is now a top-30 receiver in fantasy points per game since Week 3, and he's just patiently waiting for you to realize his value. Unless you're stacked at wideout, go and give this guy a home on your roster as a WR3/flex.

Deebo Samuel, Jakobi Meyers, Sterling Shepard, Corey Davis, Curtis Samuel, and Cole Beasley are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.

Flex options: Allen Lazard vs CHI (42% rostered), Jalen Reagor vs. SEA (28% rostered), Breshad Perriman vs. MIA (11% rostered), Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. CHI (31% rostered), Denzel Mims vs. MIA (5% rostered), Emmanuel Sanders at DEN (49% rostered), Nelson Agholor at ATL (20% rostered)

Risky flex options: Sammy Watkins at TB (41% rostered), Keelan Cole vs. CLE (28% rostered), K.J. Hamler vs. NO (6% rostered), Josh Reynolds vs. SF (12% rostered), Damiere Byrd vs. ARI (2% rostered), Darnell Mooney at GB (8% rostered), Keke Coutee at DET (0% rostered), Rashard Higgins at JAX (12% rostered), Henry Ruggs, at ATL (31% rostered), Russell Gage vs. LV (7% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Marvin Hall vs. HOU (2% rostered), Khadarel Hodge at JAX (0% rostered), Gabriel Davis vs. LAC (1% rostered), Hunter Renfrow at ATL (19% rostered), Anthony Miller at GB (18% rostered), Michael Gallup vs. WAS (44% rostered), Zach Pascal vs. TEN (7% rostered), Jakeem Grant at NYJ (9% rostered), Steven Sims Jr. at DAL (2% rostered), Demarcus Robinson at TB (2% rostered), N'Keal Harry vs. ARI (8% rostered), Tre'Quan Smith at DEN (12% rostered), David Moore at PHI (5% rostered), Willie Snead at PIT (4% rostered), Chris Conley vs. CLE (1% rostered)

Injury stashes: Laviska Shenault vs. CLE (17% rostered), Julian Edelman vs. ARI (28% rostered)

Deep bench stashes: Auden Tate vs. NYG (1% rostered), Cam Sims at DAL (1% rostered), Jalen Guyton at BUF (1% rostered), Dez Bryant at PIT (9% rostered)

Tight ends Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / GettyRobert Tonyan, Packers

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
vs. CHI	46%	$2

Tonyan is coming off a five-catch, 44-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Colts.

Though his target share is likely to be more volatile now that the Packers' receiving corps is back to full health, he has a favorable matchup with the Bears.

Chicago's defense has been strong this year, but it's giving up the ninth-most fantasy points to tight ends, making Tonyan a solid streamer in Week 12.

Dalton Schultz, Cowboys

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
vs. WAS	21%	$1

Schultz's numbers dipped to unplayable fantasy levels after Dak Prescott was lost for the season. Fortunately, he's had a resurgence in the last few weeks with stat lines of 6-53-0, 4-48-0, and 4-25-1.

Washington is the eighth-best matchup for fantasy tight ends, so Schultz can be played with confidence as a streamer this week.

Austin Hooper, Logan Thomas, and Mike Gesicki are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.

Streamer options: Jordan Reed at LAR (15% rostered), Jordan Kins at DET (2% rostered), Jimmy Graham at GB (38% rostered), Irv Smith Jr. vs. CAR (8% rostered), Trey Burton at TEN (17% rostered)

Risky streamer options: Jacob Hollister at PHI (0% rostered), Will Dissly at PHI (1% rostered), Chris Herndon vs. MIA (13% rostered), Tyler Eifert vs. CLE (5% rostered)

DefensesWeek 12 streamers

Team	Next Up	Rostered
Giants	at CIN	16%
Packers	vs. CHI	33%
Seahawks	at PHI	28%
Cowboys	vs. WAS	13%
Washington	at DAL	41%

Favorable fantasy playoff schedules: Seahawks DEF (28% rostered), Browns DEF (59% rostered), Cowboys DEF (13% rostered), 49ers DEF (38% rostered)

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