Fantasy Football Week 12 Waiver Wire
By Brandon Lane
QUARTERBACK
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
Roster Percentage: 48%
As we mentioned last week, Watson will be allowed to return from suspension in Week 13 but was eligible to practice with the team last week. Regardless of what we might think of Watson and his legal issues no other quarterback rostered in under 50% of leagues has as much upside. The Browns will travel to Houston in Week 13 making him a strong starting option upon his return.
Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
Roster Percentage: 16%
Tannehill produced his first 300 yard passing game of the season in Week 11 completing 22 of his 27 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns. The return of first round wide-out Treylon Burks was a big reason why. This week the Titans take on a Bengals defense that has given up the 5th fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. So while its not a great match-up on paper the Titans will likely take to the air once again in Week 12.
Taylor Heinicke, Washington Commanders
Roster Percentage: 14%
You might be wondering why I’m recommending Heinicke after he completed a measly 15 of his 27 passes for 191 yards while not scoring a single touchdown against a layup Texans defense. WELL….let’s factor in the Commanders took an early lead and didn’t need to push the ball through the air. But mainly we are playing the match-up vs a Falcons defense that has given up the 8th most fantasy points to QBs this season. If you are looking for a streamer Heinicke could be your guy.
Others to Consider:
Marcus Mariota (33% @ WAS), Kenny Pickett (11% @ IND), Jacoby Brissett (10% vs TB), Andy Dalton (10% @ SF)
RUNNING BACK
If available:
Isiah Pacheco (64%), Rachaad White (61%)
Latavius Murray, Denver Broncos
Roster Percentage: 23%
We’ve been talking up Latavius Murray for weeks but in Week 10 it looked like the Broncos were giving fellow veteran Melvin Gordon a bit of an edge to lead this backfield. ANDDD THEN…. the fumbling bug once again struck Gordon resulting in the Broncos surprisingly waiving him, even after the team lost newly acquired Chase Edmonds to injury. In Week 11 Murray rushed 17 times for 49 yards and a touchdown and also caught four balls for 23 yards. IT’S TAVIOUS TIME FOLKS. With only Marlon Mack behind him we should see plenty of Latavius moving forward.
Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals
Roster Percentage: 9%
Joe Mixon is in concussion protocol so if you are in need of a one week rental Samaje Perine is your guy (check for updates on Mixon’s availability). Perine exploded in Week 11, rushing 11 times for 30 yards but where he really excelled was through the air catching four balls for 52 yards and THREE touchdowns. Do keep your expectation in check as the Bengals OLine is still a big issue and Perine is no Joe Mixon. Also factor in the Bengals take on a Titans defense that has given up the 4th fewest points to fantasy running backs.
James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Roster Percentage: 17%
We are beginning to see the Bills put more faith in rookie James Cook who carried the ball 11 times for 86 yards in Week 11. The acquisition of Nyheim Hines was thought to be a huge downgrade in Cook’s perceived workload but the effect has been the opposite. While still the clear backup to Devin Singletary we are seeing Cook get his opportunities and looking explosive doing so.
Others to Consider:
Alexander Mattison (37%), Cam Akers (27%), Kyren Williams (27%)
WIDE RECEIVER
If available:
George Pickens (65%), Joshua Palmer (59%), Darius Slayton (51%)
Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans
Roster Percentage: 20%
Now fully healthy after returning from IR, Burks has looked every bit the alpha the team drafted him to be this season. He caught 7-of-8 balls for 111 yards but most of those yards came at the end of the game on a 51-yard catch. Since his return in Week 10 Burks has lead the Titans in targets and receiving. The Titans run first approach puts a damper on his weekly upside but Burks can be viewed as a weekly WR3 with upside moving forward.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns
Roster Percentage: 45%
Donovan Peoples-Jones is a player who keeps proving doubters wrong putting up another solid Week 11 performance catching 5-of-6 targets for 61 yards and a touchdown. For those counting that is seven games in a row with 50+ receiving yards. The Browns have a tough match-up in Week 12 vs the Buccaneers…will he keep the streak rolling? Pick him up and find out!
Odell Beckham Jr.
Roster Percentage: 43%
Many reports had accelerated the timeline for Odell Beckham who was not expected back until December but reports have surfaced indicating that he could be “fully cleared” to practice by the end of last week. Beckham tore his ACL in the Super Bowl while playing for the Rams. Many teams have been linked to landing this veteran free agent but I have him landing with the Cowboys (we shall see). Yet to be signed at this point and likely to be eased into things on a new team so we might not reap the benefits for fantasy purposes until leagues get into the fantasy playoffs.
Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
Roster Percentage: 23%
The Lions have designated Jameson Williams (knee) to return from injured reserve. In college Williams was stuck behind starters Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave at Ohio State, Williams decided to transfer to Alabama for his 2021 season. This decision immediately paid off as he grabbed 79 balls for 1,572 yards and 15TDs. Williams’ unfortunately ended his season suffering an ACL tear against Georgia in the national title game. The Lions could very well bring him along slowly but Williams was our number two wide-out in this years draft. The upside is huge if he becomes a full-time player this season.
Others to Consider:
Nico Collins (26%), Jarvis Landry (22%), Zay Jones (19%), Terrace Marshall Jr. (11%), Demarcus Robinson (5%),
TIGHT END
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 47%
The Saints are finally recognizing what the world has been screaming for…TAYSOM TIME! Reports are surfacing they plan to utilize his skill-set more moving forward. In Week 11 Hill rotated snaps at QB with Andy Dalton where he rushed nine times for 52 yards and completed 1-of-3 passes for 14 yards. If he begins to receive consistent quarterback usage he moves into Top 5 TE territory.
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 14%
While we are on the topic of New Orleans tight ends Juwan Johnson once again makes the list. Week 11 marks the 3rd week in a row where he has caught a touchdown and went on to catch 3-of-4 balls for 47 yards. Andy Dalton continues to look Johnson’s way making him a weekly option moving forward.
Austin Hooper, Tennessee Titans
Roster Percentage: 12%
We discussed Austin Hooper as someone to keep an eye on and in Week 11 and he showed us why by catching all four of his targets for 36 yards and TWO touchdowns. Hooper was someone I recommended as a sleeper coming into the season which turned out to be a wasted draft pick. But the Titans are putting more into their passing game these days making Hooper worth a look moving forward.
Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks
Roster Percentage: 14%
Many times selecting a tight end for fantasy comes down to selecting the right match-up. This week could be that for Noah Fant who has a plus match-up vs a Raiders defense that has given up the 6th most points to tight ends this season. Coming off a bye in Week 11 lets see if the Seahawks keep Fant rolling by continuing to scheme him into their game-plan.
Foster Moreau, Las Vegas Raiders
Roster Percentage: 17%
Speaking of match-ups (and the same game as the before mentioned Fant) Foster Moreau has a great one against a Seattle team that has given up the 2nd most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Moreau had a let down performance in Week 11 with only one catch for 33 yards but this match-up has bounce back written all over it.
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
Roster Percentage: 16%
Rookie Trey McBride got his first start of the season in place of the injured Zach Ertz. He caught all four targets but only totaled 14 yards. The Cardinals were once again missing starting QB Kyler Murray so until we see him back under center this Cardinals offense will be limited with backup Colt McCoy. I think we will see some nice production out of McBride in the weeks to come.
Others to Consider:
Logan Thomas (6%)
DEFENSE
Miami vs HOU
New York Jets vs CHI
Kansas City vs LAR
Indianapolis vs PIT
*Roster percentages based on Yahoo
