The NFL and fantasy football seasons have moved into their second halves. Fantasy managers are now adjusting and tweaking their rosters based on what we’ve seen through the league’s first 11 weeks.
Working the waiver wire is the best way to improve your team for the stretch run and find a weekly advantage. To aid in that, here are some of the top Week 12 waiver wire claims fantasy football managers should consider.
And if your fantasy team is going downhill already, jump on over to Underdog Fantasy and dive into their weekly Best Ball tournaments, where players like those mentioned below could help you bring home the trophy each week. Sign up, and Underdog will match your initial deposit up to $100.
Top Waiver Wire Pickups in Week 12
Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers (44.9% rostered)
Jimmy Garoppolo has recorded at least 230 yards in six straight games and thrown for multiple touchdowns in his last five matchups. He also came into Week 11 sitting as QB11 in points per game since Week 5.
He’s also done this against an above-average strength of schedule and faces the New Orleans Saints on Sunday (21st in points allowed to the position). It’s worth noting Garoppolo will also face the Raiders in Week 17, who have allowed the third-most points to QBs. It’s worth keeping matchups in mind as we get closer and closer to the playoffs.
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns (36.0% rostered)
Last week, the NFL announced Deshaun Watson was cleared to resume practicing again and is set to return in two weeks against the Houston Texans. If you want to roster Watson, now is the time to make the move. We won’t see him sub-50% again.
I expect Watson to show some signs of rust in Week 13. But Watson, last we saw, was a top-three QB. Odds are he is a mid-QB1 once back under center. Even if I have a decent QB on my roster, I’d still add Watson to assemble as much talent as possible before the playoffs begin.
Marcus Mariota, Atlanta Falcons (50.1% rostered)
On the list of fun things to do, watching Marcus Mariota is not one of them. But somehow, he’s putting up decent fantasy numbers.
Against the Bears, Mariota completed 13 of 20 passes for 131 yards and rushed 13 times for just 25 yards. But he combined for two touchdowns. His 18 PPR points placed him as the QB13 (with Monday Night Football still to play), and he’s finished now as a QB13 or better in three of his last four games.
Unfortunately, the Atlanta Falcons lost Kyle Pitts for the season with a torn MCL. Nonetheless, it wasn’t like they were throwing to him anyway. Mariota has thrown for 250 yards only once this year and hasn’t exceeded 50 rushing yards since Week 6. Still, since Week 5, Mariota is the QB6 overall and 12th in per-game scoring (17.5 PPR ppg).
Mariota and the Falcons might have the easiest remaining strength of schedule, and if you need a waiver wire option at QB, there are worse options than Mariota, even if he doesn’t have the highest ceiling.
Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders (55.5% rostered)
After a disappointing start to the season, Derek Carr had a bounce-back performance on Sunday, which is surprising as the Denver Broncos have one of the staunchest pass defenses.
Carr completed 23-of-37 for 307 yards and two touchdowns and now has three straight games of multiple scores. In Week 12, he will face a Seattle Seahawks defense that’s been below average to the position and has allowed three of the last four quarterbacks to score at least two touchdowns. Once a late-round target in drafts, Carr is a waiver wire option to keep in mind for Week 12 if you need additional help at the quarterback position for fantasy.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (43.7% rostered)
This is one of those that shouldn’t be happening at this point in the year. There is no reason Isiah Pacheco is only rostered in 43% of leagues.
Pacheco has been the starter for multiple weeks and had the best game of his career, rushing for 107 yards on 15 carries. He’s now rushed for 189 yards on 31 carries over the last two weeks, and the only thing keeping him from the top 20 is the lack of receiving upside, which goes toward Jerick McKinnon.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered an ankle injury in the middle of the first quarter and did not return, but he had already lost the job to Pacheco. Pacheco cannot be left on the waiver wire beyond Week 12.
Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens (43.5% rostered)
Although he has missed the last three games, Gus Edwards was a limited participant in practice last week, which is a positive sign that he could be active for Week 12.
MORE: Fantasy Football Injury Report Week 12
Since coming back from an ACL tear he suffered last season, he’s had 11 or more carries and 60+ yards in his previous two games and finished inside the top 10 in the one week he was healthy. Throw in Baltimore’s fantasy playoff schedule featuring three teams in the bottom half against running backs, and Edwards could become a critical waiver wire add in Week 12.
James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills (20.8% rostered)
I was one of the many who was down on James Cook after they acquired Nyheim Hines. But that’s not the case on the field, as James Cook remains the RB2 for this offense. The rookie from Georgia tied a season-high 11 rushing attempts and had a career-high 86 rushing yards. In fact, he and Devin Singletary rushed for the same amount of yards, but Cook did it on seven fewer carries.
It wasn’t that Buffalo had him on the field more often. In fact, he only played on roughly 25% of the snaps. What’s different is that Cook had an 81% opportunity rate when on the field. That’s not going to happen again.
Still, an increased workload will make Cook an interesting name off the waiver wire, and he certainly makes the list of Week 12 options with Buffalo set to take on the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving.
Latavius Murray, RB, Denver Broncos (34.2% rostered)
Safe to say, this has not been the season the Denver Broncos wanted, especially for the rushing attack. But after losing Javonte Williams with a torn ACL, the Broncos were forced to figure it out on the fly. But even then, I don’t think anyone saw Latavius Murray being the top back coming.
Chase Edmonds suffered an ankle injury on the opening drive, which thrust Melvin Gordon back into a third-down role. In doing so, Latavius Murray wound up leading the backfield on early downs with 25 snaps. Although he averaged less than 3.0 yards per carry, Murray rushed 17 times and found the end zone.
On Monday, the Broncos cut Gordon with an apparent reference to his fumbling issues, which paves the way for Murray to be the lead back. Murray is a need-to-add waiver wire claim in Week 12 as the future starter alongside Marlon Mack.
Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (34.4% rostered)
We have nothing new to go off of, as the Buccaneers had a bye last week. But the last time we saw them on the field, Rachaad White got the start. Leonard Fournette then came in on the second drive, and after that, the two backs rotated playing time.
Fournette suffered a hip injury, and all reports suggested he would be good to go for Week 12. Nonetheless, White rushed for a career-high 105 yards on 22 attempts in his absence. White played on 80% of the snaps after Fournette’s injury, and if Fournette cannot go, White takes on the Cleveland Browns. That would be an intriguing matchup, and it could push White into starting-range territory in Week 12.
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers (55.8% rostered)
Once is a fluke; twice is a trend. Christian Watson has arrived, ladies and gentlemen. After securing three touchdowns and 107 yards on 4-of-8 receiving in Week 10, Watson had two more scores on Thursday night with 48 yards (four catches, six targets).
With five touchdowns in two games, you almost have to start Watson, even if the value has reached its peak. While Allen Lazard sees more consistent volume, Watson has too much upside to ignore anymore as a 6’4″ weapon.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Cleveland Browns (38.5% rostered)
After highlighting him again last week, Donovan Peoples-Jones delivered again on Sunday. Although Amari Cooper certainly had the performance of the day (8-of-12 for 113 and 2 TDs), Peoples-Jones scored 17.1 points (PPR) thanks to five receptions on six targets for 61 yards and a touchdown in Week 11.
Peoples-Jones is the WR31 in per-game scoring since Week 4 (11th in receiving yards) and had 70 yards or more in six of his last seven games. There is just one more game until Deshaun Watson is under center, when Peoples-Jones could hit another level. He’s a WR3 for Week 12 rankings against the Buccaneers. Grab him off the waiver wire if you need a receiver.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans (11.3% rostered)
While the focus has been on Brandin Cooks and his status with the team following the trade deadline, Nico Collins has absolutely been flourishing for the Texans. Over the last two games, he has commanded a 24.2% target share while recording 10 receptions on 17 targets, 497 yards, and a score.
He has back-to-back double-digit games after missing Week 8 and Week 9, and he’s about to face the Dolphins and Browns, who have struggled against perimeter receivers. Collins is a waiver wire addition to snag, as he could push Cooks for the No. 1 if he hasn’t already.
Treylon Burks, WR, Tennessee Titans (22.7% rostered)
Treylon Burks finally had his breakout game in Week 11, recording a 29.6% target share (eight targets), seven receptions, and 111 yards against the Green Bay Packers.
Burks missed four games this year with a stint on the IR, but the WR1 role in Tennessee is wide open for Burks to fill, as was the expectation when they drafted them in the first round. It’s also just good to see him used beyond the line of scrimmage. Ryan Tannehill is playing decent football right now, and if that chemistry continues, Burks might end up a starter down the final stretch.
Parris Campbell, WR, Indianapolis Colts (53% rostered)
When Jeff Saturday announced going back to Matt Ryan under center, no one was happier than Parris Campbell. Over the last three games with Ryan at QB, Campbell has been the WR9, WR5, and WR11 for fantasy. In those three games, Campbell averaged 9.6 targets, 8.0 receptions, and 67.6 receiving yards.
He had an 18.7% target share on Sunday and gets the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football in Week 12. With three games of 19+ PPR points in his last six, Campbell is finally playing as the top-tier option we thought he could be coming out of Ohio State.
Darius Slayton, WR, New York Giants (21.5% rostered)
On Sunday, rookie Wan’Dale Robinson suffered a torn ACL per Giants head coach Brian Daboll. Robinson had been dealing with a few minor injuries, but unfortunately, watched his season come to a close after his best game of the year thus far (nine receptions and 100 yards on 13 targets).
Darius Slayton had no problem taking over and continuing his recent form. Slayton caught five of 10 targets for 86 yards on Sunday to finish as a top-20 wide receiver for the second straight week. Slayton has 60 yards or more in each of his last three games and, entering Week 11, was the WR32 over his previous five games with a 20% target share.
The upcoming schedule is average, but Slayton should be the No. 1 option for Daniel Jones moving forward. Therefore, his fantasy value will increase, he needs to be added off the waiver wire if you need a WR.
George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (62% rostered)
After recording his first career receiving touchdown came in Week 7, George Pickens has scored in back-to-back weeks (rushing TD in Week 10) after catching a 24-yard TD and finishing the day with four receptions on six targets for 83 yards. What is lost in the box score is the dropped would-be 49-yard touchdown Pickens wishes he had back.
MORE: Week 12 PPR Fantasy Football Rankings
Pickens had three targets that were negated due to penalties and has played on 75% or more of the snaps since Week 5. If the target share continues to climb, which should be expected, Pickens has top-25 upside.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, free agent (29.9% rostered)
I will keep putting him down until we have an answer. At some point, Odell Beckham Jr. will sign with a new team. We just don’t know who.
The Dallas Cowboys are making a clear and obvious public push. Still, several teams are drawing the interest of Beckham Jr. He was a top-36 wide receiver in five of his last seven regular-season games with the Rams. Even if he is brought in mainly for his playoff potential, you’ve got to make this move now. Although Beckham Jr. isn’t exactly a sleeper, he’s worth mentioning regardless of the upside.
Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints
Despite not having gained 50+ yards in a game, Juwan Johnson sure knows how to find the end zone. He perfectly demonstrates why the TE position is so frustrating for fantasy managers.
He scored five touchdowns over the last five weeks, which has him tied for second-most amongst TEs for the entire season. Not only that, but despite him not having any big yardage games, his 222 yards since Week 6 are sixth-best for TEs. What matters are high-leverage targets. It’s also where Johnson capitalizes, as nearly 31% of his targets have come inside the 10-yard line, which is also the fourth-highest rating in the NFL.
When it comes to fantasy, bank on touchdowns unless you draft someone like Travis Kelce or Mark Andrews. That’s what Johnson is giving you, along with just enough receiving upside to demonstrate why the TE position has such a low ceiling if you don’t draft an elite option.
Logan Thomas, TE, Washington Commanders (6.5% rostered)
It’s been a year to forget for Logan Thomas, but the Commanders TE actually put together the best game of the season thus far, recording five receptions and 65 yards. While that might not sound like much, both led the team for all pass catchers. He was also second amongst Commanders players in targets (six).
Taylor Heinicke has been named the full-time starter, which boosts Thomas’ floor. Outside of one game (Week 8), Thomas has played on 60% or more of the snaps in every game he’s been active. With three upcoming matchups against the Falcons and Giants twice, Thomas is a waiver wire target to consider if you’ve been streaming the position.
Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals (7.4% rostered)
For full transparency, I am writing this before Monday Night Football, but I can picture it in my head, and it’s breathtaking. Trey McBride, the 2021 Mackey Award winner, builds on his 98% snap rate over the last three quarters of Week 10 and turns in a dazzling performance with 50 yards and a score against the vaunted 49ers defense.
Okay, that may be a bit presumptive of me, but I still am all-in on McBride’s potential. McBride was the No. 1 TE prospect in this draft class and brings an impressive combo of size (6’4″ and 250 pounds) and speed (4.54 40-yard) to fill a void left by Zach Ertz’s 18% target share and 21% air-yard share.
It’s within his range of outcomes to be a top-eight TE the rest of the way. Even if he struggles, which is possible against the 49ers (No. 5 in points allowed and No. 1 in DVOA), better days are ahead. I’d still grab McBride as a potential replacement for Kyle Pitts if things pan out correctly.