Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 12

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

Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. FAAB bids are set off a $100 budget. Only players owned in less than 60 percent of leagues are considered.

Fantasy Podcast: Week 11 takeaways, early look at waiver wire

Quarterbacks

Lamar Jackson, Ravens

In his first start, Jackson was limited as a passer, throwing for 150 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception in a favorable matchup with the Bengals. But, you don't need to be prolific through the air when you're rushing the ball 27 times. Jackson turned those carries into 117 yards on the ground, making him a low-end QB1 in fantasy this week. Had he found the end zone, he'd be approaching the top five. That's the kind of upside we're talking about with Jackson. He's expected to get at least one more start, which will come against the bottom-feeder Raiders. Hopefully, he does enough in that game to convince the Ravens' coaching staff to let him hold the job for the rest of the season.

Baker Mayfield, Browns

Jackson didn't take full advantage of a Bengals pass defense that was allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks entering Week 11, but Mayfield will. The first overall pick in this year's draft has started to find his groove, throwing for multiple touchdown passes in four straight games prior the bye. The Browns should be rested and well prepared for their visit to Cincinnati, where Mayfield will be an excellent streaming option.

Other options: Andy Dalton at CLE (57 percent owned), Dak Prescott vs. WAS (48 percent owned), Eli Manning at PHI (23 percent owned), Nick Mullens at TB (7 percent owned)

Running Backs

Josh Adams, Eagles

Adams received a write-up in this section each of the last two weeks as his role in the Eagles' offense grew. Even against a tough Saints run defense, Adams delivered with 53 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, but it was his work in the passing game that should get you excited. The rookie caught three of his six targets for 19 yards, showing he can be more than just a physical ball carrier. Adams should continue to lead this backfield in touches and with softer matchups on the horizon, including the Giants this week, he'll be an intriguing flex play with RB2 upside moving forward.

Gus Edwards, Ravens

Edwards was a surprise star in Week 11, racking up 115 yards on 17 carries in a hostile takeover of the Ravens' rushing attack. Starter Alex Collins reached the end zone early in the game against the Bengals but was held to 18 yards on just seven rushes. Baltimore's decision to go with the hot hand was unexpected, but the success on the ground wasn't. Jackson provides a dual threat at quarterback and the Ravens are facing one of the easiest schedules the rest of the way. The reason Edwards isn't topping this list is job security. If Collins, Javorius Allen, or Ty Montgomery outperform him early in Week 12, he could tumble right back down the depth chart. He's worth a strong bid since we're in the final stretch of the fantasy season, just understand the risk that comes with investing in Edwards.

Theo Riddick/LeGarrette Blount, Lions

It appears Kerryon Johnson avoided a season-ending injury, but a knee sprain will sideline him for Thanksgiving and potentially longer. That leaves an uninspiring duo of Riddick and Blount, each limited to the one area where they excel. Riddick is an outstanding pass-catcher and should continue to split his time between the backfield and the slot. The 31-year-old Blount is a power back with little left in the tank, and he'll struggle to find running room versus the Bears' shutdown front. Blount will need a touchdown to return value, while Riddick is best deployed as an RB2 in PPR leagues.

Elijah McGuire, Jets

Since making his season debut in Week 9, McGuire has outplayed starter Isaiah Crowell as a runner and a receiver. With the Jets not challenging for a playoff spot, the team would be wise to turn to McGuire coming out of its bye. If that happens, he'll offer flex value in an offense that doesn't project to spend much time in scoring position.

Jalen Richard, Raiders

It’s not ideal to invest in the Raiders, but Richard amassed 93 yards on 14 touches in the win over the Cardinals. He's topped 50 yards seven times this year while catching at least three passes in all but one contest. With the Raiders not expected to contend in many games, Richard's receiving skills will be put to use, giving him upside as a flex option.

Royce Freeman, Broncos

Freeman made his return to the lineup with eight touches for 30 yards, but he scored his fifth touchdown in eight games as a pro. While that still makes him too dangerous to trust as more than a touchdown-dependent flex play, look ahead to his playoff schedule when he faces the 49ers, Browns, and Raiders. If something were to happen to Phillip Lindsay, Freeman might turn into a league-winner.

Other options: Rashaad Penny at CAR (50 percent owned), Ito Smith at NO (51 percent owned), Frank Gore at IND (25 percent owned), Nyheim Hines vs. MIA (24 percent owned), Giovani Bernard vs. CLE (30 percent owned), Spencer Ware on Bye (10 percent owned), Malcolm Brown on Bye (7 percent owned), Ronald Jones vs. SF (8 percent owned)

Wide Receivers

Courtland Sutton, Broncos

Sutton's still under 60 percent owned, which forces me to remind you to pick him up if he's available. Sutton has 50 yards or a touchdown in seven straight games. We're witnessing the arrival of a star in Denver.

D.J. Moore, Panthers

Outside of Sutton, Moore has the best chance of anyone here to emerge as his team's top receiver down the stretch. The signs were there prior to his 157-yard, one-touchdown display in Week 12. Moore had tied Devin Funchess in targets over the previous three games, and the rookie's 90-yard outing in Week 8 topped Funchess' season high of 77. Moore is a first-round talent with an excellent schedule and is someone you're going to want in your lineup during the fantasy playoffs.

Anthony Miller, Bears

Even in a difficult matchup with the Vikings, Miller scored a touchdown for the fourth time in his last six games. He also saw his snaps increase once again, appearing on 81 percent of the Bears' offensive plays. He's only eclipsed 50 yards once during his rookie campaign, but Chicago has a friendly slate remaining and Miller is emerging as the clear second option in Chicago's passing attack. He's yet another young wideout who has worked his way into the WR3 conversation in fantasy.

Tre'Quan Smith, Saints

Ever since his Week 5 breakout on Monday Night Football, we've been waiting for Smith to make his mark on the fantasy landscape. A mix of stingy opponents and bad game scripts prevented him from erupting over the last month. That changed on Sunday when he caught 10 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. Like his predecessor Ted Ginn, Smith will have a better chance to hit when playing on the fast track at home, but he needs to be owned in every format.

Keke Coutee, Texans

The amount of young talent at receiver seems endless. Coutee flashed earlier in the year, but a hamstring injury kept him out of the lineup for three weeks. In his first game back, he hauled in five passes for 77 yards and reminded everyone why he was a sought-after fantasy commodity in the opening month. It's not inconceivable to think Coutee will outproduce Demaryius Thomas the rest of the way.

Christian Kirk, Cardinals

Kirk is a full-time player in Arizona, as he prepares to one day assume Larry Fitzgerald's place as the Cardinals' franchise receiver. The rookie is off to a good start, with 50 yards or a touchdown in six of last eight contests, highlighted by a 77-yard, one-touchdown outing Sunday. The Cardinals' offense is harder to put your faith in than some of the others in this section, which is the only thing holding Kirk's value back.

Other options: Chris Godwin vs. SF (45 percent owned), Marquise Goodwin at TB (41 percent owned), Josh Reynolds on Bye (44 percent owned), Donte Moncrief at BUF (22 percent owned), Mohamed Sanu at NO (43 percent owned), Kenny Stills at IND (31 percent owned), DeVante Parker at IND (14 percent owned), John Ross vs. CLE (13 percent owned)

Tight Ends

Cameron Brate, Buccaneers

Breakout star O.J. Howard was forced to exit in Week 11 due to an ankle injury. While the results have yet to be released, Howard is reportedly seeking a second opinion, which normally suggests the player didn't like what he heard from the original doctor. If Howard is out for any amount of time, Brate would be re-established as a borderline TE1 in fantasy. It's a role we've seen Brate deliver in before, especially with Jameis Winston under center.

Jonnu Smith, Titans

The fantasy waiver wire is a wasteland for owners in search of tight end help. Outside of Brate, no one offers top-12 value, but Smith has started to come alive for the Titans. He's visited the end zone twice in the last three weeks and continued his increased involvement with a six-catch, 44-yard afternoon in Week 11. Marcus Mariota's injury is a concern for Smith, who could be a solid streaming option if this offense stays on track.

Other options: Gerald Everett on Bye (3 percent owned), Chris Herndon vs. NE (7 percent owned), Jeff Heuerman vs. PIT (24 percent owned), C.J. Uzomah vs. CLE (20 percent owned)