Fantasy: Wilson, Watson lead waiver-wire pickups for Week 12

Finding studs on waivers is often the key to winning a fantasy championship. Check back every week to learn who is trending up.

Roster percentages are based on Sleeper leagues. Free-Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals

Brissett set an NFL record with 47 pass completions in Sunday's loss to the 49ers, finishing with 452 yards, two touchdowns, and a pair of interceptions. The veteran quarterback has finished no worse than QB12 since taking over as Arizona's starter, and you can count on him for plenty of volume since he's made at least 31 pass attempts in all five of those contests.

Brissett should be more than capable of extending those good fantasy streaks in this week's matchup, with Jacksonville allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. Only the Commanders, Bengals, and Cowboys have given up more passing touchdowns. The Jaguars are also surrendering the seventh-most passing yards allowed per contest.

Other QBs to pick up:

• Mason Rudolph, Steelers (0%): Rudolph could start in place against a soft Bears defense if Aaron Rodgers misses time with a wrist injury he sustained Sunday. But I'd only pick up the 30-year-old if you're in a deep league, in need of a new QB, and there are few options on waivers.

• Kirk Cousins, Falcons (4%): Like Rudolph, Cousins is an emergency pickup at best. However, he's more likely to start for the remainder of the year, with the Falcons worried that Michael Penix Jr. suffered a season-ending injury.

Running backs

Emanuel Wilson, Packers

Starting running back Josh Jacobs is unlikely to suit up in Week 12 due to the knee injury he sustained against the Giants. The issue isn't thought to be serious, but it should give Wilson a chance to operate as the Packers' starter for at least one game.

Wilson finished with 49 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 12 touches against New York. He also recorded a 71% snap share percentage compared to Chris Brooks' 9%, so there shouldn't be any concern about whether Wilson will take on temporary RB1 duties.

Sean Tucker, Buccaneers

Tucker exploded for 33 half-PPR fantasy points against the Bills. And despite playing fewer than 50% of Tampa Bay's offensive snaps, the 24-year-old finished the contest with 21 touches for 140 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns.

Head coach Todd Bowles hasn't confirmed if Tucker will continue to see an increased workload when Bucky Irving returns. However, he's been too impactful for the Bucs - and more productive than Rachaad White - to become a nonfactor once Irving comes back. Tucker will be a risky weekly start at that point, but that's worth the upside if your fantasy team is on the shallow end.

Other RBs to pick up:

• Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars (23%): Tuten had a solid outing against the Chargers, and he could be a flex option against the Cardinals and Titans over the next two weeks. The rookie doesn't seem worried about the ankle injury sustained Sunday, but you'll need to keep an eye on his status this week.

• Chris Rodriguez, Commanders (30%): Rodriguez seems to have emerged as Washington's top running back option after earning 15 carries for 79 yards against the Dolphins. You'll need to stomach a Week 12 bye if you pick him up, though.

Wide receivers

Michael Wilson, Cardinals

I'm hesitant to spend too much FAB on Wilson despite his 15-catch, 185-yard performance against the 49ers. Brissett's NFL-record 47 completions partially buoyed Wilson's production, and the Cardinals' upcoming matchups don't look as favorable for him. Plus, Marvin Harrison Jr. will command plenty of targets once he's cleared to return to the field.

All of that said, Wilson proved he can be a valuable fantasy football asset, and most of his upcoming matchups are still solid. I wouldn't mind spending some more FAB if you've still got plenty at this point in the year.

Christian Watson, Packers

Watson has been one of the few bright spots for a Green Bay offense that's struggled to find its rhythm in recent weeks. His skill set is naturally more volatile for fantasy purposes as a deep-ball specialist, but he's recorded at least 45 yards in each of the last four games. Watson is also the only Packer who has caught a touchdown from Jordan Love in the previous three contests.

However, Week 12's matchup isn't ideal, as Minnesota has been one of the six best teams at limiting wide receivers' receptions and yards this season. Still, most of Green Bay's other remaining opponents have been much more vulnerable to wide receivers, and Watson is only one deep shot away from a decent outing every week. You could do much worse in your flex spot down the stretch of the campaign.

Other WRs to pick up:

• Jayden Higgins, Texans (21%): Higgins appears locked in as Houston's WR2 moving forward. Unfortunately, his ceiling will remain limited if Davis Mills remains under center. He's a solid flex option, but his weekly floor raises concerns about his reliability.

• Tyrell Shavers, Bills (0%): Shavers stepped up and posted 4-90-1 after Buffalo scratched Keon Coleman for reportedly missing a team meeting. Shavers is a bit of a gamble, and I wouldn't continue rostering him if Coleman returns to the lineup.

Tight ends

Brock Wright, Lions

While Wright struggled against an Eagles unit that's starting to surge, he was far from the only Lions player to have a tough time during the outdoor game. The 26-year-old finished with just two receptions, but his seven targets were encouraging. He should capitalize on his targets much more effectively in Week 12 when his club returns to the friendly confines of Ford Field's dome.

Quarterback Jared Goff is generally much better when playing indoors, averaging an additional 13 yards per game under a roof. He's also thrown 10 touchdowns in four indoor games, compared to 11 scores in six outdoor contests this season. That boost should give Wright a much better chance at contributing value to your fantasy team in Week 12.

Other TEs to pick up:

• AJ Barner, Seahawks (17%): Barner has been inconsistent this year, but he has more upside than most tight ends. His fantasy playoff schedule is also very friendly to tight ends, so he's worth keeping around for those important matchups.

• Theo Johnson, Giants (48%): Like many others at his position, Johnson has struggled to establish consistent weekly expectations. However, he's seen at least four targets in all but two games this season. That gives him a better floor than most other tight ends, though the Giants' inconsistent passing attack limits his ceiling.

Andrew Dixon is a contributing fantasy analyst for theScore.