NFL Waiver Wire: Week 12 Deep Dive

The Thanksgiving Day slate always brings a handful of additional wrinkles to the waiver wire process, and Thursday's most intriguing contest (Pit vs. BAL) being moved off the ballot midweek doesn't make planning any easier. In the wake of rookie sensation Joe Burrow (torn ACL) having suffered a truly dispiriting injury and probably dooming Cincinnati's offense the rest of the way, plenty of us are scrambling to find replacement wideouts. That isn't to mention the usual slate of injuries mucking things up, as the likes of Christian McCaffrey (knee), Kenny Golladay (hip) and Joe Mixon (foot) will be unavailable, while names like Kyler Murray (shoulder), Terry McLaurin (ankle) and Julio Jones (hamstring) are looking murky. And that's just to name a few. 

This Thursday article is our second waiver wire piece of the week, intended to give a broad overview of players worth fantasy consideration. Every Monday, Kevin Payne's first edition of the Waiver Wire series summarizes the top names.

As usual, for add/drop, start/sit, or any other questions relating to fantasy, just comment below or hit me up on Twitter (@ivilloth). 

The list below includes players rostered in no more than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and is listed in order of preference based on half-point per reception scoring and a 12-team league. Depending on your league's scoring and roster settings, certain players might warrant higher consideration than what is listed. Each player's listed roster percentage is based on Tuesday's Yahoo statistics, to give a general sense of availability for a given week.

QUARTERBACK

Taysom Hill at Broncos (41 percent) – Even if you didn't get the gift of starting Hill in your TE slot last week, you were probably more than happy with his fantasy day. His numbers were bolstered by two rushing TDs and New Orleans' defense also did work to keep the game competitive early, but Hill's athleticism makes that type of stat line less of an anomaly. Hill gets a middle-of-the-road matchup against Denver this week, and will then benefit by facing the Falcons again. 

Derek Carr at Falcons (36 percent) – Carr has looked legit for large stretches this season, and Sunday night's narrow loss to the Chiefs marked his third three-TD performance of the year. He's eclipsed 30 passing attempts in all but three of 10 appearances to date and the Raiders figure to once again air it out against Atlanta who allow the second most passing yards and TDs. 

Tua Tagovailoa at Jets (38 percent) – Tua's struggle to move the offense last week were blatant enough that he was benched, but the division-rival Jets should be kind enough to oblige him in a bounceback performance. New York has allowed 288.3 passing yards per game to opposing QBs, only better than Atlanta and Seattle. 

Brandon Allen vs. Giants (0 percent) – With Joe Burrow (torn ACL) done for the year, it looks like Allen will come fresh off the practice squad and start for Cincinnati. Allen looked serviceable at times across three games with the Broncos in 2019 – certainly better than Ryan Finley (0 percent) did in his three games with the Bengals – so there's some hope he could at least put up modest fantasy numbers in favorable matchups. Cincinnati's skill-position personnel is dangerous enough that Allen could rack up numbers occasionally, which could make him a valuable depth option in leagues that start multiple quarterbacks. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick at Jets (3 percent) – Fitz briefly entered last weekend's loss to the Broncos and looked decent before throwing a bad pick, but coach Brian Flores hasn't budged in stating Tua Tagovailoa is still Miami's starting QB. But if Tua tanks again, holding on to Fitz could pay dividends in SF leagues. 

RUNNING BACK

Gus Edwards at Steelers (46 percent) – Courtesy of both J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram hitting the COVID-19 list Monday, Edwards appears primed for a workhorse role Week 12 - and possibly beyond. The Steelers represent a poor matchup, though the Gus Bus did pile up 87 yards and a score when these two teams last met in Week 8. On the other hand, Baltimore's O-line was also functioning a bit better back then. 

James White vs. Cardinals (47 percent) – With Rex Burkhead presumably done for the season with a torn ACL, White seems destined to reclaim New England's full change-of-pace role. Cam Newton's scrambling tendencies don't necessarily lend perfectly to RB dump offs, but the Patriots have succeeded this season in designing passes to the backfield. White replaced Burkhead in the second half of last weekend's loss to Houston and finished the game with nine targets. 

Tony Pollard vs. Football Team (20 percent) – Pollard flashed his upside with a long touchdown on just five carries in Minnesota last weekend. Dallas's offense appears to have come online as a consistent unit with Andy Dalton under center again, so Pollard's promise as a handcuff may have been restored. But he'd still need Zeke out of the way to garner consistent weekly starting value. 

Frank Gore vs. Dolphins (8 percent) – Gore finally appeared to be seceding work to La'Mical Perine, but the rookie has now gone down with a high-ankle sprain. Such injuries essentially guarantee a multi-week absence for RBs, which positions Gore for a likely workhorse role during that stretch. 

Sony Michel vs. Cardinals (24 percent) – Michel hasn't played since Week 3, but he's finally been activated off IR. Granted, he was still inactive last weekend, but he could be ready to suit up against the Cardinals in Week 12. Damien Harris's emergence as a legit between-the-tackles runner does make Michel's path to touches uncertain, even with Rex Burkhead (torn ACL) out. 

Cam Akers vs. 49ers (31 percent) – Akers only received five carries while playing 12 of 72 offensive snaps during Monday's win over the Buccaneers, but he made the most of those opportunities while scoring his first career touchdown on his only target. It seems quite likely the Rams will continue to incorporate all of Akers, Malcolm Brown (26 percent) and Darrell Henderson this year, with a three-man committee not boding well for the rookie's late-season breakout prospects. 

Devontae Booker at Falcons (9 percent) – Booker has logged at least five carries in four straight games, and by all indications he's earned the No. 2 role behind Josh Jacobs. The Falcons are much more susceptible through the air than on the ground, so this week Booker is purely in consideration as a long-term stash. 

Brian Hill vs. Raiders (7 percent) – Given how sparse the waiver wire is at this point, rostering handcuffs is becoming increasingly appealing. Hill would be the clear favorite to inherit the No. 1 role if anything were to happen to Todd Gurley, and he's no doubt going under the radar compared to the Pollards and Mattisons of the world. 

Rashaad Penny at Eagles (4 percent) – Coach Pete Carroll is "hopeful" Penny will resume practicing this week, but that doesn't say anything about the 2018 first-round pick's timetable for an actual return. And supposedly, Penny could make a late-season return. Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde have both had enough trouble staying healthy that Penny could be worth monitoring. 

Benny Snell vs. Ravens (5 percent) – Snell hasn't topped 20 rushing yards since Week 1 and hasn't returned any fantasy value outside of three games in which he scored. He's purely an insurance stash for James Conner, who's stayed pretty healthy this year. 

Jordan Howard vs. Seahawks (16 percent) – Howard only spent five days on Philadelphia's practice squad before bumping to the active roster. Coming off an abysmal showing with the Dolphins where he was relegated to occasional short-yardage work, Howard certainly isn't any type of threat to Miles Sanders. He could be a fair insurance option alongside Boston Scott (29 percent), but that's not enough to warrant a waiver claim outside of truly deep leagues. 

Justice Hill at Steelers (2 percent) – Gus Edwards is the clear favorite to lead Baltimore's backfield while both J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram are sidelined, but Hill should immediately slot into a change-of-pace role. Pittsburgh certainly isn't an ideal matchup, but Hill gained a number of truthers last year who will no doubt watch his handful of touches with bated breath. 

WIDE RECEIVER

Deebo Samuel at Rams (48 percent) – Samuel (hamstring) looks like he'll return this week, while Brandon Aiyuk (COVID-19 list) may be unavailable. In any case, Deebo should operate as Nick Mullens' clear top target, though his matchup against the Rams is as tough as it gets. LA is allowing the fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs, but Deebo's versatility of usage may still allow him to operate as a mismatch. 

A.J. Green vs. Giants (49 percent) – Green's stock has plummeted now that Joe Burrow is out of the lineup, but it may not yet be time to completely abandon ship on the veteran. He scored for the first time all season last weekend, and prior to that had been putting up respectable fantasy numbers purely by virtue of yards/catches. The Bengals still won't be capable of leaning on the run post-Burrow, so it's conceivable Green's target numbers could remain similar with Brandon Allen under center. 

Allen Lazard vs. Bears (40 percent) – Lazard didn't do much in his return to action last week, only handling half his regular snap share while catching two of four targets for only 18 yards. I'd stash Lazard for another week especially with a matchup against Chicago's stingy secondary, but he should be ready to reprise his role as GB's No. 2 receiver before the fantasy playoffs. 

Jalen Reagor vs. Seahawks (27 percent) – Reagor picked up 47 and 52 yards in his last two games, and a matchup against Seattle's porous secondary could be exactly what the rookie first-round pick needs to finally break out. It likely goes without saying at this point, but the Seahawks are allowing the most fantasy points to opposing WRs. 

Cole Beasley vs. Chargers (48 percent) – Beasley is coming off a bye and might be getting a bit overlooked, but he dropped 11 catches, 109 yards and a score in Arizona his last appearance. John Brown (ankle) still doesn't look healthy, so Beasley could once again be in line for large usage against the Chargers. He's also notched three 100-yard games this year.  

Tim Patrick vs. Saints (23 percent) – It doesn't feel energizing to slot 27-year-old undrafted WRs into your starting lineup - especially one playing for the Broncos - but it's inexcusable to ignore what Patrick has done up to this point. He's coming off his third 100-yard performance of the season against a stout Dolphins secondary. Granted, 61 of those yards came on a meaningless final play, but Patrick offers as high of upside as you'll find in a fantasy WR4. 

Nelson Agholor at Falcons (34 percent) – Agholor's matchup against the Falcons is about as good as it gets, and he's been a true boom-or-bust option this year. The ex-Eagle has racked up five double-digit fantasy performances across his last seven games, but has combined for less than two fantasy points in his two duds. Next on deck, Agholor will match up against the Jets. 

Sammy Watkins at Buccaneers (41 percent) – It looks like Watkins - who hasn't played since Week 5 - will finally return from his lingering hamstring injury. The matchup against Tampa Bay's secondary isn't ideal especially in Watkins' first game back from injury, but Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods each just slashed the Buccaneers on Monday night.  

Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. Bears (28 percent) – Aside from the first fumble of his career coming as a game-deciding error, MVS has now put together three solid games in a row. He's accumulated 257 yards and three scores over that span, with at least four targets in all but one contest this season. The Bears represent a less-than-ideal matchup, but the Packers only face below-average secondaries from Weeks 13-16. 

Mecole Hardman at Buccaneers (28 percent) – Fantasy manages will probably have difficulty trusting Hardman after he only caught one ball last week, especially if Sammy Watkins (hamstring) does in fact return to the lineup. Context for Hardman's recent dud is that he hadn't been eligible to practice for two weeks, so his status as a fine boom-or-bust Flex play remains intact in my opinion. 

T.Y. Hilton vs. Titans (39 percent) – Hilton hasn't gotten the job done all season, including when he last faced the Titans just two weeks ago with only four catches for 40 yards. Tennessee's secondary is still a fantastic matchup and an ideal candidate for Hilton to score his first TD of 2020, but at this point the veteran speedster is merely a Flex option. 

Breshad Perriman vs. Dolphins (12 percent) – Perriman has three scores and 155 yards over the last two games while being a key element in New York's offense coming to life of late. Joe Flacco isn't quite what he once was (elite?), but he still throws a nice enough deep ball to sync well with Perriman's skillset. And it's possible Sam Darnold (shoulder) returns this week. Denzel Mims (6 percent) also makes for an interesting option.

Henry Ruggs at Falcons (30 percent) – Ruggs' abilities as a big-play threat make him tempting in a matchup against Atlanta, but the rookie first-rounder has only totaled 79 yards off eight catches over the last five weeks. Nelson Agholor is the clear No. 1 in this offense for now, and Ruggs' volatility means production could well come while on the bench while it seems he's destined for at least one more solid game this season. 

Keke Coutee at Lions (1 percent) – Coutee scored his first TD of the season last week while also catching his first passes since Week 2. He's only managed 21 yards on the season, but Houston's slot role looks wide open for Coutee with Randall Cobb (toe) and Kenny Stills (hamstring) both ruled out for Thanksgiving Day.

TIGHT END

Jordan Akins at Lions (2 percent) – Akins looks like he's back as the No. 1 tight end in Houston, having recorded five catches and 83 yards against the Patriots. His six targets topped Darren Fells (three) and Pharaoh Brown (two) combined. With Randall Cobb (toe) and Kenny Stills (quadriceps) both looking likely to miss time, Akins could be in line for a sizeable Thanksgiving workload. 

Jordan Reed at Rams (15 percent) – Reed is another player probably being overlooked coming off a bye, but he posted 62 yards and a touchdown Week 10. He should continue serving as San Francisco's top pass catching TE, with that role possibly demanding a fair share of targets if Brandon Aiyuk can't go against LA. 

Chris Herndon vs. Dolphins (13 percent) – Herndon flashed some life against the Chargers last week by scoring his first touchdown of the season. It's been long enough that Herndon's 2018 season has largely faded from memory, but he was wildly impressive for a rookie TE with 502 yards and four TDs. The Jets' offense has actually put together back-to-back 25+ point games, so there's a chance Herndon could see some level of resurgence down the stretch. 

Will Dissly at Eagles (1 percent) – With Greg Olsen (foot) now on IR until at least late in the regular season, Dissly and Jacob Hollister (0 percent) appear destined to lead Seattle's tight end room. To his credit, Dissly looks like he's recovered well from last year's season-ending injury, but hasn't yet done anything for fantasy through 10 games with only 14 catches for 163 yards and one TD.

Richard Rodgers vs. Seahawks (3 percent) – The return of Dallas Goedert hasn't actually completely diminished Rodgers' role in Philadelphia, as both tight ends scored last week. He's had 60 and 48 yards in his last two games, which are respectable numbers for an emergency streaming option.