NFL Waiver Wire: Week 12 Pickups

I've written this before, but the waiver wire is barren this week. While only two teams on bye - Kansas City and Arizona - the absence of both those teams should effect multiple fantasy squads. Let's look at who to target this week on the wire.

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and remaining budget.

QUARTERBACK

SECONDARY TARGETS

Tyrod Taylor, HOU - Taylor had a solid fantasy outing Sunday, totaling 20.2 fantasy points, largely due to using his legs. The schedule lines up nicely for Taylor facing the Jets, Colts and Seahawks the next three games. He obviously isn't going to rush for two touchdowns every game, but his 107 passing yards likely will be his lowest output this season. FAAB: $3-$6

HAIL MARY

Andy Dalton, CHI - Justin Fields hasn't been ruled out yet, but the Bears likely will exercise caution with their young quarterback on a short week. Dalton threw for 201 yards on only 11 completions last week and, more important, threw for two touchdowns without a turnover. He's most likely will not be relevant in 12-team leagues but has value in super-flex/two-quarterback formats. FAAB: $1-$2

RUNNING BACK

SECONDARY TARGETS

Ty Johnson, Tevin Coleman, NYJ - It was confirmed Monday that Michael Carter will miss at least two weeks with a high ankle sprain, putting Johnson and Coleman in more prominent roles. It's tough to get very excited about either as it should be a pretty even split, and it's the Jets. Coleman should handle early down and goal-line work while Johnson should be on the field for passing situations. My lean is Johnson in PPR formats, Coleman in standard scoring. FAAB: Each $3-$6

HAIL MARY

Matt Breida, BUF - Breida isn't an add in most leagues but should be on everyone's radar. Devin Singletary has five fumbles this season and somehow has zero lost, giving Breida a shot from the coaching staff. Zack Moss is averaging only 3.5 yards per carry and the Bills coaches have raved about Breida's speed. Breida has definitely carved out a role in the offense and if anything happens to Moss or Singletary there would be a greater opportunity for him. FAAB: $1-$2

Rex Burkhead HOU - I get that Phillip Lindsay only averages 2.6 yards per carry this season, but I also have a hard time understanding why he got one carry to Burkhead's 18 on Sunday. Burkhead turned those 18 carries into a whopping 40 rushing yards, instilling little confidence in him. If the volume continues, maybe he's worth a look in deeper leagues, but I wouldn't trust him in most formats. FAAB: $1-$2

Dontrell Hilliard, TEN - Hilliard had a fair fantasy day with 80 yards from scrimmage, including 8-10-47 line catching the ball. The reason to be skeptical is Jeremy McNichols could return this week, essentially killing Hilliard's fantasy value. Still, Mike Vrabel and the coaching staff might have liked what they saw from Hilliard and continue to give him touches. Provided McNichols is back, there's no way I'd feel safe starting Hilliard in any lineup. FAAB: $1-$2

WIDE RECEIVER

SECONDARY TARGETS

Cedrick Wilson, DAL - CeeDee Lamb left Sunday's game with a concussion and Amari Cooper has COVID-19, thrusting Wilson into a bigger role for Dallas. Michael Gallup (68 percent rostered on Yahoo) will take over as the No.1 receiver, but Wilson should easily see an uptick in targets as evidenced by his seven Sunday. FAAB: $3-$6

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB - MVS had his best fantasy output of the season Sunday with 22.3 fantasy points (PPR) against the Vikings. He's missed a good chunk of the season and could emerge as the deep threat/second receiving option the Packers have been looking for. All of this said, he has a tough matchup with the Rams this week and then has a bye Week 13. Also note he's had four games in six with 5.1 or fewer fantasy points, so don't get overly excited. FAAB: $3-$6

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, TEN - Westbrook-Ikhine led the way for the Titans on Sunday, finishing with 8-7-107. Marcus Johnson pulled up grabbing his hamstring in the end zone on a long throw and Julio Jones is still on IR, meaning there should still be targets for NWI. The reasons I'm down on him is that he has a tough matchup in New England and has a bye Week 14. I'm not comfortable using him short term, but it's possible he has an impact after Week 14. FAAB: $1-$2

TIGHT END

PRIMARY TARGET

Logan Thomas, WFT - This might be the best pick in a vacuum of players on the waiver wire. Thomas is expected to return from IR this week, and it's great timing with Ricky Seals-Jones banged up. Thomas faces teams who rank 23rd or worse against the position the next six games, so it's hard to find a tight end with a more favorable schedule. FAAB: $5-$10

SECONDARY TARGET

Josiah Deguara, GB - Deguara scored the first touchdown of his career Sunday, catching a 25-yard score in the end zone from Aaron Rodgers. Deguara, a third-round pick out of Cincinnati last year, should be up to speed and continue to get opportunities with regular starter Robert Tonyan out for the season. FAAB: $2-$4

DEFENSE

Chicago Bears - Have you ever been more excited to watch football on Thanksgiving than this season's early game? Andy Dalton vs. Tim Boyle might put people to sleep before the tryptophan hits, but for fantasy purposes it's a great spot to use the Bears. Boyle had two interceptions on 23 attempts and finished with 3.3 yards per attempt last week. Even if Jared Goff returns, I still like the Bears. FAAB: $2-$4