Fantasy Football Week 12: Risers, Fallers and Top Trade Candidates

If you haven't taken the time to do so, it is highly recommended you check out the list of injured reserve players for fantasy football—it's quite astonishing.

This past week, the injury bug bit a few more guys, such as Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, Ravens running back Justin Forsett, Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch and New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola.

However, the silver lining in all of this is that the backups for most of the players listed above are actually pretty good.

Injuries do make it easier to find risers, unfortunately.

Who's ready for some Thanksgiving Day football?

Riser: Thomas Rawls, RB, Seattle Seahawks

John Froschauer/Associated Press

According to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is expected to miss four to five weeks with an abdominal injury.

Insert fellow running back Thomas Rawls.

As we've seen in prior weeks when Lynch has been out, Rawls has been a force to be reckoned with.

In Lynch's absence Week 1, Rawls went on to produce enough to be the RB1 in Week 11.

He's a full-fledged RB1 from here on out.

Faller: Chris Ivory, RB, New York Jets

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Since Week 7, New York Jets running back Chris Ivory has been average.

During that span, Ivory has had three games in which he finished at less than 2.5 yards per carry. However, in Week 9 he did score two touchdowns, although he carries the ball 23 times for just a mere 26 yards.

Also, Ivory has fumbled two times in the past three games.

Ivory is not a guy you want to sit, but it's very clear that he just has not been able to run the same as he was earlier this season.

Riser: Javorius Allen, RB, Baltimore Ravens

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According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett will miss the remainder of the season due to a broken arm.

After exiting Week 11, fellow running back Javoris "Buck" Allen went on to total 115 yards on 27 touches. Though the rushing totals did not wow anyone, Allen is an excellent pass-catching back.

If you're in a points-per-reception league, Allen's ability to catch passes out of the backfield will make him a solid weapon down the stretch and into the fantasy football playoffs.

Faller: Chris Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Over his last three games, Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson has failed to score a touchdown, but he does have one 100-yard game. However, in that 100-yard game, Johnson had two fumbles.

Carries have been no problem for Johnson, as he is averaging more than 24 carries per game his last three games.

Johnson could easily bounce back, but as of Week 11, his stock is down.

Johnson will have a great opportunity to redeem himself, as the Cardinals will take on the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12. However, the two games after that feature the St. Louis Rams and the Minnesota Vikings, who rank in the bottom half of fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs.

Riser: Brock Osweiler, QB, Denver Broncos

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

In his first start of his NFL career, Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns against the Chicago Bears.

According to Andrew Mason of Broncos.com, fellow quarterback Peyton Manning will miss "at least" two more weeks with his foot injury.

The Broncos' next three games include the New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders.

Overall, Osweiler has a good slate of games coming up.

Osweiler played better in Week 11 than Manning has all season.

If Osweiler continues to produce, the Broncos may rest Manning the rest of the season to get fully healthy for the playoffs.

Faller: Martellus Bennett, TE, Chicago Bears

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Over his last two games, Chicago Bears tight end Martellus Bennett has totaled just five catches for under 50 yards and no touchdowns.

While some of this is due in part to the emergence of fellow Bears tight end Zach Miller, Bennett has just three games over five receptions.

However, if wide receiver Alshon Jeffery continues to sit out, Bennett could see an uptick in action.

Trade Candidates

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Buy Low: Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders

Over his last two games, Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper is averaging three receptions for just over 41 yards receiving and no touchdowns.

However, most of those statistics came in Week 10. In Week 11, Cooper caught just one pass for four yards.

With the trade deadline approaching in most leagues, as well as the fantasy football playoffs, try to take advantage of a nervous owner.

Sell High: DeSean Jackson, WR, Washington Redskins

In Week 11, Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson finally caught a touchdown pass on five receptions.

However, in the other two weeks he's been back from injury, Jackson has totaled just five catches and failed to go over 50 yards in both.

I'm just not at all confident Jackson can produce to be a proven fantasy commodity heading into the playoffs, and his value will never be higher. Get rid of him!

Trade For: Shaun Draughn, RB, San Francisco 49ers

If you told me at the beginning of the season that I would be telling you to trade for San Francisco 49ers running back Shaun Draughn, I would have driven you to an insane asylum.

However, this is football, and well, nothing should come as a surprise.

Over his last two games, Draughn is averaging 14 carries per game. What makes Draughn an intriguing playing is his pass-catching ability.

In Week 11, Draughn caught eight passes on 11 targets.

If you're in a points-per-reception league, go out and try to get Draughn. The price may not be all that high.