Week 12 Waiver-Wire Pickups: Available Sleepers in Most ESPN, Yahoo Leagues

If your fantasy football team is still alive by Thanksgiving, you're in good shape.

Some teams are already out, relegated to playing spoiler. But most teams—even those hovering around .500—are making a final push for a playoff berth.

If you've been hit with injuries or just a lack of depth at running back or wide receiver, check out some sleeper adds below.

Wide Receivers

Tajae Sharpe, Tennessee Titans

James Kenney/Associated Press

Yahoo: 13 percent

ESPN: 14.8 percent

If you recognize Tajae Sharpe's name, it probably carries a negative connotation.

Hailed as the Tennessee Titans' top receiver heading into Week 1, Sharpe was the world's favorite sleeper. Everywhere you looked, there were blinking red signs saying, "Add Sharpe! Add Sharpe!"

Then Week 1 came, and he tallied 76 yards on seven catches—a good start for a fifth-round rookie. From Week 2 through Week 6, though, Sharpe combined for 11.4 standard points (2.3 points per game).

What a bust.

…Right?

Not so fast. Quarterback Marcus Mariota's explosion over the past three weeks has breathed new life into Sharpe's breakout. The wide receiver has surpassed 60 yards and found the end zone in each of his last two games. Sunday's contest against the Chicago Bears is certainly inviting, too. This week, Sharpe has entered WR3 territory. 

As noted by Yahoo Sports' Scott Pianowski, he's a worthy dart throw if you lost Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green:

Be warned that the Titans have their bye in Week 13, so you won't have Sharpe (or anyone else) next week.

Other WRs

Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Yahoo: 4 percent

Here are Adam Thielen's standard fantasy stats since Week 5:

• 18.7
• Bye
• 5.2
• 4.0
• 6.8
• 9.2
• 12.5

Spectacular? No. Worthy of rolling out if (a) Stefon Diggs ever sits or (b) you're hurting at the position? Absolutely.

Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

ESPN: 29.3 percent

This is more of a reach than Thielen, who is unlikely to totally sink your week. Tyler Lockett, on the other hand, has surpassed four standard fantasy points just twice all season.

Part of that can be attributed to health, though—both his own and Russell Wilson's. Now that his QB is back to his usual, vigorous self, Lockett is a serviceable Hail Mary play if you need a huge week. Last year, he had a pair of two-touchdown games (Week 11 and Week 14).

Running Backs

Jalen Richard, Oakland Raiders

Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press

Yahoo: 13 percent

ESPN: 9 percent

The Oakland Raiders have two running backs worth owning in fantasy; DeAndre Washington isn't one of them.

Fellow first-year speedster Jalen Richard has outplayed the highly touted rookie from Texas Tech. The former has amassed 161 yards on 23 touches in his last three outings, while the latter has just 67 on 17 touches.

In Monday night's 27-20 win over the Houston Texans, the Oakland Raiders gave Washington one carry. That was it. By contrast, Richard saw three carries and three catches, one of which he converted into a touchdown.

ESPN's Adam Caplan and CSNCalifornia.com's Scott Bair provided reminders about how far Richard has come, but they noted his emergence isn't random:

Granted, Latavius Murray is the workhorse, but he's not available on the waiver wire. (Note: If he is, find a new league.) Richard isn't an ideal play as we near the fantasy playoffs, but he's a threat to score every time he touches the rock.

The Carolina Panthers, this week's opponent, are the 30th-ranked team against the run. Oakland might opt to give Richard more time as a pass-catcher, giving an obvious boost to his value in leagues that reward receptions.

If you have the space, Richard is worth adding. If you're in a serious bind, he's got the upside to warrant a play—though hopefully you're not that desperate.

Other RBs

Mike Gillislee, Buffalo Bills

Gary Landers/Associated Press

ESPN: 26.2 percent

Touchdown Mike has lived up to his nickname. Gillislee has five total scores on the season and is flex-worthy in a pinch, even if LeSean McCoy is healthy. Shady is extremely injury-prone, though, making Gillislee a must-own handcuff.

Alfred Morris, Dallas Cowboys

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Yahoo: 12 percent

Unlike Gillislee, Alfred Morris lacks standalone value. But if starter Ezekiel Elliott ever gets banged up, you'll want the guy running behind the Dallas Cowboys' otherworldly offensive line. His upside is so high, letting Morris collect dust on your bench is worth it.