Waiver Wire Week 12: Samaje Perine, Treylon Burks Highlight Pickups to Know

Samaje Perine turned in one of the most impressive performances by a running back in the last few weeks in the NFL in Week 11.

The Cincinnati Bengals player scored three touchdowns through the air as he filled in for the injured Joe Mixon.

Mixon suffered a concussion on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he may have to miss time if the symptoms persist in the next week.

Perine has not been a waiver-wire target during his career because Mixon has been so reliable inside the Bengals offense.

However, the 27-year-old could be one of the most valuable pickups for Week 12 because of how important every week is now with the playoffs on the horizon in fantasy football.

The running back spot will take priority because of the injury suffered by Mixon, but there are a few wide receivers and tight ends who should have your attention as well.

Samaje Perine, RB, Cincinnati

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 20: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) celebrates with Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) after a touchdown during the national football league game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 20, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Samaje Perine produced the best single-game performance of his NFL career on Sunday.

The Oklahoma product caught three touchdowns from Joe Burrow in relief of Joe Mixon, who suffered a concussion in the second quarter.

Perine has typically been used in the passing game as a third-down and goal-line back for the Bengals when his teammate has been healthy.

The fantasy football value in a player with a specific workload is typically low, especially for 10- or 12-team leagues, and Perine's fantasy stock could skyrocket in the coming week because of Mixon's injury status.

Cincinnati would love to have the 26-year-old available in Week 12 because it faces the Tennessee Titans and does not have Ja'Marr Chase back to full strength yet, either.

Perine's role in the offense could be major if Mixon is unable to go. He may not put up a huge rushing yards total, but he can add to his value with his strengths in the passing game.

The receiving strengths of Perine will likely make him a better choice in points-per-reception leagues than in standard versions. He could still be useful in standard leagues if he continues to see a high volume of red-zone touches.

Treylon Burks, WR, Tennessee

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 02: Treylon Burks #16 of the Tennessee Titans is seen before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 2, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Treylon Burks turned in the best performance of his rookie season on Thursday night in the Tennessee Titans' win over the Green Bay Packers.

The first-year player out of Arkansas caught seven of his eight targets for 111 yards. That performance likely sent fantasy football players running to the waiver wire before the rest of Week 11's games took place.

Burks should be one of the most-added players ahead of Week 12 because of his potential role inside the Titans offense between now and the end of the regular season.

The 22-year-old gained early interest on the waiver wire this season, when he produced 55 receiving yards in Week 1 followed by 47 in Week 2.

However, an injury kept him off the field for six weeks and that limited the fantasy football hype around him.

Thursday's outing put Burks back near the top of the waiver-wire queue for a handful of fantasy managers.

He has two tough matchups ahead in Weeks 12 and 13 against Cincinnati and Philadelphia, respectively, but that may not deter fantasy football players because of the potential he carries.

Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 13: New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (83) looks on during the national football league game between the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 13, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Juwan Johnson has been one of the most consistent fantasy football scorers over the last three weeks.

The New Orleans Saints tight end extended his scoring streak to three games with a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Johnson has at least 40 receiving yards and a touchdown in each of the last three weeks. He also had a two-touchdown performance versus the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7.

The 26-year-old has become a reliable target for quarterback Andy Dalton inside an offense that has dealt with a ton of injuries this season.

Johnson's 47-yard, one-score outing on Sunday came with Jarvis Landry back in the lineup. Landry scored one of the other Saints touchdowns.

Johnson has carved out a solid role for himself in New Orleans, and his consistency should intrigue fantasy football players, if he hasn't already.