Fantasy Football Week 12: Waiver-Wire Pickups, Rankings and Stat Projections

There is plenty to be thankful for this holiday season, including football on Thanksgiving.

Fantasy managers do not have to wait until Sunday to get a feel for how their week's match-up will go, thanks to some of the best and most dynamic players in the game balling out on Thursday.

How will stars from the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers treat their managers while showing out for the rest of the world to see?

Find out with these projected stats for the top 15 flex options and two waiver wire additions that will be worth your time.

Week 12 Schedule

Harry How/Getty Images

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 12: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions looks on during warm ups before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Thursday, November 23

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (12:30 p.m., FOX)

Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys (4:30 p.m., CBS)

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:20 p.m., NBC)

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Friday, November 24

Miami Dolphins at New York Jets (3:00 p.m., Prime Video)

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Sunday, November 26

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (1:00 p.m., FOX)

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (1:00 p.m., CBS)

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (1:00 p.m., CBS)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts (1:00 p.m., CBS)

New England Patriots at New York Giants (1:00 p.m., FOX)

Carolina Panthers at Tennessee Titans (1:00 p.m., FOX)

Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals (4:05 p.m., FOX)

Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos (4:05 p.m., FOX)

Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders (4:25 p.m., CBS)

Buffalo Bills at Philadelphia Eagles (4:25 p.m., CBS)

Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers (8:20 p.m., NBC)

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Monday, November 27

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (8:15 p.m., ESPN and ABC)

FLEX Rankings and Projections

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 5: A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles in action against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on November 5, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Rankings and projections for Week 12 are as follows:

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers (115 yds, TD, 4 rec., 60 yds, TD)
2. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys (11 rec., 130 yds, 2 TDs)
3. AJ Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (8 rec., 110 yds, TD)
4. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions (100 yds, TD, 3 rec., 45 yds)
5. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans (110 yds, TD, rec., 10 yds)
6. Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (85 yds, TD, 5 rec., 35 yds)
7. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints (65 yds, 7 rec., 80 yds, TD)
8. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons (80 yds, 4 rec., 35 yds, TD)
9. David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions (85 yds, 6 rec., 50 yds, TD)
10. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills (9 rec., 85 yds, TD)
11. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs (10 rec., 65 yds, TD)
12. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (7 rec., 90 yds)
13. Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings (8 rec., 75 yds, TD)
14. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (90 yds, TD, 3 rec., 25 yds)
15. Kareem Hunt, RB, Cleveland Browns (60 yds, TD, 2 rec., 30 yds)

Waiver Wire Pickup: Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens

Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 12: Keaton Mitchell #34 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Keaton Mitchell is an explosive back who can take what seems like a two-yard scamper and turn it into a 75-yard touchdown. While his touches may be limited because of starting back Gus Edwards, he will still have plenty of opportunity to break off big plays in Week 12.

The Chargers are giving up the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing running backs at 21.5 a game. They are tied for the fourth-most rushing touchdowns allowed in football with 12.

If he can find space, Mitchell will make a bad Chargers defense pay for it and get back to scoring double-digit fantasy points after a down week against Cincinnati in which he was kept out of the endzone.

The rookie back is available in 42 percent of Yahoo and 65 percent of ESPN leagues.

Waiver Wire Pickup: Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers

Joe Sargent/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 12: Jayden Reed #11 of the Green Bay Packers stiff arms Joey Porter Jr. #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Rookie receiver Jayden Reed is averaging 14.5 yards per catch this season and against Pittsburgh and the Chargers, posted back-to-back double-digit fantasy points performances.

In Week 12, against the 8-2 Detroit Lions, he will have the opportunity to shine in front of a national audience on Thanksgiving day.

The division-leading Lions may be stout against the run but there is plenty of potential to beat them through the air. Detroit is allowing the 11th most fantasy points to opposing receivers with 29.8 per game.

They have also allowed the seventh-most receiving touchdowns in the league with 16.

If Jordan Love can navigate the pass rush and resist throwing an ill-fated ball, he will have opportunities to find the big-play receiver down the field and be able to exploit the favorable match-up,

It could be a big day for Reed as the Packers attempt to remain in playoff contention.