Week 12 Waiver Wire: Fantasy Football's Top Pickups and Breakout Candidates

As we head toward Week 12 of the NFL season, the waiver wire can be the difference between keeping playoff hopes alive in your fantasy league and watching as your team falls out of contention.

This season has unfortunately been plagued with injuries to high-profile players, from quarterback Aaron Rodgers to wideout Justin Jefferson to running backs J.K. Dobbins and Nick Chubb, and plenty more who have missed multiple games.

Being smart about waiver claims has been critical for fantasy managers whose rosters have been negatively affected by all the injuries.

This week's waiver wire advice is all about the wide receivers, as the high-performing running backs in Week 11 were most of the usual suspects who are rostered in more than half of all leagues.

To be considered a breakout candidate, a player must have been rostered in fewer than 50 percent of leagues as of Sunday.

Greg Dortch, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 19: Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (83) stiff arms Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) in the fourth quarter during the NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans on November 19, 2023 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Rostered: 0 percent

Week 11 stats: 6 rec, 76 rec yds, 13.60 pts

Cardinals wideout Greg Dortch has the lightest stat line of any of the options on this week's roundup—his 13.60 points (points-per-reception scoring) came entirely from his six receptions, with no trips to the end zone.

However, Dortch has a high ceiling; in the Cardinals' 21-16 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dortch led the team in receptions and targets. He's also virtually guaranteed to be available in your league.

It's only the second game this season in which Dortch has logged a catch, but newly returned quarterback Kyler Murray looked comfortable throwing to Dortch, and if his usage continues at this rate, the touchdowns will surely follow.

Khalil Shakir, WR, Buffalo Bills

Bryan Bennett/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: Khalil Shakir #10 of the Buffalo Bills lines up during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Highmark Stadium on November 13, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)

Rostered: 11 percent

Week 11 stats: 3 rec, 115 rec yds, 1 rec TD, 20.50 pts

Buffalo Bills wideout Khalil Shakir was a popular "sit 'em" pick ahead of Week 11 after he saw just two targets and one reception for 24 yards (and therefore just 2.4 points, PPR) last week.

Whoops.

For anyone who rosters Shakir and had him on your bench this week, condolences. For other fantasy managers, there's a good chance Shakir is available in your league, given that he's currently rostered in just 11 percent of them. Given his 20.50-point output Sunday, he's sure to be a popular addition this week.

Now, is Shakir a sure thing? Certainly not. He still only saw four targets in Week 11, bringing in three of them. Those three receptions just happened to be for 27, 7 and 81 yards, respectively, with the last one going all the way to the house. But seeing Shakir best Sauce Gardner and show off his wheels and hands will certainly have fantasy managers fired up when it comes to submitting this week's claims.

Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 19: Jayden Reed #11 of the Green Bay Packers reacts in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Lambeau Field on November 19, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Rostered: 34 percent

Week 11 stats: 4 rec, 46 rec yds, 3 att, 46 rush yds, 1 rush TD, 19.20 pts

The Packers offense as a whole has been difficult to figure out this season but especially so when it comes to Jordan Love's receiving targets. Wideout Romeo Doubs and tight end Luke Musgrave lead the team in receptions, but receiver Jayden Reed boasts the most yards.

In Week 11, Reed posted his highest point total of the season in part because he carried the ball three times, finding the end zone on a 32-yard end-around rumble. In fact, in terms of yards and scoring, Reed was the Packers' top running back in Sunday's win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Given that head coach Matt LaFleur called Reed a "war daddy" postgame, it's safe to assume he's going to find as many ways as possible to get the rookie involved in the offense. And with Aaron Jones set to potentially miss time with a knee injury, Reed should have plenty of creative ways to contribute moving forward.

Rostered percentage and fantasy scoring totals via FantasyPros