Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups: Available Sleepers in Most Yahoo Leagues
Week 12 is already underway, as Thursday featured a three-game slate. The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets will face off on Friday afternoon, and the league's other 24 teams will be in action on Sunday and Monday.
Fantasy managers may already find themselves in a hole, and while no teams are on bye this week, injuries continue to be a factor. Thankfully, the waiver wire is still open.
Below, you'll find a few potential sleepers for Week 12 who are still available in at least 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, according to FantasyPros.
Gardner Minshew, QB, Indianapolis Colts
1 of 4
Managers seeking a replacement for a quarterback like Joe Burrow—who suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Week 11—should take a look at Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew.
Minshew, who has replaced rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, hasn't been dependable on a weekly basis. In his last game, for example, he finished with 194 passing yards and an interception. However, he's been a solid streamer in the right matchup.
Between Weeks 7 and 8, Minshew threw for 518 and had four passing touchdowns and two rushing scores.
This week, Minshew faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. He should be a serviceable streamer once again, and he's rostered in only 15 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Ty Chandler, RB, Minnesota Vikings
2 of 4
The Minnesota Vikings lost one backfield option when Cam Akers suffered a torn Achilles, ending his 2023 season. However, Akers' injury did open the door for Ty Chandler as the No. 2 back behind Alexander Mattison.
Over the past two weeks, Chandler has logged 25 carries and four receptions. He recorded 155 scrimmage yards in that span and found the end zone once.
Chandler had 45 rushing yards and a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints and four catches and 110 scrimmage yards against the Denver Broncos. Given his newfound role, the 25-year-old should have a strong floor in Week 12.
Minnesota will battle the Chicago Bears on Monday, and the Bears have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing RBs in 2023. Chandler is rostered in 47 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Demario Douglas, WR, New England Patriots
3 of 4
New England Patriots receiver Demario Douglas is another player who has emerged in the wake of an injury. The Patriots lost No. 1 receiver Kendrick Bourne to a torn ACL, and Douglas has emerged as the top target since.
Douglas has recorded at least four receptions in each of his past four games, and he's topped 50 receiving yards in three of those. The unknown this week is whether the Patriots will start Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe at quarterback, or if there will be a combination of both.
"Considering Zappe has seen increased reps, it's clear the team is preparing the second-year quarterback to play on Sunday in the event Jones slips out," Mark Daniels of MassLive wrote.
Regardless, Douglas should carry a high point per reception (PPR) floor in Week 12, and he'll face a lackluster New York Giants defense—the Giants have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing WRs.
Douglas is rostered in 35 percent of Yahoo leagues.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens
4 of 4
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely is a veritable must-add in Week 12. The Ravens lost starting tight end Mark Andrews to a likely season-ending ankle injury in Week 11, meaning Lamar Jackson will miss one of his top targets.
In the past, though, Likely has done an admirable job of filling in for Andrews. He made two starts in 2022 and finished one with a 24-yard touchdown reception and the other with eight catches for 103 yards.
This week, Likely and the Ravens will battle a Los Angeles Chargers team that has struggled mightily against the pass. The Chargers emerged from Week 11 ranked 30th in net yards per pass attempt allowed and 32nd in passing yards allowed. L.A. has also allowed the fifth-most fantasy points (tied) to opposing TEs in 2023.
Likely is rostered in only 44 percent of Yahoo leagues.
*Fantasy roster and scoring information from FantasyPros.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
