Fantasy Football Week 12 Rankings: Targets for This Week's Injured Stars
Injuries continue to be a factor in the world of fantasy football. The NFL lost another fantasy star when Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Week 11, and signs appear to be pointing away from Justin Jefferson making a Week 12 return.
According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Jefferson isn't expected to play this week. Notable players already ruled out include Tee Higgins, Mack Hollins, Hayden Hurst, Jerick McKinnon, Mecole Hardman and Treylon Burks.
Managers scrambling to set rosters or getting late starts on daily fantasy sports (DFS action) have limited options—especially now that the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders have already played.
Here, we'll run down the top remaining plays for Week 12 and examine a few potential waiver-wire targets to consider.
Quarterback
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QB Top 10 Rankings
1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
2. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
3. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
4. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
5. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
6. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
7. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
8. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
9. Joshua Dobbs, Minnesota Vikings
10. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Waiver Target: Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints got some good injury news this week, as quarterback Derek Carr cleared concussion protocol on Thursday. Carr was a full participant in practice the previous day, a sign that he'll likely start against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Carr hasn't been particularly reliable in fantasy this season, but he has had the occasional good game. Between Weeks 8 and 9, for example, he passed for 521 combined yards with two touchdowns in each game and no interceptions.
This week, Carr and the Saints will be up against an Atlanta Falcons team that has surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing QBs. He should be a solid streamer in a pinch, and Carr is only rostered in 42 percent of Yahoo leagues and 21 percent of ESPN leagues.
Running Back
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RB Top 15 Rankings
1. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
2. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
3. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
4. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
5. D'Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles
6. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
7. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
8. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
9. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
11. Devin Singletary, Houston Texans
12. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
13. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
14. Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
15. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Waiver Target: Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings
Cam Akers' season-ending Achilles tear has opened the door for Ty Chandler as the Minnesota Vikings' No. 2 back. While Alexander Mattison remains the lead back, Chandler is doing a lot with his opportunities.
Chandler had 110 scrimmage yards and four receptions last week and 45 yards and a touchdown the week before.
Mattison is a solid start this week if he's already rostered, as the Chicago Bears have allowed the eight-most fantasy points (tied) to opposing running backs. Chandler may have more upside, however, and he's a top waiver-wire target.
Chandler is rostered in 47 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.
Wide Receiver
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WR Top 15 Rankings
1. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
2. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
3. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills
4. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
5. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. Tank Dell, Houston Texans
7. Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts
8. Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
9. D.J. Moore, Chicago Bears
10. Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers
11. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
12. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
13. Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars
14. Nico Collins, Houston Texans
15. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Waiver Target: Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell has had limited fantasy relevance in recent weeks. However, he had a string of terrific games to start the season while Cooper Kupp was on injured reserve.
Kupp is now dealing with an ankle sprain, and while he's practiced in a limited capacity this week, he could be far less than 100 percent when the Rams battle the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
If Kupp can't go or appears severely limited, Atwell should provide some low-end flex value against a Cardinals defense that has allowed the 13th-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. He's a must-add for Kupp managers and a solid pickup for other receiver-needy managers.
Atwell is only rostered in 27 percent of Yahoo leagues and 25 percent of ESPN leagues.
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Tight End
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TE Top 10 Rankings
1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
2. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
3. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
4. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
5. Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
6. Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
7. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
8. Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
9. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
10. Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
Waiver Target: Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely should be a popular target for any managers lacking at the position. The Ravens likely lost starting tight end Mark Andrews for the season to an ankle injury in Week 11, and Likely should replace him in Baltimore's lineup.
We haven't seen much production from Likely this season, but he had eight catches for 103 yards in his last start of the 2022 season.
We know that Lamar Jackson looks to find mismatches with his tight end, and that should continue with Likely. The 23-year-old doesn't have the same floor or ceiling as Andrews, but he has good streamer potential.
This week, Likely will face a Los Angeles Chargers team that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. He's rostered in 44 percent of Yahoo leagues and 18 percent of ESPN leagues.
*Fantasy roster and scoring information from FantasyPros.
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