Fantasy Football 2012: Five Waiver Pickups That Could Help in the Playoff Push

It is already the halfway point of the 2012 NFL season, and for most fantasy football owners, it is time to buckle up for the playoff push. As trade deadlines approach, it feels like the amount of time left to make those final improvements to your coveted rosters is dwindling. But there actually are many great options still available on the waivers.

Let's face it, a lot of these deep-sleeper waiver acquisitions do not produce as well as we hope when we click the "add player" icon on our computer screens.

This article will save you the time and stress of contrasting these fantasy free agents, and it will provide you with six players who are most likely to make you look like a brilliant fantasy owner. 

Chris Givens, WR, St. Louis Rams

Chris Givens has emerged as one of the top targets for Sam Bradford in the past few weeks. Givens is a Mike Wallace type of player who can provide a vertical threat for the Rams.

He is a big playmaker who has caught five passes of 20 yards or more. He is third on the team with 31 targets, and even though the Rams' top receiver Danny Amendola could return by Week 10, Givens has secured his spot as at least a top-three receiver in the St. Louis offense.

He is available in over 97 percent of ESPN leagues and can be a worthy flex against the right matchup.

Daryl Richardson, RB, St. Louis Rams

The running back situation in St. Louis is very intriguing. Steven Jackson has been the primary option out of the backfield, but Richardson has unexpectedly put a dent in his carries.

Richardson has only 62 carries, but he has made the most out of them with 335 yards. What is interesting about Richardson is that the Rams could be trading Jackson by the end of the week. If Jackson is traded, Richardson would likely get the bulk of the reps, with Isaiah Pead taking over the second-string duties.

Depending on what happens with Jackson, Richardson could be a starting running back who is currently available in 88 percent of ESPN leagues.

Ryan Broyles, WR, Detroit Lions

Broyles has recently come onto the scene as the No. 3 receiver for Detroit after Nate Burleson was injured. Broyles made a nice impact in his first two games with Detroit catching six of ten targeted passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns.

Twenty-four points in two games? I'll take that risk.

Of course, Broyles is behind Calvin Johnson, Titus Young and Brandon Pettigrew on the Lions receiving totem pole, but he and Matthew Stafford have connected early, and I expect him to continue to get targets. Broyles is available in 99 percent of leagues and could be a solid flex player in deeper leagues.

Santana Moss, WR, Washington Redskins

Santana Moss has been a solid fantasy player in years past, but early on in the 2012 season, it looked like he was fading away in Washington's offense. The foot injury to Pierre Garcon has shifted the focus to the veteran wideout.

Moss caught 13 throws for 214 yards and four touchdowns in the month of October. He is still a big play threat, and Robert Griffin III has a great arm; it seems like a match made in heaven. Moss is available in 69.5 percent of leagues and could be a legitimate starter if he and Griffin continue to connect.

Matt Moore, QB, Miami Dolphins

Moore's fantasy potential rides solely on Ryan Tannehill's health, and although the MRI showed no structural damage in Tannehill's knee, his status for Sunday's game against Indianapolis is uncertain.

Miami might be cautious with its first-round draft pick, which means Moore could start more than one game if Tannehill isn't 100 percent. Moore has proven that he can play: Last season he threw 15 touchdowns and only five interceptions in the final nine games of the 2011 season. He could do well against a Colts defense that has given up 13 touchdowns through the air this season.

If Tannehill is unable to play, Moore could be a great play for a team desperate for a quarterback.