Fantasy Football Week 12: Top Waiver-Wire Targets to Grab for Playoff Push

The waiver-wire pool's talent level decreases this late into the season, but the time of year makes it crucial for fantasy football owners to use it to their advantage.

This week marks the trade deadline in many leagues, locking managers' chances to bolster their roster elsewhere. That leaves just free agency to make necessary alterations.

In leagues that utilize a six-team playoff format, the fantasy postseason could begin in Week 14. It may feel like just yesterday that you were proudly drafting Doug Martin or Arian Foster without understanding the turmoil ahead, but only two matchups remain before deciphering the postseason bracket.

Let's take a look at which players can enhance an owner's playoff chances.

QB Mike Glennon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Glennon is now a usable fantasy quarterback.

No, seriously, check out his numbers. The rookie has completed 62.1 percent of his passes while tossing at least one touchdown pass in every game. He played a nearly perfect game against the Atlanta Falcons, going 20-for-23 with 231 yards and two touchdowns. 

Aside from a quiet Week 10 against the Miami Dolphins, Glennon has churned out five solid fantasy outings during his last six games. His upcoming opponent makes him an intriguing matchup play for bold owners.

Glennon goes to Detroit to face the Lions, who rank 30th with 283.8 passing yards allowed per game. Last Sunday, they turned Ben Roethlisberger into a temporary fantasy hero with 367 passing yards and four touchdown strikes.

Trusting Glennon is risky gamble that could wield the jackpot for owners in need of a bye-week replacement.

RB Bobby Rainey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While we're in Tampa Bay, let's divert our attention to the backfield.

Many drafters took Doug Martin as high as No. 2 this season, and we all know how that turned out. Enter Mike James, who collected 158 yards against the Seattle Seahawks, only to get hurt the ensuing weekend.

The next man up, Bobby Rainey, converted 30 carries into 163 yards and two touchdowns against the Falcons last Sunday. He's now the guy owners will all rush to grab to build some depth at running back.

Rainey previously fizzled in his chance to replace Trent Richardson in Cleveland, registering 34 rushing yards on 13 carries for the Browns. But he has found new life in Tampa Bay, where he is averaging 5.5 yards per carry behind a better offensive line.

Greg Schiano remains steadfast in his love for running the football. They run the ball 28.7 times per game, a number that is only increasing in Martin's absence now that they are not playing from behind as often lately. 

Nobody can say for sure that Rainey isn't just the newest flavor of the week, but it's worth a waiver claim to see if he blossoms into more.

TE Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts

If Coby Fleener is still toiling away in free agency, it's time to grab him immediately.

With go-to target Reggie Wayne down for the season, Fleener is bumped up to Andrew Luck's No. 2 option behind wideout T.Y Hilton. He has received 10 targets in each of the past two weeks, and he made those looks count last Thursday night.

Against the Tennessee Titans, the sophomore tight end recorded eight receptions for a career-high 107 yards. While Fleener has only visited the end zone twice this season, expect that number to increase this weekend against the Arizona Cardinals.

No team is more giving to opposing tight ends than Arizona, who has surrendered 58 catches, 769 yards and nine touchdowns for a league-high 13.7 ESPN fantasy points per contest. If Danny Noble can score a 62-yard touchdown against the Cardinals, Fleener should have a big game in store this Sunday.

He's currently available in roughly half of ESPN leagues. That rate would soar drastically during the next few days.

Player	Week 12 Opponent	Notes
QB E.J. Manuel, Buffalo Bills	Bye	Manuel could be worth a look when the Bills play the Falcons in Week 13.
RB Rashad Jennings, Oakland Raiders	Tennessee Titans	Jennings is worth starting against the Titans if the Raiders don't let Darren McFadden interfere.
RB Chris Ogbonnaya, Cleveland Browns	Pittsburgh Steelers	The Steelers rank 26th against the run, and Ogbonnaya receives touches both as a back and receiver.
WR Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals	Indianapolis Colts	After torching the Jaguars, Floyd is worth stashing on the bench to see if he can stay hot.
TE Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans	Oakland Raiders	Walker has reached the end zone in three of his last four games.