Waiver Wire Week 12: Top Pickups, Drops and Expert Analysis

If you were smart enough to grab the handcuff for your top back(s), the waiver wire may not yield many intriguing options. Unfortunately, ownership percentages for the top running back additions indicate a major scramble to get someone like Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls. 

As you’d expect, there are varying levels of interest when it comes to the running backs on the waiver wire. Rawls has certainly earned the most attention after a huge game in Week 11, whereas excitement for Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware was tempered by a reminder of their easy matchup against the San Diego Chargers.

The focus on the running back position is definitely warranted, but you’ll learn this is a pretty weak group on the waiver wire outside the running back position. Wide receiver is especially bad, but you'll find an emerging player on arguably the best team in football, the Carolina Panthers.

With the end of the fantasy regular season coming up quickly, let me remind you to cut the dead weight off your roster. Replace it with players who have a legitimate chance to contribute at some point down the stretch thanks to a juicy matchup or a backup running back elevated to a bigger role.

Quarterbacks

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Jameis Winston, TB 

Percent Owned: ESPN – 24.6, Yahoo – 25

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton got plenty of deserved attention for throwing five touchdowns in Week 11, but he wasn’t the only NFC South quarterback to accomplish that feat. 

As part of a 45-17 smackdown of the Philadelphia Eagles, Winston completed 19 of his 29 pass attempts for 246 yards and five touchdowns. Like Newton, all five of his touchdowns went to different receivers. Newton even threw one to rookie wide receiver Devin Funchess.

Adding Winston is not only worth it for a beatable matchup against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12, but as a possible option for the fantasy players with games against the New Orleans Saints in Week 14 and Chicago Bears in Week 16.

Week 12 Projection: 255-265 passing yards, two touchdowns, 18 rushing yards

Brian Hoyer, Hou

Percent Owned: ESPN – 10.9, Yahoo – 10

The Houston Texans had to go without Hoyer in Week 11 thanks to the concussion he suffered in Week 10 against the Cincinnati Bengals. While T.J. Yates did a fine job stepping in for Hoyer, head coach Bill O’Brien announced Hoyer would be back in the starting lineup for Week 12 after clearing the concussion protocol. 

So why does Hoyer go from sitting out to a top waiver-wire pickup in a matter of days? Well, playing the New Orleans Saints has done wonders for opposing quarterbacks. In the last four games, the Saints have allowed at least 320 passing yards and three touchdowns to quarterbacks. Things got bad enough for the Saints to fire defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, but I highly doubt there’s a quick fix to that mess.

If you’re streaming quarterbacks for Week 12, Hoyer has to be near the top, if not the top option, since he has the best matchup for any fantasy quarterback.

Week 12 Projection: 290-300 passing yards, two touchdowns

Droppable Players: Peyton Manning

Running Backs

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Thomas Rawls, Sea 

Percent Owned: ESPN – 37.1, Yahoo – 35

When news came down of Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch’s inactive status for Week 11, those smart enough to grab Rawls made the easy move to insert him in the lineup, but I highly doubt expectations matched the massive performance he had against the San Francisco 49ers.

Rawls rushed 30 times for 209 yards with a two-yard rushing touchdown and added three receptions for 46 yards on three targets, including a 31-yard receiving touchdown in an absolutely dominant performance. It’s the third time he rushed for at least 100 yards this season and the second time he’s had at least 20 carries.

According to head coach Pete Carroll, the Seahawks don’t expect to have Lynch in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, per Liz Mathews of ESPN. Lynch has just one game of at least 100 rushing yards and has had at least 20 carries twice. Rawls has been the better back for Seattle and deserves another chance to lead the way. He could remain the man if Lynch needs surgery for a sports hernia, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Week 12 Projection: 21 carries, 97 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, two receptions, 14 receiving yards

Spencer Ware, KC

Percent Owned: ESPN – .1, Yahoo – 8

The fantasy world was very excited for Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West’s chances against a terrible San Diego Chargers run defense in Week 11, but a hamstring injury knocked him out of the game, putting Ware in the spotlight.

Proving that the matchup was good for any running back, Ware stepped in and ran 11 times for 96 yards and a pair of three-yard touchdown runs in the 33-3 victory over the Chargers. 

Ware recently passed Knile Davis on the team’s depth chart to move right behind West, and now he has legitimate fantasy value. According to head coach Andy Reid, West is day to day with his hamstring injury, meaning Ware could start in Week 12 at home against the Buffalo Bills. It’s not a great matchup, but for a team that runs as much as the Chiefs, Ware would likely get enough volume to be in the RB2 conversations.

Week 12 Projection: 18 carries, 84 yards, one touchdown

Ahmad Bradshaw, Ind

Percent Owned: ESPN – 3.9, Yahoo – 7

As we’ve seen for most of his career, when Bradshaw is healthy, he’s a great player and a reliable fantasy producer. That’s coming true yet again after a pair of trips to the end zone in a big win for the Indianapolis Colts in Atlanta against the Falcons in Week 11.

Bradshaw caught all four of his targets for 20 yards and had receiving touchdowns of seven and two yards in addition to 32 yards on nine carries. He’s now scored three times through the air in the team’s last two games and might be primed for an even bigger role in Week 12.

Gore battled a knee/quad issue during Week 11 and gave way to Bradshaw late in the game. According to Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star, Gore said he was fine after the game. Bradshaw has value regardless of Gore’s injury status, but he would get a boost if Gore can’t go against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Week 12 Projection: 13 carries, 48 rushing yards, four receptions, 21 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown

Tevin Coleman, Atl

Percent Owned: ESPN – 26, Yahoo – 27

As one of the clearest handcuffs still available late in the season, Coleman should have been on any roster that had Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman as an insurance policy. Those who didn’t make that move before Week 11 might be regretting that error heading into Week 12. 

Freeman suffered a concussion against the Indianapolis Colts, and it was predictably Coleman who picked up the slack. He led the team with 17 carries for just 48 yards. The only other back to run the ball besides Coleman and Freeman was Terron Ward, who had just two carries for two yards. 

While Coleman wasn’t impressive, he’d be the one to start if Freeman can’t go in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings. Head coach Dan Quinn said Freeman is off to a good start in the concussion protocol. Expectations for Coleman wouldn’t be at the same level as Freeman, but from a volume standpoint, the touches should get him to RB2 territory if he’s the man against the Vikings. 

Week 12 Projection: 15 carries, 64 rushing yards, two receptions, 11 receiving yards

Javorius Allen, Bal

Percent Owned: ESPN – 5.3, Yahoo – 13 

The nightmare season for the Baltimore Ravens continued in Week 11 with a pair of major injuries at running back and quarterback, sending the team even further into a downward spiral. It’s the latter injury that gives me pause about adding Allen to your roster with a lot of confidence.

Starting running back Justin Forsett broke his forearm early in the Week 11 matchup against the St. Louis Rams and will miss the rest of the season. The Ravens suffered another crushing blow when quarterback Joe Flacco tore his ACL and MCL late in the game.

When Forsett went down, Allen took over as the lead back, rushing 22 times for 67 yards in addition to hauling in five of six targets for 48 yards. Expectations for Allen can’t be very high with the team turning to veteran backup Matt Schaub following the loss of Flacco.

Picking up a starting NFL running back this late in the season is usually a big boost to your fantasy roster, but it’s tough to be excited about Allen on this mess of a team. His best chance at big numbers comes in Week 12 with a favorable matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

Week 12 Projection: 20 carries, 83 rushing yards, four receptions, 39 receiving yards

Droppable Players: Denard Robinson, Justin Forsett

Wide Receivers

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Devin Funchess, Car

Percent Owned: ESPN – 10.8, Yahoo – 35 

It might be a stacked group at the running back position, but it’s quite the opposite at wide receiver following Week 11. However, excitement is starting to build in Carolina for Devin Funchess, as the Panthers sit at a perfect 10-0 following a dominating victory over the Washington Redskins.

On a day when quarterback Cam Newton threw five touchdowns, Funchess was the last one to get into the act with a five-yard score in the third quarter. He wound up with four receptions for a team-high 64 yards and was tied with Ted Ginn Jr. with a team-high eight targets.

The production is wonderful, but I’m most intrigued by how much we saw of Funchess. He played a season-high 81 percent of the snaps, which led all skill players other than Newton. He’ll have a chance to build on this momentum in front of a national audience on Thanksgiving against the Dallas Cowboys.

Week 12 Projection: Five receptions, 73 yards, one touchdown

Droppable Players: Malcom Floyd, Chris Givens

Tight Ends

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Crockett Gillmore, Bal

Percent Owned: ESPN – 17, Yahoo – 22

The Baltimore Ravens haven’t caught any breaks this season thanks to a long list of injuries that added a couple more names in Week 11, when running back Justin Forsett (broken forearm) and quarterback Joe Flacco (torn ACL, MCL) were the latest players to see their seasons end early.

Lost in all the disappointment was a strong performance by Gillmore in the win over the St. Louis Rams. He racked up 101 yards by catching five of his eight targets in what was one of the best games of his young career. The Ravens are dangerously low on talent in their offense, so a player like Gillmore stands out that much more.

He should be an active part of the passing game for the rest of the season with Matt Schaub at quarterback, especially with a favorable matchup against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12. 

Week 12 Projection: Five receptions, 68 yards

Droppable Player: Coby Fleener

Defenses

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Baltimore Ravens

Percent Owned: ESPN – 32.4, Yahoo – 39 

Plenty has gone wrong for the Ravens in recent weeks, with a rash of injuries on the offensive side of the ball. While that’s killed their fantasy value as a whole, it doesn’t mean you have to totally avoid them.

A perfect example of this would be a nice matchup with the Browns on Monday night in Week 12. Before the bye week, the Cleveland Browns allowed 14 sacks in four games. Quarterback Johnny Manziel will start for the Browns, and even though he’s been solid, the mistakes will come, and hopefully this Ravens defense pays off for fantasy owners.

Week 12 Projection: Two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, three sacks, 15-18 points allowed

Kickers

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Chandler Catanzaro, Ari

Percent Owned: ESPN – 43.7, Yahoo – 46

Catanzaro’s been filling up the stat sheet as one of the most reliable kickers in the league on one of the best teams in the Arizona Cardinals. In Week 11, he had a pair of field goals and four extra points, which was his third straight game with at least two field goals and four extra points.

Compared to some of the other great kickers, Catanzaro has easily the lowest ownership percentage, so snatch him up before it’s too late.

Fantasy leaders provided by NFL.com. Targets provided by ESPN.com. Snap counts provided by ProFootballFocus.com.