Brian Westbrook, San Francisco 49ers Emerge in Fantasy NFL's Week 12 Risers

It was another exciting fantasy week in the NFL. Peyton Hillis and Dwayne Bowe exploded against poor defenses. A hip injury has cost Frank Gore his season, leading way for Brian Westbrook to make a late season resurgence in San Francisco. Rookie sensation Sam Bradford has created a new fantasy option at the tight end position.

Which players are on the rise? Who is ready to emerge as a fantasy threat for the playoffs?

Billy Bajema, St. Louis Rams TE

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CLEVELAND - AUGUST 21: Billy Bajema #47 of the St. Louis Rams dives for yardage as he is hit by T.J. Ward #43 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 21, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Bajema was the main beneficiary of Michael Hoomanawanui’s ankle injury. Hoomanawanui has been a favorite target of Sam Bradford and his amazing accuracy. Now that Hoomanawanui will miss about a month with the injury, Bajema steps in to take his place. In Week 12, Bajema caught three passes for 32 yards and two touchdowns.

Last Week’s Rising TE in Week 12:

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HOUSTON - JANUARY 03: Tight-end Joel Dreessen #85 of the Houston Texans scores in the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Reliant Stadium on January 3, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Joel Dreessen, HOU: 3 receptions, 15 yards, TD

Other Notable Performances and Notes:

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 03: Brent Celek #87 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates his fourth quarter touchdown against the Washington Redskins on October 3, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Redskins defeated the Eagles 17

Kevin Boss, NYG: 3 receptions, 74 yards, TD

Fred Davis, WAS: 3 receptions, 25 yards, TD

Rob Gronkowski, NE: 5 receptions, 65 yards

Brent Celek, PHI: 3 receptions, 50 yards, TD

Heath Miller, PIT: 4 receptions, 46 yards

Ben Obomanu, Seattle Seahawks WR

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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 21: Ben Obomanu #87 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after scoring a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome on November 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Obomanu had a big game filling in for Mike Williams. He caught five passes for 159 yards and a touchdown. Obomanu now has three touchdown receptions in his past three games. With the lack of a consistent running game in Seattle, the Seahawks are going to be forced to throw the ball. Obomanu is getting the targets and putting up production so he makes for a quality waiver add.

Last Week’s Rising WRs in Week 12:

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SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 17: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers stands on the field during AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New York Jets at Qualcomm Stadium on January 17, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Mira

Vincent Jackson: Held without a reception, injured in first quarter (calves)

Other Notable Performances and Notes:

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Jacoby Ford #12 of the Oakland Raiders catches the ball while defended by Chris Clemons #30 of the Miami Dolphins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 28, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Jacoby Ford, OAK: 4receptions, 108 yards, TD, Return TD

Deion Branch, NE: 3 receptions, 113 yards, 2 TD

Wes Welker, NE: 8 receptions, 90 yards, TD

Earl Bennett, CHI: 4 receptions, 56 yards, 2 TD

Jordy Nelson, GB: 5 receptions, 61 yards, TD

Kerry Collins, Tennessee Titans QB

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NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 24: Kerry Collins #5 of the Tennessee Titans throws a pass during the NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles at LP Field on October 24, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans won 37-19. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Following a terrible loss to the Houston Texans as part of the Rusty Smith experiment, head coach Jeff Fisher may want to rush Kerry Collins back into the starting lineup as the Titans’ playoff hopes begin to fade away. Collins has shown he can put up quality numbers in the past with a mediocre receiving core. Now he’ll have Randy Moss, one of the most talented receivers in NFL history, to throw the ball to. Hopefully Moss realizes his playoff chances have not faded away just yet and gives Collins his all on a few deep balls.

Last Week’s Rising QB in Week 12:

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SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks passes against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qwest Field on November 28, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Matt Hasselbeck, SEA: 20 for 37 (54.1 completion percentage), 282 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Other Notable Performances and Notes:

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears drops back to pass against of the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Matt Cassel, KC: 22 for 32 (68.8 completion percentage), 233 yards, 4 TD

Jay Cutler, CHI: 14 for 21 (66.7 completion percentage), 247 yards, 4 TD

Sam Bradford, STL: 22 for 37 (58.5 completion percentage), 308 yards, 3 TD

Chad Henne, MIA: 17 for 30 (56.7 completion percentage), 307 yards, 2 TD, INT

Eli Manning, NYG: 14 for 24 (58.3 completion percentage), 226 yards, 2 TD

Drew Stanton, DET: Could start Week 13 vs Chicago Bears

Brian Westbrook, San Francisco 49ers

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Runningback Brian Westbrook #20 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after scoring on a 8 yard rushing touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoe

Frank Gore fractured his hip Week 12 and will miss the rest of the season. Brian Westbrook relieved Gore against the Arizona Cardinals and turned in a great game. He rushed 23 times for 136 yards and a touchdown, proving to everyone that he still has some gas left in the tank. Anthony Dixon is expected to mix in for carries, but the veteran Westbrook should get the bulk of the touches and makes for arguably the best waiver add this week.

Last Week’s Rising RB in Week 12:

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Reggie Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints in action during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Reggie Bush, NO: 1 carry, 1 yard, 1 reception, 12 yards, Fumble

Other Notable Performances and Notes:

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 21: Toby Gerhart #32 of the Minnesota Vikings has the ball jarred loose by Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 21, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman

Maurice Morris, DET: 9 carries, 55 yards, 2 TD, 5 receptions, 20 yards

Felix Jones, DAL: 13 carries, 44 yards, 7 receptions, 69 yards

Toby Gerhart, MIN: 22 carries, 76 yards, TD, 2 receptions, 5 yards

Ricky Williams, MIA: 20 carries, 95 yards, TD, 1 reception, 3 yards

Christopher Ivory, NO: 7 carries, 38 yards, 2 TD