Week 12 Waiver Wire Options: Ryan Grant Tops List of Hot NFC North RB Pickups

If you're looking for a running back to pick up off the waiver wires for Week 12 of the 2011 NFL season, the NFC North is the place to be.

Most fantasy football leagues are extremely void of talent on the waiver wire by Week 12, especially at the running back position. 

A slew of injuries have hit the "Norris Division" in Week 11 though, which leaves a ton of room for some sleeper picks to rise off the waiver wires.

The Lions have been hurting at the position all year, but all of a sudden they may have found a cure.

The Packers and Vikings are also dealing with some questionable situations with their starers, so the backups could become very valuable.

Check out these three NFC North running backs for Week 12.

Ryan Grant, RB Green Bay Packers

Grant is technically the starter, but anybody who has seen the Packers play know that James Starks gets a majority of the looks out of the backfield.

Those looks come sparingly anyhow, considering the talent of Aaron Rodgers and his plethora of receivers.

Starks went out of the Packers' Week 11 game with an apparent knee sprain, though, which makes Grant a great option for Week 12's Thanksgiving matchup against the Detroit Lions.

Starks' status is in question, but I believe the Packers will look to get Grant going against a Lions defense that is having a hard time stopping the running game—they allowed 137 yards to the Panthers.

Kevin Smith, RB Detroit Lions

Across the field from Grant this Thanksgiving will be running back Kevin Smith, who was picked up in free agency after being dumped from the team in the offseason.

He put up a career-high 140 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers and should be a good play against a Packers defense that allowed LeGarrette Blount to rush for 107 yards and a touchdown.

The one downside to Smith is that I don't believe he will be a long-term option after this Packers game.

The Panthers didn't have tape on him, which could have led to the numbers, and the Packers will be coming in on a short week.

Smith's numbers may be a bit deceiving.

Toby Gerhart, RB Minnesota Vikings

Gerhart may be worth keeping an eye on, especially if it turns out that Adrian Peterson's ankle injury is worse than they originally thought.

His X-rays were negative, but you never really know with injuries. Unfortunately, I think the Vikings may try to run the ball will Percy Harvin a bit, but you can't pick him up as a running back in fantasy.

Gerhart could get some looks down at the goal line though, especially if Peterson isn't a go.