Week 12 Waiver Wire: Kevin Smith and Others You Must Add

The fantasy football season moves at a faster pace than it's real-life counterpart, meaning that the playoffs are looming large for GMs.

Therefore, whatever waiver-wire moves that you make now are more important than ever. Injuries, breakout performances and all kinds of circumstances mean that a player once a stud has been quickly and unceremoniously demoted, leaving a gaping hole in your roster and some serious panic.

Add to that the impending holiday, and fantasy football carries with it a sense of urgency heretofore not felt. So, let me take some of the guesswork out of the process with the following four waiver-wire suggestions, each of whom can benefit your team.

RB Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions

Only the savviest of fantasy GMs had the foresight to nab and start Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith in Week 11, and those who did saw their risky move pay off with high rewards.

Smith, facing a choice matchup against a Carolina Panthers defense hard-pressed to stop the run, had 16 carries for 140 yards and two scores and an additional 61 yards and a touchdown on four receptions.

With the performance he has clearly secured the role of feature back for the Lions, displacing the disappointing Maurice Morris while Jahvid Best—who has no clear timetable for his return—continues to recover from his concussion.

Though a short week and a Thursday matchup against the Green Bay Packers looms, he's clearly the team's top rusher going forward and is the No. 1 priority waiver-wire pickup for every league. With injuries continuing to befall some of the NFL's best rushers, grab and start Smith if you're in need.

RB Chris Ogbonnaya, Cleveland Browns

Week 12 may be Browns running back Chris Ogbonnaya's last chance to benefit your fantasy team, with starter Montario Hardesty getting ever closer to full health.

With a solid performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars' otherwise tough defense, he's proven that he can both kick-start and lead the Browns' struggling run game, making him a great add and start in Week 12 if you cannot get the Lions' Kevin Smith.

Against Jacksonville, Ogbonnaya rushed 21 times for 115 yards and a score and caught two passes for another 19 yards. Though the Cincinnati Bengals, up next for the team, are a difficult defense, Ogbonnaya has proven he can rack up serious yardage as long as his offensive line provides the blocks.

Obonnaya won't be able to cure what ails your team all the way into and through the playoffs, but if you need someone for Week 12, he's a great option.

QB Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

With Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler suffering from a broken thumb that's going to sideline him for some time and Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow on an unsustainable path, there are certainly fantasy GMs with serious and immediate needs at quarterback.

If this describes you, then San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith might just be the answer you're searching for. In his team's Week 11 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Smith completed 20 of 38 of his passes for 267 yards for two touchdowns and an interception.

On the year, Smith has completed 62.4 percent of his pass attempts, for 1,976 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions and has rushed for 122 yards and an additional score.

With the Baltimore Ravens and their tough run defense up ahead, a pass-heavy outing is in the cards for the Niners, making Smith an enticing Week 12 start.

WR Nate Burleson, Detroit Lions

Running back Kevin Smith isn't the only solid waiver-wire add from the Detroit Lions, as wide receiver Nate Burleson also proved his fantasy worth against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, making him a great pickup for Week 12.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford targeted Burleson seven times and he caught every single one, for 63 yards and a touchdown. He has 49 receptions on the year for 391 yards and just two scores, but with Calvin Johnson seeing his fair share of double coverage is often the only open and reliable wideout for Stafford.

This will prove beneficial for the Lions this Thursday, as they take on the Green Bay Packers and will likely get drawn into a shootout. The odds are good for Burleson to yet again see a significant number of targets, so he's worth both adding and starting this week.