Week 12 Waiver Wire: Identifying the Biggest Boom-or-Bust Adds

On the Week 12 fantasy football waiver wire, the following five players are the biggest boom-or-bust additions:

Jake Locker, Titans

Matt Hasselbeck has a strained forearm and may not play this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so Locker becomes an interesting add in almost every league. He looked impressive in guiding the Titans to two scores in Atlanta on Sunday, and Locker's ability to use his legs is another valuable fantasy asset.

He's still a rookie, however, and Hasselbeck could still play, so make sure you keep a close eye on this situation throughout the week.

C.J. Spiller, Bills

Fred Jackson likely won't practice this week with an injured calf, which makes Spiller—his backup—a guy that could stand to benefit if Jackson can't go. That kind of opportunity for a former first-round pick is enticing. However, the Bills offense has been terrible in recent weeks, and the Jets are solid at keeping running backs at bay statistically.

The potential exists here for Spiller this week, but he's got a tough task to make himself fantasy-relevant.

Joe McKnight, Jets

The Jets will contend that both Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson will be ready to go Sunday against the Bills, but I'm not buying it. Greene's ribs were bad enough that he couldn't come back in Denver and Tomlinson's knee is still limiting. McKnight should see touches regardless on Sunday, but how many will be the ultimate question here. 

Shane Vereen, Patriots

It's always tricky trying to pin down the Patriots running backs, but Vereen did look good in garbage time and scored a touchdown late. Stevan Ridley and Kevin Faulk (inactive) didn't receive a carry. Could Vereen be the Pats' No. 2 guy now?

Jerome Simpson, Bengals

The production is definitely there over the past four weeks (12 catches, 209 yards and two touchdowns), but his biggest day came last Sunday with No. 1 receiver A.J. Green on the sidelines. While Green should be back this week against the Browns, there's reason to believe the Bengals will take it slow.

Simpson should once again figure in heavily to the Bengals' offensive game plan.