Week 12 Waiver Sherpa

The week 12 waiver wire is about the same as the last few weeks. Most difference makers are already rostered and no major injuries opened up new featured starters. There is no slam dunk FAAB add, however Michael Pittman comes close. 

I group the adds by position and then within the position, rank them in order of preference. The sherpa will only advise players who are rostered in less than 50% of ESPN leagues.

Single QB – 1 dual threat supernova and 3 veteran QBs have soft matchups ahead

Taysom Hill (10%) – While Drew Brees heals up he offers the true ceiling that can change matchups with his running ability. He crossed the goal line twice in his first start. Even if he’s only a slightly better passer than Tim Tebow, that works for fantasy. Running QBs are always in play. 

Derek Carr (1-5%) – He’s not a flashy fantasy option, but Carr can deliver production that won’t cause you to lose matchups. His next 2 games are the Falcons and Jets. 

Kirk Cousins (1-5%) – While Dalvin Cook is the engine of the offense, Cousins has a bevy of exciting weapons and the lack of a defense forces the Vikings to be aggressive.  His next 2 games are at home against Carolina and Jacksonville.  

Philip Rivers (1-5%) – The Colts face porous defenses for the next 4 weeks and Rivers should be able to muster quality lines. Tennessee, Houston, Las Vegas and Houston is a true cake walk for all members of the Colts offense.  

Superflex / 2QB – if you’re desperate

Ryan Finley (10%) – I feel for you if Ryan Finley would be your starter, even in multi-QB leagues. He showed last year he probably doesn’t belong in the NFL. Off the bench against the Washington Football Team he looked completely shellshocked, taking 4 sacks and throwing an interception in roughly a quarter and a half. On a related note, the season-ending injury to Joe Burrow tanks any Bengals running backs or wide receivers for the rest of the season. 

RB – One rookie may have finally broken the seal 

J.K. Dobbins (25-30%) – Just when you thought you could write him off, Dobbins sees 17 touches, logging 85 yards and a score.  Gus Edwards and Mark Ingram combined for 5 total touches. Should Dobbins get 15 or more looks weekly, he would be a difference maker in the fantasy playoffs.  Has COVID-19.

Gus Edwards (25%) – With Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins testing positive for COVID, Edwards likely becomes a RB2 for a week or however long he’s got the majority of the carries to himself. He’s actually been a quality runner in his short career, but offers zero as a receiver. 

Sony Michel (10-15%) – With Rex Burkhead suffering a torn ACL, the newly activated Michel may be in line for some of Burkhead’s carries. Unless Damien Harris gets injured, I don’t see Michel with more than 7-10 carries a week but he should have a role out of necessity. 

Justice Hill (5%) – He may see some action over the next week or 2 and flashes long speed that can turn any play into a touchdown. I’ll be picking him up on the sly wherever possible, and waiting to see if he can get 10-12 touches in the interim. 

Salvon Ahmed (5%) – While Myles Gaskin has been shelved, Ahmed has received 39 touches over the past 2 weeks. The Dolphins have been comfortable feeding whatever running back is left on the depth chart so it’s always worth adding someone flirting with 20 touches a week. Gaskin may return this week, so adjust the FAAB % depending on that news. 

J.J. Taylor (1%) – As mentioned above, Rex Burkhead is out of the picture which could open up some role for the electric Taylor. Worth a short term stash to see if the Patriots give him any run. 

$1 or post-waiver handcuff stashes – Rodney Smith, Cam Akers, Anthony McFarland, Devontae Booker, Devine Ozigbo

WR – A rookie steps into the WR1 role for Indianapolis

Michael Pittman Jr. (30-50%) – Oh boy, we got a live one here. Pittman has the looks of a major addition for the final weeks of the season. He followed up his 7 catch, 100 yard break out with 66 yards and a touchdown against the Packers. The Colts face porous defenses for the next 4 weeks and Pittman is likely to be a starter on many playoff fantasy teams. 

Jalen Reagor (20%) – The Philadelphia offense is very dysfunctional but he’s still a guy that can help down the stretch. Their next 5 games are a lovely walk through SEA, GB, NO, ARI, DAL. 

Denzel Mims (15%) – The second round pick is coming on after sitting with injury for most of the season. He led the Jets in targets and yards once again, and is a FLEX worthy option in most formats. 

Allen Lazard (5-10%) – In his first game active since core surgery, he saw 4 targets. With Marquez Valdes-Scantling giving away a costly fumble in overtime, Lazard is likely to be more involved going forward.

Dez Bryant (5%) – In what must have been a very tilting experience for some, Bryant saw 2 more targets than Marquise Brown in week 11. I don’t really know what to expect out of the Baltimore offense game to game anymore, but there is a chance Bryant is fantasy relevant in weeks 14-16. 

Cole Beasley (5%) – He has had some nice spike weeks, and is a worthy bench piece you can fire up with confidence if John Brown ever misses time. 

TE –  Some waiver tight ends can be plugged in for production

Robert Tonyan (5%) – He scored for the first time since the 3 TD outburst in week 4. Tonyan passes the bar for startability by at least seeing 3-5 targets weekly in a good offense. 

Jordan Reed (5%) – While George Kittle is out, Reed makes for a fine fantasy start.  The athletic mismatch saw 6 targets in the last game, catching 5 for 62 yards.  

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