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Fantasy Football: Waiver Wire Rankings (Week 12)

Fantasy Football: Waiver Wire Rankings (Week 12)

Can you believe that we’re now heading into Week 12 already? This season has taken some twists and turns that nobody expected and the waiver wire has offered assistance throughout it all. Difference makers like Alvin Kamara, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Latavius Murray, and now possibly Samaje Perine could all change the results at the end of the season. Now before you look at the list below and wonder why Perine isn’t listed, it’s because his ownership percentage is above our 50% threshold. If he were lesser owned, you can be sure he’d be among the top options on the list after Chris Thompson’s season-ending injury.

With that said, we put together a list of players with <50% ownership based on Yahoo! and ESPN leagues. We then asked the experts to rank that list to help with your decision making. See which readily-available free agents the experts like and get insight on their favorite targets including defenses to stream in Week 12.

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Featured Experts:
Mike Tagliere – FantasyPros
Dan Harris – FantasyPros
Bobby Sylvester – FantasyPros
Robert Waziak – Pyromaniac

*Ownership % derived from a consensus of Yahoo & ESPN leagues

On a mobile device? Click here for rankings table partner-arrow

Q1. Give us your thoughts on a waiver wire target (or two) you especially like as a pickup.

“My favorite target this week is Corey Coleman, who somehow stepped right back into action on Sunday against a formidable Jaguars pass defense and did extremely well, largely against Jalen Ramsey. Coleman has now played three games this season and seen 24 targets, and he might just be the only reason to watch the Browns going forward. If I’m struggling at receiver, I’d probably be willing to spend about 30% of my budget on Coleman. I’ll also note Josh Doctson as a 1A option to Coleman. With Chris Thompson down, Doctson’s role in the Washington offense should only continue to grow, and I’d be willing to spend 25% of my budget to grab him if I couldn’t secure Coleman.”
– Dan Harris (FantasyPros)

“This week is all about the wide receivers and the top two for me are Josh Doctson and Corey Coleman. Doctson has been surprisingly competent since taking over the job considering he was covered by Richard Sherman, Xavier Rhodes, and Marshon Lattimore, so he could really take off now that he is coming into an easier stretch on the schedule. Coleman, meanwhile, led the Browns in targets and was one of the top two receivers all season against the Jags in his return from the IR. I’d spend up to 100% of your FAAB on either if you need a WR, and I’d imagine it is what they will cost as well.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

“My top waiver wire targets will depend entirely on where my team lacks in depth and these targets are likely only going to consist of wide receivers and running backs. I won’t focus on quarterbacks unless I am in a league where I can start more than one, and I won’t focus on tight ends unless the one I already roster is hurt. That being said, my top two targets at the wide receiver position are Josh Doctson and Corey Coleman, respectively. If I could use the depth at wide receiver, I would look to exhaust 100% of my remaining FAAB on one of the two. Both Doctson and Coleman have more favorable than not matchups through Week 16, are firmly entrenched to receive a fair share of their team’s targets, and possess WR2 upside on any given week. Let your league mates compete over acquiring Josh Gordon, and target a wide receiver who’s already scoring points instead. As for running backs, my favorite target is Austin Ekeler. If I was set at wide receiver and desperately needed some running back depth, I would look at spending 100% of my remaining FAAB on Ekeler. While Ekeler may not deserve 100%, I feel there is too big of a tier drop between him and the other available running backs (Rod Smith, Devontae Booker, Corey Clement). Additionally, Ekeler will be a hot waiver wire target after proving to be effective in back-to-back weeks so it is unlikely that your league will allow him to be acquired for cheap.”
– Robert Waziak (Pyromaniac)

“We’ve talked quite a bit about Rod Smith, so instead, I’ll mention Mike Williams as someone who should be added in all leagues. Most were shocked when the Chargers selected him at No. 7 overall in this year’s draft, but as a team, you don’t take him there without a plan in place. Since re-joining the team from his back injury, his snaps have been ramping up. Here are his snap counts from each week: 11, 14, 22, 27, 41. His Week 11 total was easily his highest, as were his eight targets, five receptions, and 38 yards. With how poorly Tyrell Williams has played, it’s only a matter of time before he passes him up on the depth chart. The best part is that you’ll only have to spend maybe 2-4 FAAB bucks on him.”
– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)

Q2. For owners renting a D/ST in Week 12, what readily available option (under 40%) should they target and why?

“If you’ve watched the Browns offense play this year, you know that the Bengals are easily the best streaming defense of the week. The Browns have allowed multiple sacks in 8-of-10 games this year, including four or more in three of the last five. On top of that, you have the guaranteed turnovers from DeShone Kizer, as there have been at least two interceptions/fumble recoveries in each of the last six games.”
– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)

“The obvious answer is the Bengals, who get the Browns, but they’re likely not available in most leagues anymore, especially considering their matchup this past week in Denver. So, personally, I’d target Tennessee, who, despite getting gashed by Pittsburgh, has an improving defense. The Colts allow the most fantasy points to opposing D/STs, and Tennessee should be rested and looking to bounce back after an embarrassing performance on national television.”
– Dan Harris (FantasyPros)

“Prior to their elite performance against the Buffalo Bills in Week 11, I advised a few people on how favorable of a schedule the Los Angeles Chargers had through Week 16. While many D/ST streamers will look to target the Tennessee Titans this week as they face the Colts, I think the sneaky play would be to ride the Chargers until your league’s championship. While some of their upcoming matchups include those against high-scoring teams such as the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and Kansas City Chiefs, the tempo in these games should create advantageous opportunities for the Chargers to create turnovers. Week 13 versus the Browns and Week 16 versus the Jets doesn’t hurt either.”
– Robert Waziak (Pyromaniac)

“This week’s options are abysmal, so I’ve got to recommend the safest play. The Redskins were crushed on defense each of the past two weeks, but it was against two powerful offenses. This week, they go up against the Giants, who can’t stop anyone’s pass rush and are always a threat to turn the ball over. Washington has multiple sacks in every game except one this season so you can bank on at least that versus New York.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)


Thank you to the experts for naming their top waiver targets. Be sure to give them a follow on Twitter if you’re not already doing so and check out our latest podcast below for more great advice.


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