Early Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 12 (2020 Fantasy Football)

Welcome in, folks! We’ve made it through the bulk of Week 11 action, and it’s that most wonderful time of the evening once again. Sunday night gives fantasy owners time to reflect on the week’s triumphs or losses and take stock of their roster heading into the new week. It’s a time for reflection and a time to assess potential waiver wire options. Each week, I’ll be highlighting a handful of low-rostered options you should consider when making waiver wire claims. Each player’s upcoming three-game schedule will be noted, including strength of matchup. This is particularly helpful if you need a streaming option or a temporary replacement to get you through the tough times.

This article typically focuses on players less than 30% rostered in Yahoo leagues, but sticking to those parameters ahead of Week 12 would exclude some excellent adds. So this week, just like the amps being cranked to 11 in Spinal Tap, we’re going all the way up to 45% for our early waiver wire selections. Keep in mind, some of these players may be only available in shallower leagues, and Hill is likely long gone in any league where he carries TE eligibility.

It’s a QB-heavy article this week, with four signal-callers making the cut, including fantasy’s favorite Saint (sorry, Jameis).

Best of luck in all of your leagues moving forward! If you’ve got any questions about the week’s waiver wire options or anything fantasy football, hit me up on Twitter @ZaktheMonster.

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Quarterback

Taysom Hill (NO): 42% rostered

WEEK 12 WEEK 13 WEEK 14
@DEN @ATL @PHI

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Have you heard that Taysom Hill was New Orleans’ starter in Week 11? Did you know he had TE eligibility on some platforms?? I kid, I kid. All jokes aside, Hill came up big for the Saints in his first career start, piling up 233 passing yards, 57 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns. He’ll likely finish the week as a QB1 and potentially a top-5 play. He’s got Denver and Atlanta in his crosshairs in Weeks 12 and 13, and if he’s somehow still available on your waiver wire, walk – don’t run – to acquire his services.

Derek Carr (LV): 36% rostered

WEEK 12 WEEK 13 WEEK 14
@ATL @NYJ IND

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We all know what quarterbacks are capable of in the right matchup. We certainly know what they’re capable of in golden matchups. That’s just what we’ve got for Derek Carr in Weeks 12-13. Carr will be an excellent streaming option against Atlanta and Gang Green, and he’s well worth an add here.

Daniel Jones (NYG): 28% rostered

WEEK 12 WEEK 13 WEEK 14
@CIN @SEA ARI

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Jones was mentioned in this article last week, and in the seven days that have passed between then and now, Danny Dimes has fallen to just 28% rostered in Yahoo leagues. His next three matchups are serene, and if you were impacted by the Joe Burrow injury this week, Jones could be a great addition to your team to get you through to the fantasy playoffs.

P.J. Walker (CAR): 2% rostered

WEEK 12 WEEK 13 WEEK 14
@MIN BYE DEN

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Walker made his first NFL start Sunday and guided guided Carolina to its first win in six games. He finished the day with 258 yards, a touchdown, and two end-zone picks. He played solid football, and if not for the ill-advised turnovers, he could’ve had a much bigger week. Carolina is on bye in Week 13, meaning Teddy Bridgewater will likely be back in Week 14. If Teddy B sits again in Week 12, Walker is worth a stream against Minnesota.

Running Back

James White (NE): 40% rostered

WEEK 12 WEEK 13 WEEK 14
ARI @LAC @LAR

__________

The fantasy darling and perennial PPR playmaker has fallen out of favor in New England, and he’s been relegated to many a fantasy bench. Fear not, James White! You were never too far out of our thoughts… and hearts. In Week 11, the nostalgia-meter was off the charts, as White went 5/19 on the ground and 6/64 on eight targets as a receiver. It’s feared Rex Burkhead tore his ACL and will be done for the season, meaning White could regain his receiving-back role. It’s about that time of year to start thinking about the holidays, and coincidentally, fantasy championship week falls right around the end of December. I’m dreamin’ of a White Christmas, indeed.

Frank Gore (NYJ): 10% rostered

WEEK 12 WEEK 13 WEEK 14
MIA LV @SEA

__________

Lamical Perine made an early exit in Week 11 against the Chargers due to an ankle injury, and if he’s forced to miss time moving forward, Gore could be in for a hefty workload. The Gore/Perine timeshare was beginning to shift in favor of the latter, but if Gore is the unquestioned top dog, volume and great upcoming matchups could yield flex value. Ty Johnson (0% owned) is worth a deep-league add.

Wide Receiver

Michael Pittman (IND): 43% rostered

WEEK 12 WEEK 13 WEEK 14
TEN @HOU @LV

__________

Pittman operated as Indy’s top receiver once again, and he provided another solid stat line for fantasy managers. Pittman got the party started early with a 45-yard t0uchdown catch, and stayed involved throughout the game. His matchups over the next three weeks are nothing to shy away from, and Pittman is the best add at his position.

Jalen Reagor (PHI): 29% rostered

WEEK 12 WEEK 13 WEEK 14
SEA @GB NO

__________

There’s not much to get excited about from Philly’s dreadful offense, but someone’s got to catch passes, right? Reagor finished his Week 11 with a 4/52 receiving line on five targets, and despite the middling production, he’s clearly become a favorite target of Carson Wentz. Even Wentz (knock on wood, no whammy) should be able to excel against Seattle’s historically giving defense, with Reagor reaping the residual benefits. Weeks 13-14 against Green Bay and New Orleans will likely see the Eagles trailing and chasing points, forcing the team to lean on the passing game. He’s worth an add yet again ahead of Week 12.

Tight End

Jordan Reed (SF): 14% rostered

WEEK 12 WEEK 13 WEEK 14
@LAR BUF WAS

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Prior to the Niners’ Week 11 bye, Reed posted a 5/62 receiving line on six targets, and the hope is that he’s emerged as one of his team’s most reliable options in the receiving game. With injuries aplenty on offense, Reed should see plenty of chances to be productive, and his schedule across the next three weeks is extremely favorable. If you’re looking to spice it up at a bland position, add a pinch of Reed start immediately.

D/ST

New York Giants: 10% rostered

WEEK 12 WEEK 13 WEEK 14
@CIN @SEA ARI

__________

Cincinnati sans Joe Burrow? Yeah, this is a no-brainer here. The G-Men have provided solid defensive production this season, but the matchup with Ryan Finley and the Bengals in Week 12 could be the team’s finest moment. Rostered in just 10 percent of Yahoo leagues, New York Giants D/ST is the top streaming option of the week.

 Green Bay Packers: 33% rostered

WEEK 12 WEEK 13 WEEK 14
CHI PHI @DET

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There’s no way to know who will be starting at quarterback for Chicago in Week 12, but whoever it is will present a great matchup for Green Bay’s defense. This defense has struggled at times throughout the season but it seems to have found its rhythm as of late. Chicago and Philadelphia could be big spots for this unit, and Green Bay Packers D/ST is a quality option for Weeks 12-13.

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Beyond our fantasy football content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Trade Analyzer – which allows you to instantly find out if a trade offer benefits you or your opponent – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team, and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.

Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.