We were excited about how well-stocked the waiver pond was last week. The fish were jumping – especially at the all-important RB position. Fantasy managers showed up with their rods, reels and tackle boxes.

Alas, the pond has been fished out. There isn’t a lot of eye-catching talent to bid on this week. There are a few names that might interest speculators, but there’s little in the way of immediate help.

On the bright side, there are no teams on bye in Week 12. We always get a bye-week reprieve for Thanksgiving, and that is indeed a reason to be thankful. There won’t be quite as many lineup holes that need to be patched.

This article only includes players rostered in 50% of Yahoo leagues or fewer, but let’s take note of a few players who don’t quite meet that threshold. Rachaad White (60% rostered), J.K. Dobbins (57%), Darius Slayton (51%) and Greg Dulcich (61%) are available in some of the less sharky leagues and are worth your attention if they remain unclaimed.

OK, let’s get to it.

Week 12 Waiver Wire Rankings

Running Backs

Written by Bo McBrayer

Cam Akers (LAR): 27% rostered

• Next opponents: @KC, SEA, LV
• True value: $11
• Desperate need: $23
• Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: This one really flew under the radar. Akers was the predominant running back for the Rams on Sunday, handling 14 carries to Kyren Williams‘ seven and Darrell Henderson‘s two. I won’t lie: Akers didn’t look half bad either. Henderson has been ineffective and has yet to carry the ball more than 13 times in a game this season. Williams is more of a third-down presence, as he is a great receiver and is much better in pass protection than Akers. Don’t get too fired up about a guy who was recently in the dog house and was a poison pill in trade negotiations. Akers still has to trudge behind one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. The silver lining is that the Rams have one of the easiest remaining schedules for RBs in the league.

James Cook (BUF): 17% rostered

• Next opponents: @DET, @NE, NYJ
• True value: $7
• Desperate need: $14
• Budget-minded: $3

Analysis: The Bills have made one thing clear since they acquired Nyheim Hines a couple of weeks ago: Cook is still their RB2. The rookie from Georgia tied a season-high with 11 rushing attempts on Sunday and established a new season high with 86 rushing yards – the same number Devin Singletary hit on seven more carries. The passing volume will follow Cook in neutral and negative game scripts, but it was encouraging to see his number called to ice the game away with Buffalo ahead on the scoreboard. Cook is so talented that he can do great things for fantasy just by achieving a 50% split with Singletary. He is on his way.

Latavius Murray (DEN): 23% rostered

• Next opponents: @CAR, @BAL, KC
• True value: $6
• Desperate need: $13
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Murray is agonizing to watch at this stage of his career, but volume truly does pay the bills. The 32-year old fielded a whopping 21 touches in Week 11 and fell into the end zone to salvage a fantasy performance that was otherwise lackluster. Melvin Gordon also handled a good share of touches, including five receptions to Murray’s four. Chase Edmonds was a non-factor with only two rushing attempts, and his fall from grace dating back to his time in Arizona has been tragic. The Denver backfield is very uninspiring as a whole, but there are some positive matchups on the horizon.

Jerick McKinnon (KC): 26% rostered

• Next opponents: LAR, @CIN, @DEN
• True value: $5
• Desperate need: $11
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: I still believe that McKinnon will end up being the best of the three Chiefs RBs down the stretch in fantasy, especially in PPR formats. The veteran was schemed out of his normal workload in Sunday night’s win over the Chargers, who struggle to defend the power run. McKinnon only carried the ball six times and caught one pass. He also lost a fumble in the fourth quarter that nearly cost Kansas City the game. McKinnon is still going to be a weekly RB3 with RB2 upside – plenty flex-worthy at this stage of the season.

Chuba Hubbard (CAR): 24% rostered

• Next opponents: DEN, BYE, @SEA
• True value: $4
• Desperate need: $7
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: This Panthers team is an absolute mess, but they don’t have a terrible backfield. Trading Christian McCaffrey upgraded everyone under him, including Foreman and Chuba Hubbard. Foreman is currently toting a bell cow workload, but Hubbard can provide a home run speed threat for this offense as a change of pace. Carolina’s offense might be abysmal, but there are still fantasy points to be had. Rostering Hubbard is a cheap alternative for the FAAB-challenged.

For some of us, this point in the season is where we lean forward and make a final push to solidify playoff position. For those who are already locked in and ready to chase a ‘ship, the worst thing that can happen is to be left holding the bag with an injured starting RB. That’s right, it’s officially Handcuff SZN. The stashes below are the most valuable RBs to pivot to should disaster strike.

Stash Candidates: Alexander Mattison, Dontrell Hilliard, Isaiah Spiller, Trestan Ebner, Samaje Perine, Deon Jackson, Kenneth Gainwell, Matt Breida

Alexander Mattison and Isaiah Spiller are a bit different than the rest of the stashes in that they could slot into a heavy workload if the starter in front of them were to miss time. We have seen Mattison become an option with weekly RB1 upside in Dalvin Cook‘s absence. The rookie Spiller has earned more opportunities by the week and has usurped Sony Michel as the Chargers’ RB2 with Joshua Kelley out.

Dontrell Hilliard and Samaje Perine are touchdown-vulturing thorns in the side of fantasy managers. They also might not see any change in role should the starters go down. Rookie Hassan Haskins would probably see a bump in usage if Derrick Henry had to leave the field. Joe Mixon left Sunday’s game with a concussion, but it was Perine’s work on third down that put him in the end zone three times. I suspect Cincinnati would make a practice squad move if Mixon was unable to go.

The rest of these guys can be rostered as cuffs in deeper leagues. One great game has people wondering whether Deon Jackson could do it again should Jonathan Taylor get dinged. I’m not so sure. Kenneth Gainwell is the third-down back for the Eagles right now, but an injury to Miles Sanders would probably only upgrade Boston Scott for some reason. Matt Breida will be a very important piece for the Giants down the stretch. Their playoff hopes rest squarely on Saquon Barkley and his availability. Breida might be my favorite deep-league stash of the lot.

Wide Receivers

Written by Derek Brown

Treylon Burks (TEN): 20% rostered

• Next opponents: CIN, @PHI, JAC
• True value: $12
• Desperate need: $17
• Budget-minded: $6

Analysis: Burks finally had his big breakout game, earning a 29.6% target share with seven grabs and 111 receiving yards. Burks is 49th in PFF receiving grade and 15th in yards per route run this season (minimum 25 targets). Ryan Tannehill is playing extremely well right now. If Burks emerges as Tannehill’s weekly WR1, he could be a stretch-run hero in fantasy.

Parris Campbell (IND): 40% rostered

• Next opponents: PIT, @DAL, BYE
• True value: $7
• Desperate need: $11
• Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: Campbell has been the WR9, WR5 and WR11 in the last three games with Matt Ryan under center. In those games, Campbell has averaged 9.6 targets, 8.0 receptions, and 67.6 receiving yards. He didn’t get into the end zone this week, but he drew an 18.7% target share, hauling in five passes for 67 yards. Over the next three weeks, Campbell has juicy matchups with PIT and MIN, who are first and fifth, respectively, in fantasy points per game allowed to slot wide receivers.

Donovan Peoples-Jones (CLE): 45% rostered

• Next opponents: TB, @HOU, @CIN
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $5
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Peoples-Jones has been on a roll. Entering this week, he was 26th in PFF receiving grade and 13th in yards per route run (minimum 25 targets) since Week 4. Peoples-Jones has eclipsed 60 receiving yards in six of his last seven games. He gave us another solid performance in Week 11, drawing a 14.6% target share with 61 receiving yards and a score as the WR7 for the week heading into Monday night. His upcoming matchups aren’t kind, but with Deshaun Watson eyeing a Week 13 return, the floor and ceiling for Peoples-Jones will rise.

Nico Collins (HOU): 27% rostered

• Next opponents: @MIA, CLE, @DAL
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $5
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Collins has emerged as the WR1 in Houston. Over the last two games, he’s commanded a 24.2% target share, and his upcoming matchups are generous. Over the next two weeks, Collins plays MIA and CLE, who are fourth and 12th in fantasy points per game allowed to perimeter wide receivers. Fire up Collins as an upside flex.

Darius Slayton (NYG): 51% rostered

• Next opponents: @DAL, WAS, PHI
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Darius Slayton continues to play well. In Week 11, he logged 86 receiving yards and a 22.7% target share. With Wan’Dale Robinson injured and possibly out for the rest of the season, the Giants will continue to lean on the talented Slayton. Entering Week 11, Slayton had been the WR32 in fantasy over his previous five games, with a 20.3% target share over that span. During this five-game sample, he’s 11th in PFF receiving grade and sixth in yards per route run (minimum 15 targets).

Kendall Hinton (DEN): 1% rostered

• Next opponents: @CAR, @BAL, KC
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: $3
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Hinton is a viable flex option as long as Jerry Jeudy is sidelined. Since replacing Jeudy in the slot, he has a 10.9% target share with at least 57 receiving yards in back-to-back games. Hinton almost got into the end zone in Week 11, but he was ruled out of bounds just short of the goal line. The next three weeks bring Hinton beautiful matchups for a slot receiver, as CAR, BAL and KC are all vulnerable inside. Slot corner Myles Hartfield has struggled for Carolina, giving up a 79.4% catch rate, two receiving touchdowns, and a 115.7 passer rating (per PFF). Baltimore and Kansas City have allowed the second and eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing slot receivers.

Stash Candidates: Terrace Marshall, Kalif Raymond

Terrace Marshall has at least 1.71 yards per route run (2,42, 1.71, 2.39, 2.11) in each of his last four games. If Carolina could supply him with a steady stream of catchable targets, Marshall could really take off. Sadly, the Panthers’ quarterbacks are all replacement-level players. Marshall has flex-worthy matchups to consider in Weeks 15 (PIT) and 16 (DET), facing secondaries that have been putrid.

Kalif Raymond is stash-worthy. Despite D.J. Chark‘s return, Raymond remained the only full-time receiver in Detroit outside of Amon-Ra St. Brown. Raymond has flex-worthy matchups in Weeks 13 (JAC), 14 (MIN) and 16 (CAR). The Jaguars’ secondary has struggled intermittently all year, while the Vikings are sixth in fantasy points per game allowed to perimeter wide receivers. The Panthers have surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points per game to outside wide receivers.

Quarterbacks

Written by Bo McBrayer

Deshaun Watson (CLE): 48% rostered

• Next opponents: SUS, @HOU, @CIN
• True value: $7
• Desperate need: $13
• Budget-minded: $3

Analysis: An update to this saga is that Watson is now allowed to practice with the Browns for the first time since the preseason. He will miss Week 12 but is slated to start next week in Houston against the team that drafted him. His rostership is climbing steadily now. This will be the last time he graces this column. Watson is a QB1 and holds fantasy playoff value far above any streaming option.

Matthew Stafford (LAR): 49% rostered

• Next opponents: @KC, SEA, LV
• True value: $6
• Desperate need: $11
• Budget-minded: $3

Analysis: Your Super Bowl winning QB made the waiver wire article, ladies and gentlemen. Even though Matthew Stafford has battled injuries to himself, and more recently his best weapon, the Rams are set up to cling to life in the NFC playoff picture (by a thread). Stafford will need to clear concussion protocol for the second-consecutive week, but the next three games present fantastic opportunities for QB fantasy scoring. Stafford was dealing before he got knocked out in New Orleans, even with that abhorrent offensive line. I won’t think twice before snatching him off waivers if I see him.

Marcus Mariota (ATL): 43% rostered

• Next opponents: @WAS, PIT, BYE
• True value: $5
• Desperate need: $9
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Just as I suspected last week, Mariota went out and played much better. Apart from the Week 14 bye, Atlanta has a 10-ply soft remaining schedule for opposing QBs. Mariota has weekly QB1 upside from here on out, even though he hasn’t exceeded 50 yards rushing since Week 6. HC Arthur Smith finally addressed the QB situation, stating that the job belongs to the veteran over rookie Desmond Ridder as long as the Falcons are in the playoff hunt. Lock Mariota into your lineup and just don’t watch the games.

Matt Ryan (IND): 16% rostered

• Next opponents: PIT, @DAL, BYE
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $6
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Are the Colts good now? After dismantling the Raiders in HC Jeff Saturday’s coaching debut, they pushed the Eagles to the brink on Sunday. Ryan was not a good fantasy option, but Philly is just brutal on QBs. The next two weeks present one great matchup with the Steelers and a tougher one versus the Cowboys, who just ripped Kirk Cousins and the Vikings to shreds. I like Matty Ice as a one-week, blindfolded stream at home on Monday night.

Taylor Heinicke (WAS): 14% rostered

• Next opponents: ATL, @NYG, BYE
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $6
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Carson Wentz is back where he belongs: the bench. Although wins are definitely not a QB statistic, Commanders HC Ron Rivera has given the reins to Heinicke for the rest of the season. Washington is 4-1 with Heinicke as the starter, even though it has been kind of a Jimmy G paradox where the team carries the QB to victory. For fantasy, Heinicke has a couple of decent upcoming matchups where he can use his legs to maybe sneak into the back-end QB1 conversation. He will always have a vote of confidence from Terry McLaurin managers.

Stash Candidates: None

At this point in the season, we are focused entirely on lining up streaming QBs for the fantasy playoffs. You need every roster spot possible for the other positions as we enter the most pivotal stretch of the season.

Tight Ends

Written by Derek Brown

Foster Moreau (LV): 40% rostered

• Next opponents: @SEA, LAC, @LAR
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Is Moreau a sexy streamer TE name? No. Does he have a beautiful matchup in Week 12? Absolutely and emphatically, YES! Moreau will play every down for the Raiders this week against a Seattle defense allowing the second-most fantasy points per game, second-most TE receiving yards per game, and the highest yards per reception to tight ends. Moreau could easily be a top-12 tight end this week.

Evan Engram (JAC): 36% rostered

• Next opponents: BAL, @DET, @TEN
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Engram is the TE17 in fantasy points per game, with TE1 finishes in three of his last six games. He’s garnered a 15.3% target share (15th), with the third-most deep targets among tight ends. His next two matchups are stream-worthy. Baltimore is 26th in DVOA against tight ends (per Football Outsiders), allowing the fourth-highest catch rate. Detroit is 25th in DVOA against TEs, surrendering the fifth-highest catch rate and sixth-highest yards per reception.

Taysom Hill (NO): 47% rostered

• Next opponents: @SF, @TB, BYE
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Hill’s production has been volatile, but if you’re willing to roll the dice with him in any given week, he could pay off nicely. Hill just added his fourth TE1 week to his resume, with nine rushing attempts for 52 yards and one grab for eight yards. With seven red zone rushing attempts and one target inside the 20-yard line, Hill is a threat to score in any game.

Juwan Johnson (NO): 30% rostered

• Next opponents: @SF, @TB, BYE
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Now, onto the Saints’ more traditional TE option, Johnson is emerging as a viable weekly fantasy tight end. He exits Week 11 with another productive week as the TE4 in fantasy. Johnson has at least 40 receiving yards in four of his last six games, with five TD catches. He’s consistently produced this season when given opportunities to do so.

Stash Candidates: Isaiah Likely

Isaiah Likely is a premier TE handcuff. If Mark Andrews misses any time, Likely would be airdropped into the TE1 role in the Ravens’ passing offense. Likely is a deep league streaming option even with Andrews on the field. In Weeks 1-8 (with Andrews healthy), Likely had a 13% target share. Likely is 26th in PFF receiving grade and 20th in yards per route run (minimum 10 targets). Likely is a prime pickup if you’re insulating your roster for a championship run and have the bench space.

Defenses

Written by Pat Fitzmaurice

New York Jets: 46% rostered

• Next opponents: CHI, @MIN, @BUF
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $5
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The Jets’ defense has become flat-out nasty. In their last two games, they held Josh Allen and the Bills to 17 points, then held the Patriots’ offense to 3 points in Week 11 (only to watch the Jets’ special teams blow the game by giving up a punt-return TD in the final seconds). The Jets’ defense has notched 32 sacks and 11 interceptions, and it entered Week 11 ranked fourth in pressure rate. In Week 12, the Jets face a Bears offense that has given up the most sacks in the league. It’s possible the Bears will be without starting QB Justin Fields (shoulder) and will have to turn to backup Trevor Siemian. If we get word early in the week that Fields won’t play in Week 12, add another dollar to your bid.

Minnesota Vikings: 33% rostered

• Next opponents: NE, NYJ, @DET
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Can I sell you on a defense that just gave up 40 points? The Vikings may have just gotten squashed by the Cowboys, but their defense entered Week 11 tied for seventh in fantasy points per game. Minnesota gets appealing home matchups the next two weeks, first against Mac Jones and the Patriots, then against Zach Wilson and the Jets.

Kansas City Chiefs: 46% rostered

• Next opponents: LAR, @CIN, @DEN
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: $3
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The Chiefs get a Week 12 date with a Rams offense that entered Week 11 having given up the most fantasy points to opposing defenses. The Rams are averaging 15 points over their last six games. The Chiefs entered Week 11 tied for eighth in the NFL in sacks and tied for seventh in pressure rate. The Chiefs’ defense is also potentially playable in Week 13 against the highly sackable Joe Burrow and the Bengals.

Indianapolis Colts: 29% rostered

• Next opponents: PIT, @DAL, BYE
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: The Colts have a middle-of-the-road defense, but an average NFL defense is usually enough to cause trouble for a rookie quarterback. Indianapolis hosts Pittsburgh and rookie QB Kenny Pickett this week. In his first seven games, Pickett has thrown eight interceptions and taken 18 sacks.

Miami Dolphins: 22% rostered

• Next opponents: HOU, @SF, @LAC
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: It’s all about the matchup. Miami’s defense is averaging 5.3 fantasy points per game, but the Dolphins get a Week 12 matchup against the Texans, who entered Week 11 having allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing defenses.

Tennessee Titans: 46% rostered

• Next opponents: CIN, @PHI, JAC
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: The Titans get a sack-alicious Week 12 matchup against the Bengals. Tennessee has notched 30 sacks in 10 games. Bengals QB Joe Burrow has been sacked 32 times in 10 games. The Titans become a slightly less appealing option if WR Ja’Marr Chase is cleared to return from a hip injury.

Stash Candidates: None.

Kickers

Written by Pat Fitzmaurice

Jason Myers (SEA): 28% rostered

• Next opponents: LV, @LAR, CAR
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Myers is tied for fourth in kicker scoring, averaging 9.6 fantasy points per game. He’s drilled 19-of-20 field goals and 26-of-27 extra points. He’ll be kicking at home this week with an appealing matchup against the Raiders, whose defense ranks last in Football Outsiders’ DVOA metric.

Ryan Succop (TB): 34% rostered

• Next opponents: @CLE, NO, @SF
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $2
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Succop has kicked multiple field goals in 7-of-10 games this season, including a pair of four-FG games and a pair of three-FG games. Succop is averaging 9.1 fantasy points per game, and he gets a Week 12 matchup against the Browns, who are giving up 10.9 fantasy points per game to kickers. Succop also gets an attractive Week 13 matchup vs. the Saints, who have given up the second-most fantasy points to kickers.

Jason Sanders (MIA): 8% rostered

• Next opponents: HOU, @SF, @LAC
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $1
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Sanders is only 19th among kickers in fantasy scoring, but the Dolphins are seventh in the NFL in scoring. He’s missed four FG attempts and three extra points this season, but Sanders should at least be weather-immune in Week 12, kicking against the Texans in sunny Miami. The Texans are yielding 9.9 fantasy points per game to kickers.

Cameron Dicker (LAC): 13% rostered

• Next opponents: @ARI, @LV, MIA
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $1
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: In three games with the Chargers, Dicker the Kicker is a perfect 7-for-7 on field goals and 6-for-6 on extra points. The Chargers’ offense is giving him ample scoring opportunities, and the rookie is converting all of them. He won’t have to deal with any weather conditions this week when the Chargers visit Arizona.

Brandon McManus (DEN): 23% rostered

• Next opponents: @CAR, @BAL, KC
• True value: $1
• Desperate need: $1
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: The Broncos’ offense is struggling, but sometimes a team’s offensive struggles can benefit a kicker. As Russell Wilson and the Denver offense sputtered through a Week 11 game against the Raiders, drives kept stalling, and McManus kept attempting field goals. He tried four of them Sunday, making three. McManus is 15th in kicker scoring, and a Week 12 matchup against the Panthers at least looks good on paper.