Fantasy football can be an extremely fun game to play. It can also be highly frustrating at times. Nothing is more annoying than needing to make a last-minute waiver-wire move because someone in your starting lineup is out for the week.

Sadly, there isn’t much you can do about it. However, I’m going to try to help.

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Every week, I will have six players you can grab off the waiver wire at the last minute and throw into your lineup. Some will succeed, while others will fail. Unfortunately, that’s how the game of fantasy football is played. Let’s dive into my six last-minute waiver wire targets for Week 12.

Last-Minute Waiver Wire Pickups & Injury Replacements

All the players in this article are rostered in under 35% of ESPN leagues.

Drake Maye (QB – NE) vs. Miami Dolphins (19.2% Rostered)

New England hasn’t won many games this season. Yet, Maye has been a massive bright spot for the team. He has averaged 1.5 passing touchdowns and 16.2 fantasy points per game in his six starts. Furthermore, the rookie has averaged 17.2 fantasy points per game in the five starts he didn’t leave early with a concussion, totaling 15.7 or more in all but one contest. More importantly, Maye has racked up fantasy points with his legs, averaging 5.1 fantasy points per game on the ground as the starting quarterback.

While the Dolphins are heavy favorites in this game, don’t be surprised if the Patriots make it a close contest because of their rookie quarterback. New England’s offense has played better lately, while Miami’s defense has been inconsistent. Last week, the Dolphins gave up 282 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 18 fantasy points to Gardner Minshew II, allowing the veteran to set season highs in every category. Furthermore, they have surrendered 18 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks over the past month, allowing 22.1 or more in half the contests.

Audric Estime (RB – DEN) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (29.2% Rostered)

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Well, I’m ready to be made a fool of by Sean Payton again. Estime saw most of the Broncos’ backfield workload in Week 10, totaling 14 of 17 rushing attempts. However, the rookie running back had only six of the backfield’s 19 rushing attempts last week, totaling 16 yards and four half-point PPR fantasy points against the Atlanta Falcons. While Javonte Williams didn’t disappear, the former UNC star had only nine rushing attempts in Week 11.

Yet, Estime is a solid last-minute waiver wire replacement option. The rookie’s workload is somewhat unpredictable. However, he could see meaningful touches against the Raiders, especially if the game becomes a blowout. Las Vegas has surrendered 22.5 fantasy points per game to running backs, the seventh-most in the NFL. They have given up over 100 rushing yards to running backs in half of their contests. Furthermore, opposing running backs have averaged 105.8 rushing yards and 23.9 fantasy points per game in their eight wins against the Raiders this season.

Trey Benson (RB – ARI) vs. Seattle Seahawks (25.9% Rostered)

Benson’s fantasy value primarily comes from being James Conner’s handcuff. If the veteran misses time with an injury, the rookie has top-10 upside. However, his role on offense has expanded over the past few weeks, seeing an uptick in playing time despite Conner being healthy. He averaged 4.4 rushing attempts and two half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the first eight weeks. By comparison, Benson had 18 rushing attempts for 99 yards, a touchdown, and 21.7 fantasy points in his past two games before the Week 11 bye.

Arizona likely keeps giving the rookie 8-10 rushing attempts per game to keep Conner healthy for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have surrendered 21.7 fantasy points per game to running backs, the 11th-most in the NFL. Seattle has allowed the highest missed forced tackle per attempt rate (20%) in the league this season (per Fantasy Points Data). Furthermore, they’ve given up 128.7 rushing yards, a touchdown, and 24 fantasy points per game to running backs over the past eight weeks, allowing 118 or more yards in 71.4% of the matchups.

Rashod Bateman (WR – BAL) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (23.8% Rostered)

Despite the addition of Diontae Johnson, Bateman remains the Ravens’ No. 2 wide receiver. The veteran has been sneaky good this season, ranking as the WR31, averaging 8.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He has scored double-digit fantasy points in nearly half of his past nine contests. Furthermore, Bateman has been productive lately despite lacking a significant target share. The veteran is the WR18 over the past seven weeks, averaging 5.4 targets and 9.8 fantasy points per game despite seeing more than five targets in a game only twice.

Meanwhile, the Chargers have allowed wide receivers to average 26.3 fantasy points per game, slightly above the league average. However, they’ve severely struggled to slow down wide receivers lately, giving up 197 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 39.4 fantasy points per game over their past three contests. Furthermore, Los Angeles surrendered at least 75 receiving yards, one touchdown, and 22.9 fantasy points to Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Calvin Ridley over the past two weeks. Don’t be surprised if Bateman has over 15 fantasy points on Monday night.

Alec Pierce (WR – IND) vs. Detroit Lions (15.2% Rostered)

Last week, Anthony Richardson started under center after a two-week run on the bench. The second-year quarterback had arguably his best performance this year. More importantly, Pierce had a solid outing in Week 11, totaling three receptions on four targets for 74 receiving yards and 8.9 half-point PPR fantasy points. The third-year pro continues to be Richardson’s go-to downfield target, averaging 21.7 yards per reception in the six games the star quarterback finished this season. More importantly, he has an appealing matchup this week against the Lions.

While Detroit surrendered only 13.4 fantasy points to the Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver core last week, they were without Trevor Lawrence. By comparison, the Lions have surrendered 31.9 fantasy points per game to wide receivers over the first 10 weeks, giving up 30 or more in 55.6% of those contests. More importantly, Detroit has surrendered the sixth-highest aDOT (8.7) and the 10th-most completions of 20 or more air yards (15) in the NFL (per Fantasy Points Data). Pierce only needs a few downfield targets to have a massive fantasy performance.

Will Dissly (TE – LAC) vs. Baltimore Ravens (30.1% Rostered)

The Chargers passing offense has been clicking after a slow start this season. Dissly has turned into a significant part of the offense. He has been the TE12 over the past five weeks, averaging 6.6 targets and 8.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The veteran scored double-digit fantasy points twice in those games, including last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, finishing with four receptions on six targets for 80 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 16 fantasy points, setting season-highs in receiving yards and fantasy points.

More importantly, Dissly has an excellent fantasy matchup on Monday night against the Ravens. Baltimore has had problems slowing down tight ends, surrendering 10.8 fantasy points per game this year, the 10th-most in the NFL. Furthermore, they’ve struggled to stop tight ends lately, giving up six receptions for 60 receiving yards and 11.4 fantasy points per game over the past five weeks, allowing 14 or more fantasy points in 60% of the contests. Don’t be surprised if Dissly has his second consecutive top-five finish in Week 12.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.