RADIO
Welcome to Week 12 of the fantasy season, and my column on recommended FAAB auction bidding for Week 12's waiver wire. Things are getting tight in playoff hunts with only two games left in most leagues. Some teams are scrambling to complete trades before the deadline, but this is the perfect week to strike in the waiver market.
Plenty of big names went down in Week 11. A.J. Green (hamstring) is out for minimum two weeks and potentially the season. Andrew Luck (concussion) is unlikely for Thursday. Likewise for Lesean McCoy (thumb) on Sunday. Gio Bernard (ACL), C.J. Prosise (scalp) and Zach Miller (shoulder) are out for the season, while Mark Ingram (concussion), Darren Sproles (ribs), and Ryan Mathews (knee) had to leave their games. Safe to say there are plenty of touches to be found on the open market.
Let’s look around the league at who is worth a bid going into Week 12. Each price recommendation will be based on a $100 FAAB budget. Be sure to also check out our weekly waiver wire analysis columns, with in-depth analysis for all Week 12 options.
Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 12 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - CUTS
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Running Backs
If Thomas Rawls or Rob Kelley are available, they are the top two adds.
Wendell Smallwood (PHI, RB) - $12-16
15% owned in Fleaflicker
Fantasy football is all about opportunity, and the injuries to Sproles and Mathews have opened one for the rookie Smallwood. He performed admirably in their place, rushing 13 times for 48 yards against a stingy Seahawks defense. He added four catches for 31 yards in the passing game. He's shown flashes already this season, notably his Week 3 performance (17-79-1) and seems capable of handling full-time duties should Mathews and Sproles miss Week 12. If both are to miss Sunday versus Green Bay, Smallwood immediately enters the RB2 conversation. The Packers were gashed for 133 yards by Rob Kelley in Week 11 and are falling apart as a defense. For now, Smallwood is a must add.
Adrian Peterson (MIN, RB) - $8-12
64% owned in Fleaflicker
Recent reports have came out stating AP could return in mid-December, which coincides with the fantasy playoffs. The Vikings run game has been non-existent and they currently are tied atop the NFC North with Detroit at 6-4. It's typically wise to avoid trusting players coming off injury, but this is a top 5 player when healthy that costs nothing but some FAAB funds. Peterson's potential Week 15-16 matchups for the fantasy playoffs? The Colts and Packers. Add away.
Chris Ivory (JAC, RB) - $6-10
68% owned in Fleaflicker
We highlighted Ivory in the Week 10 edition but given the news of T.J. Yeldon (ankle) being potentially sidelined for Week 12, it feels necessary to mention him again. Ivory saw 17 carries for 39 yards (meh) but caught six targets for 75 yards, which was a career-high for Ivory. The YPC isn't appealing but the usage is enough for owners desperate for running back help. Ivory gets the Bills next who rank 22nd versus the run this year. Assuming Yeldon sits in Week 12, Ivory is a RB2.
Also Consider: Christine Michael ($5) is expected to play in Week 12 versus Philadelphia and the Packers are desperate for any form of a rushing attack. Jeremy Langford ($2) continues to take snaps from Jordan Howard and would be a RB1 if Howard went down. Jalen Richard ($1) continues to see passing down situations for Oakland.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Wide Receivers
If Tyreek Hill is available, he would be the No. 2 option after Boyd.
Tyler Boyd (CIN, WR) - FAAB Bid: $15-23
25% owned in Fleaflicker
While A.J. Green owners are still mourning their loss, it's time to start looking towards replacements. Green and Bernard were two of the top three options in the Bengals passing game before Sunday, leaving Tyler Eifert as the focal point. But it was Boyd, not Eifert, who led the team in targets (8) after Green went down. Boyd ended up with six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown, including a pretty back shoulder score. Boyd doesn't bring Green's big-play potential, but he's a solid possession receiver who can move the chains. Boyd has two difficult matchups ahead (Baltimore, Philadelphia) but he's a WR2 versus Cleveland and Pittsburgh in Weeks 13-14.
Pierre Garcon (WAS, WR) - FAAB Bid: $5-8
38% owned in Fleaflicker
The talk of Sunday night was Kirk Cousins and how much money he made himself, but how about some love for Garcon? Garcon tends to get lost in the shuffle with Jordan Reed, Desean Jackson and Jamison Crowder getting most of the love, but he's quietly been producing. Garcon had six catches for 116 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. The score was a 70-yard bomb from Cousins that effectively put the game away. This was Garcon's third straight game with at least seven targets and 60 yards, providing the floor owners need from a WR3. He gets Dallas this week who rank 25th versus the pass. Fire up Garcon in PPR formats.
Dorial Green-Beckham (PHI, WR) - FAAB Bid: $4-7
35% owned in Fleaflicker
Remember when DGB was a hyped prospect for Tennessee? Good times. Green-Beckham has earned a second life with the Eagles and is taking advantage of it. He caught 5-of-8 targets for 54 yards and a touchdown versus Seattle. He now has seen at least eight targets in two of his past three games and with Nelson Agholor falling out of the offense, he should continue to see his role increase. The Eagles are not prone to let the training wheels off Carson Wentz, but the loss of Mathews and Sproles may force the Eagles to air it out. The Packers just allowed 375 yards to Kirk Cousins and are prone to the picking. DGB is a FLEX play in deep leagues, but it's likely the aforementioned players are available.
Also Consider: Adam Thielen ($2) has touchdowns in consecutive games and gets the 20th ranked Lions pass defense on Thursday. Marqise Lee ($3) continues to take touches from Allen Hurns and scored his first touchdown in Week 11. Eli Rogers ($2) was kept quiet on Sunday but look for him and the Steelers offense to explode versus the Colts putrid defense.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Tight Ends
Jared Cook (GB, TE) - FAAB Bid: $2-3
29% owned in Fleaflicker
This is the Jared Cook everyone has been waiting for. Cook caught 6-of-11 targets for 105 yards and a touchdown. He could've easily had another score if he was on the same page with Aaron Rodgers. Cook has all the talent, but his lack of focus plus injury history has prevented him from breaking out. Cook will be a popular add this week, but be warned; the Eagles rank 3rd versus tight ends.
Vance McDonald (SF, TE) - FAAB Bid: $1-2
15% owned in Fleaflicker
Starting any 49er is a headache but in McDonald's case he seems to have a tendency for the end zone. He's scored in two of his past three games and has at least 46 yards in those games. The Dolphins are a stingy defense, making this touchdown-or-bust play a real reach.
Also Consider: Hunter Henry (SD, TE) - FAAB Bid: $1
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Quarterbacks
Eli Manning (QB, NYG) - FAAB Bid: $3-5
86% owned in Fleaflicker
It's unlikely Manning is available in your league, but that's how rough the options are this week. Manning has a juicy date with the Browns defense that ranks 31st versus the pass. Manning has thrown for two touchdowns in three consecutive games and has nine over that span. He's a QB1 in this matchup.
Ryan Tannehill (QB, MIA) - FAAB Bid: $1-2
52% owned in Fleaflicker
Yes, Miami is on a five-game winning streak because of Jay Ajayi and the defense. So why play Tannehill? Well, a) the options stink this week and b) Tannehill has two touchdowns thrown in consecutive games and gets a date with a 49ers defense that just lost Eric Reid for the season. Look for the Dolphins to get Jarvis Landry involved with the offense and Kenny Stills to take the top off the defense as the Dolphins roll.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Defense
Steelers D/ST - FAAB Bid: $2-4
43% owned in Fleaflicker
Andrew Luck is unlikely to play, which means Scott Tolzien has three days to get ready versus a NFL defense that just had eight sacks in Week 11. Good luck.
Giants D/ST - FAAB Bid: $1-3
58% owned in Fleaflicker
The Giants are the latest winner of the Who Plays Cleveland contest. Landon Collins continues to wreak havoc with four straight games with an interception and Josh McCown will be thrown into relief duty once again. Giants will be a popular add this week, and rightfully so.
Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
