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There's no way to sugarcoat it - if you don't have a reliable group of running backs by now, you might be in trouble. The best strategy for playoff hopefuls is to stash high-end backups that could pay off down the stretch. Quarterback and tight end are similarly thin this week but there are plenty of quality options at wide receiver. With no teams on bye in Week 12 and only five weeks (or six if your league is doing it wrong) remaining in the fantasy season, strength of schedule will be factored in greatly for all recommendations.
Working the waiver wire is more important this season than ever before. The players suggested here should be your top priorities for early-week waiver claims but we will also list others as possible stash options. As always, check our NFL news feed for the latest injury updates. This column will also be updated through mid-week.
Players listed include only those rostered in approximately 50% or fewer Yahoo leagues. For a deeper look at each position, check out our separate weekly waiver wire columns at QB, RB, WR, and TE.
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Running Backs - Waiver Wire Options
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens - 28% rostered
The Ravens announced on Monday afternoon that both Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins were heading to the COVID/Reserve list and neither running back will be available for the Thanksgiving day contest with Pittsburgh. While Dobbins was the best of the bunch last week and Edwards was barely present (three carries for six yards), there have been times when Edwards was the most effective, including Week 8. That happened to be the first time the Ravens met the Steelers Defense, which Edwards ran on for 87 yards and a TD. The tough matchup isn't overshadowed by the fact Edwards will see nearly all the carries in a run-heavy offense looking for a way to right the ship. If nothing else, the touchdown upside makes Edwards an RB2 in standard leagues.
Wayne Gallman, New York Giants - 52% rostered
His rostership may be higher if you filter out shallow or non-competitive leagues but there's a good chance he's available in your league coming off a bye. It's clear that the starting job is his with Devonta Freeman moved to injured reserve. He's been mostly living off touchdowns to buoy his value with five in the past four games but it should be noted his rush attempts have increased for three straight games, up to 18 in the last game. The Cincinnati Bengals Defense will offer little resistance so we could see Gallman enter RB2 territory.
James White, New England Patriots - 40% rostered
The former Super Bowl MVP (unofficially) hasn't been nearly as involved in the offense sans Tom Brady but showed signs of life with six catches for 64 yards and 18 yards on the ground in Week 12. The main reason to consider White is the fact that Rex Burkhead will be out a while after suffering a serious leg injury. Burkhead had been averaging around a 40% snap share with an average of 9.6 touches per game. Regardless of Damien Harris' emergence and the return of Sony Michel from IR, White will be more involved out of necessity as the only true pass-catcher of that group.
Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams - 30% rostered
It remains to be seen how involved he will be on Monday Night Football but the recent touch counts are encouraging. After barely being used in the first half of the season, Akers has nine and 10 rush attempts the past two games. His early injury and struggles in pass protection are the main culprits for lack of playing time, not to mention the increased effectiveness of Darrell Henderson. He remains a bench stash and insurance policy but there are few running backs with the same ability. We saw Miles Sanders break out late because he didn't see his snap count go above 50% on a regular basis until Week 10. This could be a similar situation if things break the right way.
Frank Gore, New York Jets - 10% rostered
He's still here. Gore had his second-highest rushing total of the year in Week 11 and also found the end zone, which is kind of sad since it was just 63 yards and his first touchdown. There aren't many good reasons to start him unless you're desperate in a deep standard league although if La'Mical Perine is indeed hurt, he does at least provide some semblance of floor.
Tevin Coleman, San Francisco 49ers - 18% rostered
He hasn't played since Week 8 and has a total of 21 carries on the season. It'll likely go back to an ugly RBBC with Raheem Mostert possibly returning too alongside Jerick McKinnon. The upside isn't tremendous and the matchup with the Rams is terrible but if Mostert isn't fully healed then the promise of touches in a Kyle Shanahan offense makes him rosterable in 14+ team leagues.
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens - 4% rostered
Hill will have an increased role in Week 12 due to the aforementioned absence of Ingram and Dobbins. He should be well behind Edwards in terms of touches and snaps but will be the one catching passes out of the backfield and does have some flex appeal in deep PPR leagues. With no teams on bye, there are bound to be better choices, however, and his value will be short-lived if both backs return in Week 13.
Carlos Hyde, Seattle Seahawks - 46% rostered
You have to wonder if Chris Carson is ever coming back at this point or if it's a Joe Mixon-type situation where his injury is more serious than we know. From a Thursday night matchup in Week 11 to Monday night in Week 12, there's plenty of time for him to get right and make his return. That would leave Hyde as a bench player and insurance policy, not a streamer. Hyde's strong game (79 yards, one touchdown) doesn't make him a high-priority add.
Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals - 1% rostered
With Joe Mixon finally placed on IR, Perine is the RB2 and goal-line back in Cincy. Unfortunately, there may not be too many red-zone trips for this team now that Joe Burrow is out for the year. He'll vulture the occasional score but is best saved for deep standard leagues only. It would be nice to see Trayveon Williams or Jacques Patrick get an opportunity to play but that doesn't seem imminent.
Others to consider: Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings (33% rostered); Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles (29% rostered); Devontae Booker, Las Vegas Raiders (10% rostered); D'Onta Foreman, Tennessee Titans (0% rostered)
Wide Receivers - Waiver Wire Options
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts - 43% rostered
If there was any doubt whether Pittman's Week 10 performance was the sign of a breakout, there shouldn't be any longer. Pittman followed up with a team-leading 66 yards and his first NFL touchdown in Week 11. Although no wide receiver in this offense will become a target monster, he has established himself as the alpha. Next up is a tasty rematch with the Titans secondary that he just put 101 yards on.
Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles - 28% rostered
Anyone with two eyes that has watched Carson Wentz play this season can say with certainty that he's not been the best quarterback in the league. That said, he's still a talented NFL quarterback and found a way to reach his rookie receiver four times for 52 yards in a tough road matchup in Cleveland. His arrow keeps pointing up while Travis Fulgham has completely vanished. (No "I told you so" coming here...) He should be the top streamer of the week for the mere fact he faces Seattle's secondary and should be kept because of future games against the Saints and Cowboys.
Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers - 50% rostered
The Panthers' receiving corps continues to be one of the harder to project for fantasy value on a weekly basis. With P.J. Walker at the helm, it was D.J. Moore leading the way with 11 targets and 127 yards but Curtis Samuel was just behind with 10 targets. Samuel came out ahead with eight receptions and found the end zone, so he was the more valuable player as it turns out. Bridgewater is likely to return in Week 12 but the good thing is it doesn't seem to matter now. Samuel should be a strong Flex consideration against Minnesota regardless of who is at QB.
Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers - 43% rostered
After missing seven weeks recovering from core muscle surgery, Lazard was predictably eased back into action catching two of four targets for 18 yards. It was also a tough matchup with the Colts but it doesn't get much easier with the Bears up next. Lazard is still stash-worthy even if he shouldn't be started in Week 12 because he has great potential throughout the fantasy playoffs with teams like Detroit and Tennessee on the schedule.
Cole Beasley, Buffalo Bills - 50% rostered
I discussed Beasley's usage and projected value in last week's column about misleading stats. With John Brown suffering an ankle injury and possibly entering Week 12 at less than 100%, Beasley becomes a stronger waiver wire consideration. His production may be volatile but when it's all said and done, he could finish as a fantasy WR3 and the playoff schedule is mostly favorable.
Breshad Perriman, New York Jets - 11% rostered
Perriman does one thing but he does it well. He caught a deep ball for a 49-yard touchdown from Joe Flacco, with whom he has quickly developed chemistry. After all, if there's one thing Flacco can still do well, it's chuck it deep. Perriman now has three TD in the last two games and is a home run waiting to happen each time out.
Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos - 21% rostered
Patrick is one of those players whose name has been in this column nearly all season. Maybe the name recognition isn't there or the fact he's tied to Drew Lock at quarterback, but his rostered percentage just hasn't risen much. Maybe it will now that he put up his third 100-yard game of the season or once people recognize he is still leading the Broncos in receiving. I should point out that 61 of his 119 yards in Week 11 came on a last-second heave when Lock tried to throw the ball out of bounds and somehow missed. Still, Patrick has been a steady performer and is on the WR3/WR4 bubble any given week.
Rashard Higgins, Cleveland Browns - 12% rostered
The Cleveland passing game has been miserable for three straight games, so Higgins has hardly been worth the FAB spent on him once Odell Beckham Jr. went out for the season. Higgins has seen a total of 11 targets in those three games, with a high of 65 yards in his most recent contest at Philly. There is hope for a big payday when they face Jacksonville in Week 12, although the floor remains unstable.
Dez Bryant, Baltimore Ravens - 9% rostered
Did you think Dez wouldn't get a mention? He really shouldn't be fantasy-relevant but he not only caught his first pass since 2017, but he was also second on the team with four receptions. Meanwhile, Marquise Brown was held without a catch and seems to be completely lost in this offense. Bryant will be absolutely touchdown-dependent for value as no Baltimore WR is worth starting most weeks.
Others to consider: A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals (50% rostered); Emmanuel Sanders, New Orleans Saints (49% rostered); K.J. Hamler, Denver Broncos (6% rostered); Denzel Mims, New York Jets (5% rostered)
Tight Ends - Waiver Wire Options
Jordan Reed, San Francisco 49ers - 14% rostered
When we last saw the Niners in action, Reed was second on the team in targets and receiving yardage, catching five balls for 62 yards. Much of his fantasy value depends on the relative health and activity of the other skill players in San Francisco, which is always a huge mystery. Brandon Aiyuk is on the COVID list and Deebo Samuel hasn't played since Week 7; it's possible both or neither suit up in Week 12. What's known is that George Kittle won't play so Reed is a strong pickup that just gets stronger if those wideouts miss the game in L.A.
Jordan Akins, Houston Texans - 2% rostered
It was just a matter of time before Akins became involved in the passing game. A Randall Cobb injury early in Week 11 along with a gameplan that involved targeting tight ends over wide receivers to avoid the Patriots' corners resulted in a season-high 83 yards on five receptions. While the Detroit Defense seems like a great matchup, they are fairly stingy against tight ends so don't get overzealous and play him over your regular TE.
Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys - 21% rostered
Curiously, the Cowboys forced the ball to Schultz three times in the red zone to cap off their game-winning drive in Minnesota. It worked and Schultz cashed in with his third touchdown of the season. His upside is limited with Andy Dalton at QB but RZ targets are usually a smart thing to chase at tight end.
Jimmy Graham, Chicago Bears - 38% rostered
The Bears were grateful to reach their bye week coming off a four-game losing skid. In the last of those losses, Graham was held without a catch. While it's advisable to look elsewhere if possible, Graham hasn't lost all fantasy appeal. He is sixth among tight ends in total targets and second in red-zone targets, so he carries weekly upside.
Others to consider: Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams (55% rostered); Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (54% rostered); Trey Burton, Indianapolis Colts (17% rostered)
Quarterbacks - Waiver Wire Options
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints - 42% rostered
Save the comments about how he has already been added in every league everywhere. Clearly, his 42% rostered rate says otherwise. If he's gone in your league just ignore this blurb and move on. If he qualifies at TE because you play ESPN or some other format that made the baffling decision to qualify him there, keep him as your starting TE each week and don't think twice. If you are in a Superflex league, he should absolutely be picked up and started regardless of matchup.
For single-QB leagues where you stream the position or need a replacement, either short or long-term, Hill is definitely worth adding. His rushing ability actually makes him comparable to the 2020 edition of Lamar Jackson. That's not hyperbole, it's an actual fact that Hill outscored Jackson in Week 11. A road matchup with Denver isn't as appealing as a home game with Atlanta but it's not a negative matchup either.
Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers - 40% rostered
This obviously depends on his injury status throughout the week but the fact that Bridgewater was a gameday scratch indicates that his injury isn't too serious. He was likely dropped in many leagues and may not require much FAB, if any, after PJ Walker acquitted himself well in his first NFL start. Chances are that Bridgewater gets the start in Week 12 and has a strong game against his former team in Minnesota. The Vikings Defense has improved considerably over the past few weeks but they are still a bottom-10 pass defense.
Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts - 26% rostered
Just two weeks ago, Rivers threw for 308 yards and a touchdown in a victory over Tennessee. In a shootout with Green Bay, he threw three touchdowns. Within this "run the damn ball" system, Rivers has developed into a regular high-end QB2 that is streamable in the right situation. With nobody on bye this week, you may not need Rivers but he is definitely within the realm of streaming considerations.
Others to consider: Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (42% rostered); Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders (36% rostered)
Team Defense - Waiver Wire Options
Cleveland Browns Defense - 59% rostered
If this unit is on waivers, they are your first, second, and third choice. It's enough that they face Jacksonville, which is one of the worst offenses in the league with Jake Luton at QB coming off a four-INT game. On top of that, Cleveland's D has clamped down big time as of late, allowing 17 points or fewer in three straight games. This will be the chalk DST of the week for good reason.
New York Giants Defense - 11% rostered
This defense has exceeded expectations all season long and entered the week of their bye tied for seventh in sacks with 25. In the wake of the devastating injury to Joe Burrow, the Giants now get to face Ryan Finley, who has a 2-3 TD-INT rate and 45% completion rate in limited NFL action. If Cleveland's defense is gone, the Giants are a pretty good second choice.
Green Bay Packers Defense - 33% rostered
Coming off a tough loss to the Colts in overtime, the Pack should bounce back against Chicago. Since Foles took over as the starter in Week 4, the Bears are averaging 16.7 points per game. He might not even be healthy enough to start after suffering a hip injury before the bye and Mitch Trubisky isn't available due to shoulder issues, so it could be Tyler Bray behind center. Many will be off this DST after they gave up 34 points to Indy but they are worth streaming over teams like the Bucs, Eagles, or Ravens who have far worse matchups.
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