Top Players to Add in Week 12
A great draft makes a great team, but leagues are won and lost on the waiver wire. Injuries happen, and stars emerge from the ashes. Successfully navigating the waters of the waiver wire will lead to a winning season. Here are my top five targets, as well as some others receiving votes, to help you win through the wire this week.
An important thing to consider: there could be players rostered in over 50% of leagues that are available on waivers. Be vigilant; watch your league’s Free Agency pool and look for players who were given up too early.
Full slate of games this week, no byes so everyone’s team should be at full strength.
1. Zach Charbonnet – Since I missed last week (voter fatigue can be damned), Zach Charbonnet is my number one waiver pickup this week. I’ve previously written about how much I value Charbonnet in past Waiver Wire articles, Kenneth Walker III has not been himself the last few weeks and the dam finally broke with an oblique injury. Pete Carroll loves using his running backs, so the matchup against San Francisco doesn’t intimidate me next week. The Seattle Seahawks have a short week and play Thursday night; I don’t expect Walker to be ready to go, leaving Charbonnet to be the sole back.
2. Ty Chandler – Alexander Mattison battled a concussion last week but was still cleared to play. Mattison finished with a majority of the carries, rushing 18 times for 81 yards. While Mattison handled the bulk of the load, Ty Chandler did well for himself. Chandler rushed 10 times for 73 yards and a touchdown. This was the second straight week Chandler finished with more points than Mattison. If you have any question marks at running back I like Chandler this week against the Chicago Bears, who give up the 11th most points to running backs, 17.64 points per game.
3. Greg Dortch – This one is a bit of a Dortch throw, but I think it’s the beginning of a trend. Greg Dortch had two targets total from Weeks 1-10. Last week Dortch had eight targets and caught six of them for 76 yards. Dortch’s eight targets led the team. While this could have been a one-week flash in the pan, I expect Kyler to continue to feed Dortch.
4 & 5. Romeo Doubs & Jayden Reed – I decided I was going to give this spot to the Packers wide receiver with more targets last week. Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed must’ve both known that and tied for six targets a piece last week. If you had to pick one I’d lean toward thou, Romeo.
Others Receiving Votes
Darius Slayton, NYG (2% ESPN, 2% Yahoo) – Okay, hear me out. The New York Giants play the New England Patriots next week, a below-average team against wide receivers. Darius Slayton had five targets last week, tied for the most on the team. If Tommy Devito keeps up the Jersey Juice confidence, I see Slayton as the one with the most to gain.
Streaming Positions
Tight End
Isaiah Likely, BAL (1% ESPN, 3% Yahoo) – The news is that Mark Andrews will most likely be out for the rest of the year. That leaves a huge gap in the Ravens’ offense, a gap I’d say is Likely to be filled by Isaiah Likely; the second-year player had three TE9 or better finishes last year and was a viable starter in every week he replaced Andrews last year. If your team is set at wide receiver and running back (and in some cases, even if you aren’t), I consider Likely my number one waiver priority this week.
Quarterback
Derek Carr, MIN (21% ESPN, 41% Yahoo) – Fresh off a bye, Derek Carr and the New Orleans Saints face the Atlanta Falcons, who give up the fifth most points to quarterbacks (21.2).
Defense
Tennesee Titans (5%) face the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers allow the second-most points to fantasy defenses (14.9).
New England Patriots (23%) face the Giants, who give up the most points to fantasy defenses of any team in the league (17.89).
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X)