Week 11 of the NFL season has just about wrapped up. Whether winning or losing in Week 11, it’s time to make some moves to help your team reach the ultimate goal. In this article, we will talk about the key players worth picking up to help improve your roster. We will discuss what they have done and why they are important players to pick up on rosters. We will also talk about whether they are worth spending that number one waiver claim and how much FAAB percentage you should use on them.
The Week 12 waiver wire is starting to have some names that you will want to pick up to help your fantasy roster. There is a nice mix of players who all produced in Week 11 and should have value moving forward.
Trey Benson, RB – ARI
Our top waiver wire pickup is Arizona Cardinal, Trey Benson. The rookie running back started to see more involvement as the Cardinals offense clicked before the bye week. In these last two games, he would have double-digit fantasy outings in PPR leagues. Now fresh off a bye week, Benson could be used even more in the Cardinals offense. There has been an unspoken rule that rookies tend to see an uptake in production following a team’s bye week. Benson has shown more of a bruiser complement to James Conner, who can take the ball up the middle and gain yards after contact in the last two weeks. While this week’s waiver wire doesn’t have a star player, Benson has a league-winning opportunity. If something happens to Conner, he may find himself as an RB2 upside play. It is better to pick him up now before he becomes a MUST-pick-up player.
- Top Waiver Priority – Yes
- FAAB % – 15%
Elijah Moore, WR – CLE
Our top wide receiver pick-up is a blast from the past in Elijah Moore. The Browns receiver has really stepped up under Jameis Winston and has double-digit fantasy points in three of the last four games. The issue with Moore has been not having any touchdowns during the season, but he was finally able to score in Week 11. Winston has thrown the ball 40-plus times in three straight games, so there are going to be plenty of targets to go around in this Browns offense. The Browns’ defense has not been as elite in recent weeks, so expect the Browns to be playing from behind more often moving forward. Moore has been second in targets since Winston took over as quarterback in Week 8. Moore will offer a FLEX appeal during the upcoming BYE weeks.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 7%
Will Levis, QB – TEN
Week 12 will have six teams on bye, so Will Levis‘ name will be on waivers. Perhaps players like Jared Goff, Bo Nix, Matthew Stafford, and Anthony Richardson could be out there, but they are over 40% rostership right now. Levis has played better since coming back on the field after the injury. He has games of 23 and 17 points in six-points passing touchdown leagues and has more touchdowns than takeaways in these last two games. Levis will face off against the Texans, who have allowed two touchdown games in five of their previous six games. Levis also has the second-easiest schedule for fantasy quarterbacks for the rest of the season. We’ve all seen average quarterbacks help win fantasy leagues, and Levis could be the next one if he continues to play decently.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 6%
Jonnu Smith, TE – MIA
This week, our tight end pick-up must be Jonnu Smith for the Miami Dolphins. Since the Dolphins bye week, Smith has been a top-ten tight end in fantasy football. After Week 11, he may have shot up even more with a 100-yard game. Smith is getting more involved in this Dolphins offense as he is second in targets only behind DeVon Achane. He has become a difference-maker for this offense as teams focus on Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the outside. Smith has been a force over the middle of the field with big plays and the ability to break tackles for big gains. If you are struggling with tight ends, Smith needs to be picked up. He’ll have solid matchups for the rest of the season, giving him opportunities to produce on the field.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 10%
Cam Akers, RB – MIN
We have a second running back that may be worth scooping up for the upcoming bye weeks. Cam Akers is coming off back-to-back 10-carry games, even with Aaron Jones playing in those games. The Vikings may use Akers more down the stretch to keep Jones fresher for a potential playoff run. While his efficiency isn’t all that great, opportunity does talk. He isn’t a must-pick but could be good depth for a team that needs running back help. Akers will face off against the Bears twice, the Cardinals, and the Falcons over the next four weeks. It could be a good enough matchup that Akers could help out as a desperate RB2 for a team in need of a running back.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 2%
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR – TEN
Our last waiver wire is wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. The Titans receiver has double-digit fantasy points in three of the previous four games after a strong outing in Week 11. He was a top-30 fantasy receiver in that span, with Mason Rudolph and Will Levis throwing him the ball. The Titans will continue to be a team that will need to throw the ball, given the recent issues on the defensive side. Westbrook-Ikhine has shown the ability to find the endzone in many different ways. Whether it’s deep ball or in the red zone, he has a touchdown in five of the last six games. He’ll face off against a division opponent in the Texans, who have a shaky secondary this season. The first massive bye weeks are coming, so Westbrook-Ikhine could help your team as a FLEX option.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 8%
Photos by Icon Sports Wire and Adobe Stock | Adapted by Carlos Leano