Well, well, well. I suppose we need to talk about something. After all, this is a waiver wire article. There aren’t any home run options, and only a few players provide multi-week value. But with the Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals on bye in Week 12, we have several roster holes to fill. The Los Angeles Rams and the Denver Broncos return to action, so plenty of fantasy-relevant players are back. With most playoffs starting after Week 14, time is running out to get your record and your roster set. Let’s manufacture some wins, shall we?
As a reminder: At this point in the season, your bid should be very dependent on your budget, your league standing, and with an eye to the other managers’ needs and budgets. Take my bid recommendation with a grain of salt.
Percentages are based on Yahoo! leagues.
Running Backs
Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson, New York Jets (3% and 21%)
Michael Carter had finally emerged as a reliable weekly starter in the Jets backfield only to suffer a high ankle sprain in Week 11. It’s a multi-week injury, so the opportunity alone means Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson jump to the top of my waiver priority list. After Carter went down, Coleman was the next man up, while Johnson took most of the snaps later on as the Jets were playing catch up. In the end, both Coleman and Johnson were on the field for 20 snaps, with Coleman getting 5 carries to Johnson’s 1. Moving forward, a lot will depend on the matchup and game script, as well as who is under center for New York. For Week 12 against Houston, I lean toward Coleman as the one who will get the first shot at the starting gig in what should be a neutral game script.
With that being said, I’m not excited about this situation at all. Both Coleman and Johnson could end up more trouble than they’re worth and end up providing little to no fantasy value. The Jets rushing attack ranks at or near the bottom of the league in Attempts (31st), Yards per Carry (27th), Yards per Game (29th), and Touchdowns (29th). And most of that was with Michael Carter.
Bid: $4 each
Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles (21%)
“Hey, Hey, Hey, What is going on here?” I feel like everyone’s favorite principal, the inimitable Mr. Richard Belding. Each week, it’s the same small group of teams that seems dead-set to confound and exasperate me. The problem with the Eagles is that I don’t know who is gonna be my A.C. Slater and who is a Screech (not even gonna mention everyone’s favorite sociopath). Miles Sanders returned to the starting role in Week 11 and promptly fumbled twice (the second fumble was undone because the referees decided Sanders’ forward progress had stopped). Jordan Howard was seeing plenty of work and may have gotten even more if not for an injury that forced him from the game. Howard is likely to miss Week 12, so that means Boston Scott should be the backup in Philadelphia for the immediate future. Kenneth Gainwell, a healthy scratch in Week 11, is at the bottom of the pecking order.
Before Sanders’ injury, it seemed clear that the Eagles don’t see him as “the guy,” so he could cede work to Scott if ball security continues to be an issue.
Bid: $0
Adrian Peterson, Tennessee (39%)
The Titans were embarrassed in Week 11 against Houston, but full credit to the Texans for making it difficult for Ryan Tannehill and company. Last week, I recommended D’Onta Foreman as the best rest-of-season option in Nashville. Naturally, Adrian Peterson shows up and turns in a better performance in Week 11. With injuries all over, the Titans are looking for an offensive identity, which partially explains why a practice squad player can show up and get the bulk of the workload (looking at you, Dontrell Hilliard).
I don’t know what to make of it, but I’d still consider Foreman (62% rostered and therefore ineligible for this article) the preferred play over Peterson, but I’m not prioritizing anyone in Tennessee with New England on deck in Week 12 and a bye the following week.
Bid: $0; Managers may end up talking themselves into Peterson or Hilliard, but I’m not very interested.
Other names to consider: Jaret Patterson (2%) is a preferred backup to stash in Washington; Sony Michel (28%) would immediately be relevant if Darrell Henderson were to miss time. Jamaal Williams (39%) was involved in Detroit’s offense before getting injured, so he could be a worthwhile stash to see if he regains any of the workload from DeAndre Swift.
Wide Receivers
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay (9%)
The Green Bay Packers have needed a WR2 to step up behind Davante Adams. In Week 11, Marquez Valdes-Scantling answered the call with 4 receptions, 123 yards, and a touchdown on 10 targets. The absence of Allen Lazard certainly helped, but it was encouraging to see MVS out-target Randall Cobb in a game they shared similar snap counts and routes run. I’m not putting Valdes-Scantling in my starting lineup, but he could provide rest-of-season value if he can solidify his role.
Bid: $4
Van Jefferson, Los Angeles Rams (46%)
It’s certainly worth checking your waivers to see if Van Jefferson was dropped during his bye. Odell Beckham Jr.’s addition may have grabbed the headlines, but it still might be Jefferson who picks up the slack for Robert Woods. With a touchdown sprinkled here and there, Jefferson has shown flashes but has been inconsistent. I’m putting him on my bench to see how the receiving tree shakes out in Los Angeles.
Bid: $4
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (0%)
Again: “Hey, Hey, Hey, What is going on here?” Julio Jones is hurt. Derrick Henry is out for the season and the Tennessee rushing attack is unreliable. Waiver darling Marcus Johnson pulled his hamstring. A.J. Brown left the game not once, but twice in Week 11.
The opportunity is there for Nick Westbrook-Ikhine to turn in a solid performance in Week 12, especially after a strong Week 11 (7 receptions, 107 yards.) The matchup in New England isn’t the friendliest, but I like the Titans’ chances through the air more than on the ground. Westbrook-Ikhine is one of the better spot starts for managers in need.
Bid: $2
Other names to consider: Another 8 targets for Tre’Quan Smith (4%), so looks like the preferred receiving option for New Orleans while Alvin Kamara is out; the return of Cam Newton could resuscitate Robby Anderson’s (49%) fantasy season; for an Atlanta team that scored zero real points in Week 11, Russell Gage (17%) wasn’t all that bad, and he gets another good matchup against the Jaguars in Week 12; DeAndre Carter (3%) has QB Taylor Heinicke’s trust along with three touchdowns in three weeks; Tim Patrick (27%) has shown that he can support a decent floor, but I wouldn’t expect a ceiling game from him; Cedrick Wilson (3%) is in a similar situation to Nick Westbrook-Ikine in that the volume could be a-comin’; Dez Fitzpatrick (0%) is a rookie to keep an eye on if Westbrook-Ikhine can’t capitalize on the opportunity in Tennessee.
Tight Ends
Dan Arnold, Jacksonville (41%)
After rewarding fantasy managers for three straight weeks, Dan Arnold showed his floor with a no-target, no-catch goose egg. That’s the life of a tight end, especially one in the Jacksonville offense. However, Arnold’s usage is still strong and the matchup against Atlanta is top tier. Fire him up again with confidence in the process. But remember: he’s still a tight end.
Tyler Conklin, Minnesota (37%)
Are you looking for a tight end who has yet to get blanked for a week? Look no further than Minnesota’s Tyler Conklin. While Week 11 was nothing special (3 targets, 3 receptions, 35 yards), Conklin presents as safe a floor as anyone not named Kittle, Waller, or Kelce. If you just need to make sure your tight end spot gets a few points, Conklin is a good choice, and it’s safe to assume 20 targets won’t go to Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson every game.
Other names to consider: Juwan Johnson (0%), Anthony Firkser (5%)
Quarterbacks
If you’re a fantasy manager with Kyler Murray or Patrick Mahomes on your roster, then you’re already used to streaming at the position and/or being disappointed. For week 12: Cam Newton (51%) is proving to be a viable fantasy option due to his rushing upside Andy Dalton (1%) and Tyrod Taylor (6%) both have dream matchups to be thankful for this week; Taylor Heinicke (15%) should continue to find success at home against Seattle.
Defenses
Three matchups I like for Week 11:
Chicago @ Detroit
Houston vs. New York Jets
Philadelphia @ Washington
That’s it for this week’s waiver wire. Happy Thanksgiving and good luck to you in Week 12!
(Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire)