After two weeks with just two teams on bye, we looking ahead to Week 13 where Tennessee, Carolina, Green Bay, and Cleveland get the week off. So, all in all, the most notable losses are Aaron Rodgers, Christian McCaffrey, A.J. Brown, Davante Adams, and Nick Chubb. They've all missed at least one game this season, so we know we can survive without them. Whether you own one of those guys or are dealing with injury concerns or unfavorable matchups, fantasy football owners will need to look ahead at possible waiver wire pickups, free agents, and streamers, such as Daniel Jones, Tony Jones Jr., and Laviska Shenault Jr., before they potentially become hot adds on waivers after Week 12.
We're not only looking for one-week solutions in our Week 12 waiver wire watchlist but also sneaky value for late in the season. The waiver wire is obviously thin at this point, but as injuries mount and bye weeks remove your fantasy studs from action, we must prepare for all scenarios. Week 14 will mark the last week with byes, but other factors will inevitably leave you scrambling for alternate options.
WEEK 12 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
We know not all leagues have enough roster spots to really take advantage of "stashing players," but for those in deeper leagues (or those who have players on IR or busts worth cutting), our week-ahead watchlist will be useful. Stashing a player or two on your bench when they're still free agents can really pay off if those players have good games. If they don't, they're easy drops. Your spot in the waiver order is valuable, and you want to hold it as long as possible.
At the very least, it's good to have a list of names of players to watch on Sunday so you can monitor snap share and targets/touches, and it's always smart to claim matchup-based streamers at positions like TE or D/ST before there's competition for them.
WEEK 12 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Watchlist
Reminder: This list was put together in the lead-in to Week 12, looking forward to the players who could be popular waiver-wire targets ahead of Week 13. If you have a roster spot to play with, these are free-agent options you could grab early to beat the waiver buzz.
All these players are below 50-percent ownership on Yahoo unless otherwise specified.
WEEK 12 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Week 13 Waiver Wire Watchlist: QB
Teams on a Week 13 bye: Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans
Matt Ryan, Falcons (49 percent owned in Yahoo leagues) vs. TB in Week 13
Tampa Bay has improved in terms of fantasy points allowed, but the past four quarterbacks on its schedule were Justin Fields, Trevor Siemian, Taylor Heinicke, and Daniel Jones. In the first meeting between Atlanta and Tampa Bay, Ryan put up nearly 20 fantasy points despite a three-interception day. There's a chance the Bucs' pass-rush dominates the game, but Ryan has to be somewhat of a consideration in Week 13.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (39) vs. NYG
In all games in which Tua has started and finished, he's scored at least 16.2 fantasy points with a high of 28.5 fantasy points. The Giants give up the 13th-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to QBs, so we're comfortable with Tagovailoa as a streaming option. Perhaps Will Fuller (finger) and DeVante Parker (hamstring) will be back for this one, too.
Daniel Jones, Giants (30) @ MIA
There's no way to sugarcoat it: Daniel Jones has looked awful in recent weeks. However, Miami is a bottom-eight defense against fantasy QBs, and the Giants' skill players are finally on the field. This game has sneaky shootout potential, so Jones is also in play for Week 13. We'll see how this offense looks now that Jason Garrett is out as offensive coordinator.
Taylor Heinicke, Washington (27) @ LV
Through 11 Weeks, Heinicke is the QB15, so he's having a better fantasy season than many would think. The Raiders are a middle-of-the-pack defense in FFPG allowed to QBs, but Heinicke has played well enough to warrant some consideration in a neutral matchup.
Teddy Bridgewater, Broncos (20) @ KC
Kansas City's defense is another unit that is looking better in recent weeks, but it's still ranked as the fourth-worst defense against fantasy QBs. Bridgewater has been a popular streaming option when the matchup looks right, so this is just another week you can consider playing him.
Tyrod Taylor, Texans (8) @ IND
The Texans' offense is one of the worst in the league, so Taylor carries risk, but the Colts are allowing the fifth-most FPPG to quarterbacks heading into Week 12, so he's in play. He demonstrated his rushing upside with two touchdowns on the ground against Tennessee, so he presumably has a decent floor. Again, he's risky, but he can get you through the week if you're in trouble at quarterback.
WEEK 12 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo
Week 13 Waiver Wire Watchlist: RB
Teams on a Week 13 bye: Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans
D’Onte Foreman (49); Dontrell Hilliard (12), Titans
Adrian Peterson is out in Tennessee, and the reason he was cut is no surprise. Foreman and Hillard have flat out looked more explosive and give the Titans' offense a better chance for success in the running game and in the short receiving game. Jeremy McNichols still might become a factor at some point, but Foreman and Hilliard should at least be monitored moving forward. Tennessee has a Week 13 bye, so you may have extra time to grab them.
Latavius Murray (35), Ravens
It's starting to look like the Ravens' backfield belongs to Devonta Freeman, but Murray will still be a factor. As he gets healthier coming off of an ankle injury, he might become the featured RB. We don't know how it will play out, which is exactly why he's on our watchlist. All we know is this team has been a top rushing attack for a few years now, so any RB that is a real contributor in the backfield needs to be considered in fantasy.
David Johnson (33); Rex Burkhead (4), Texans
We understand if you're set on fading this backfield, but Phillip Lindsay has been released by Houston, so these are the guys to watch. They each had at least 16 touches against Tennessee, and it's rare to find anyone with that kind of usage on waivers.
Ty Johnson (33); Tevin Coleman (11), Jets
Michael Carter (ankle) is out for a few weeks, so Johnson and Coleman are fantasy considerations by default. Johnson probably has the most upside and we generally think he's the better player, but the Jets might not see it that way. This will probably shake out to be a two-man committee, with Johnson serving primarily as the third-down back. Either way, both are worth stashing.
Jordan Howard (22); Boston Scott (20), Eagles
Howard (knee) is out for Week 12, but it seems he avoided serious injury, so he's still worth watching and perhaps stashing. While he's out, Scott should have some value behind Miles Sanders.
Tony Jones Jr (9), Saints
Alvin Kamara (knee) is banged up and Mark Ingram (knee) isn't 100 percent either, so stashing Jones Jr. is a sneaky upside play for down the road. If New Orleans gets eliminated from playoff contention sooner rather than later, it's hard to imagine they'll continue to give an ailing Kamara a ton of touches down the stretch. If you have the roster space, TJJ could be at least a part of a two-man committee in the fantasy playoffs.
Notable Handcuffs — Alexander Mattison, Vikings (49); Devontae Booker (41), Giants; Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (40); Jamaal Williams, Lions (38); Sony Michel, Rams (28); Samaje Perine, Bengals, (6)
WEEK 12 DFS: Best values | Lineup Builder
Week 13 Waiver Wire Watchlist: WR
Teams on a Week 13 bye: Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans
Van Jefferson, Rams (46)
Odell Beckham Jr. should be more involved in the offense starting in Week 13, but Jefferson remains on our watchlist as the WR3 in one of the best passing attacks in the league. In Week 13, he draws a matchup with Jacksonville, so he can at least be a streamer if nothing else.
A.J. Green, Cardinals (44)
DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) should be back by Week 13, but Green has been productive even when D-Hop was in the lineup. In Week 13, he faces a Chicago team that allows the fourth-most FPPG to WRs, so he can be viewed as a streaming option.
Laviska Shenault, Jaguars (40)
Urban Meyer wanted to use Travis Etienne in a gadget role before he got hurt in the preseason. Then, he opted to use Jamal Agnew (hip) in that role, but he's out for the year. Could it finally be Shenault's turn to receive manufactured touches? You never know, but the possibility exists, so we should at least watch his usage moving forward.
T.Y Hilton, Colts (32)
Hilton has only been productive in one game this season, but that game came against Houston when he caught four passes for 80 yards. As always, the Colts could solely lean on Jonathan Taylor, but Hilton is a streaming option against the Texans again.
Sterling Shepard, Giants (31)
Shepard (quad) should be back by Week 13, and a matchup with Miami could prove fruitful for fantasy owners. He has not been on the field often this year, but when he has, the production is tough to ignore in a matchup with a bottom-three defense against fantasy WRs.
DeVante Parker (31); Will Fuller (26), Dolphins
Parker (hamstring) and Fuller (finger) should return from IR at any time now, so we have to watch them moving forward. If they do play in Week 13, it'll be against the Giants, who are a middle-of-the-pack defense against fantasy WRs. However, Miami has a non-existent rushing attack, so a high-volume passing attack should mean there is plenty of work to go around for its pass-catchers.
Tim Patrick, Broncos (27)
Patrick doesn't have a favorable matchup until Week 14, but he's been the WR33 in standard leagues to this point, and there are a ton of receivers rostered over him who haven't come close to his production.
Jamison Crowder, Jets (21)
Crowder has six or more targets in six-of-seven games played this season, so he continues to be a high-floor, relatively low-ceiling PPR WR.
Nelson Agholor (22); Kendrick Bourne (14), Patriots
It's tough to know which one of these guys is due for a good fantasy game, but both have proven to be capable producers this season. Their upside is limited in a conservative Patriots' offense, but in favorable matchups down the road, they can help you win, especially in standard leagues.
Cedrick Wilson, Cowboys (19)
CeeDee Lamb (concussion) and Amari Cooper (COVID) should be back for Week 13, but if they aren't, Wilson is a great streaming option against New Orleans, who gives up the sixth-most FPPG to WRs. Even if they are, Wilson can be a boom-or-bust flex flier.
Russell Gage, Falcons (17)
Gage remains the No. 2 or 3 receiving option in Atlanta while Calvin Ridley (personal) is out.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers (17)
MVS drew 10 targets in Week 11, and quite simply, any wideout of Aaron Rodgers who is capable of drawing double-digit targets should at least be monitored moving forward. It's worth noting Green Bay is on a Week 13 bye, though.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (3); Golden Tate (0), Titans
A.J. Brown (chest) and Julio Jones (hamstring) refuse to stay healthy, so Westbrook-Ikhine and newly signed wideout Golden Tate should be added to your personal watchlist. It will probably take a few spectacular performances for them to be heavily rostered, but if you're looking for a low-cost flier at WR, one of these two makes sense. Tate could amount to nothing, but you never know.
Week 13 Waiver Wire Watchlist: TE
Teams on a Week 13 bye: Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans
Dan Arnold, Jaguars (39) @ LAR in Week 13
The Rams are usually thought of as a great defense, but that's not the case, at least when it comes to defending tight ends. Jack Doyle, Geoff Swaim, Maxx Williams, and Brevin Jordan all scored double-digit fantasy points against L.A., so Arnold is an attractive play this week. As usual, he's better in PPR leagues, but he can be considered in all formats.
Tyler Conklin, Vikings (35) @ DET
The Lions are statistically solid against tight ends (11th-best entering Week 12), but Kirk Cousins is on fire right now, so we're considering Conklin a fine streaming option against a defense with very little depth and talent.
Evan Engram, Giants (32) @ MIA
The Dolphins give up the 14-most FFPG to tight ends, so we consider Engram a solid streaming option. The Giants' skill players are finally getting healthy, so that could either open things up for Engram or cause him to be a non-factor. We'll see how it plays out, but the matchup catches our attention.
C.J. Uzomah, Bengals (19) vs. LAC
The Chargers are the fourth-worst defense against fantasy TEs entering Week 12 and surrounded four touchdowns to the position across Week 10 and 11. Uzomah has two TE1 weeks this season, so the upside is clearly there in a TE-friendly matchup.
Mo Alie-Cox (5); Jack Doyle (1), Colts @ HOU
These two Colts' TEs are far from safe options, but in deep leagues, they can be considered against the third-worst unit in limiting fantasy TEs.
Week 13 defense streamers and sleepers
Teams on a Week 13 bye: Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans
Miami Dolphins DST (49) vs. NYG in Week 13
Danny Dimes is back to turning the football over, and the Miami defense is finally looking close to what we thought it could be in the preseason. The Giants' offensive line figures to be outmatched here, so we're confident in the Dolphins' D as our top streaming D/ST option.
Philadelphia Eagles DST (41) @ NYJ
The Jets surrender the third-most FPPG to D/STs, so Philly is a solid option in Week 13. Zach Wilson is back, which means plenty of opportunities for takeaways.
Kansas City Chiefs DST (28) vs. DEN
It might be shocking, but the Chiefs' defense limited the both Raiders and Cowboys to under 15 points and had some big takeaways. Patrick Mahomes has stopped turning the ball over recklessly, so the defense isn't put in such bad situations. Denver's offense is up and down, so this is a high-risk, high-reward option in Week 13.
Minnesota Vikings DST (14) @ DET
Put simply, Detroit's offense is bad. That's the simple process we've used all year, and we'll continue to use it for Minnesota's defense.
Las Vegas Raiders DST (7) vs. WAS
This is another boom-or-bust option, as Washington's offense has been explosive at times, and the Raiders defense has been good at times. We've seen the good and the bad for both units, but Washington does allow the 12th-most FPPG to D/STs, so the Raiders have to be considered. The silver and black are among the league leaders in pressures, so we could see a few turnovers from Taylor Heinicke
New York Giants DST (2) @ MIA
This is the last resort when it comes to D/ST streamers, but the Dolphins surrender the seventh-most fantasy points to D/STs, so the Giants could take advantage here. Tua Tagoviloa hasn't been shy about throwing interceptions, and we know turnovers equal fantasy points.