Samaje Perine, Latavius Murray, and Cam Akers will undoubtedly be among the top Week 12 waiver wire pickups in most leagues, but the amount of FAAB money they command will vary greatly based on your particular situation. It's possible that an RB-needy owner throws a huge bid at one of them, but in shallower leagues, someone like Akers might net just a few dollars. Whatever the case, now's the time to shore up your depth and add guys like Demarcus Robinson, Treylon Burks, and Deshaun Watson, among others, and that could mean going all-in on a waiver claim or being aggressive with free agents. Either way, you need to have your budget in order as we enter the stretch run.
As we'll do every week this season with the help of our friends at Fantasy Alarm, let's break down the top pickups and project how much of your FAAB budget you should bid on them.
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Week 12 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire QB pickups, streamers
Deshaun Watson (CLE). Putting all of the off-field stuff aside, Watson is creeping up on fantasy relevance, as there is just one week left on his suspension. Watson is currently being rostered in 48 percent of Yahoo leagues, so in formats where you only have to start one quarterback, this is likely your last chance at grabbing him. He might be rusty, but the talent is undeniable. Projected FAAB Bid: 5-8% of total FAAB budget
Kenny Pickett (PIT). Ultimately, Pickett failed to keep up with Joe Burrow and the Bengals on Sunday, but he might have looked the best he has all season. The rookie threw for just one touchdown, but he did post 265 yards on 25 completions. Perhaps most important, he looks to be building real chemistry with George Pickens. Proj. FAAB Bid: 3-5%
WEEK 12 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | Trade advice
Week 12 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire RB pickups, streamers
Latavius Murray (DEN). With Melvin Gordon waived and Chase Edmonds (ankle) on the shelf, Murray is the clear leader in the Broncos' backfield. He posted 17 carries and a touchdown last week, his third TD in the past four games. There doesn't appear to be much competition for carries, so Murray has a lot of value going forward. Projected FAAB Bid: 12-15% of total FAAB budget
Samaje Perine (CIN). Without having more details on Joe Mixon’s status for Week 12 after he left last week in the first quarter due to a concussion, it is hard to paint a picture of Perine’s value. We know that he is the true handcuff, and Perine stepped in without issue on Sunday against Pittsburgh and made an impact right away. He caught four passes for 52 yards and three touchdowns while also adding 30 yards on 11 carries. Things will likely be tougher for him next week against Tennessee, but there is still value nonetheless if Mixon is out. Proj. FAAB Bid: 10-12%
Cam Akers and Kyren Williams (LAR). As this increasingly becomes a lost season for the Rams, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Williams get more involved. After carrying the ball just one time in his career debut, Williams picked up 36 yards on seven carries last week while also catching one pass for eight yards. While it might not look like much, the Rams will likely be increasing his workload going forward, and you will want to get in while the price is still somewhat affordable. Akers is the current leader in the backfield, so he's worth picking up, too, if you need immediate help. Proj. FAAB Bids: 5-7%
James Cook (BUF). Going into the season, I had some hopes for Cook, but to this point, he has yet to deliver. Playing time has been the main culprit for the rookie, but he did catch my attention on Sunday with 11 carries for 86 yards. It has become clear that Cook is the No. 2 running back for the Bills, and if he continues to produce, I could see his role increase. That could start on Thursday in a favorable matchup against Detroit. Proj. FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Week 12 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire WR pickups, streamers
Treylon Burks (TEN). After having a four-week interruption to his season due to turf toe, Burks showed on Thursday why the Titans felt he was worthy of a first-round draft choice after trading A.J. Brown. The return of Ryan Tannehill also helps here, but this was the first week that Burks truly made his presence felt. He is still looking for the first touchdown of his career, but that should be coming as soon as next week after Burks caught seven of his eight targets for 111 yards. Burks' injury is the only reason why talent at his level is currently available in 80 percent of Yahoo leagues. Projected FAAB Bid: 12-15% of total FAAB budget
Demarcus Robinson (BAL). While Mark Andrews did return this week, Rashod Bateman (foot) is out for the season, so that means there are available targets in Baltimore’s receiving tree. Robinson was the clear beneficiary in what was otherwise a dull offensive game for the Ravens, catching all nine of his targets for 128 yards. With nothing set to change for Baltimore, I would expect a similar workload this coming week against Jacksonville. Proj. FAAB Bid: 10-12%
Jameson Williams (DET). News broke yesterday that Williams will be returning to practice this week. Williams was a first-round pick, and had he not torn his ACL in his final college game, he likely would have been the first wide receiver to come off the board in this draft. The torn ACL did not deter the Lions from making the move, and while he doesn't figure to get a full snap share right away, the No. 2 receiver role is his to have behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. Grab him now. Proj. FAAB Bid: 8-10%
Terrace Marshall Jr. (CAR). For the third time in four weeks, Marshall was targeted at least six times, and it resulted in three receptions for 76 yards. With Baker Mayfield back, perhaps there will be a little stability under center for Carolina. That could serve to benefit the young and talented receiver. Proj. FAAB Bid: 2-3%
Van Jefferson (LAR). Not much is going right for the Rams, and with Cooper Kupp (ankle) sidelined, things are only going to get worse here. As the Rams look to sort things out, Jefferson should see an increased role. Last Sunday, that meant he caught three passes (five targets) for the second straight week while picking up 41 yards. His ceiling is higher, as we should see soon. Proj. FAAB Bid: 2-3%
Week 12 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire TE pickups, streamers
Juwan Johnson (NO). I try not to say "I told you so" too much, but this is one of those cases. Of course, it also means that Johnson might not catch another touchdown pass for the rest of the season, but we will roll the dice here. Johnson found the end zone on Sunday for the third straight week and the fifth time in the past five games. All told, he caught three passes for 47 yards. Given the state of tight ends, mark me down for that each week. Projected FAAB Bid: 5-7% of total FAAB budget
Logan Thomas (WAS). It has not been a strong season for Thomas, and it also has been marred by a four-game injury absence. Thomas just had his best game of the season with five receptions on six targets for 65 yards, so he might be starting to get into a groove with the rest of Washington's offense. Proj. FAAB Bid: 2-3%
Austin Hooper (TEN). If you are left to scrounge around the waiver wire for tight ends -- and most of us are these days -- the fact that Hooper caught two touchdowns this week has to at least be somewhat intriguing. Hooper caught all four of his targets for 36 yards, and it was the third straight week he had multiple receptions. Proj. FAAB Bid: 2-3%
Week 12 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire Defense pickups, streamers
As we always caution, you shouldn't spend more than one percent of your FAAB budget on a D/ST. Here are this week's potential streaming pickups:
- Indianapolis Colts (vs. Steelers)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (@ Colts)
- New York Jets (vs. Bears)
- Minnesota Vikings (vs. Patriots)
- Miami Dolphins (vs. Texans)
- Atlanta Falcons (vs. Commanders)
- Chicago Bears (@ Jets)
- Carolina Panthers (vs. Broncos)
