The week is nearly wrapped up, and of course there were another round of injuries and surprising performances. As a result, fantasy football managers will be on the lookout for wavier wire additions and replacement options for those injured over the weekend or just to bolster their lineup moving forward. Here are a few players to consider adding via the fantasy football waiver wire this week. And check out all of our Week 12 fantasy football waiver wire advice.
- More Waiver Wire Picks
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups to Target
Anthony Richardson (IND): 47% rostered
- Next Opponents: DET, @NE, BYE
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Colts remain rudderless, but at least they righted one of their wrongs in Week 11. Richardson is the future of the franchise. His ho-hum 28 fantasy points straight off the bench against the Jets are exactly why we held him up as a top fantasy quarterback this offseason. Richardson is a viable streaming option for Week 12, but I probably won’t hold onto him after this week’s game against Detroit since he hasn’t been consistent.
Zach Ertz (WAS): 33% rostered
- Next Opponents: DAL, TEN, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Ertz has been a fringe TE1 for most of the season, as he has gobbled up an 18.8% target share with 1.54 yards per route run and an 18.2% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). Ertz has five end-zone targets this season. He’s a strong streaming option again this week against a Dallas defense that has allowed the third-most receiving touchdowns (tied) and the most yards per reception to tight ends.
Cam Akers (MIN): 17% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CHI, ARI, ATL
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The unprecedented health among running backs this season has us dragging the ocean floor on waivers. Cam Akers bailed us out with a touchdown reception on Sunday to crack double digits in PPR scoring. Minnesota has gone more pass-heavy than earlier in the season, making it difficult to justify starting Akers or even Aaron Jones. Since Sam Darnold has also seen a spike in turnover-worthy plays during this stretch, expect Kevin O’Connell to push for a course correction. Akers might be the only available running back who isn’t going to face elite run defenses over the next three games.
Successful In-Season Fantasy Football Management
Once your fantasy football team is drafted, the work is not over. Successful in-season management is crucial to a winning fantasy football season. Here are some tips to help you manage your team effectively throughout the season:
Stay up to date on player news
Keep track of player injuries, suspensions, and other news that may impact their performance. This will help you make informed decisions about which players to start each week.
Monitor the waiver wire
Keep an eye on the waiver wire and be ready to pick up players who may be undervalued or overlooked by other teams. This can provide valuable depth to your roster. Use our waiver wire assistant to view optimal lineups, waiver and trade suggestions, and league analysis.
Analyze matchups
Analyze the upcoming matchups for your players and opponents to determine which players to start in your lineup each week. Look for favorable matchups and take into account the strength of the opposing team’s defense.
Stay active in trades
Be open to trading players with other teams if it will benefit your team. Analyze the potential impact of a trade before making a decision and negotiate with other teams to find a mutually beneficial agreement.
Be prepared for bye weeks
Plan ahead for bye weeks by having backup players ready to fill in for your starters. Avoid having too many players with the same bye week, which can leave your team short-handed.
Don’t overreact to one bad week
Avoid overreacting to one bad week of performance by a player. Take a long-term view of their performance and evaluate their potential moving forward.
Continuously evaluate your roster
Continuously evaluate your roster throughout the season and make adjustments as needed. Be willing to drop underperforming players or make changes to your lineup if necessary.
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If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.