Welcome back to the early waiver report! It’s time to get started on the weekly waiver wire process and look at potential targets fantasy players could add to their team this week. Let’s dive into some names fantasy players should consider adding in Week 12.
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Early Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups to Add
All the players in this article are rostered in under 50% of ESPN leagues.
Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR): 28.3% Rostered
Stafford struggled in Week 10, totaling 9.7 fantasy points. However, the veteran has been one of the top fantasy football quarterbacks in the other three games since Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp returned to the lineup. Stafford has averaged 3.3 passing touchdowns and 23.5 fantasy points per game in those three contests, totaling four or more touchdowns twice, including today against the New England Patriots. Fantasy players struggling at the quarterback position should make the future Hall of Famer their top waiver wire target this week.
Jerome Ford (RB – CLE): 34.7% Rostered
While the Browns got blowout by the New Orleans Saints, Ford had a decent fantasy performance. He scored 5.9 half-point PPR fantasy points, outscoring Nick Chubb (5.0) despite seeing six fewer rushing attempts. More importantly, the former Cincinnati star had a meaningful role in the passing game, catching all four targets for 29 receiving yards. Cleveland will likely be chasing points for most of the rest of the season. Ford isn’t going to become a must-start RB2 but can be a flex option and bye-week replacement.
Roschon Johnson (RB – CHI): 14.2% Rostered
The Bears backfield has been a fantasy headache most of the season. However, D’Andre Swift has settled into a low-end RB2. Meanwhile, Johnson has become a boom-or-bust touchdown-dependent flex option. The second-year pro had double-digit rushing attempts only once before Week 11, averaging 5.1 per contest. He had 10 attempts for 33 yards and a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers, scoring 10.6 half-point PPR fantasy points. By comparison, Swift had 14 attempts for 15.4 fantasy points against the division rivals. Johnson could have more consistent fantasy value moving forward.
Christian Watson (WR – GB): 48.4% Rostered
Green Bay’s wide receiver core might be the most frustrating unit in the NFL. Watson leads the way in frustration, averaging 5.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game entering Week 11, scoring more than 8.8 once. However, the third-year pro was outstanding on Sunday despite an unfriendly matchup against the Chicago Bears, catching all four targets for 150 receiving yards and 17 fantasy points. He finished with more fantasy points than Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Tucker Kraft (11) combined. Hopefully, Watson can continue to build on today’s breakout performance.
Adam Thielen (WR – CAR): 25.5% Rostered
Thielen hasn’t played since Week 3 because of a hamstring injury. He had a receiving touchdown and a season-high 11.5 half-point PPR fantasy points before leaving that game early. The Panthers made significant changes to their wide receiver room over the past few weeks, trading away Diontae Johnson and Jonathan Mingo. While Xavier Legette has played well lately as the No. 1 wide receiver, Thielen could steal that role once he returns in Week 12. Last year, the veteran wide receiver had success with Bryce Young under center.
Taysom Hill (TE – NO): 46.2% Rostered
Hopefully, fantasy players who needed a replacement for George Kittle added Hill off the waiver wire. The veteran had a career day, totaling three rushing touchdowns and 37.5 fantasy points. Fantasy players have seen Hill have massive fantasy performances on the ground. Therefore, the 138 yards on Sunday wasn’t a big surprise. However, the do-it-all weapon had eight receptions on 10 targets for 50 receiving yards, setting career highs in receptions and targets. More importantly, no other Saint had more than four targets in the win over the Cleveland Browns.
Jonnu Smith (TE – MIA): 31.7% Rostered
Unfortunately, Smith won’t end Week 11 as the TE1 because of Taysom Hill. However, he panned out as an excellent last-minute waiver-wire option for fantasy players. Smith had six receptions on eight targets for 101 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 25.1 half-point PPR fantasy points on Sunday, setting season-highs in every category but receptions. Furthermore, he tired Tyreek Hill for the team-high in targets. More importantly, the veteran tight end has averaged 6.5 targets per game since Week 5, totaling six or more in all but one contest.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.