Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 12

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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. FAAB bids are set off a $100 budget. Only players owned in less than 60% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Baker Mayfield and Derek Carr are around the 60% ownership mark and are the top streamers this week, if available.

Sam Darnold, Jets

Starting Darnold in fantasy remains a risky proposition, but you can feel a little better about it after two straight weekly finishes inside the top 10, including a four-touchdown performance in a win over the Redskins last Sunday. The Jets' schedule gets easier with outings against the Raiders, Bengals, and Dolphins in the next three weeks, making Darnold a borderline QB1 in the short term.

Jacoby Brissett, Colts

The last time Brissett met the divisional rival Texans, he posted his best stat line of the season with 326 yards and four touchdowns in Week 7. Houston's defense continues to be riddled with injuries, which might explain why they've allowed three or more passing scores in five of their previous six contests. Brissett will be a strong streamer play even on a short week with a banged-up group of pass-catchers.

Other options: Jeff Driskel at WAS (3% owned), Ryan Tannehill vs. JAX (21% owned), Mason Rudolph at CIN (10% owned), Nick Foles at TEN (32% owned), Ryan Fitzpatrick at CLE (10% owned), Kyle Allen at NO (34% owned), Dwayne Haskins vs. DET (4% owned)

Running backs

Jaylen Samuels is around the 60% ownership mark and should be owned in almost all leagues.

Derrius Guice, Redskins

Despite seeing the field on less than 30% of the Redskins' snaps, Guice's return to action went about as well as anyone could have hoped. The sophomore back rushed seven times for 24 yards and scored his first touchdown as a pro on a screen pass he broke for 45 yards. Washington's coaching staff would be wise to limit Guice's workload the rest of the season in an effort to preserve him for 2020 and beyond, but as we witnessed against the Jets, it doesn't take much for him to make an impact. His next opponent - the Lions - have given up 60 yards from scrimmage and/or a touchdown to 17 different running backs this season. Let that sink in for a second, remembering Detroit's only played 10 contests so far. With upcoming games against other bottom-10 run defenses like the Panthers and Packers, Guice will be an RB3 with RB2 upside while splitting time with Adrian Peterson.

Jonathan Williams/Jordan Wilkins, Colts

Marlon Mack underwent surgery on his fractured hand and is expected to miss at least a few weeks. In his absence, Williams went off for 116 rushing yards and 31 receiving yards versus the Jaguars, making him the most likely candidate to handle lead back duties on Thursday Night Football. However, Williams' eruption was only possible because the regular backup Wilkins was sidelined with an ankle injury. On Monday, Wilkins voiced optimism he would be ready for the date with the Texans, complicating things for fantasy managers. Fortunately, we'll have a chance to learn more after Tuesday's practice, but if forced to make a decision now, I'd go with Williams and the hot hand. Nyheim Hines (17% owned) is also in the mix, though his role as a passing-down specialist should remain the same, leaving him as a PPR flex play. The Colts' offensive line is capable of turning any one of these backs into fantasy difference-makers while Mack is out.

Bo Scarbrough, Lions

Since Kerryon Johnson was placed on injured reserve, the Lions' backfield has been a fantasy wasteland. Ty Johnson (28% owned) managed to clear concussion protocol and suit up last week but was barely used and JD McKissic (33% owned) also saw his snaps and touches decline dramatically from the game before. Instead, Matt Patricia's crew went with 6-foot-2, 235-pound Scarbrough, who hammered his way for 55 yards and a score on 14 carries. So Scarbrough is the next man up with a chance to secure the lead job moving forward, just keep your expectations in check for a runner lacking involvement in the passing game.

Jay Ajayi, Eagles

With Jordan Howard sidelined, the tandem of Miles Sanders and Boston Scott failed to do much damage against the Patriots. Ajayi was active, but didn't play a single snap in the game after signing a few days prior. That'll change this week if Howard is once again held out. We could see Ajayi serve as a Howard clone for an offense in desperate need of a stable ground attack. Fantasy owners looking for a bye week or injury replacement could do worse than Ajayi given the touchdown upside that comes with Howard's role.

Other options: Kalen Ballage at CLE (37% owned), Trey Edmunds at CIN (3% owned), Alexander Mattison on Bye (29% owned), Tony Pollard at NE (12% owned), Gus Edwards at LAR (7% owned), Darrel Williams on Bye (5% owned), Rashaad Penny at PHI (20% owned), Ryquell Armstead at TEN (2% owned), Malcolm Brown vs. BAL (6% owned), Rex Burkhead vs. DAL (7% owned), Wayne Gallman at CHI (5% owned), Bilal Powell vs. OAK (0% owned), Giovani Bernard vs. PIT (4% owned), Jalen Richard at NYJ (4% owned), Raheem Mostert vs. GB (15% owned), Patrick Laird at CLE (0% owned), DeAndre Washington at NYJ (1% owned), Dion Lewis vs. JAX (9% owned), Darrell Henderson vs. BAL (21% owned), Peyton Barber at ATL (26% owned), Qadree Ollison vs. TB (0% owned)

Wide receivers

DeVante Parker, Dede Westbrook, Will Fuller, and Josh Gordon are around the 60% ownership mark and should be owned in almost all leagues.

Deebo Samuel, 49ers

While Emmanuel Sanders and George Kittle have dealt with injuries over the last two weeks, Samuel has emerged as a potential No. 1 receiver in the 49ers' offense. The rookie has played over 80% of San Francisco's snaps during that time, seeing double-digit targets in both contests and delivering stat lines of 8-112-0 and 8-134-0. Sanders reaggravated his rib injury in Sunday's contest, putting his Week 12 status in doubt. Samuel needs to be owned in all leagues as a WR3 in fantasy and could vault into the WR2 conversation if Sanders is inactive.

James Washington, Steelers

Juju Smith-Schuster is dealing with a variety of injuries and Diontae Johnson suffered a concussion that caused him to bleed from the ear last Thursday. If they're unable to go this week, Washington could be the top option in the Steelers' aerial attack in a favorable draw against the Bengals. Cincy's defense has given up at least 70 yards to six different receivers in their last four games. Meanwhile, Washington has started to come on recently with 4-69-0, 6-90-1, and 3-49-0 stat lines over the last three weeks. He'll be a fringe WR2 buoyed by volume if his two teammates can't go.

Randall Cobb, Cowboys

Speaking of No. 3 receivers with enhanced outlooks, Cobb has posted back-to-back games with over 100 yards and a touchdown. Dak Prescott's MVP-level play is partially responsible, as is Amari Cooper's nagging injuries. Either way, Cobb warrants a long look in fantasy as a potential WR3, just be careful this week when he takes on the vaunted secondary of the Patriots.

Sterling Shepard/Darius Slayton, Giants

Prior to their Week 11 bye, Slayton showcased his ceiling by turning 14 targets into 10 catches, 121 yards, and two scores. That was with Shepard and tight end Evan Engram not in the lineup. Though Engram is still doubtful to play this week, Shepard was listed as a full participant in Monday's practice, so it's possible we could see him return from his concussion issues sooner than expected. Slayton's value would be much higher if the Giants play it safe and keep Shepard on the shelf, but both wideouts are upside WR4 options thanks to excellent playoff schedules that feature the Eagles, Dolphins, and Redskins.

Other options: Mecole Hardman on Bye (33% owned), Hunter Renfrow at NYJ (14% owned), N'Keal Harry vs. DAL (12% owned), AJ Brown vs. JAX (19% owned), Corey Davis vs. JAX (30% owned), Kendrick Bourne vs. GB (1% owned), Tim Patrick at BUF (0% owned), Robby Anderson vs. OAK (53% owned), Demaryius Thomas vs. OAK (10% owned), Cole Beasley vs. DEN (35% owned), Josh Reynolds vs. BAL (16% owned), Russell Gage vs. TB (3% owned), Ted Ginn Jr. vs. CAR (8% owned), Tre'Quan Smith vs. CAR (4% owned), Taylor Gabriel vs. NYG (7% owned), Anthony Miller vs. NYG (13% owned), Zach Pascal at HOU (36% owned), Kelvin Harmon vs. DET (0% owned), Kenny Stills vs. IND (23% owned), Chris Conley at TEN (13% owned), Allen Hurns at CLE (0% owned), Alex Erickson vs. PIT (11% owned), Marcus Johnson at HOU (0% owned), Andy Isabella on Bye (1% owned)

Tight ends

Dallas Goedert, Eagles

With the Eagles' receiving corps decimated by injuries and New England safety Patrick Chung ruled out, Goedert took advantage with his third touchdown in the last month. Lacking star power on the outside, Philly is forced to pepper their tight ends with targets, putting Goedert in position to be a low-end TE1 most weeks. He also offers top-five upside if something happens to Zach Ertz.

Noah Fant, Broncos

The Emmanuel Sanders trade has turned Fant into the de facto No. 2 receiver in the Broncos' offense, as the rookie has seen 23 targets over his last three games. He followed up his three-catch, 115-yard, one-touchdown performance prior to Denver's bye with four receptions for 60 yards against a stout Minnesota defense while getting several looks in the red zone. Another challenge awaits as the Bills are the toughest opponent for fantasy tight ends, but with this kind of volume, Fant is close to being matchup proof.

Ryan Griffin, Jets

Normally we only write up two tight ends in this section, but Griffin is coming off a 100-yard performance and needs to be discussed. Not counting Week 10 when Chris Herndon was briefly active, Griffin has put up 4-66-2, 6-50-0, and the aforementioned 5-109-1 while serving as a near full-time player over the last month. The Raiders have struggled to contain opposing tight ends, so another big game could be on the way for the Jets' starter.

Other options: Jacob Hollister at PHI (31% owned), TJ Hockenson at WAS (52% owned), Jack Doyle at HOU (43% owned), Mike Gesicki at CLE (17% owned), Vance McDonald at CIN (53% owned), Darren Fells vs. IND (56% owned), Cameron Brate at ATL (2% owned), Dawson Knox (6% owned), Ben Watson vs. DAL (2% owned), Ross Dwelley vs. GB (14% owned)