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.

Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Taylor Heinicke, Commanders

After a few solid fantasy outings, Heinicke hasn't produced much over his last two games against the Eagles and Texans - two defenses that have held opposing quarterbacks in check more often than not.

Fortunately, the Falcons should offer much less resistance this week since they're among the top 10 in fantasy points allowed to QBs.

With his quality crew of weapons back to full health, including receivers Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and Jahan Dotson as well as tight end Logan Thomas - Heinicke is a competent streaming option who's available in most leagues.

Trevor Lawrence is above the 50% rostered mark but would be the No. 1 add if available.

Streaming options: Marcus Mariota at WAS (43% rostered), Ryan Tannehill vs. CIN (16% rostered)

Risky streaming options: Jacoby Brissett vs. TB (10% rostered), Kenny Pickett at IND (11% rostered), Matt Ryan vs. PIT (16% rostered)

Dart-throw streaming options: Andy Dalton at SF (10% rostered), Mac Jones at MIN (13% rostered), Davis Mills at MIA (11% rostered), Zach Wilson vs. CHI (7% rostered)

Dart-throw streaming options (if starter is out): Bryce Perkins/John Wolford at KC (0%/0% rostered), Trevor Siemian at NYJ (0% rostered)

Long-term stash options: Desmond Ridder (1% rostered)

Running backs

Latavius Murray, Broncos

After Melvin Gordon fumbled for the fifth time this season, the Broncos gave Murray his biggest workload of the year - resulting in 21 touches for 72 yards and a score against the Raiders.

On Monday, Denver went one step further and released Gordon.

The move comes at an interesting time, considering Mike Boone is on injured reserve for at least another couple weeks and Chase Edmonds just suffered an ankle injury that's expected to sideline him for multiple games.

That leaves Murray as the unquestioned lead back with Marlon Mack serving as the immediate backup for now.

Murray has a few good matchups left on the schedule, including a meeting this week with the Panthers, who are the fifth-easiest opponent for fantasy backs.

With little competition at the moment, Murray will be a volume-dependent low-end RB2 this week and will flirt with that range moving forward as well.

Samaje Perine, Bengals

With Joe Mixon being placed in concussion protocol during Sunday's game, Perine played 70% of the Bengals' snaps and poured in 82 yards from scrimmage and three receiving scores on 15 touches.

It's difficult to know how quickly players will get cleared after a concussion, so Perine goes from being a high-upside backup to a potential starter in Week 12.

Even in what projects to be a challenging matchup versus the Titans' stout defensive front, Perine has the pass-catching skills and usage to overcome it. He'll be a top-24 fantasy back until Mixon returns - which still could happen this week.

Rachaad White, Gus Edwards, and Tyler Allgeier are at the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in all leagues.

High-upside backups like Alexander Mattison (37% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options: James Cook at DET (17% rostered), Jerick McKinnon vs. LAR (26% rostered), Cam Akers at KC (27% rostered), Kyren Williams at KC (28% rostered)

Risky flex options: Chuba Hubbard vs. DEN (24% rostered), Matt Breida at DAL (1% rostered), Deon Jackson vs. PIT (11% rostered), Kenneth Gainwell vs. GB (14% rostered), Dontrell Hilliard vs. CIN (12% rostered), Travis Homer vs. LV (1% rostered)

Risky flex options (if starter is out): David Johnson at SF (0% rostered)

Risky flex options (if heallthy): Jaylen Warren at IND (26% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Rex Burkhead at MIA (5% rostered), Trestan Ebner at NYJ (3% rostered), Isaiah Spiller at ARI (4% rostered), JaMycal Hasty vs. BAL (2% rostered), Keaontay Ingram vs. LAC (25% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options (if starter is out): Justice Hill at JAX (2% rostered), Chris Evans at TEN (0% rostered), Benny Snell at IND (0% rostered), Dwayne Washington at SF (0% rostered)

Other backups to consider: Eno Benjamin at MIA (25% rostered), Zamir White at SEA (2% rostered), DeeJay Dallas vs. LV (2% rostered), Hassan Haskins vs. CIN (0% rostered)

Injured-reserve stashes: Khalil Herbert (46% rostered), Joshua Kelley (2% rostered)

Wide receivers

Treylon Burks, Titans

Burks was slowly trending up during the opening month of the season before he went on IR and missed four games.

Since returning, he's picked up where he left off by drawing six targets in Week 10 and then breaking out with a seven-catch, 111-yard performance last Thursday.

It's worth noting he's still taking the field on less than 60% of the Titans' offense snaps - meaning there's room for his playing time to increase.

Either way, it's evident he's the best playmaker the Titans have in their pass-catching corps, and they're wisely finding ways to get the ball in his hands - even in their low-volume passing attack.

Like Christian Watson in last week's column, Burks is a rare late-season receiver pickup who could turn into a fantasy difference-maker down the stretch.

Parris Campbell, Colts

Campbell has been one of the regulars on this list, but hopefully, fantasy managers are starting to realize his value.

Over his last four games with Matt Ryan at the helm, Campbell has turned in stat lines of 7-51-1, 10-70-1, 7-76-1, and 5-67-0. The connection between the veteran passer and his 25-year-old receiver is undeniable.

We waited a long time for the 2019 second-round pick to stay healthy and produce, but he's finally making good on the draft capital the Colts used on him.

You can use Campbell as a WR3/flex option as long as Ryan continues to start in Indy.

Josh Palmer, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Darius Slayton are at or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options: Nico Collins at MIA (27% rostered), Robert Woods vs. CIN (38% rostered), Michael Gallup vs. NYG (47% rostered), Jarvis Landry at SF (22% rostered), Julio Jones at CLE (17% rostered)

Risky flex options: Justin Watson vs. LAR (8% rostered), Isaiah McKenzie at DET (35% rostered), Zay Jones vs. BAL (19% rostered), Demarcus Robinson at JAX (5% rostered), Mack Hollins at SEA (16% rostered), Skyy Moore vs. LAR (6% rostered), Alec Pierce vs. PIT (17% rostered), Jahan Dotson vs. ATL (18% rostered), Terrace Marshall vs. DEN (11% rostered), Kendall Hinton at CAR (1% rostered)

Risky flex options (if healthy): Corey Davis vs. CHI (10% rostered), Richie James at DAL (1% rostered),

Dart-throw flex options: Marvin Jones vs. BAL (5% rostered), DJ Chark vs. BUF (12% rostered), Quez Watkins vs. GB (0% rostered), Kalif Raymond vs. BUF (5% rostered), Randall Cobb at PHI (4% rostered), Van Jefferson at KC (28% rostered), Noah Brown vs. NYG (3% rostered), DeAndre Carter vs. ARI (27% rostered), Ben Skowronek at KC (9% rostered),

Other backups to consider: David Bell vs. TB (1% rostered), KJ Osborn vs. NE (4% rostered), Trent Sherfield vs. HOU (0% rostered)

Injured-reserve stashes: Odell Beckham Jr. (43% rostered), Jameson Williams (22% rostered)

Tight ends

Logan Thomas, Commanders

Thomas was productive over the first couple weeks of the season. However, a calf injury cost him three games and appeared to limit him in a couple others.

Not anymore.

Thomas had his best outing of the year in Week 11, catching five of his six targets for 65 yards. He should be able to build on that in a friendly matchup with the Falcons' defense Sunday.

Don't forget, Thomas was the TE9 in fantasy points per game in 2020 and posted TE10 averages last season in the five games he was healthy enough to suit up for.

He has more upside in his profile than most waiver wire options at tight end, so don't be afraid to spend a little extra if you're looking for help at the position.

Streamer options: Foster Moreau at SEA (40% rostered), Juwan Johnson at SF (30% rostered)

Risky streamer options: Taysom Hill at SF (47% rostered), Evan Engram vs. BAL (36% rostered), Trey McBride vs. LAC (16% rostered), Mike Gesicki vs. HOU (34% rostered), Robert Tonyan at PHI (41% rostered), Tyler Conklin vs. CHI (20% rostered)

Risky streamer options (if starter is out): Quintin Morris at DET (0% rostered)

Dart-throw streamer options: Noah Fant vs. LV (10% rostered), Austin Hooper vs. CIN (12% rostered), Hunter Henry at MIN (31% rostered), Jonnu Smith at MIN (1% rostered), Will Dissly vs. LV (6% rostered), Isaiah Likely at JAX (23% rostered)

Defenses

Week 12 streamers

Favorable upcoming schedules: Packers (43% rostered), Vikings (33% rostered), Seahawks (33% rostered), Browns (5% rostered), Steelers (18% rostered)