Fantasy football risers and sleepers: Week 12 waiver wire must-haves for playoffs

Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 12 Waiver Wire Targets and Sleepers

As we head into Week 12 of the NFL season, fantasy football managers are knee-deep in playoff positioning battles. Some are clinging to hope for a playoff spot, while others are securing their chances as top seeds. Whether you’re dominating your league or hanging on for dear life, the waiver wire is often the key to staying competitive. In Week 12, it’s important to be smart and strategic as injuries continue to mount, and NFL teams make their playoff pushes.

The following are the key waiver wire targets and sleepers that can make or break your Week 12 fantasy football matchup. Pay close attention to injuries, breakout performances, and under-the-radar dynamics that might flip the script in your favor.

Quarterbacks to Target Heading into Week 12

The quarterback position can make a game-changing difference, and some fantasy owners may have lingering injuries or bye weeks coming up. Here are a few quarterbacks to consider stashing or starting for Week 12:

• Joshua Dobbs (Minnesota Vikings): The “Pastronaut” took over the Vikings offense and has been nothing short of impressive so far. After injuries to their starting lineup, Dobbs has injected life into Minnesota’s offense with his legs and timely passing. Going forward, Dobbs is a reliable streaming option in most standard leagues.
• Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Mayfield may not win every real-life game, but he’s putting up solid fantasy outings. If you’re in a deep league or in desperate need of a QB, Mayfield can offer some upside. He’s available on the wire in many fantasy leagues and looking at the Week 12 matchups, this could be his chance to light things up.

Running Backs: Potential League-Winners or Quick Fixes?

Injuries have plagued the running back position more than others, and fantasy managers need to be mindful of players stepping into bigger roles. There are a few potential league-winners or plug-and-play backs, depending on your situation. Here are some names worth considering:

• Keaton Mitchell (Baltimore Ravens): It’s not often we see undrafted guys sneak into fantasy relevance, but Keaton Mitchell has done just that. The electric rookie running back has become a lightning rod in the Ravens offense. He’s not getting all the touches, but his explosive runs help him rack up points even with a limited workload. Look out, this might be a solid start if you need a pop-off performance.
• Tyjae Spears (Tennessee Titans): When Derrick Henry deals with fatigue or a banged-up stretch of games, Spears is the next man up. He’s already shown he is capable of producing in limited touches, benefiting as a receiving threat out of the backfield. If your league gives points for receptions (PPR), he’s a sneaky pick.

Wide Receivers Gaining Momentum

Wide receivers often offer fantastic waiver value late in the season, especially as injuries pile up or teams shift offensive strategies. Here are some receivers you need to have on your radar in Week 12:

• Rashee Rice (Kansas City Chiefs): If you’ve been hesitant with Rashee Rice sitting on waivers, now might be the time to make the move. He’s carved out a bigger role in the Kansas City offense and has great chemistry with superstar QB Patrick Mahomes. Rice could be the key to finishing the season strong.
• Demario Douglas (New England Patriots): Veteran wide receivers have struggled for the Patriots, but rookie Douglas is making a case for himself as their go-to weapon. Although the offense has been inconsistent, he’s obtained increasing opportunities with each passing week. He’s widely available in most fantasy leagues.

Are Tight Ends Ever Fantasy Fun? Maybe in Week 12!

The tight end position can be frustrating in fantasy, but there are still some valuable players that can step up. Here are the Week 12 tight ends that deserve a closer look:

• Trey McBride (Arizona Cardinals): Kyler Murray is back under center, and Trey McBride has immediately benefited. McBride presents a solid target within the Cardinal’s passing attack, and with injuries to Zach Ertz, he’s become their main tight end option. If you’re stuck on who to play at tight end this week, McBride should be considered.
• Isaiah Likely (Baltimore Ravens): Mark Andrews went down, and that means Isaiah Likely steps in. The Ravens rely heavily on tight end play; this is an opportunity for Likely to show that he can be a force. Fantasy managers rolling with Andrews might want to handcuff their star with Likely.

Defense and Special Teams (DST): Aiming for Turnovers

Sometimes choosing the right defense can give your fantasy team that extra point edge over your opponent. Here are potential defenses that could put you ahead in Week 12:

• Cleveland Browns Defense: The Browns defense has proven reliable, consistently delivering earth-shattering hits, turnovers, and sacks. They face the Denver Broncos in Week 12, and while Russell Wilson has been a bit better, Cleveland’s defense is expected to cause some commotion. Consider them a must-start.
• Dallas Cowboys Defense: Not far behind is the Dallas Cowboys, who are facing a struggling Washington Commanders offense. Their defense under Dan Quinn has been nothing short of ferocious, making them the ideal pick for Week 12 if you want to go all-out on defense.

Week 12 Risers and Fallers

Fantasy football is not all about finding new players on the waiver wire; sometimes it’s important to gauge the rising and falling values of players already on your roster. Here are some Week 12 trends to monitor:

Risers

• Tank Dell (WR, Houston Texans): A rookie wide receiver with a name like that deserves a mention. Tank Dell is quickly rising as one of C.J. Stroud’s favorite targets and with his electrifying skill set, his value is going through the roof. If he’s still available or undervalued in your league, make the grab now.
• Sam Howell (QB, Washington Commanders): Howell has been flashing despite the Commanders’ overall struggles. As his confidence grows, he’s piling up yardage and making some much-needed connections through the air. He’s now considered a low-end starter in QB-friendly formats.

Fallers

• Tyler Allgeier (RB, Atlanta Falcons): Tyler Allgeier had high expectations coming into the season, but Bijan Robinson’s talent has eaten into Allgeier’s touches significantly. As the playoffs draw near, Allgeier appears to be unlikely to return RB2 or flex-worthy numbers, making him a faller.
• Adam Thielen (WR, Carolina Panthers): It’s been a weird year for Adam Thielen, but as Bryce Young continues his up-and-down rookie season, Thielen has seen diminishing returns in recent games. His veteran savvy might continue to have some sparks, but he’s looking more like a risky bet from here out.

Strategies for Week 12

At this critical point in the fantasy season, here are some strategies to keep in mind:

1. Backup Plans: Injuries can strike at any moment. Make sure to back up key positions and plan for last-second changes.
2. Week 12 Matchups: Be sure to exploit favorable matchups. Teams facing weak defenses are where you want to load up on players.
3. Trade Deadline Caution: If your league still allows trades, now is the time to shore up your roster. But be cautious about overpaying for a name brand — focus on value.

Finally, it’s important to assess your waiver budget. Be cautious with how you spend as the playoffs approach; saving a few dollars could be the difference between landing a high-impact player and missing out on that late-season hero.

Who’s on Bye in Week 12?

Around this time of year, fantasy gamers need to stay on top of bye weeks. For Week 12, the teams on bye include:

• Buffalo Bills
• Las Vegas Raiders
• Minnesota Vikings
• New York Giants

Make sure to plan accordingly and find replacements where necessary.

As always, keeping an eye on injuries will be crucial as Sunday approaches. Whether you’re streaming players due to bye weeks or looking to ride the hot hand, the waiver wire can be your best friend. Stay aggressive, look for favorable matchups, and prepare for what could be some season-defining games in Week 12.

Good luck out there, and may your fantasy squad come out on top!