Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Key Week 12 Picks
Alright, your fantasy football season has just hit Week 12. By now, the playoff race is heating up, which means it’s crunch time. Every roster addition or drop could make or break your team, so staying on top of the waiver wire is more important than ever. Whether you’re sitting at the top of your league or desperately fighting for a playoff spot, getting the right guy off the waiver can give you that extra boost you need. Let me guide you through some must-have pickups for Week 12, headlined by players like Anthony Richardson and Christian Watson, who are still available in many leagues and could be crucial to your success down the stretch.
Quarterback: Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
Let’s start with the man of the hour at the most important position: Anthony Richardson, quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts. Richardson was dropped in tons of leagues after he sustained a season-ending shoulder injury back in Week 5. But here’s a sneaky move—he’s a great stash option for keeper leagues or dynasty formats. Of course, he’s not going to help you this season anymore, but Richardson flashed the dual-threat talent that’s going to make him a fantasy stud for years to come.
In his limited action before the injury, Richardson completed 56.9% of his passes, throwing for 577 yards with 3 touchdowns. But his legs set him apart as a fantasy asset: he added 136 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns. That kind of rushing ability gives him a high fantasy floor moving forward in his career. Though you won’t get any more value from him this year, if you’ve got a deep bench or you’re in a dynasty league, picking him up now could be a move that rewards you next season.
Wide Receiver: Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Now, Christian Watson, the wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, is someone who could still help you this season. Admittedly, Watson hasn’t been the breakout star some were hoping for back in draft season. But considering he’s only rostered in around 50% of leagues, he’s absolutely still worth a waiver claim.
Look, it hasn’t all gone smoothly for the Packers’ offense or Watson, but there’s a reason to be optimistic about his value moving forward. While he’s struggled with injuries and inconsistency, he has the size, speed, and athletic profile that make him a potential game-changer on any play. Watson finished strong in 2022, where he caught 7 touchdowns in his final 8 games. It’s possible Watson could start heating up in Green Bay’s offense if they can get the ball to him more regularly.
On top of that, the Packers have one of the softest fantasy matchups down the stretch. Christian Watson faces the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears in two of the last four fantasy weeks—both teams ranking in the bottom 10 in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. If you need a WR3 or a flex upgrade, Watson might just be the spark you need to get over the line.
Running Back: Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Another player who might be flying a little under the radar but really shouldn’t be is Tennessee Titans backup running back Tyjae Spears. Derrick Henry is still the starter (obviously), but Spears is starting to get more work behind him, and we all know how volatile the running back position can be.
Spears has earned 12% of the team’s total targets, which is encouraging for his PPR value. While he hasn’t had a true breakout game just yet, the Titans clearly want to involve him. With Henry’s heavy workload potentially leading to wear and tear late in the season, Spears has the upside to become a league-winner if Henry were to suffer an injury.
If you’re thin at running back or just looking to stash a lottery ticket player for the playoff run, Spears is absolutely a smart waiver wire addition.
Wide Receiver: Odell Beckham Jr., Baltimore Ravens
Don’t forget about the old gunslinger, Odell Beckham Jr.. He’s certainly not the stat-sheet stuffer he used to be in his prime, but that doesn’t mean he’s completely off the fantasy radar, especially in deeper leagues or as a bit of an insurance policy.
The reason OBJ is worth a waiver addition right now is his recent surge in usage. The Ravens have finally started getting him involved on offense. Yeah, it took a while, and, yes, he isn’t going to return WR1 numbers, but Beckham has tallied double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back weeks for the first time this season. With a favorable schedule to close out the fantasy season—most notably matchups against the Rams and Steelers in Weeks 14 and 18—there’s some value for those needing a plug-and-play WR3 for the stretch run. Keep in mind that Baltimore’s offense has been humming behind Lamar Jackson, and there might be enough targets to go around for Odell Beckham Jr. to be useful.
Other Waiver Wire Targets
If you’re still debating who else might be worth a flyer, here’s a list of players who could reward fantasy owners who take a chance on them in Week 12:
- Jaden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers: Coming off a headline-grabbing performance, Reed has become a serious danger in the Packers’ offense and should be looked at in standard scoring leagues.
- Michael Wilson, WR, Arizona Cardinals: With Kyler Murray back in the fold, Wilson may see an uptick in targets and usage, which could vault him into flex or even WR3 status down the stretch.
- Drop Candidates: Despite early season hype, players like Taysom Hill (New Orleans Saints, TE) and Dalvin Cook (New York Jets, RB) are droppable in shallower formats after underperforming for several weeks now.
Kicker Watch: Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals
Do we ever talk about kickers enough? Evan McPherson is one of the few kickers who’s worth the hype in fantasy football. He hasn’t been elite this season, thanks in part to struggles from the Bengals’ offense, but as is the case most of the time, a good offensive day from Cincinnati usually translates into a strong day from McPherson.
If your current kicker has been dragging down your weekly points, it might be time to seek out a new option. McPherson could provide that boost as weather conditions worsen in November and December, leading to higher field goal attempts.
Don’t Forget Your Defense
Like kickers, defenses often don’t get enough love, but they can make a massive difference if you play the matchups correctly. In Week 12, the Kansas City Chiefs loom as an interesting option for fantasy defenses. They’re facing the Las Vegas Raiders, who have been inconsistent to say the least on offense.
The Chiefs have a knack for getting after opposing quarterbacks, and their opportunistic D has already helped many fantasy players with a couple of defensive touchdowns. If you’ve been streaming defenses, Kansas City is a prime choice this week to neutralize the Raiders’ less-than-stellar offense.
Farewell for Week 12, Fantasy Enthusiast!
There you have it! As crazy as fantasy football can get, you at least have all the pieces in place for an exciting Week 12 following these moves. Securing a few of these waiver pickups could be the difference between heading into your fantasy playoffs or being that team no one remembers. Don’t forget, it’s a long season, and even long shots or unheralded players can change your season’s entire trajectory. Good luck and stay ahead of those other managers by hitting the waiver wire hard!
Originally Written by: Chris Towers
