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As Week 12 of the NFL season approaches, managing your fantasy football roster becomes crucial, especially with six teams on bye: the Falcons, Bills, Bengals, Jaguars, Saints, and Jets. Here are some waiver wire targets to consider for bolstering your lineup
Quarterbacks:
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts (Rostered: 47%)
Richardson showcased his dual-threat capabilities in Week 11, amassing 272 passing yards, 32 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns against the Jets. His ability to contribute both through the air and on the ground makes him a valuable addition for teams seeking quarterback depth.
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (Rostered: 28.3%)
Stafford delivered a standout performance in Week 11, throwing for 295 yards and four touchdowns in a victory over the Patriots. This achievement propelled him to 10th place on the NFL's all-time passing touchdowns list. With reliable targets like Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, Stafford remains a solid streaming option.
Running Backs:
Audric Estimé, Denver Broncos (Rostered: 35.6%)
Estimé’s impressive 5.68 yards per carry showcase his efficiency and big-play potential. While Javonte Williams leads the backfield, Estimé’s explosive style makes him a viable flex option in favorable matchups. As the Broncos push for the playoffs, his role could expand, offering sneaky value in deeper leagues.
Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers (Rostered: 25.7%)
Edwards’ solid 4.5 yards per carry highlights his consistency in a split backfield with J.K. Dobbins. With a favorable playoff schedule, including a potential cold-weather matchup against the Patriots in Week 17, Edwards’ physical running style positions him as a valuable stash with upside for late-season production.
Wide Receivers:
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, New Orleans Saints (Rostered: 13.9%)
Marquez Valdes-Scantling has emerged as a significant deep-threat for the New Orleans Saints, amassing 196 yards and three touchdowns over the past two games. His average depth of target (aDOT) stands at 26.6 yards, indicating a high-risk, high-reward profile. While this boom-or-bust nature can lead to variable weekly outputs, his recent surge in production makes him a compelling addition in deeper leagues, especially for managers seeking a high-upside option during the playoff push.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans (Rostered: 1.6%)
Westbrook-Ikhine has quietly become a red-zone favorite, scoring in five of his last six games and showcasing big-play ability. Over this stretch, he’s averaging 13.5 PPR points per game, bolstered by a 98-yard touchdown in Week 11. With a favorable schedule against weak secondaries down the stretch, Westbrook-Ikhine is a sneaky stash for managers in need of WR depth or touchdown upside.
Tight Ends
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (Rostered: 45.6%)
Hill’s unique versatility was on full display in Week 11, where he posted three touchdowns, cementing his role as a critical offensive weapon for the Saints. Averaging 17.2 PPR points per game over his last three outings, Hill’s increased usage in goal-line situations and his multi-faceted role make him a high-upside TE1 option, especially in tight end-premium formats.
Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins (Rostered: 31.4%)
Smith’s role in Miami’s offense continues to expand, boasting an efficient 1.98 yards per route run since Tua Tagovailoa’s return. With six targets or more in four of his last five games, Smith is a steady option during a stretch where tight end depth is scarce. His consistency makes him a reliable plug-and-play starter for Week 12 and beyond.
Stash Candidates
Running Backs
Trey Benson (Arizona Cardinals): Benson’s role is expanding in the Cardinals’ offense. With James Conner’s extensive injury history, Benson offers high-upside potential as the primary backup in a favorable fantasy playoff schedule.
Blake Corum (Los Angeles Rams): Corum's explosiveness makes him a valuable handcuff to Kyren Williams, who has a heavy workload and limited big-play upside. If Williams were to miss time, Corum could step into a significant role.
Wide Receivers
Ricky Pearsall (San Francisco 49ers): Pearsall has contingent upside as injuries have plagued the 49ers’ wide receiver depth chart this season. If another starter misses time, Pearsall’s big-play ability could make him a fantasy asset.