Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 12 (Fantasy Football)
Did somebody order a TreVeyon Henderson-inspired waiver article to spark one last playoff push before the regular season closes? It is a strangely specific request, but you are getting it anyway.
Henderson spent most of the year looking like a nearly droppable fantasy piece. He hovered on benches, floated through waivers in some leagues, and felt like another name you kept around just in case something broke his way. Then he finally got his shot. For two straight weeks, he has turned into a matchup-winning force, the kind of surprise heater that can flip an entire season.
His rise is the reminder you need right now. Getting hot at the right time is what matters in fantasy. You can stumble through September, grind through bye weeks, and still slide into the playoffs if your roster peaks when it counts. Henderson did it, and there is no reason your team can’t do it too.
Now let’s chase that same momentum and uncover the Week 12 waiver pickups who can jolt your lineup into playoff mode.
Catch the weekly Waivers episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast
Running Back Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
3
3
3
5
4
4
6
4
5
5
4
8
6
7
5
6
7
6
11
3
8
10
8
9
9
9
12
7
10
11
9
10
11
12
7
11
12
8
10
13
13
13
13
12
Emanuel Wilson, RB, Green Bay Packers – Week 11 delivered one of the most punishing injury slates of the season. That opened the door for several overlooked players to step into featured roles with a real chance to keep them. After Josh Jacobs exited Sunday’s win over the Giants with a knee injury, Emanuel Wilson took over the backfield and logged 11 carries for 40 yards and a TD, plus one catch for nine yards. Without the score, the line is modest, but if Jacobs misses time, Wilson has the inside track to lead the Packers’ backfield with Chris Brooks mixing in. That puts Wilson near the top of this week’s waiver priorities, even with a tougher matchup against Minnesota in Week 12.
Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers – Another prominent RB went down in Week 11, this time in Pittsburgh. After Jaylen Warren left Sunday’s win over the Bengals with an injury, Kenneth Gainwell stepped in and handled the backfield with ease. His rushing line was modest with nine carries for 24 yards, but he made his mark as a receiver by hauling in seven of eight targets for 81 yards and two TDs. The severity of Warren’s injury is still unclear, but if he misses time, Gainwell would profile as an RB2 for a Week 12 matchup with the Bears. Pittsburgh may also need to lean on Mason Rudolph at QB after Aaron Rodgers injured his wrist, which could push even more opportunities Gainwell’s way.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars – The Jaguars dominated on the ground in Week 11 as they rolled past the Chargers, and while Travis Etienne kept his strong season going, rookie Bhayshul Tuten delivered the best performance of his young career. He handled 15 carries for 74 yards and a score and consistently fought through contact to extend plays. It was his first game of the year with double-digit carries, and he made every one count. He did pick up a minor ankle issue, but it does not appear likely to affect his availability. It is still unclear whether Tuten has earned a true fifty-fifty split with Etienne, yet his breakout deserves real attention, given the upside he showed. He should be rostered in all leagues, even if he is more of a stash and evaluate option than an immediate must-start in a favorable Week 12 matchup with Arizona.
Sean Tucker, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – After weeks of Rachaad White operating as Tampa Bay’s clear lead back during Bucky Irving’s extended absence, the backfield has taken an unexpected turn. Sean Tucker has emerged as the more valuable option, and in Week 11, he went from a fantasy afterthought to delivering a matchup-winning performance. He erupted for 106 yards and two TDs on 19 carries and added two receptions for 34 yards and another score. White still mixed in, but over the last two weeks, Tucker has shown that as long as Irving remains out, he is the more appealing fantasy play. Irving is expected to return soon since he was close to suiting up this past week, yet if he suffers another setback, Tucker should remain firmly in the fantasy conversation. Expectations should stay in check for Week 12 since the Buccaneers draw a difficult matchup with the Rams.
Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Washington Commanders – Chris Rodriguez Jr. might not have the flashiest name or a theme song attached to him, but he has clearly taken over as Washington’s lead back ahead of Bill Croskey-Merritt. After scoring in three of his previous four games, he delivered his best performance of the season on Sunday morning in Spain, even without finding the end zone. Rodriguez handled 15 carries for 79 yards and added one catch for six yards, consistently looking like the most effective runner on the roster. Washington will likely keep some form of committee in place, but it is becoming clear that Rodriguez should handle the majority of the work moving forward. That puts him on the radar as a worthwhile pickup even with Washington on bye in Week 12 and a tough matchup with Denver’s surging defense waiting in Week 13.
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons – While Bijan Robinson managers may find it frustrating at times, Tyler Allgeier has shown all season that he is far more than a typical backup. He followed his best game of the year in Week 10, where he posted 57 rushing yards and two TDs, with a quieter outing against the Panthers, logging only three carries for 10 yards. Even so, he still punched in a score, continuing a season-long trend. He now has seven TDs (!!!), an impressive total for a secondary back, which keeps him in play as an emergency starter most weeks. His real appeal comes from the massive upside he would carry if Robinson ever missed time, giving him legitimate league-winning potential. Because of that, Allgeier should be rostered in all leagues as the Falcons head into a Week 12 matchup with the Saints.
Bam Knight, RB, Arizona Cardinals – Arizona’s backfield has turned into a weekly guessing game that most fantasy managers would rather avoid. Still, startable RBs are tough to find on waivers this late in the season, and desperation forces tough decisions. After it appeared he had ceded lead duties to Emari Demercado, Bam Knight resurfaced as the Cardinals’ most productive back in Week 11. He logged only five carries for 24 yards but found the end zone and added four receptions for 21 yards. He is not someone you want to trust if you have safer options, yet for managers in a bind, the workload should remain steady enough in Week 12 to merit consideration even with a difficult matchup against Jacksonville.
Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Denver Broncos – After JK Dobbins’ foot injury sent him to IR, most expected rookie RJ Harvey to take full control of the backfield. Harvey did lead the way, but Jaleel McLaughlin also saw an uptick in usage and made it count with six carries for 19 yards and a TD. If McLaughlin continues to earn more work and secures the goal-line role, he could carve out real fantasy value down the stretch. That makes him a worthwhile speculative add in deeper leagues as Denver heads into its Week 12 bye.
Wide Receiver Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
2
1
2
2
1
3
1
3
3
4
4
4
4
2
6
5
8
6
7
6
7
9
3
7
9
5
5
8
10
8
8
9
6
10
11
10
13
7
9
11
5
13
13
12
11
12
10
13
12
11
12
Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts – What if I told you a player delivering steady WR2 production every week is still sitting on waivers in roughly 40% of leagues. Seriously, what are we doing? Since returning in Week 6 from a two-game absence, Alec Pierce has been on a tear and posted back-to-back WR15 or better performances before the team’s Week 11 bye. If he is somehow still available, he should be your top waiver priority at WR as the team heads into a tough Week 12 matchup with Kansas City.
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers – The Packers have battled through one of the unluckiest injury seasons in recent memory. Fortunately, Christian Watson, better known for his durability concerns than his time on the field, has been making an impact since returning in Week 8. After three weeks of modest output, he delivered his best performance when it mattered most, catching four of five targets for 46 yards and two TDs in Sunday’s win over the Giants. Watson does not usually see a huge volume of targets, but his big-play ability makes him a startable option every week. His route participation and snap rate have risen sharply over the past two weeks, suggesting his expanded role is here to stay. He should be considered a volatile yet high-upside flex play heading into a tough Week 12 matchup with the Vikings.
Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Michael Wilson, WR, Arizona Cardinals – If waiver priority were based solely on Week 11 performances, Michael Wilson would be the unquestioned top target. With Marvin Harrison Jr. sidelined and Zay Jones injured, Wilson stepped into Arizona’s WR1 role and delivered a monster outing, catching 15 of 18 targets for 185 yards. His stat line felt just as wild to type as I am sure it is to read. Jacoby Brissett also set a new NFL record for completions in Sunday’s loss to the 49ers, which suggests his level of volume is unlikely to continue, but Wilson’s breakout still should not be ignored. His production has surged since Brissett took over, and even when Harrison Jr. returns, Wilson should settle in as the WR2 and remain third in line for targets. With Brissett throwing so frequently, Wilson carries real upside for big weeks down the stretch. He profiles as a high-upside flex in Week 12 if Harrison Jr. returns, and if Harrison remains out, Wilson could provide legitimate WR2 value.
Mack Hollins, WR, New England Patriots – Drake Maye is playing at an MVP level, and his teammates are reaping the benefits. With Kayshon Boutte sidelined, Mack Hollins has seamlessly stepped into his role and been extremely fantasy relevant over the past few weeks. After surpassing 100 yards the week prior, Hollins continued his strong play in Week 11, hauling in four of five targets for 64 yards. His snap rate has been steadily climbing, and his role in the offense is expanding. With his size and catch radius, Hollins is the perfect target for Maye’s strong arm, especially in deep shots. As long as Boutte remains out, there is little reason to expect this level of production to fade. That makes Hollins a high-upside flex option heading into a Week 12 matchup with the Bengals.
Tight End Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
3
1
1
2
1
3
2
3
2
5
3
4
4
2
4
5
5
4
5
6
6
9
6
7
7
6
8
8
8
10
7
9
10
7
10
10
9
8
11
11
11
11
9
Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans – What has gotten into Dalton Schultz? Since the team’s Week 6 bye, the TE has been on a tear, finishing among the top eight at his position in four of five games. That stretch includes Week 11, where he caught six of nine targets for 51 yards, and he has seen eight or more targets in all but one of those contests. Schultz has quickly gone from a fantasy afterthought to a potential every-week starter. He stands out as this week’s top pickup at the position, though he will face a tougher challenge in Week 12 as the Texans take on the Bills.
AJ Barner, TE, Seattle Seahawks – AJ Barner’s season has had its ups and downs, but his second-year breakout is impossible to ignore. After a two-game stretch in Weeks 5 and 6 where he totaled over 120 yards, his role in the offense had faded. In Week 11, he reemerged as the surprise focal point. In Sunday’s loss to the Rams, Barner became Sam Darnold’s favorite target, catching ten of 11 passes for 70 yards as Darnold struggled with pressure and turnovers. While some of this production may have been fueled by an unusual game script, Barner’s high involvement makes him worth monitoring as a fantasy option and a potential streamer. His usage will be key to watch in Week 12 against the Titans, where the offense is expected to control the game rather than play catch-up.
Quarterback Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
3
4
3
3
4
3
5
4
5
6
6
6
6
7
4
7
7
8
7
5
8
5
8
8
Check out Javier Manzanera’s weekly article on QB Streamers to Consider.
Team DST Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
2
1
2
2
3
2
1
3
1
3
6
4
4
4
3
5
6
5
4
6
5
6
8
7
8
8
5
8
7
7
7
Catch the weekly Waivers episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast
Final Thoughts
TreVeyon Henderson’s late-season surge is more than a fun storyline that has erased the pants of Mike and many other supporters. It is the perfect reminder of how quickly fortunes can flip in fantasy football. A player who once felt like dead weight has suddenly become a league-shifting spark, proving that timing is everything. Your season is not defined by the early stumbles or the weeks spent patching holes; it is defined by how you finish. If Henderson can turn a forgotten role into elite production when it matters most, your roster can find that same burst. Stay aggressive, stay aware, and let this week’s waiver wire be the boost that powers your final push toward the playoffs.