Week twelve of the 2020 NFL season is one step forward and two steps back. J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram got Covid. D’Andre Swift got concussed. And Taysom Hill got people believing that tight ends can be productive if they are also starting quarterbacks. With all this going on, your team is probably dead or dying, but don’t worry. Football Absurdity is going to help you salvage your decimated rosters. If I don’t mention someone whom you think I should be talking about, just know there are many reasons why I overlooked them. Maybe they are owned in most leagues. Maybe they are so bad I don’t even consider them. Maybe it’s because your opinions cannot be trusted. After all, you are here. So let us examine what our best week twelve waiver wire players for your championship run are…
Week Twelve Waiver Wire QBs
Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders (37% rostered)
Derek Carr went toe to toe with Patrick Mahomes in week eleven, throwing for 275 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. While Carr has been anything but reliable, his next two games are against Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets defenses that love letting quarterbacks blow them up. Atlanta’s defense is so bad that Taysom Hill was a top-three fantasy quarterback AND the number one fantasy tight end in week eleven!
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (32% rostered)
Kirk Cousins still can’t win a regular football game, but he can win a fantasy football game. In week eleven, Cousins threw for 314 yards and 3 touchdowns. He still didn’t win his game, but if you started Kirk, you got a top-five QB1 performance. Cousins next couple of games are favorable, but if you grab him, remember that Cousins is just as likely to hurt your team as to help it.
Week Twelve Waiver Wire RBs
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens (18% rostered)
In week eleven, Gus Edwards did his best Walter White impression and gave him competition Covid. While I can’t prove this, I do know that J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram potentially missing week twelve makes Gus Edwards the number one waiver wire target. Baltimore is the number one rushing offense in football and Gus Edwards is the last man standing. Grab him.
Wayne Gallman Jr., New York Giants (45% rostered)
Because he was on his bye week in week eleven, Wayne Gallman is inexplicitly still available. I understand not trusting the Giants, but after a certain point, you probably need to start believing in Wayne Gallman Jr. Gallman has 5 touchdowns in his last four games. He has clearly found a role in the Giants’ offense. If the Giants can find a way to make Gallman productive, your fantasy squad might survive him.
James White, New England Patriots (38%rostered)
James White had 6 catches and 83 all-purpose yards in New England’s week eleven loss to the Houston Texans. As I’ve said in past weeks, if you decide to play a New England running back, you get what you deserve.
Frank Gore, New York Jets (10% rostered)
If I had my way, you would be reading this blurb to the soundtrack of Highlander because Frank Gore is an immortal. In week eleven, he had 71 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. Just bear in mind that Frank Gore plays for the New York Jets, so he is a Highlander who is about to get his head chopped off.
Carlos Hyde, Seattle Seahawks (40% rostered)
In week eleven, Carlos Hyde had 95 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, all signs point to Chris Carson being back in Seattle’s starting lineup in week twelve, which means burning a waiver on Carlos Hyde would just be a waste of time.
Week Twelve Waiver Wire WRs
Cole Beasley, Buffalo Bills (50% rostered)
Last week, I insulted every league where Cole Beasley was available. Since he was on bye this past week, my point still stands. Over his past few games, Beasley has been a high-end WR2, with 31 catches for 329 yards and 2 touchdowns. If he’s available, grab him. If he’s not available, congratulations. You play with smart players.
Michael Pittman, Jr., Indianapolis Colts (35% rostered)
Last week, I pointed out that Michael Pittman, Jr. was a guy to keep an eye on. While he didn’t show as strong as he did last week, Pittman did have 3 catches for 66 yards and 1 touchdown. Most telling of all, Pittman led all Colts receivers in snap count, which combined with his draft stock is a good indicator the Colts will lean on him.
Nelson Agholor, Las Vegas Raiders (15% rostered)
In week eleven, Nelson Agholor had 6 catches for 88 yards and 1 touchdown. Same with Derek Carr, over the next two weeks, the Raiders have very nice match-ups. If you need to plug in a player over the next couple of weeks Nelson Agholor is a high-upside guy, despite being Nelson Agholor.
Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans (49% rostered)
After a rough couple of weeks, Corey Davis had a very strong performance against the Baltimore Ravens. With 5 catches for 113 yards, Davis helped propel the Titans to an upset win over the Ravens. If you need a receiver and nobody better is available, Davis has the pedigree and the opportunity to help your team. However, keep in mind that he doesn’t have the most favorable schedule going forward.
Damiere Byrd, New England Patriots (2% rostered)
Damiere Byrd had one of the best wide receiver performances for week eleven, with 6 catches for 132 yards and 1 touchdown. While Byrd showed well, I still think Jakobi Meyers is the receiver to roster in New England, despite a poor week eleven showing. Keep an eye on your waiver wire to see if people cut Meyers after his poor performance.
Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos (18% rostered)
Tim Patrick showed well in the Broncos’ upset win over the Dolphins, with 5 catches for 119 yards. The problem with Patrick is that multiple times this year, he has looked like he has emerged as the primary receiver on the Broncos, but the Broncos offense is too much of a mess to rely upon.
Week Twelve Waiver Wire TEs
Jordan Reed, San Francisco 49ers (14% rostered)
Just because George Kittle is on IR doesn’t mean Kyle Shanahan has stopped loving to use his tight ends. In week ten, Jordan Reed had 5 catches for 62 yards. I doubt there is a better option at tight end on your waiver wire.
Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys (23% rostered)
In week eleven, Dalton Schultz had 4 catches for 25 yards and 1 touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings. Now that Andy Dalton is back in the fold, the Dalton to Dalton connection seems like it could be a viable one. Andy Dalton tends to lean on his tight ends. All this requires is trusting Andy Dalton and the Dallas Cowboys offense.
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