Best Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups Fantasy Football 2024
Every decision becomes critical as we approach Week 12 of the 2024 fantasy football season. Especially with playoff spots on the line. Injuries, bye weeks, and surprise performances have reshuffled depth charts, giving new players the chance to shine just when managers need it most. Today, we’ll be breaking down the best waiver wire pickups for Week 12 of the 2024 fantasy football season.
This week’s waiver wire offers a range of options. From streaming quarterbacks to high-upside plays, these are players who could be the difference-makers for your team. In this guide, we’ll break down the top Week 12 waiver wire pickups, helping you strengthen your roster and stay competitive as the fantasy playoffs draw near.
Best Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Football 2024
At this point in the fantasy football season, every waiver wire pickup and start or sit decision is crucial. Something as small as the wrong Flex option can cost you a vital win that could sneak you into the playoffs. Whether you’re dealing with injuries or just looking to stream a tight end, we’ve got you covered.
Continue reading to find out who the top waiver wire pickups are for Week 12 of the 2024 fantasy football season.
Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups – Quarterbacks
Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns – 18% rostered on Sleeper
First off, you need to know the upcoming schedule for Cleveland is very rough. They’ll face Pittsburgh, Denver and Pittsburgh again in the next three weeks. That said, Winston has thrown at least 41 passes in each of his three starts, providing ample opportunity. He’s also racked up more than 330 passing yards in two of those games. The six-team bye week is going to force fantasy managers to roll the dice on Winston this week and, due to volume, it could work out just fine.
Drake Maye, New England Patriots – 17% rostered on Yahoo
Over the past three contests, Maye has completed 69.9% of his passes and ran for 146 total yards. Additionally, he is multi-faceted and continues to grow as an NFL quarterback. He’s also thrown multiple touchdown passes in three of his five completed starts. Furthermore, his rushing numbers, alone, make him ideal for fantasy. As a result, he’ll be a great streaming option for our Week 12 waiver wire pickups.
Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups – Running Backs
Cam Akers, Minnesota Vikings – 22% rostered on Sleeper
With at least 12 touches in his last two games and averaging 45.3 total yards in his last three, Akers becomes more than a handcuff with six teams on bye. A good matchup against Chicago makes him even more valuable as they have allowed 133.5 rushing yards to running backs across their last four games. Fantasy squads with running back issues should look to Akers this week.
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears – 14% rostered on ESPN
Looking for a last-chance, touchdown-hopeful running back play this week? Johnson is a running back you could seek out if you miss out on your other waiver wire targets. Notably, he’s had at least seven touches in four games this season and has scored four times in three of those games. Bye weeks make us do crazy things. However, if he gets enough touches, Johnson could pay off, especially with so many bye weeks happening.
Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups – Wide Receivers
DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots – 26% rostered on ESPN
After Hunter Henry, Douglas has the next most targets (60), receptions (44), and receiving yards (415) for New England. He’s also been targeted at least seven times in five of their last nine games.
The Patriots will face off with the Dolphins for the second time this year in Week 12. Douglas caught six of nine passes in their first meeting. Over the last four weeks, the Dolphins have allowed 279.3 passing yards and two passing touchdowns per game. In this divisional throwdown, Douglas is a threat that will be utilized if the Patriots want to pull another upset.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans – 4% rostered on Yahoo
Not the most highly targeted receiver for the Titans, Westbrook-Ikhine has been able to make the best of his opportunities. He has scored in five of the last six games. He matched a season-high six targets and scored a 98-yard touchdown in Week 11.
In another divisional matchup, the Texans will host the Titans this week. Over their last four games, Houston has allowed 12.4 yards per catch and 1.8 passing touchdowns per game. Even with limited targets, Westbrook-Ikhine could be very helpful during such a substantial bye week.
Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns – 19% rostered on Sleeper
With the change at quarterback, the Browns have transitioned into more of a pass-heavy offense. Due to the adaptation of the offense, multiple pass catchers have been fantasy-relevant. Last week, Moore caught six balls for 66 yards and a touchdown. He has also been targeted at least eight times in three straight games.
With Winston throwing more than 40 passes in each of the last three contests, Cleveland wide receivers are all on the table for adding to your fantasy squad. Moore is the only one not rostered in more than 50 percent of fantasy leagues.
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers – 41% rostered on Yahoo
Johnston has scored six times this season with touchdowns in each of his last three games. He has also averaged 23.8 yards per reception in those three games, which is unsustainable but noteworthy. He saw a season-high eight targets in Week 11. In the third-best D-PAC matchup for wide receivers, Baltimore is another defense that should invoke another great fantasy day from Johnston. If you can acquire him, you’ll likely want to start him.
Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups – Tight Ends
Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins – 31% rostered on ESPN
If there’s been one bright spot in the Dolphins’ passing game since Tua Tagovailoa returned, it’s been Jonnu Smith. He has accumulated at least 45 receiving yards in five of his last six games, topped off by a career-best 101 receiving yards in Week 11. He’s second on the team in targets (52) and receiving yards (448). In the last five weeks, he’s led the Dolphins in targets (31), receptions (25), receiving yards (308) and touchdowns (3). At this point, he’s an every-week starter for fantasy.
Josh Oliver, Minnesota Vikings – 1% rostered on Yahoo
Surprisingly, the return of T.J. Hockenson has boosted Oliver’s fantasy relevance. He has averaged four catches and 48 receiving yards in the three games where both of them were active. He’s been on the field for more than 55% of the offensive snaps in seven straight games.
From Weeks 5 through 10, the Bears, who face Minnesota this week, gave up 89.3 receiving yards and 12.8 yards per reception to tight ends. In 2023, the Vikings snagged six and five receptions in their two matchups.
Ultimately, Oliver isn’t the first player you’re going to think of for fantasy football purposes. However, with six teams on bye, he should do enough in a pinch and a touchdown would be wonderful.
Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups – DSTs
Washington Commanders – 29% rostered on Sleeper
The Commanders have registered the seventh most sacks (29) this year with 10 of them in the last four weeks. They’ve also recovered three fumbles in those games. They’ll meet up with the Cowboys this week, who have struggled in every imaginable way this year. All in all, a great streaming defense you’ll find in Washington off the waiver wire.
Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups – Kickers
Chase McLaughlin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 32% rostered on ESPN
Coming off of the bye week makes McLaughlin available in more fantasy football leagues. Impressively, he’s made 29 PATs (fifth-most) and six field goals from 50 yards and beyond. In a favorable matchup with the Giants, there will be plenty of chances for him to kick it between the sticks. McLaughlin wraps up our top waiver wire pickups for Week 12 in your fantasy football leagues.
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