Each week I’ll provide you with a rundown by position of key
waiver wire adds. We’ll evaluate not just breakouts based
on past performance, but also who could deliver this week based
on a soft matchup. Stats will be provided based on a 12-team PPR
league, with players less than 75% (preferably less than 50%) ownership
being considered.
Wilson had a tough day throwing the ball with snow coming down
in Cleveland, but still managed a 270-1-0 line while completing
75% of his throws. This week he gets a juicy matchup against the
Bengals, who have been getting lit up by just about everyone as
they’ve allowed the 3rd-most points to QBs.
Maye had a busy day against the Dolphins, throwing for 222-1-1
while rushing for 5-26-0 in a road loss. He has thrown 10 TDs
in his seven starts this year, as well as averaging almost 40
yards per game rushing. Up next he’ll face the Colts, who
have allowed the 5th-most passing yards to quarterbacks.
Gardner Minshew broke his collarbone late in a loss to the Broncos,
and Ridder came on to complete 5-of-10 passes for 64 yards. O’Connell
has been on IR for a broken thumb and is likely to return this
week. Whoever starts will face the Chiefs, who Minshew narrowly
lost to back in Week 8, throwing for 209-2-0. The Chiefs have
been the No.1 rushing defense but have been forgiving through
the air. AOC may be a decent bench stash as the Raiders play teams
over the following three weeks (Jags, Bucs, Falcons) that are
in the top 10 in points allowed to QBs.
Bo Nix, DEN @ LV: Nix produced again in a victory over the Raiders,
going 273-2-0 while only rushing once for 5 yards. Up next he
gets another favorable draw against the Browns before a Week 14
bye.
Anthony Richardson, IND vs DET: Richardson came back down to
earth against the Lions after erupting for 3 total TDs in Week
11, completing only 39% of his passes for 172 yards, while rushing
for 10-61-0. Up next is a neutral matchup against the Patriots.
Jameis Winston,
CLE vs PIT: Winston had a rough day on Thursday Night against
the Steelers, with heavy snow making passing difficult. He did
get a rushing TD to partially salvage his fantasy day. Up next
is another tough matchup against the Broncos.
McNichols saw some additional carries against the Cowboys with
Brian Robinson Jr. struggling through an ankle injury and Ekeler
leaving the game late with a scary concussion. If one (or both)
of them is out, McNichols would be tasked with more work against
a Titans team that is stingy against the run, but have given up
13 total TDs to RBs through 11 games.
Warren is in a timeshare with Najee Harris, but he’s been getting
some good passing down work, averaging almost 3 targets in his
last six games, while also getting around 10 carries. Up next
is a division battle against the Bengals that could turn into
a shootout due to their porous defense and explosive offense.
Other RBs to consider: Handcuffs for your starters as playoffs
will start as soon as Week 15.
Last week’s waiver adds:
Ameer Abdullah,
LV vs DEN: With both Zamir White and Alexander Mattison out, Abdullah
saw his highest workload of the season, and delivered 8-28-0 rushing
to go with 6-5-37-1 receiving. It’s not clear if either White
or Mattison will return this week, but it will be a much tougher
task against the Chiefs.
Update:
Justice Hill, BAL @ LAC: Hill’s touches can be sporadic
as the RB2 to Derrick Henry but he’s capable of spiking
a big play. He went 4-55-1 on the ground and caught both targets
for 7 yards. Up next is another tough matchup against the Eagles,
where he will probably be forced into action again.
Cam Akers,
MIN @ CHI: Akers saw just 4 touches and accumulated 25 yards as
the compliment to Aaron Jones (25 touches). He’ll need more opportunities
against Arizona in order to be fantasy relevant.
Moore came in for a sidelined Coker and led the team in all receiving
categories, going 10-6-81-1. If Coker returns this week, he will
push Moore back to being an afterthought, so practice reports
will have to be watched carefully. Whoever takes the WR1 role
should have a nice day against the Bucs, who have allowed the
7th-most points to opposing WRs.
Odunze has been getting plenty of looks, as he’s seen 20
targets in his last two games and 39 targets over the past five.
Week 12 he caught 5 passes for 39 yards, but with this target
count, the breakout is coming. It may start this week against
a Lions team that is tough against the run but has allowed the
5th-most fantasy points to WRs, mostly because they’ve allowed
the most receptions and 3rd-most yards.
Vele finished 2nd to Courtland Sutton in targets, going 9-6-80-0
in a win over the Raiders. Up next is a nice matchup against the
resurgent Browns, who have new life with Jameis Winston behind
center. The Browns have allowed the 10th-most points to WRs this
year.
Pierce was only able to corral one catch for 39 yards in a blowout
loss to the Lions, but he’s shown a nice rapport with Anthony
Richardson in the past, and combined for 155 yards receiving and
a touchdown in the prior two games. Up next is a positive matchup
against the Patriots, who have allowed the 9th-most points to
opposing WRs. With Josh Downs and Ashton Dulin leaving Week 12
with injuries, Pierce may see more targets than normal.
Ertz had a nice day in a wild finish against the Cowboys, going
8-6-38-1. Up next is a tough matchup against the Titans, but Ertz
should remain in the mix as both Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson
Jr. may be out due to injury and the Commanders look to stop a
three-game losing skid.
Henry is a clear safety blanket for Drake Maye, as he went 8-5-44-0
against the Dolphins. He leads the team in targets on the season
and has been a consistent producer. Up next he gets a great matchup
versus a Colts defense that has given up the 6th-most points (and
most receptions) to TEs.
Jerry Jeudy / Elijah Moore, CLE vs PIT: Jeudy led the team in
targets, yards, and receptions in a miserable snow storm against
the Steelers, going 6-6-85-0 receiving. Moore was 2nd on the team
in targets but only caught 3 for 21 yards. Up next is another
tough matchup against the Broncos.
Adam Thielen, CAR vs KC: Thielen had a nice first game back from
IR, going 4-3-57-0 in a close loss to the Chiefs. Up next is a
great matchup against the Bucs, who have allowed the 7th-most
points to WRs.
Wan’Dale
Robinson, NYG vs TB: Robinson had a solid day as the safety
valve for new starter Tommy DeVito, going 5-5-47-0 against the
Bucs in a blowout loss. Things probably won’t get much better
this week against the Cowboys, although he did catch 11 of 14
targets against them back in Week 4.
Christian
Watson, GB vs SF: Watson had a tough outing against the 49ers,
failing to catch a single target (including dropping a sure 49-yard
TD) in an easy win. Up next is a tougher assignment against the
Dolphins who are starting to heat up with Tua Tagovailoa back
at the helm.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, TEN @ HOU: Westbrook-Ikhine did it again,
scoring a touchdown for the 6th time in his last seven games.
Up next is a tougher matchup against the Commanders, but he’s
shown a nose for the end zone after the Titans traded DeAndre
Hopkins.
Jonnu Smith, MIA vs NE: Smith had another huge game, going 11-9-87-1
in a rout over the Patriots. He’s scored three times in
the last two weeks. We’ll see if he can keep it going against
the Packers in Week 13.
Update:Will
Dissly, LAC vs BAL: Dissly had another reliable outing on
Monday Night Football, ending up with a 4-4-47-0 line which was
2nd on the team in receptions and yards. Up next he gets a neutral
matchup against the Falcons.
Luke Schoonmaker, DAL vs WAS: Schoonmaker started due to an injury
to Jake Ferguson, and was (a distant) 2nd on the team in targets
where he delivered a 4-3-55-1 receiving line. Ferguson may be
back this week from concussion, although it is a short Thanksgiving
Day turnaround. Even if Schoonmaker starts again, it will be a
tough assignment against the Giants.
Defense/ Special Teams
Cowboys vs NYG
The Cowboys were mired in a five-game losing streak before turning
things around against the Commanders, where they got 4 sacks and
3 turnovers (plus 2 kick return TDs) in a road win. Up next they
get the Giants, who have given up the 5th-most points to opposing
D/ST, and look to be quitting on the season as they start Tommy
DeVito.
Colts @ NE
The Colts had a tough day against the NFC-leading Lions, getting
only 3 sacks in a home loss. Next up is a much easier matchup
against the Patriots, who have allowed the 7th-most points to
opposing defenses.
Jets vs SEA
The Jets have struggled a bit of late, losing 7 of 8 games before
going on bye in Week 12. They should have spent the extra time
developing a game plan for the Seahawks, who have allowed the
4th-most points and given up the 2nd-most interceptions to opposing
defenses.
Other DST to consider: Commanders vs TEN
Last week’s waiver adds:
Commanders vs DAL: The Commanders couldn’t
take advantage of Cooper Rush at QB, getting only 1 sack and a
turnover in a surprising home loss to the reeling Cowboys. They
get an even better matchup this week against the Titans, but it
remains to be seen if they can capitalize.
Cardinals @ SEA: The Cardinals had a solid day
despite losing to the Seahawks, grabbing 5 sacks and a turnover.
Up next they get a tougher matchup on the road against the Vikings.
Buccaneers @ NYG: The Bucs dominated the Tommy
DeVito-led Giants, getting 4 sacks and a turnover while allowing
only 7 points. Up next is another positive matchup against a Panthers
team that showed signs of life against Kansas City.
