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RotoBaller staff's fantasy football Week 12 waiver wire pickups for 2025. Expert advice for waiver wire RB, WR, TE, QB targets from Phil, Dan, Craig and Alex.
The fantasy football season is nearing playoff time, and whether you're a top contender or need a few upsets to make the postseason down the stretch, you should always be looking for streamers or high-upside bench stashes to improve your roster. In this article, we won't cover the obvious chalk pickups like Kenneth Gainwell, Sean Tucker, and Michael Wilson. Instead, we'll look into several under-the-radar stashes and pickups.
Pivoting when your players are injured, underperforming, or on a bye is always the name of the game in fantasy football, and we're here to guide your waiver-wire decisions.
Our RotoBaller experts Phil Clark, Alex Ciulla, Craig Rondinone, and Dan Fornek are here to help you identify the top RB, WR, TE, and QB targets ahead of Week 12.
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Running Backs Waiver Wire Week 12
Selections By Phil Clark
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
Benson’s availability is currently below 40% which normally restricts backs from inclusion in this column. However, Benson should secure an integral role following his return from injured reserve. The impact that his re-emergence will have for fantasy managers also fuels the rationale for sustaining his place among this week’s top priorities from the waiver wire. Benson sustained a knee injury during Arizona’s Week 4 matchup with Seattle. That led to his placement on injured reserve (October 1), which ensured that he would be absent for a minimum of four games.
Benson has now remained sidelined during the Cardinals’ last six contests. His prospects of resurfacing for Arizona’s Week 12 matchup with Jacksonville are unclear, as the Cardinals have yet to open the 21-day window toward Benson’s activation.
Emari Demercado, Bam Knight, and Michael Carter have formed the Cardinals’ reconstructed backfield rotation during Benson’s absence. However, Benson is capable of seizing lead-back duties once his recovery is complete. That will position him to deliver high-end RB2 production whenever he is operating as the Cardinals’ RB1. It also supplies the incentive for pursuing Benson in leagues where he remains attainable, as he could become a valuable resource during the critical weeks that remain.
Ollie Gordon II, Miami Dolphins
Gordon’s role as the Dolphins’ RB2 was reestablished in Week 11, in the aftermath of an ankle injury that had impacted his numbers in Weeks 9 and 10. Gordon had also secured consistent opportunities as a short-yard and goal-line back from Weeks 1-8, while accruing 10 carries inside the red zone, and a team-high six attempts inside the 10-yard line. Gordon sustained the ankle issue in Week 9, which forced him to the sideline after 13 snaps. Gordon was also limited to a season-low three snaps and one touch in Week 10, before his numbers expanded in Week 11.
Ollie Gordon punches it in to tie the game up for the @MiamiDolphins
WASvsMIA on @NFLNetwork
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/J4yTAQp42U— NFL (@NFL) November 16, 2025
Gordon registered a season-high 39.3% snap share while accumulating nine attempts, 45 rushing yards, and scoring a one-yard touchdown. Gordon also secured a season high of five attempts inside the red zone. Jaylen Wright was relegated to just one snap in Week 11 and does not pose a threat to Gordon’s role as De'Von Achane’s direct backup. The Dolphins will return from their Week 12 bye to host New Orleans in Week 13. Gordon can be stashed this week, as he will seize an expanded workload if Achane is unable to operate as the Dolphins’ primary back during Miami’s remaining matchups.
Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens
Mitchell’s involvement in Baltimore‘s offense has been impacted by the unmistakable presence of Derrick Henry as the Ravens’ primary back. However, Mitchell remains an enticing stash candidate due to his expanding role behind Henry. Mitchell has functioned as the backup rusher in the Ravens’ rotation while attaining a 15.3% snap share since Week 8. He also accumulated 18 attempts (4.5 per game), 116 rushing yards (29 per game), and averaged 6.4 yards per attempt during that span.
Justice Hill has operated consistently as Baltimore’s pass-catching weapon from the backfield, but has only averaged 2.0 attempts/10.0 rushing yards per from Weeks 1-10. However, a troublesome toe sidelined Hill in Week 11. Mitchell attained a 26.2% snap share in Week 11, while accumulating six carries and assembling 31 rushing yards. He also ran nine routes, while collecting two of his three targets and generating 23 yards as a receiving weapon.
Mitchell is primed to function as Baltimore‘s lead back if Henry is unavailable during the Ravens’ upcoming matchups. He also possesses home run capabilities that can result in significant yardage totals if that scenario emerges. That provides the incentive to stash him this week.
Wide Receivers Waiver Wire Week 12
Selections By Alex Ciulla
Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans
The Davis Mills-led Houston Texans ripped off a second straight win, putting away their division-rival Titans 16-13 on the road. Interestingly, Mills has attempted at least 40 passes in consecutive games -- something C.J. Stroud (concussion) hasn't done since his first two pro starts. Again, rookie Higgins benefitted from Houston's air-it-out mentality.
Higgins posted four grabs and 55 yards in their win over Tennessee, and has now notched at least four receptions and seven targets in three of his last four outings. Perhaps even more important, it was the second game in a row that he played ahead of third-year pro Xavier Hutchinson.
Whether the Texans will continue their increased pass rate upon Stroud's return remains to be seen, as the offense hasn't run the same when Mills has been under center. Higgins' ascension can't be ignored, though, and he's worth a look with Christian Kirk's role in decline.
Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars
Washington was poised for another day of heavy usage in Week 11, or so we thought. Instead, a negative game script prevailed, as Jacksonville blew out the Chargers in a lopsided 35-6 victory. Fellow wideout Jakobi Meyers took on a larger workload in the win, but I'm still highlighting Washington here, even with the return of Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle) looming. Jacksonville punched in four scores via the ground on Sunday, so the Texas native wasn't needed much (2/20). Still, he'd wind up leading the corps in snaps for the fourth consecutive contest.
Washington lines up on the perimeter and in the slot, so even if Meyers continues to see an uptick in playing time, the former's versatility should keep him on the field. While he might not be as useful for fantasy when Thomas Jr. returns, Jacksonville frequently deploys 11 personnel (68.14%), meaning Washington will still be out there anyway. He's a solid weekly WR3 until that time comes.
Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers
In one of the more exciting games on Sunday afternoon, quarterback Bryce Young erupted for 448 yards and three TDs in the 30-27 win over the Falcons. I could have very easily made it a point to feature Xavier Legette (hip) here after his standout performance (4/83/1), although he left the game in the fourth frame with a hip injury and did not return.
Coker only recorded four grabs and 52 yards on his four targets, but he'll be in line for a considerable workload when the Panthers square off with the 49ers in Week 12 if Legette is forced to miss the game. Encouragingly, the Holy Cross product had out-snapped Legette in each of Carolina's previous two contests, hinting that he might be preferred as he's farther removed from a quad injury.
What a grab by Coker
📺FOX pic.twitter.com/H5yUBsHZ5N
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 16, 2025
I've been saying all season that there's room for another productive receiver in this offense, so hopefully Young's performance on Sunday will lead head coach Dave Canales to be more willing to air it out moving forward. Coker might not be a freak athlete like Legette, but he gets off the line with gusto and does well to separate against man and press coverage.
Tight Ends Waiver Wire Week 12
Selections By Craig Rondinone
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
Juwan Johnson is finding more success now that New Orleans has found itself a starting signal-caller, or at least a new one in Tyler Shough. Johnson scored touchdowns in his last two games before having last week off due to a bye. Gone are the days when jack-of-all-trades Taysom Hill outpoints Johnson because he plays 10 different positions. Johnson is officially the Saints’ No. 1 fantasy tight end.
Johnson should be revved up for a big game this Sunday against an Atlanta secondary that just made Carolina’s Bryce Young look like Dan Fouts (448 passing yards). New Orleans dealing WR2 Rashid Shaheed away at the trade deadline also opens up opportunities for Johnson down the stretch. Pick up Johnson now and play him the rest of the way. You will probably be glad you did.
Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
Truth be told, Colston Loveland could have been the No. 1 guy at the top of this tight-end column for the third consecutive week. It is nothing personal that he got the silver medal this week. I just believe that while he is the more talented long-term talent, Loveland might not be the short-term solution for your fantasy squad that Johnson could be.
Loveland has found his footing in Chicago’s passing attack. He has 13 receptions for 213 yards and a TD over his last three games. The light has gone on under his helmet. Loveland will slowly become a superstar, so make him a priority in dynasty and keeper leagues, and also take him in standard leagues if Johnson is not available. Oh, by the way! Loveland will be up against Pittsburgh’s pass defense this week, which has been at the bottom of the pass defense rankings all season long.
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
Should Houston trade franchise quarterback C.J. Stroud to my New York Jets for a couple of high draft picks and hand the reins of the offense over to Davis Mills? This might be the Jets fan in me talking, but the idea would be great for Dalton Schultz’s fantasy value. Houston’s top tight end has 19 receptions for 181 yards and a touchdown over his last three games -- all games Mills started or relieved Stroud in.
I understand that Schultz will be attempting to find openings against a Buffalo defense that is ranked second against the pass this Thursday night. But that defense has been showing some cracks in recent weeks, so the matchup should not dissuade you from selecting Schultz and plugging him into your lineup this week.
Quarterbacks Waiver Wire Week 12
Selections By Dan Fornek
Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals
The Jacoby Brissett experience continues to reward fantasy managers. Brissett set an NFL record with 47 completions against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11. That allowed the veteran quarterback to throw for 452 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-22 loss. It wasn’t all good for Brissett in this game, with the veteran quarterback throwing two interceptions. It was his first interception since Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Jacoby Brissett's 47 completions against the 49ers on Sunday is the most completions in a game in NFL history 👀
It breaks the record that was held between Jared Goff (2019) and Drew Bledsoe (1994) who had 45 😮 pic.twitter.com/BXXccRwXyM
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) November 17, 2025
Brissett now has at least 258 passing yards and two touchdowns in all five starts this season. He’s also scored at least 19.0 fantasy points in each game, giving him solid low-end QB1 upside. Brissett has at least 31 passing attempts in every game he’s played this season, surpassing 40 attempts on three different occasions. He’s got another fantastic matchup in Week 12 against a struggling Jaguars secondary.
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
After being a source of high-end quarterback scoring for weeks, Sam Darnold has seemingly come back to Earth. The veteran quarterback has less than 10 fantasy points in three of his last four games after putting together five straight weeks of 15.0+ performances earlier in the season. Still, Week 11 was a low point for Darnold in 2025. Darnold completed just 29-of-44 pass attempts for 279 yards and four interceptions against the Los Angeles Rams.
There is some important context to Darnold’s recent downswing. Two of his poor performances came against Houston and the Rams, two of the best defenses in the NFL. The third came in a blowout win against the Arizona Cardinals, where the team attempted just 12 passes. Darnold gets a slight reprieve in the coming weeks against the Titans, Vikings, Falcons, and Colts over the next four games. He should be capable of once again being fantasy-relevant during that time.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young delivered his most impressive performance of 2025 against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11. Young threw for 448 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions in the Panthers' 30-27 win. Young hadn’t thrown a touchdown since Week 7 and was coming off back-to-back performances with zero touchdown passes and one interception. Week 11 was just the second time this season that Young threw for over 200 passing yards.
More importantly, the Panthers' offense is starting to find its footing. The run game looks strong with Rico Dowdle, and the team is figuring out the best ways to utilize Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, and Xavier Legette. The Panthers face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12. The 49ers' defense has been decimated by injuries this season, leaving the team with a poor pass rush paired with a questionable secondary.
Who Should I Pickup Tool
Trying to decide who to pick up off the waiver wire? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool here:
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Who Should I Pickup? Some common 2025 fantasy football waiver wire decisions are regarding players like Trey Benson, Ollie Gordon II, Keaton Mitchell, Jayden Higgins, Parker Washington, Jalen Coker, Juwan Johnson, Colston Loveland, Dalton Schultz. But not to worry, we are here to help make these waiver wire decisions and build winning teams in 2025. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups in 2025. Our free Who Should I Pickup? tool will help make your fantasy football waiver wire decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to pick up... all free! Make the right decisions.
2025 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players - Trey Benson, Ollie Gordon II, Keaton Mitchell, Jayden Higgins, Parker Washington, Jalen Coker, Juwan Johnson, Colston Loveland, Dalton Schultz. These are some common searches for 2025 fantasy football waiver wire pickups.
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Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2025 for Trey Benson, Ollie Gordon II, Keaton Mitchell, Jayden Higgins, Parker Washington, Jalen Coker, Juwan Johnson, Colston Loveland, Dalton Schultz:
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