FAAB Waiver Wire Bidding - Fantasy Football Pickups to Target for Week 12 (2025)

Nick Mariano's fantasy football waiver wire FAAB bidding guide for Week 12 (2025) -- how many FAAB dollars (free agent acquisition budget) to spend on waivers.

No matter whether you feel like the season has flown by or if it's been a slog, Week 12 is here, and our playoffs are one week closer. This past weekend saw several injuries and role changes that leave us with an exceptionally deep waiver pool, relative to the time of year. Let's gather some reinforcements with our famous waiver wire pickups list and our fantasy football waiver wire columns by position -- specially tailored for leagues using FAAB.

Remember that these FAAB prices do not indicate how much these free-agent players will go for, and you need to adjust for how much FAAB is left for the others in your league. Bear in mind that the Broncos, Chargers, Commanders, and Dolphins are enjoying their bye week and will not be available to you.

As always, I cannot know your specific league outlook, so please try to leverage historical data and personal knowledge whenever possible. We will cap the rostered rate at 40% on Yahoo!, but you can adjust if someone is dropped or remains on the wire above that threshold. Please remember not to overspend if you have the most FAAB among competitors, and monitor how much your leaguemates have!

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Quarterbacks

Jacoby Brissett (QB, ARI) - 34% rostered

FAAB Bid: 2-3%
Aggressive Bid: 3-5%

When a guy available in two-thirds of leagues sets the NFL record for completions in a single game with 47, we’re contractually obligated to include him. Brissett going 47-for-57 for 452 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions is what many expected to see out of Jameis Winston, but it makes five consecutive top-12 fantasy QB efforts from the vet.

Fantasy managers often don’t get points for a player’s performance being “pretty” or not, so don’t worry about how the sausage is made or if Arizona winds up losing by 20. The next couple of weeks bring potential pass-funnel matchups against Jacksonville and Tampa Bay before the schedule tightens up (LAR, HOU).

Bryce Young (QB, CAR) - 13% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%

It’s mind-boggling that Young, who had passed for 200 or more yards just once before this week, would explode for 448 yards and three scores against a typically stout Atlanta defense. He shook off an early ankle issue to lead Carolina to a 30-27 win, but can you overlook having one TD and 364 passing yards in his previous three games combined?

Hope lies in facing the 49ers next, who just gave up the Brissett banger described above. Expecting consistency out of Young is a fool’s errand until he shows it to us, but a four-team bye and injuries could force several of you to simply chase the volatile upside.

Dollar Bin: Tyler Shough, Kirk Cousins, Mason Rudolph, Jameis Winston.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Running Backs

Emanuel Wilson (RB, GB) - 8% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 16-20%
Aggressive Bid: 20-30%
Desperation Bid: 30-50%

Word has emerged that Josh Jacobs’ knee injury isn’t considered serious, but the day-to-day designation could still lead him to miss Week 12 against the Vikings. Wilson would lead the way against the Giants after Jacobs’ exit, totaling 49 yards and a score on 12 touches. Chris Brooks only had one carry on the day.

Roles can always shift, just as Wilson usurped Brooks early on for backup duties, but this appears to be a situation with a clear starter in Wilson. Sometimes we’re left with sloppy committees of backups, but Wilson projects for 15-plus touches if Jacobs is out.

The optimistic Jacobs news should lower FAAB aggression on Wilson, but some of you are in do-or-die spots where funds have to be allocated to Week 12. I must also point out that MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) could return to practice this week, but Wilson is the target regardless.

Kenneth Gainwell (RB, PIT) - 32% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 13-16%
Aggressive Bid: 16-20%
Desperation Bid: 20-30%

Gainwell had seen his recent workload slip as the Steelers committed to more Jaylen Warren usage, but Gainwell saw more play even before Warren’s ankle injury. He was the primary third-down and two-minute back, with this particular gamescript yielding opportunity.

The early receiving TD came in relief after Warren scampered 35 yards to bring Pittsburgh into the red zone, with Gainwell scoring two plays later. But he was the clear featured back after Warren exited, with a fourth-quarter drive ending in a five-yard receiving TD from Mason Rudolph.

The Rodgers injury does hurt Pittsburgh’s overall projection, but we saw Gainwell dominate with 134 yards and two TDs on 25 touches when Warren missed Week 4.  If Warren misses significant time, then Gainwell benefits from facing the Bears, Bills, Ravens, and Dolphins in Weeks 12-15.

Sean Tucker (RB, TB) - 24% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 8-12%
Aggressive Bid: 12-16%
Desperation Bid: 16-20%

Tucker’s hat trick of TDs was well-deserved after looking like Tampa’s best runner over the past couple of games. Though the Bucs lost, Buffalo continues to be vulnerable on the ground, giving up 19-106-2 to Tucker and even 10-51-0 to Rachaad White, who held a 3.28 yards per carry mark over his last seven games.

What put Tucker’s day over the top was a 28-yard receiving score, where he built up speed on a wheel route and got past a defender who misjudged Tucker’s ability. The RB also showcased patience and burst on the 43-yard rush TD, where a pulling Tristian Wirfs pancaked the DB.

SEAN TUCKER. 43-YARD TD.

TBvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/O0chu1HMdk

— NFL (@NFL) November 16, 2025

A similar scheme led to the six-yard TD as well. Breaking news: Having Wirfs as your lead blocker is good. Tucker has shown better vision and burst with the ball, which is what led to Bucky Irving emerging down the stretch last year. Irving is no sure thing to be healthy again in ‘25.

Week 12 at the Rams is a horrid matchup, but Tucker also became the first RB to top 50 rush yards against New England’s impregnable front (on just nine carries). Doubt Tucker at your own peril.

Bhayshul Tuten (RB, JAC) - 30% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 8-12%
Aggressive Bid: 12-16%
Desperation Bid: 16-20%

Tuten’s best rushing game of his rookie campaign came with carries for six, seven, 11, 12, and 15 yards, as well as a four-yard TD. He may have been heading toward a second score, but he injured his ankle getting rolled up on after reaching the seven-yard line early in the fourth quarter.

It’s extremely possible that Tuten will miss time with an ankle sprain, but the good news is that Jacksonville did not outright rule the rookie out. Travis Etienne Jr. is also not going anywhere, but the Jags could turn to the RB duo in Week 12 (ARI), Week 13 (TEN), and Week 15 (NYJ). It’ll be an otherwise uphill climb with two Indy games and a Denver matchup.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB, WAS) - 12% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 8-12%
Aggressive Bid: 12-16%
Desperation Bid: 16-20%

Rodriguez paced Washington backs as the starter, compiling 79 yards on 15 carries against the Dolphins. Jacory Croskey-Merritt didn’t see the field until 5:37 remaining in the second quarter, and only gained 28 yards on nine totes.

Heck, Rodriguez even saw his first target of the year! (He caught it for six yards.) Some of you in tight spots will balk at adding Rodriguez with the approaching bye preceding matchups with Denver and Minnesota. Just note that his fantasy playoff schedule would be the Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys, all three of whom are top-12 fantasy RB matchups.

Bam Knight (RB, ARI) - 17% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 7-10%
Aggressive Bid: 10-15%
Desperation Bid: 15-20%

Knight and the ground game were phased out early due to San Francisco putting the Cards in a massive hole, but Knight still secured his third TD in six games alongside 24 yards on five carries. Emari Demercado only gained eight yards with his five rushes before leaving due to an ankle injury.

Between the negative gamescript, Demercado’s injury, and perhaps Knight’s own ankle issue that had limited him in practice, Michael Carter wound up with five catches for 22 yards on seven catches. But Knight isn’t like Washington’s Rodriguez with no passing involvement, as he still caught all four of his targets for 21 yards.

We’ll have to monitor Trey Benson’s practice status, but Knight could line up for 12-15 carries and have the goal-line looks against Jacksonville in Week 12. Stay on your toes!

Devin Singletary (RB, NYG) - 20% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-6%
Aggressive Bid: 6-10%
Desperation Bid: 10-15%

Singletary looks like the clear goal-line back for Big Blue without Cam Skattebo available. Tyrone Tracy Jr. ran exceptionally well against a tough Green Bay front, amassing 88 rush yards and 51 receiving yards with a 55% snap share, but Singletary punched in two TDs.

The 16-44-2 rushing line (and a third-yard catch) isn’t winning any medals, but fantasy football still finds a home for dedicated goal-line RBs. It’s possible that Jaxson Dart will take fewer chances on scrambles when he returns from concussion protocol.

Devin Singletary Emerging as the Goal-Line Back in New York? https://t.co/66M6LU4U6o

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) November 17, 2025

Few managers will want to trust in another pair of plunges against Detroit and New England ahead of the Week 14 bye, though I’d have said the same about Green Bay! Regardless, the Giants should be able to keep things competitive against the Commanders, Vikings, and Raiders during the fantasy playoffs, which makes Singletary a worthy stash.

Jaleel McLaughlin (RB, DEN) - 1% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 2-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-6%
Desperation Bid: 6-10%

As many speculated, McLaughlin saw an increased role with JK Dobbins out, rather than RJ Harvey just becoming a workhorse. But with a tight game against a vicious Kansas City front, both Harvey and McLaughlin fought to average around three yards per carry.

Denver is now on a bye, so this is a low-priority move, but they will get to face Washington’s vulnerable defense in Week 13. With Tyler Badie only seeing one target and zero carries, at least a Harvey/McLaughlin split keeps them both on the map, rather than tangling with a three-headed monster.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Wide Receivers

Christian Watson (WR, GB) - 34% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 6-8%
Aggressive Bid: 8-12%
Desperation Bid: 12-15%

Watson once again turned in a snap share around 80%, as both he and Romeo Doubs got roughly 50 yards on four catches. The obvious difference is that Watson scored two TDs and Doubs had none.

At his best, Christian Watson can do some crazy things on the field. What a catch. pic.twitter.com/gUEjCExnar

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 16, 2025

They were Watson’s first scores of the year, and it’s worth noting that Doubs hasn’t scored since the three-TD outburst in Week 4. Green Bay’s passing game hasn’t inspired much confidence lately, but Josh Jacobs’ injury, mixed with the absence of Tucker Kraft and Jayden Reed, could create a strong opportunity for Watson against the Vikings.

Matthew Golden and Dontayvion Wicks are very difficult to trust until they prove otherwise. For now, we’d expect Watson and Doubs to be the primary WRs for Jordan Love, which should be meaningful in all 12-teamers given the RB/TE fragility.

Michael Wilson (WR, ARI) - 47% rostered
Greg Dortch (WR, ARI) - 3% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 6-8% / 1-3%
Aggressive Bid: 8-12% / 3-4%
Desperation Bid: 12-15% / 4-6%

Thanks to a perfect storm of injuries and record-setting passing volume, Wilson put up 185 yards on 15 receptions. Marvin Harrison Jr. required an appendectomy, and Zay Jones is done with a torn Achilles, which left Wilson to shine.

No one should expect a repeat performance, especially if MHJ returns, but perhaps this helps remind Drew Petzing that Wilson can ball. Dortch also caught all six of his targets for 66 yards and a TD, but he’s been even more of an afterthought thus far. And Trey McBride remains an alpha.

Even amidst Brissett’s historic day, Xavier Weaver and Andre Baccellia only combined for three catches. Whoever is near the top of the totem pole seems to enjoy a consolidated target share, which could see Wilson pop against the Jags and Bucs in the coming weeks.

Darnell Mooney (WR, ATL) - 31% rostered
KhaDarel Hodge (WR, ATL) - 0% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 6-8% / 1-3%
Aggressive Bid: 8-12% / 3-4%
Desperation Bid: 12-15% / 4-6%

I won’t begrudge anyone for skipping Atlanta entirely, but opportunity is opportunity. Drake London is week-to-week with a knee issue, and Kirk Cousins will likely be the quarterback for the remainder of 2025 after Michael Penix Jr. suffered yet another knee injury of his own.

Mooney briefly exited Week 11 with a rib injury, but returned to log three catches for 34 yards on seven looks. He’s looked off all year, and we finally learned that he actually broke his collarbone to open training camp. That explains some, but he’s also produced a combined eight catches for 95 yards on 26 targets over his three most-targeted games.

Kyle Pitts Sr. and Bijan Robinson are probably better bets to absorb the value that London was soaking up, but it’s worth noting that Hodge stepped into London’s role the last time he missed time. Upcoming games against the Saints and Jets give Cousins the best chance at acclimating and delivering good throws, but the floor is low.

Andrei Iosivas (WR, CIN) - 1% rostered
Mitchell Tinsley (WR, CIN) - 0% rostered

FAAB Bid: 6-8% / 1-3%
Aggressive Bid: 8-12% / 3-4%
Desperation Bid: 12-15% / 4-6%

Word dropped on Monday afternoon that Ja’Marr Chase is facing a one-game suspension for spitting on Jalen Ramsey (he is appealing, but I’d be surprised if that works). Tee Higgins gets a bump, but will also surely draw dedicated coverage from Christian Gonzalez.

Given New England’s strong rushing defense and Chase Brown’s middling form thus far in 2025, this could leave Joe Flacco scrambling for his secondary targets. Iosivas could feast from the slot, with someone like Noah Fant also getting a slight bump. If you’re in truly deep waters, we’d expect Mitchell Tinsley to see the biggest overall boost in playing time.

Luther Burden III (WR, CHI) - 8% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 5-7%
Aggressive Bid: 7-9%
Desperation Bid: 9-12%

Burden’s box score only shows three catches for 27 yards on five targets, but it’s what doesn’t show up in the newspaper that makes this important. Olamide Zaccheaus did not register a single target, running only six total routes to Burden’s 22.

Luther Burden III had 33 snaps compared to 10 for Olamide Zacchaeus yesterday. #DaBears

— Ben Devine (@Chicago_NFL) November 17, 2025

With 12 of those 22 routes run out of the slot, it seems that Burden may have finally passed Zaccheaus on the depth chart. The Bears hold a top-10 rushing rate lately, but Burden can join Rome Odunze as a fantasy-viable piece if DJ Moore continues to fade.

Elic Ayomanor (WR, TEN) - 17% rostered
Van Jefferson (WR, TEN) - 0% rostered

FAAB Bid: 3-4% / 1-3%
Aggressive Bid: 4-6% / 3-4%
Desperation Bid: 6-8% / 4-6%

If you were skipping Atlanta, then you may have just gotten immense heartburn when faced with Tennessee options. Alas, Calvin Ridley’s season-ending leg fracture and Chimere Dike’s concussion mean someone has to play. Ayomanor should be the most talented wideout left, but even he dealt with a late hamstring injury.

Jefferson “led” the WR corps with 22 yards on three catches, including his first TD of the year. Mason Kinsey is the slot man, but he only caught 1-of-3 targets for 14 yards. Both Chig Okonkwo (3-56-0) and Gunnar Helm (4-29-0) stood out more, and Tyjae Spears led the team with five catches.

With a brutal Seattle matchup on tap, you must ask yourself how desperate you are!

Tyrell Shavers (WR, BUF) - 0% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Aggressive Bid: 2-3%
Desperation Bid: 3-5%

Shavers was the biggest beneficiary of Keon Coleman’s disciplinary unavailability, catching four of his five targets for 90 yards, including a 43-yard TD strike. If we buy that Coleman was truly only out due to missing a meeting, and it isn’t performance-related, then he should step back onto the field and push Shavers to the bench.

But on the outside chance that Shavers’ strong day and Coleman’s spotty track record give the speedster a shot at being Josh Allen’s deep threat, then deep-leaguers could respect it with a dollar.

Isaiah Hodgins (WR, NYG) - 0% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%
Desperation Bid: 3-4%

Old friend Hodgins stepped up as the Giants’ leading receiver on Sunday, posting five catches for 57 yards from Jameis Winston. Darius Slayton’s hamstring injury and regime change paved the way for Hodgins’ promotion, which could stick depending on Slayton’s health and Mike Kafka’s patience with Jalin Hyatt.

Whether it’s Jameis Winston or Jaxson Dart in Week 12 at Detroit, the Lions are sure to put the Giants on the back foot early and necessitate plenty of passing. Godspeed.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Tight Ends

*Juwan Johnson sits at 45% rostered after the bye and could be quietly available for you. He’d be around $10-12 guidance.

AJ Barner (TE, SEA) - 9% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1-3%
Aggressive Bid: 3-4%
Desperation Bid: 4-6%

Barner blew past his recent utilization with a whopping 10 catches for 70 yards, with two tush-push style rushes for one yard. This followed a zero-catch showing despite Seattle scoring 44 points in Week 10, as well as a total of seven receptions and four carries over his last four games.

Seattle is rarely challenged to the degree that the Rams pressed them, so bear that context in mind. But the fact that Elijah Arroyo was held catchless on two targets while Barner’s usage blew up does help the projectable range of outcomes at Tennessee next week.

The Seahawks have a friendly schedule ahead of them for fantasy TEs, with the Vikings, Colts, and Panthers all within the top 10. There is also a rematch with the Rams in Week 16. Some of you will be forced to tangle with low-floor options, so the guy coming off of an 11-target week isn’t so bad.

Brenton Strange (TE, JAC) - 12% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1-3%
Aggressive Bid: 3-4%
Desperation Bid: 4-6%

We haven’t seen Strange since he suffered a hip injury in Week 5, but a return to practice last week means he should become available shortly. It’s worth noting that he saw six catches on seven targets in both Weeks 3 and 4, his two most recent “full” games.

No other TE has made an impression for Jacksonville while Strange has been out, so as long as his hip is 100%, he should step back into a significant role. There’s no doubting that Trevor Lawrence brings inconsistency for his pass-catchers, but a chance at 5-6 catches per week is worth it.

(IR stashers should also note that Darren Waller could return in Week 13.)

Colby Parkinson (TE, LAR) - 0% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%
Desperation Bid: 3%

On the victorious side of that LAR-SEA showdown, Parkinson found paydirt for the second week in a row. He only caught two balls for 14 yards (4-41-1 the week before), but the Rams rarely feature the TE. However, Parkinson’s snap share soared to a season-high 69% with Tyler Higbee suffering an ankle injury.

When Higbee missed Week 5, it was Davis Allen who led the way with a 60% mark, but he ran just two routes on a 37% snap share on Sunday. Selfishly, Terrance Ferguson getting primary run would be the most fun, but Parkinson has the trust.

**TEs who underwhelmed while filling in for injured starters, such as Dawson Knox and Brock Wright, shouldn’t be overlooked due to one bad week. And speaking of fill-ins, it looks like John FitzPatrick already leapfrogged Luke Musgrave as GB’s primary TE.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Defense/Special Teams

Cleveland Browns Defense (at LV) - 48% rostered

FAAB Bid: 2-3%
Aggressive Bid: 4%
Desperation Bid: 5%

Cleveland showed up and pushed a strong Baltimore roster to the edge, losing 23-16 with an overwhelmed rookie at QB. The larger point being that Myles Garrett’s defense took care of business, and now has 18 sacks with 10 turnovers and two TDs in its last four games.

We just saw Dallas get to Geno Smith for four sacks (and they left a few on the field) and an interception. The Browns should generate similar pressure and force Smith to get frantic behind a patchwork offensive line, which has also been unable to buy Ashton Jeanty rushing lanes.

Las Vegas Raiders Defense (vs. CLE) - 4% rostered

FAAB Bid: 2-3%
Aggressive Bid: 4%
Desperation Bid: 5%

They may be on a short week after Monday night’s affair against Dallas, but we still get Maxx Crosby at home, potentially against Shedeur Sanders. Everyone gets their opinion, including Mel Kiper Jr., but Sanders has shown little by way of NFL readiness.

Considering how the Raiders were able to recently limit the Broncos to 10 points in Week 10, and tally a season-high six sacks with three turnovers against Cam Ward in Week 6, we’re comfortable rallying around Crosby & Co. for this.

Jacksonville Jaguars Defense (at ARI) - 20% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Aggressive Bid: 2-3%
Desperation Bid: 3-5%

Jacksonville’s defense just turned in its best effort since September, allowing six points with three sacks and an interception against a potent Chargers offense. It’s clear that LAC’s offensive line woes are a massive problem, and the Jags parlayed that into constant pressure.

While the Cardinals are wild cards with gunslinger Jacoby Brissett under center, they remain a solid streaming target. Though San Francisco’s beleaguered pass rush couldn’t get home in Week 11, Arizona had given up at least five sacks in its previous three contests.

Oh, and Jacksonville draws Tennessee in Week 13, as well as the Jets in Week 15 if you can stream around the Indianapolis matchup in Week 14.

More Waiver Wire Analysis