November 18, 2025
Houston Texans rookie wide receiver
Jayden Higgins may be emerging as a more consistent feature within his team's offense. He recorded four catches for 55 yards on seven targets in Week 11 against the Tennessee Titans, marking the third time in his last four games he's been targeted at least seven times. A second-round pick out of Iowa State, Higgins looks like he could be assuming the WR2 role in Houston alongside star wideout
Nico Collins. Perhaps most importantly for Higgins' fantasy outlook, the Texans have seemingly shifted to a pass-heavy offensive approach. Since the team's Week 6 bye, Houston quarterbacks have attempted at least 39 passes in every game. The Texans will face a stingy pass defense in Week 12 when they face the Buffalo Bills. Still, Higgins appears to have a relatively safe target floor. He should be a waiver-wire target for all managers in PPR leagues with 12 or more teams.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
November 18, 2025
While Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy has had his share of struggles as he adapts to the NFL, wide receiver
Jordan Addison accepted blame for Minnesota's issues in the passing game last week. The Vikings dropped six passes in Sunday's loss against Chicago, including two by Addison, both would-be first downs, one of which had a chance to score a long touchdown. "If I make those types of plays, we win. No doubt," Addison said, according to The Athletic. The third-year receiver had two catches for 20 yards and connected with McCarthy on the go-ahead touchdown in the final minute, but the Vikings' lax kick coverage quickly gave up the advantage as the Bears kicked a field goal as time expired. From a fantasy perspective, Addison has now had four straight weeks of fewer than four catches, making him difficult to trust in standard formats for the time being.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: The Athletic
November 18, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings have been among the NFL's more disappointing teams in 2025, and superstar wide receiver
Justin Jefferson said getting back to winning again begins with him. As first-time starting quarterback
J.J. McCarthy has struggled, the Vikings have dropped to 4-6. Jefferson was visibly frustrated in a loss to Chicago on Sunday, but said that he aims to lead the turnaround. "As a team, as a captain, as a leader of this team, I have to be the first one out there. I have to be headfirst, leading us into that direction of winning, of being where we need to be," Jefferson said, according to The Athletic. While the Vikings have struggled and Jefferson is having a slightly down year by his standards, he's still the No. 13 overall PPR receiver. With Minnesota looking at a favorable schedule in the fantasy playoffs, managers have good reason to hope for a few big weeks at the best possible time.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: The Athletic
November 18, 2025
In one of the few bright spots from a frustrating loss to Chicago in Week 11, the Minnesota Vikings saw a career-best day from edge rusher Dallas Turner, a first-round draft pick in 2024. Turner tied a career-high with five pressures, and also recorded a sack, an additional tackle for loss, seven tackles overall, and a pass defended in 67 snaps while filling in for starter Jonathan Greenard (shoulder). It was a great sign for the Vikings, who paid a heavy price to trade back into the first round and select the Alabama standout last year. The Vikings do not believe Greenard will be out long-term, but Turner will maintain some streaming appeal in IDP leagues as long as Greenard is missing, and possibly beyond if the team gives him additional work in the weeks to come.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Sports Illustrated
November 18, 2025
With starting quarterback
C.J. Stroud (concussion) battling a concussion, Houston Texans backup QB
Davis Mills has been pressed into action over the past two weeks. Stroud was listed as a non-participant on Monday's injury report ahead of Houston's Week 12 Thursday night matchup against the Buffalo Bills, which means Mills could be in line to make his third straight start against Buffalo. Mills has performed admirably in his two starts to this point, completing 61.6% of his pass attempts for 566 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception while leading Houston to two wins. Perhaps most importantly, he is averaging 43 pass attempts per game, which gives him plenty of chances to put up fantasy production. Mills has limited upside, but he could be a low-end QB2 option for fantasy managers in two-quarterback formats leading into Week 12.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
November 18, 2025
Carolina Panthers quarterback
Bryce Young (ankle) had one of the best games of his career in Week 11, completing 31 of 45 pass attempts for 448 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions in a win over the Atlanta Falcons. Unfortunately for Young, he also suffered an ankle injury that may affect his status for Week 12. Young was able to finish the game against Atlanta, but Panthers head coach Dave Canales said the team won't have an update on Young's ankle until Thursday. The Panthers play the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. If Young can play, he could be in a position to build upon his Week 11 breakout against the shorthanded San Francisco defense. However, Young has topped 200 passing yards just twice in 10 games this season, so expectations should be at least somewhat limited. Young profiles as a solid fantasy QB2 heading into Week 12.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
November 18, 2025
With Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (wrist) dealing with a fracture in his left wrist, backup quarterback
Mason Rudolph may be in line to make the start in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears. Rudolph finished Pittsburgh's Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals and played well, completing 12 of 16 pass attempts for 127 yards and a touchdown. Across 32 career games (18 starts), Rudolph has completed 64.1% of his pass attempts for 4,754 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions. At 30 years old, Rudolph is an established NFL quarterback with limited upside. However, he could be a decent streaming option off the waiver wire for fantasy managers in two-quarterback formats. Rodgers has not yet been ruled out for Week 12, so managers will need to monitor his progress throughout the week before moving to Rudolph.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
November 18, 2025
Cleveland Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders made his long-awaited NFL debut on Sunday against the Ravens, but the rookie struggled mightily, completing only four of his 16 pass attempts for 47 yards with an interception and adding three rushing attempts for 16 yards. With starter
Dillon Gabriel working through the concussion protocol, Sanders should get most of the first-team work in practice this week, and he does bring a high ceiling with his dual-threat abilities in a favorable matchup against the Raiders in Week 12. He looked very rough in his first taste of the NFL, so he's extremely high-risk to play this week, but he does have intriguing potential if you need a desperation play in two-QB formats in what is expected to be his first NFL start.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Mary Kay Cabot
November 18, 2025
Detroit Lions tight end
Brock Wright was targeted seven times on Sunday night against the Eagles, but he only hauled in two catches for eight yards. It was a new career-high for the veteran in his fifth season out of Notre Dame. Wright was in a bigger role with SamLaPorta (back) on IR, and he should remain the team's top tight end for at least the next three games. The Lions will look to get back on track against the Giants this week in a favorable matchup for Wright. His targets could indicate that he'll be more involved in the next few weeks, making him a deep-league sleeper, but he'll need to convert more of them to catches before becoming a reliable starter in standard formats. If you are desperate for depth or a bye-week replacement, he has upside, but he hasn't delivered on it yet, so he is a high-risk waiver wire pickup.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN
November 18, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is over a year removed from his injury and should be nearing a return based on the team's expectations coming into the season. However, he still hasn't had his 21-day practice window opened, and that won't happen this week, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. While he's eligible to return at any point, the fact that he hasn't returned to practice at all yet indicates he's still multiple weeks away from making a significant fantasy impact. If you can stash him in an IR spot, he still could make a difference down the road, but for now, there are probably better options to have on your bench in most formats.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Matt Barrows
November 18, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Blake Corum continues to get significant opportunities in the team's rushing game, and he can be a deep-league addition if you're looking for running back options on the waiver wire. Corum only had 10 rushing yards in Week 11 against the Seahawks, but he still did get eight carries while playing 16 snaps (31% of the offensive total). He's still working behind
Kyren Williams, but he has averaged 11.5 carries per game over his last four contests, and he continues to play about one-third of the Rams' snaps. He and the Rams have a favorable schedule the rest of the season, with the Buccaneers this Sunday night and then matchups against the Panthers and Cardinals, who have been good running back matchups this season.
--Zach ThompsonSource: RotoBaller
November 18, 2025
Denver Broncos running back
Jaleel McLaughlin should be in a key timeshare for the surging Broncos for the next several weeks after the significant injury to
J.K. Dobbins (foot). McLaughlin had only been active for one game and had just one carry all season until last week against the Chiefs, when he took six carries for 19 yards and scored a touchdown while also catching the one pass thrown his direction. McLaughlin played just eight snaps (13%) while rookie
RJ Harvey played 38 snaps (61%), but McLaughlin had almost as many carries, a better average, and the only rushing score of the game for Denver. The Broncos are on a bye this week, but when they return, McLaughlin and Harvey will have a favorable Week 13 matchup against the Commanders. He should remain in enough of a role to be worth owning in standard-sized leagues, and he also has more upside if he claims more of the available work after the bye.
--Zach ThompsonSource: RotoBaller
November 18, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Christian Watson could be set up for a few weeks as the team's top pass-catcher before the potential return of
Jayden Reed (collarbone/foot) from IR. In his growing role, he makes a nice addition if he's on the waiver wire in your leagues. The fourth-year receiver from North Dakota State missed the first seven weeks of the season but has played four straight games, logging multiple receptions and over 40 yards in each contest. On Sunday, he scored his first two touchdowns of the year to help power the Packers past the Giants. Watson and the Packers have tough receiver matchups against the Vikings and Lions in the next two weeks, but then he has three favorable matchups in the last four weeks of the fantasy season against the Bears twice and the Ravens.
--Zach ThompsonSource: RotoBaller
November 18, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Emari Demercado suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday's 41-22 loss to the San Francisco 49ers and is considered unlikely to play in Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Demercado left the game in the second quarter after recording five carries for eight yards and two catches (three targets) for 12 tards. The injury comes at an unfortunate time for the 26-year-old as he was beginning to establish himself as the preferred option in Arizona's backfield, but he will now be sidelined for at least one week and possibly longer as ankle injuries tend to linger.
Bam Knight handled most of the backfield duties in his absence and would be expected to take on an even larger role if
Trey Benson (knee) is still unable to return in Week 12.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Adam Schefter
November 18, 2025
Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Jacoby Brissett completed an NFL record 47 passes in their 41-22 blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11. Brissett's 452 passing yards trail only
Joe Flacco's 470-yard performance in Week 9 for the most passing yards in a game this season. His passing volume has been among the highest in the league since taking over as the starter in Week 11. The 32-year-old signal caller has 212 pass attempts in that span, behind only Flacco, and is the QB4 in points per game (22.5). The Cardinals have often found themselves in negative game scripts, which has led to Brissett slinging it at a high rate. For fantasy managers looking for a viable quarterback with the slew of injuries at the position this year, Brissett is one of the better adds off the waiver wire this week and is only rostered in 23.6% of ESPN leagues.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
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