Waiver Wire Watchlist for Fantasy Football Week 12

Joey's fantasy football waiver wire watchlist before Week 12 of 2025. You should keep an eye on these emerging players and consider them waiver wire stashes.

Welcome to Week 12 of our fantasy football waiver wire watchlist for the 2025 NFL season. Week 11 featured some surprising performances from players who were available on the waiver wire, including RB Sean Tucker (140 total yards and three touchdowns) and WR Christian Watson (four catches for 46 yards and two touchdowns).

You know the drill by now: All players listed in this article are rostered in less than 50% of fantasy football leagues, meaning that they are available more often than not. That's why Packers RB Emanuel Wilson isn't on this list (he's owned in over 67% of leagues!).

With that being said, here are five players still on the majority of waiver wires who could help you make significant strides in your fantasy football league. Good luck on the waiver wire and happy hunting!

Waiver Wire Watch List - Running Backs

Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 37% rostered

Tucker finally got his chance in a workhorse role in Week 11, and the talented running back took advantage. Against a Bills defense that has struggled mightily against the run this season, Tucker ran for 106 yards, including a 43-yard sprint down the right sideline that resulted in a touchdown. Tucker scored twice on the ground and also caught two passes for 34 yards and another score.

SEAN TUCKER. 43-YARD TD.

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

— NFL (@NFL) November 16, 2025

With starting running back Bucky Irving's health continually up in the air, Tucker could get another crack as Tampa's lead back against the Rams in Week 12. While Irving has been at practice this week, he also practiced before Week 11 and did not play in that game against the Bills. That provided the opportunity for Tucker, and he could see a similar situation unfold for him in Week 12 as well.

Tucker has averaged over five yards per carry in each of his last two games and has proven that he is a more effective rusher than Rachaad White. The question is if Irving will suit up in Week 12, and if so, in what capacity.

If Irving can't play Sunday, Tucker is an RB2 or strong flex option in all formats. However, if Irving is ready to go, Tucker should only be started in deeper leagues, as the workhorse role that allowed Tucker to thrive last week would no longer be feasible.

Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars - 27% rostered

The Jaguars' offense looked much better in Week 11, and Tuten deserves plenty of the credit. The explosive rookie handled 15 carries for 74 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and one touchdown. While he's still sharing touches with Travis Etienne Jr., Tuten has proven that he can add a spark to this offense when called upon, so an expanded role isn't out of the question.

Bhayshul Tuten Holds Low-End RB2 Value if Healthy on Sunday https://t.co/1ykTU8oWuR

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) November 19, 2025

A potential concern is Tuten's health: he suffered an ankle injury on Sunday that limited his practice participation on Wednesday. However, Tuten was not wearing a non-contact jersey on Thursday, meaning that he could be ready to get back to the field on Sunday. The Jaguars' offense has been at its best when running the football this season, and Tuten could again receive 10-plus touches if he escapes the injury report.

If he recovers fully, Tuten will be a low-end RB2 or flex option in fantasy football against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 12. He may not receive 15 carries again, but his efficiency could lead to chunk plays or finding pay dirt.

Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders - 9% rostered

Following the preseason trade of Brian Robinson Jr. to the 49ers, the Commanders' backfield has been wide open, with no one player holding down the starting job. However, in Week 11, the leader of the backfield was Rodriguez, who took 15 carries for 79 yards in a narrow loss against the Dolphins. If he can hold down the role and end the revolving door of starting running backs in Washington, Rodriguez could become a viable running back for fantasy purposes.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. On the Rise as Commanders Get Healthy https://t.co/KLLPQTjK1I

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) November 20, 2025

The question is whether that will be the case or if Jeremy McNichols and Jacory Croskey-Merritt will continue to be involved. McNichols has been used infrequently this season, but has hit splash plays as a rusher and averages seven yards per carry on 26 totes. Croskey-Merritt was the team's lead back earlier in the season, but it appears now that his role has been reduced to that of a backup. He has not received more than 12 carries in each of his last four games.

With starting quarterback Jayden Daniels potentially out for the season, the Commanders will have to lean on the running game. Backup QB Marcus Mariota is frequently utilized as a rusher, and this could open up space for Rodriguez to make an impact.

His role as the team's starter is far from guaranteed, but if Rodriguez can hold onto the job, he could provide solid depth at the running back position in 12-team fantasy football leagues. However, it's worth noting that he faces the stingy Broncos defense in Week 13, so stash him this week.

More RB Options:

• Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons - 33% rostered
• Devin Singletary, New York Giants - 34% rostered

Waiver Wire Watch List - Wide Receivers

Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers - 45% rostered

The wide receiver room continues to be a glaring weakness for the playoff-hopeful Packers, but the return of Watson to the lineup has given the unit some much-needed juice. His explosive speed has opened up the team's passing game and has given quarterback Jordan Love some downfield opportunities. Against the Giants' solid defense, Watson snagged four passes for 46 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score.

Christian Watson's 2nd TD of the game turned out to be a game winner 🧀 @Accenture pic.twitter.com/mopGcmzUIH

— NFL (@NFL) November 18, 2025

Watson is not a high-volume player - he averages just three catches per game in the four games he has played since returning to action this season. However, his knack for big plays (19.5 yards per catch) means that big yardage - and touchdowns - are both well within the realm of possibility.

While the Packers' receiver room is crowded - Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, and Matthew Golden are all involved in the offense - none of them have any week-to-week consistency in terms of target share. This means that Watson has a real possibility of a spike week in which he catches five-plus passes and finds the end zone.

Because we are hoping for these spike weeks, Watson is not the most reliable waiver-wire pickup in the world. However, his ceiling makes him worth an addition in all leagues.

Tyrell Shavers, Buffalo Bills - 1% rostered

The Bills' receiver room, like the Packers' unit, is both crowded and underwhelming. Following the benching of young receiver Keon Coleman, however, someone had to step into a bigger role. That player was Shavers, who posted a season-high 90 yards on four catches and scored a touchdown. Shavers is a tall wideout with the speed to get behind NFL defenses, which could endear him to Josh Allen as a potential pass-catching option.

Tyrell Shavers Earning Expanded Role in Buffalo? https://t.co/OmBzxaFMo9

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) November 18, 2025

Shavers saw almost no volume before Week 11, and this performance was almost entirely the consequence of Coleman's benching. With the young wideout returning to action this week, it is fair to question Shavers' role going into Week 12. However, the possibility remains that Shavers could become a primary target in the Bills' offense alongside fellow wideout Khalil Shakir and tight end Dalton Kincaid.

Shavers should be added in deep leagues as a dart-throw option at wide receiver. He may end up being little more than a flash in the pan, but a wide receiver who catches passes from Allen is a worthy gamble in my eyes.

More WR Options:

• Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars - 21% rostered
• Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans - 27% rostered

More Fantasy Football Analysis