👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 12 Deeper Waiver Wire Sleepers: Standard Leagues

What's up RotoBallers. Welcome to my deeper standard league sleepers column for Week 12 of the NFL season. In this weekly article we are going to take a look at some deeper waiver wire options for standard leagues, who could help out your team in this upcoming week.

For reference's sake, we are looking at standard scoring leagues and will be using ownership percentage data from Fleaflicker. In order to qualify as a deep sleeper, a player must be 20% owned or less.

Let's get to the picks!

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 12 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS

 

Quarterback

Josh McCown (CLE) vs. New York Giants

(Ownership: 7%)

Expect Josh McCown to be under center in Week 12 when the Browns take on the Giants at home. Rookie Cody Kessler suffered his second concussion of the season against the Steelers in Week 11, and the Browns are expected to shut him down for at least a few weeks as a result. McCown has been up-and-down all season, but he does have multiple-touchdown upside if he's able to play the entire game.

McCown makes for a decent sleeper option in deeper leagues if you are desperate this weekend. He theoretically has several explosive weapons to target in Terrelle Pryor, Corey Coleman and old friend Gary Barnidge. Keep in mind McCown and Barnidge have shown a nice chemistry together, dating back to last season. Furthermore, the Giants have been weak against opposing tight ends for a few years now.

 

Running Back

Wendell Smallwood (PHI) vs. Green Bay Packers

(Ownership: 15%)

Wendell Smallwood is in line to see a heavy workload in Week 12 following injuries to both Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles this past weekend. Mathews has an MCL sprain and is expected to be out for several weeks. Sproles has a rib injury, making his status unknown at this point. If Sproles is out for Week 12, Smallwood should operate as Philadelphia's lead back and would be a solid play who is widely available on the waiver wire.

Green Bay's run defense has been strong this year, but they have shown some signs of springing a few leaks as of late. They are fresh off allowing Robert Kelley to smoke them for 137 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday night. The week prior, DeMarco Murray rolled up 117 yards and a touchdown. Smallwood is a priority waiver pickup this week for any team that is thin at running back.

 

Wide Receiver

Cordarrelle Patterson (MIN) @ Detroit Lions

(Ownership: 12%)

Patterson has quietly carved out a solid role in the Vikings' offense. He has seen six or more targets in five of his past seven games, scoring two touchdowns over that span. With Detroit's top cornerback Darius Slay expected to shadow Stefon Diggs, look for the secondary options in Minnesota's passing attack to see some extra work on Thursday. As an added bonus, if you play in leagues that award points for return touchdowns, Patterson is one of the best bets in the league to take a kickoff to the house, like he did in Week 11 against the Cardinals.

 

Tight End

Will Tye (NYG) @ Cleveland Browns

(Ownership: 8%)

Will Tye has put together a solid three-game stretch, during which he has caught 11-of-20 targets for 98 yards and a touchdown. Not huge numbers, but still useful from the tight end position. The main reason to take interest in Tye is his matchup this weekend. The Browns have been one of the worst teams in the league when it comes to stopping opposing tight ends. Before Week 11's action, Football Outsiders had them ranked dead last in DVOA against tight ends, which coincides with them also allowing the most fantasy points per game in the league to the position. Tye shapes up as a nice sleeper option at tight end this weekend.

 

Defense/Special Teams

Tennessee Titans (TEN) @ Chicago Bears

(Ownership: 16%)

The Titans' defense has been a decent fantasy option this season, ranking second in the league with 30 quarterback sacks and tied for fifth with nine interceptions. It is a mild surprise that the Tennessee defense is this widely available on waiver wires, so be sure to take advantage.

They draw a prime matchup in Week 12 against a Chicago Bears team that has really struggled on offense this season and is without top wideout Alshon Jeffery, who is suspended. They rank 31st in the league in points scored, in front of only the Los Angeles Rams. With news breaking Monday afternoon that Jay Cutler may possibly be out for the season, the Bears will have to turn their hopes to Matt Barkley. Barkley was a disaster in his only 2016 appearance in Week 7 against the Packers. Cutler's absence would just make the Titans defense all the more attractive of a fantasy option in Week 12.

 


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Dylan Harper

is Ready for Sunday's Game
Grayson Allen

is Questionable for Sunday's Game
Mark Williams

is Questionable for Game 1 on Sunday
Reed Sheppard

Moves into Starting Five on Saturday
Kevin Durant

is Ruled Out for Game 1 on Saturday
Stuart Skinner

Starting Game 1 Against Flyers
Alexandre Carrier

Back at Practice
Jared McCann

Undergoes Lower-Body Procedure
Andrei Kuzmenko

Activated From Injured Reserve
Victor Hedman

Out for Game 1 on Sunday
William Karlsson

Unavailable for Start of First-Round Series
Quinn Hughes

Available Saturday
Miro Heiskanen

Cleared for Game 1
Jonathon Brooks

Buy Window is Still Open for Jonathon Brooks
NFL

Skyler Bell Projects More as an NFL Contributor Than Fantasy Difference-Maker
NFL

Can Chris Brazzell II Find More NFL Success Than Past Tennessee Receivers?
Quinshon Judkins

Brings High Floor but Low Ceiling into Second Season
George Kittle

Has Become a High-Risk Bargain
NFL

Eric McAlister's Dynasty Value in Question Coming Off Pre-Draft Injury
Jhoan Duran

Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
Brian Thomas Jr.

Can Brian Thomas Jr. Rebound After Down Year in 2025?
Patrick Mahomes

Dynasty Value in Question After Injury?
Tre' Harris

Offers Buy-Low Upside for Dynasty Managers
Braelon Allen

Still Offers Dynasty Upside Despite Lost Season in 2025
Kyle Stowers

Will be Activated on Sunday
Aaron Rodgers

Remains a Free Agent Ahead of the NFL Draft
Josh Allen

Healthy and Armed with New Top Receiver
Kyler Murray

a Zero-Risk Dynasty Target?
Rachaad White

Is Rachaad White an Offseason Trade Target in Dynasty Leagues?
Jesper Wallstedt

to Start in Goal for Minnesota on Saturday
Stefon Diggs

Still a Free Agent Ahead of the NFL Draft
Trey Benson

Stuck in a Crowded Backfield
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Year 2 Value Tied to Pick No. 7 in the NFL Draft
Sean Tucker

Dynasty Value Still Comes Primarily as an Injury Replacement
Jake Tonges

a Capable Fill-in for as Long as He Needs to Be
NFL

Ja'Kobi Lane Could Need Time to Develop for Fantasy Managers
Chig Okonkwo

Could Still Be Undervalued Despite Calls for a Breakout
LaMelo Ball

Scores 23 Points in Season-Ending Loss
Jordan Goodwin

Fills Stat Sheet in Play-In Win
Paolo Banchero

Powers Magic Into Playoffs
Jalen Green

Drops 36 Points to Clinch Playoff Spot
Amen Thompson

Off Injury Report for Playoff Opener
Jabari Smith Jr.

Cleared After Resting in Season Finale
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Cleared for Game 1 Against Lakers
Logan Stankoven

Presumed Ready for Game 1
Max Muncy

has Another Multi-Homer Game at Coors Field
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Expected to Make Season Debut on Saturday
Austin Riley

Hits Two Home Runs in Shutout Win Over Phillies
Daulton Varsho

Removed Early on Friday With Knee Discomfort
Aaron Gordon

Available for Game 1 Against Timberwolves
Julius Randle

Cleared for Playoffs
Jaxson Hayes

Available Saturday Night
Grayson Allen

Will Play Against Warriors
Kristaps Porzingis

Cleared for Friday's Game
Kevin Durant

Iffy for Saturday's Game 1
Mark Williams

Won't Play Friday Night
Spencer Jones

is Questionable for Game 1 on Saturday
Peyton Watson

is Ruled Out for Game 1 on Saturday
Edwin Uceta

Having More Shoulder Issues, "Shut Down for a Few Days"
Josh Hader

Moved to 60-Day Injured List
Willson Contreras

Returns to Red Sox Lineup on Friday
Daniel Palencia

Goes on 15-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
Juan Soto

Still on Track to Return Next Week
Los Angeles Angels

Garret Anderson Dies at 53 Years Old
Mike Malott

A Favorite At UFC Winnipeg
Gilbert Burns

Set For UFC Winnipeg Main Event
Kyler Phillips

Set UFC Winnipeg Co-Main Event
Charles Jourdain

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Jai Herbert

An Underdog At UFC Winnipeg
Mandel Nallo

Set For His UFC Debut
Karine Silva

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Looks To Bounce Back
Robert Thomas

Wraps Up Season With a Hat Trick
Macklin Celebrini

Establishes Sharks' New Scoring Record
Scott Wedgewood

Keeps Kraken From Scoring Thursday
Nathan MacKinnon

Wins Rocket Richard Trophy With 53 Goals
Connor McDavid

Secures Sixth Art Ross Trophy With Four-Assist Performance
Connor Dewar

Ready for Game 1
Nikita Grebenkin

Unavailable at Start of Playoffs
Parker Messick

Flirts With No-Hitter in Latest Gem Against Orioles
Mike Trout

Hits Five Homers in Series Versus Yankees
CGY

Arsenii Sergeev to Make NHL Debut Thursday
Aleksander Barkov

Cleared for World Championship
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Dealing With Fractured Hand
Zach Whitecloud

Ready to Rock Thursday
Spencer Arrighetti

Fans 10 in Season Debut, to Remain a Focal Point in Rotation?
Nick Pivetta

Dealing With Flexor Strain, Could Miss Months
Nico Hoerner

Homers, Drive in Five in Win Over Phillies
Shota Imanaga

Strikes Out 11 in First Win of the Season
Sal Stewart

Continues to Hit, Goes Deep Twice on Wednesday
Shohei Ohtani

Strikes Out 10 in Win Over Mets
Shohei Ohtani

Will Pitch on Wednesday, But Won't DH
CFB

Michigan Lands Commitment From Quarterback Kamden Lopati
Sahith Theegala

Brings Strong Form Into Harbour Town
Wyndham Clark

Needs Putter to Show Up at RBC Heritage
Jacob Bridgeman

Looks to Return to Elite Form at Harbour Town
J.J. Spaun

a Volatile Option at RBC Heritage
PGA

Sungjae Im Offers High-Upside Value at RBC Heritage
Matt Fitzpatrick

Set for Another Strong Showing at RBC Heritage
Jason Day

Eyes Bounce-Back After Sunday Struggles at the Masters
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Rebound at Harbour Town
Cameron Young

Hoping to Secure Second Win of Season at RBC Heritage
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Win Again at RBC Heritage
Shane Lowry

Has Disappointing Final Round at Masters
Viktor Hovland

Hoping to Build on Final Round at Masters
Brian Harman

Struggling For Consistency Heading to RBC Heritage
Chris Gotterup

Putting Together Outstanding 2026 Season
Justin Thomas

Looks to Defend in Hilton Head
Jordan Spieth

in Search of Improved Putting at RBC Heritage
Marco Penge

May Continue Up-and-Down Ride at the RBC Heritage
Xander Schauffele

Could Get The Job Done at RBC Heritage
Jake Knapp

Keeps Building Strong Results in 2026
Kurt Kitayama

Trying to Regain Form From Florida
Collin Morikawa

Continues to be a Scary DFS Play at RBC Heritage
CFB

Tramell Jones Jr. Outperforms Aaron Philo During Florida's Spring Scrimmage
CFB

Keelon Russell Flashes in Alabama's Spring Game
Ty Gibbs

Holds off the Field for His First Cup Series Victory at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Earns His First Runner-Up Finish at Bristol
Kyle Larson

Dominant Performance At Bristol Falls Short of Victory
Tyler Reddick

Matches his Career-Best Finish at Bristol
Alex Bowman

Crashes Early at Bristol in Return From Injury
Carlos Ulberg

Is The New Light Heavyweight Champion
Jiří Procházka

Jiri Prochazka Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Azamat Murzakanov

Suffers His First Loss
Paulo Costa

Wins Back-to-Back Fights
Curtis Blaydes

Drops Decision At UFC 327
Josh Hokit

Remains Unbeaten
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF