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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!

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! 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!




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Drake Baldwin

Could Return During Braves Next Homestand
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Tetairoa McMillan

Dealing With Foot Injury During OTAs
Aaron Donald

Considering Coming Out of Retirement?
PGA

Russell Hensley Coming to Ohio on the Heels of Latest Victory
Drake London

Falcons Agree on Four-Year Extension
Michael Wilson

Will be "Closer to the Core" in Z Receiver Role
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Will Play the X Role for Cardinals
Tommy Fleetwood

Looking for Better Iron Play at Memorial Tournament
Patrick Cantlay

Looks to Continue Dominance at Muirfield Village
Ludvig Aberg

a Great Fit for Muirfield Village
Isaiah Hartenstein

Hopeful to Stay with Oklahoma City
Luguentz Dort

Wants to Remain with Thunder
Mitchell Robinson

is Questionable for Game 1
Moussa Diabaté

Moussa Diabate Has Contract Guaranteed for 2026-2027 Season
Oso Ighodaro

Gets Guaranteed Contract for Next Season
NAS

Chris MacFarland Joins Predators as President and General Manager
VAN

Canucks Name Manny Malhotra as New Head Coach
Brendan Gallagher

to Leave Canadiens This Offseason
Patrik Laine

Looking Forward to Free Agency
Jeremy Lauzon

Returns to Action Tuesday
Zach Werenski

Wins 2025-26 Norris Trophy
Aaron Judge

Out on Tuesday With Rib/Shoulder Injury
Adam Randall

Well-Positioned for Dynasty Success in Baltimore?
Nicholas Singleton

Could Be the Running Back of the Future in Tennessee
Bryce Lance

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Mike Washington Jr.

Carries Dynasty Sleeper Appeal Entering 2026
Adonai Mitchell

Is Adonai Mitchell Still Worthy of a Dynasty Roster Spot?
Tony Pollard

Dynasty Stock Rising in Improving Tennessee Offense?
Josh Hader

Set to Return from Injured List on Tuesday
Chris Brazzell II

a Year 1 Breakout Candidate in Carolina?
Ja'Kobi Lane

a Great Fit for Ravens, Potential Steal in Rookie Drafts
Josh Jacobs

Back at Practice on Tuesday
Max Klare

Crowded Tight End Room Impacting Max Klare's Dynasty Stock?
Romeo Doubs

Still a Solid Dynasty Option in New England?
CFB

SEC Coach Calls Buster Faulkner a "Home-Run Hire"
CFB

Auburn a Sleeper in the SEC Under Alex Golesh?
CFB

Noah Fifita Primed for Strong 2026 Campaign
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Oregon Assistant Coach Charged with DUII, Reckless Driving
Makai Lemon

Set for Major Role in Debut Season?
CFB

Tight End Nick Pollack Commits to Clemson
Drake Maye

Does Latest Addition Put Drake Maye Among the Upper Echelon of Fantasy Elite?
Jalen Hurts

Could Face Regression After Loss of Top Pass Catcher
DeVonta Smith

Poised for WR1 Role in the Aftermath of Trade?
Daniel Jones

Participating in 7-on-7s
Akshay Bhatia

Needs the Driver to be True in Ohio
Aaron Rai

Primed to take on the Memorial Tournament
J.J. Spaun

Rebounded at Charles Schwab Challenge
Xander Schauffele

One to Watch This Week in Ohio
Hideki Matsuyama

Putter Could be Vital at the Memorial
Nicolai Hojgaard

Rust Concerns at Muirfield Village
Ryan Gerard

Surfaces After Long Cold Stretch with Top 10 Result
Wyndham Clark

May Struggle at the Memorial Tournament
Elly De La Cruz

to Miss 2-4 Weeks of Action
Chase Burns

is Scratched Due to Illness
Deiveson Figueiredo

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Song Yadong

Gets Second-Round Submission Win
Zhang Mingyang

Suffers Back-To-Back Losses
Alonzo Menifield

Gets Back In The Win Column
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Sergei Pavlovich

Scores First-Round Knockout Win
Cameron Smotherman

Suffers Third Loss In A Row
Edwin Arroyo

Reds Promote Top Infield Prospect Edwin Arroyo, Viewed as Priority Pick Up Ahead of MLB Debut
Kai Asakura

Earns His First UFC Win
Elly De La Cruz

Placed on IL with Right Hamstring Tightness
Denny Hamlin

Earns the first Nashville Cup Series Victory of his Career on Sunday
Christopher Bell

Finishes as the Runner-Up at Nashville
Chase Briscoe

Earns First Career Podium Finish at Nashville
Ryan Blaney

Scores A Solid Top-10 Finish at Nashville
Kyle Larson

Top-10 Streak at Nashville Ends after Late Flat Tire Spin
Elly De La Cruz

Exits with Hamstring Tightness
Tyler Reddick

Is One of the Top Favorites to Win at Nashville
Kyle Larson

May Continue his Top-10 Consistency at Nashville this week
Christopher Bell

Is One of the Top Competitors for the Win at Nashville
Chase Briscoe

Is A Must Start for Nashville DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

has Plenty of Upside for Nashville DFS Lineups
William Byron

Is William Byron A Playable DFS Option for Nashville Lineups?
Carson Hocevar

Is Likely to have Another Solid Result at Nashville
NASCAR

Should Fantasy Players Roster Bubba Wallace at Nashville?
Chris Buescher

Is A Decent All-Around DFS Option for Nashville Lineups
Daniel Suarez

is Likely to Drop Positions during the Cracker Barrel 400
Garrett Crochet

Suffers Setback, Likely to Undergo MRI for Lat Tightness
Denny Hamlin

Could Denny Hamlin Dominate at Nashville?
Ryan Blaney

Is a DFS Tournament Option at Nashville
Ty Gibbs

Don't Overlook Ty Gibbs at Nashville
Joey Logano

Could Show Life at Nashville
Ross Chastain

Needs a Good Run at Nashville
Chet Holmgren

Fails to Step Up in the Season Finale
Cason Wallace

Ends Postseason with Strong Showing
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Caps MVP Season with Game 7 Exit
Stephon Castle

Continues Postseason Run with 16 Points
Julian Champagnie

Shines in Series-Clinching Win
De'Aaron Fox

Provides Secondary Punch in Game 7 Triumph
Victor Wembanyama

Earns Conference Finals MVP in Spurs' Game 7 Win
NBA

Warriors Prioritize Depth Around Returning Steve Kerr
Donovan Mitchell

Remains Cleveland's Top Priority
Adou Thiero

Remains a Lakers Development Project
NBA

76ers Hire Mike Gansey as President of Basketball Operations
NBA

Chicago Bulls Explore Kevin Young as Coaching Candidate
Kyrie Irving

Reports He's Nearing Full Strength in ACL Recovery
Lane Hutson

Posts a Power-Play Assist in Game 5 Loss
Cole Caufield

Nets a Power-Play Goal in Season-Ending Loss
Seth Jarvis

Closes Out East Finals With Multi-Point Game
Logan Stankoven

Notches Three Points in Big Game 5 Win
Taylor Hall

Racks Up Three Points in Series-Clinching Win
Frederik Andersen

Remains Stellar as Hurricanes Clinch Finals Berth
Jacob Gonzalez

is Heading to the Big Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Exits with Hamstring Tightness
Mitchell Robinson

Plans to Play in Game 1 After Finger Surgery
Ajay Mitchell

Ruled Out for Game 7
Jalen Williams

Unavailable in Decisive Game 7
Eury Pérez

Eury Perez is Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Deiveson Figueiredo

Set For UFC Macau Main Event
MMA

Yadong Song Returns At UFC Macau
Alonzo Menifield

An Underdog At UFC Macau
Zhang Mingyang

Set For UFC Macau Co-Main Event
Tallison Teixeira

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Sergei Pavlovich

A Favorite At UFC Macau
Cameron Smotherman

Looks To Bounce Back
Kai Asakura

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
CFB

Faizon Brandon In Position to Start Week 1
CFB

Dane Weber Commits to Cal
CFB

Joey McGuire Attempts to Add Texas to Schedule
CFB

Mike Leach on 2027 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot
CFB

Maryland, Baylor Schedule Home-and-Home
CFB

Taron Dickens Decommits From North Carolina
MLB

MLB Proposes Hard Salary Cap as Part of Next CBA
Kenley Jansen

Tigers Place Kenley Jansen on Injured List With Pelvic Inflammation
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Heading to Injured List With Hamstring Strain
MON

Lane Hutson Struggles in Game 4 Loss
CAR

Logan Stankoven Nets Eighth Postseason Goal
CAR

Sebastian Aho Pots Game-Winner on Power Play
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Tallies Two Helpers in Impressive Road Win
CAR

Shayne Gostisbehere Records Two Assists in Game 4 Win
CAR

Frederik Andersen Establishes Hurricanes New Postseason Shutout Record
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF