RADIO
Bye weeks are finally over and by now you likely know if you are a contender, a pretender or a bubble team in your fantasy leagues. At this point in the season, you can still benefit from the waiver wire though, whether you're looking for an injury replacement, high-upside flex play, or smart stash for the playoffs.
Each week, we will advise you which players to consider picking up on waivers that are owned in approximately 35% or fewer of Yahoo leagues so that you can make an educated decision about how to improve your fantasy football team. This list is not meant to be exclusive of all add-worthy players. For a more comprehensive list, check out our weekly Waiver Wire Lightning Round by position, ordered by priority. If higher-owned players not listed here are available in your league, feel free to treat them as higher-priority pickups.
As always, keep checking back here for updated waiver recommendations and always keep tabs on our NFL Player News feed. Be sure to also check out our weekly rankings and analysis columns, with in-depth analysis for all options heading into the coming week.
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Quarterbacks - Waiver Wire Options
Sam Darnold, New York Jets - 38% owned
Y'all really don't trust Darnold, do you? Even after his four-TD performance in Week 11, Darnold remains under 40% owned. In Week 12, he went for 315 yards and two TD in a surprise rout of the Raiders, which should boost his ownership quite a bit. A matchup with the Bengals and their 30th-ranked pass defense will make him even more palatable.
Nick Foles, Jacksonville Jaguars - 33% owned
If you're streaming at QB, you want Foles in your lineup this week. You need Foles in your lineup this week. He gets a home matchup with the Tampa Bay Bucs, who are second-worst defensively against opposing quarterbacks. They didn't fare too badly against Matt Ryan this week but that's more a result of the Falcons' new philosophy of actually playing defense and trying to control the ball rather than slinging it and trying to outscore teams through the air. For his part, Foles threw for 272 yards with no TD or INT this past week. He'll get another chance to earn his contract in this Sunshine State Showdown of teams that are destined to miss the playoffs.
Daniel Jones, New York Giants - 27% owned
Jones didn't get eaten up by the Monsters of the Midway, escaping with two touchdown passes and no picks in Week 12. He has only thrown one INT in the last four games, showing growth throughout the second half of his rookie year. Still, he's a somewhat risky pick this week given the fact he seems to do his best work against inferior competition. The hope here is that game script favors the need to pass a lot in order to keep up with the Packers, who are bound to be motivated after that embarrassing prime time performance.
Mitch Trubisky, Chicago Bears - 18% owned
Apparently, it's heresy to mention Trubisky's name in fantasy circles these days. He's definitely disappointed this year in both real-life and fantasy. Week 12 wasn't too bad, as he was able to throw for 278 yards and a touchdown with a rushing touchdown to boot. He's boom or bust for sure but the reason Trusbisky warrants a mention is the fact that he seems to love playing Detroit. He's thrown three touchdowns against the Lions in each of their last two matchups and has gone over 300 yards in two of four career games against them. He's better left as a Turkey Day DFS tourney play but there could be a place for him in 16-team leagues.
Devlin Hodges, Pittsburgh Steelers - 1% owned
Based on recent results, one would assume Hodges gets the chance to start Week 13. He came in for Mason Rudolph, who was benched due to ineffectiveness against the Bengals and proceeded to throw for 118 yards and a touchdown en route to a late victory. It would take a two-QB or Superflex league to warrant adding Hodges but he may have more upside than guys like Dwayne Haskins or Brandon Allen.
Others to consider: Kyle Allen, Carolina Panthers (18% owned); Ryan Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins (10% owned)
Running Backs - Waiver Wire Options
Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts - 30% owned
The Colts backfield clearly belonged to Jonathan Williams on Thursday night while Marlon Mack nurses a broken hand. Second-year RB Nyheim Hines did get into the action with nine carries for 51 yards and a pair of catches for 10 yards. He should function as the pass-catching and change-of-pace back, which gives him some PPR value.
Jay Ajayi, Philadelphia Eagles - 18% owned
He did indeed have a role in Week 12 but didn't do a lot with it. Ajayi carried six times for 16 yards in place of Jordan Howard, who has now missed two straight games with a stinger. The Eagles were hamstrung all over the offense with their starting receivers sidelined, so it was a disappointing effort for the offense all around. Needless to say, a matchup with the Dolphins should make things much better. Plus, you know Ajayi will be motivated against the team that shipped him off to Philly two years ago, even if Adam Gase isn't there anymore.
Rashaad Penny, Seattle Seahawks - 10% owned
It's not so much the 129 rushing yards that make Penny worth adding but the fumble that Chris Carson committed late in the game. That makes seven times this season Carson has coughed it up and the latest happened to come in a game where Penny shined. It's worth noting that Penny saw 14 rush attempts compared to eight for Carson in this game and now Pete Carroll has implied that "competition is a good thing." Penny could enter a timeshare with Carson and at the very least is a smart stash, if nothing else.
Darrel Williams, Kansas City Chiefs - 5% owned
His ownership would have spiked if not for the fact KC had a bye. Damien Williams exited the previous game with a rib injury and will be questionable heading into this one. LeSean McCoy suffered a concussion and his availability will also be up in the air. At the very least, Darrel Williams will have a role in the backfield and is worth consideration across most leagues as an RB3/Flex. He's averaging just 3.7 yards per carry and isn't going to see a ton of carries but his red-zone usage and role as a pass-catcher on one of the best offenses in the league gives him plenty of value.
Benny Snell Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers - 5% owned
We'd be more excited about Snell's near-100 yard game if not for two things: 1) James Conner was out and could come back next week. 2) It came against the Bengals. If you're a Conner owner, it makes sense to hedge your bet by adding Snell, considering how little Jaylen Samuels was involved. Otherwise, he isn't worth a significant FAAB bid outside of leagues with very deep benches.
Qadree Ollison, Atlanta Falcons - 1% owned
If you just want a shot at a touchdown in a standard league, Ollison might be your best bet after Darrel Williams. He's scored each of the last two weeks since Devonta Freeman has been out and is clearly the vulture red-zone back in Atlanta. He's tallied 31 yards on 12 carries in two games so far, which is less than three Y/A for those counting along at home. He also is yet to catch a pass, so it's definitely TD or bust.
Bilal Powell, New York Jets - 0% owned
Digging deep out of necessity, Powell could be worth a desperation flex in 14+ team leagues for the mere fact he plays the Bengals this week. We saw Snell run for 98 yards just now and backups like Darrell Henderson, Chase Edmonds, and Raheem Mostert put up notable performances against this defense.
Patrick Laird, Miami Dolphins - 0% owned
The lead running back in Miami, Kalen Ballage, was averaging two yards per carry and somehow found a way to lower his rushing average after Week 12. Laird didn't get much action in his place, carrying three times for 20 yards, but we can only hope that will change. He's a deep-league stash but not much else.
Others to consider: Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings (22% owned); Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys (13% owned); Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens (11% owned)
Wide Receivers - Waiver Wire Options
Randall Cobb, Dallas Cowboys - 30% owned
Maybe we should have been paying more attention to Cobb this past month. Facing the top defense in the league, Cobb caught four passes for 86 yards in Week 12, while Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup were shut down. That makes 307 yards on 14 receptions in the last three games for Cobb. Buffalo is no easy matchup but they definitely aren't tougher than New England. Cobb figures to be a solid WR3.
Cole Beasley, Buffalo Bills - 29% owned
Another revenge game! Maybe this one doesn't carry so much weight but Beasley is worth adding on the merit of his own productivity. He went for 76 yards and a touchdown last week and has now scored in four of the Bills' last six games since their bye. He's only been held under three receptions once this year (two in Week 9), so a high PPR floor is always present. The Cowboys Defense is one of the stingiest to opposing receivers so don't expect huge numbers.
Mecole Hardman, Kansas City - 27% owned
You know the drill - Hardman is a boom-bust flex option who could go for a long TD as he has several times or end up under 20 yards without a score, as he's done four times. The Raiders are one of the worst pass defenses in the league and are without their two starting safeties, so this could be a great time to fire him up.
James Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers - 20% owned
With JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner sitting out, it was the perfect chance for Washington to shine and he did. It was mainly one big play, a 79-yard touchdown, that made his day. Then again, that's what we expect out of Washington. Despite being mostly an afterthought in fantasy leagues, he ranks 32nd in total air yards among receivers, ahead of Cooper Kupp, Tyler Boyd, and... JuJu. His 15.1 aDoT is 10th among receivers with at least 10 receptions. In other words, Washington is a big play waiting to happen and could break another one against Cleveland if Hodges targets him enough.
N'Keal Harry, New England Patriots - 14% owned
He only came away with one catch and dropped a couple of easy chances but his one reception was a beautiful end-zone grab that turned into his first NFL touchdown. Harry has just 28 yards in his first two games as a pro and he could see the field less if Mohamed Sanu and/or Phillip Dorsett return next week so consider him a second Flex play at best.
Anthony Miller, Chicago Bears - 12% owned
The breakout season hasn't happened for the sophomore. He came into the weekend with 23 catches for 272 yards and no touchdowns. It's a bit late but he could be turning things around. He now has 22 targets over the past three weeks, 13th-most in the league. He caught seven of nine in Week 12, tallying 77 yards. If you like the Bears offense to put up points on Detroit on Thanksgiving, Miller is a player to target.
Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots - 1% owned
Out of necessity, Meyers became the WR2 in New England in Week 12. He caught four of his nine targets for 74 yards despite playing through bad weather. His value hinges on the health of Sanu and Dorsett but it's encouraging to see the fact that he was targeted early and often.
Allen Hurns, Miami Dolphins - 0% owned
I mentioned Hurns last week and his value has gone up slightly since then. He tied for second on the team with seven targets, coming away with four receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown in garbage time. His target share should go up next week if Albert Wilson (ribs) sits out. Jakeem Grant has also been banged up and Preston Williams is on IR, so Hurns is now the WR2 in Miami. Philadelphia allows the seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers, so don't sleep on Hurns.
Others to consider: Darius Slayton, New York Giants (25% owned); Demaryius Thomas, New York Jets (8% owned); Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons (7% owned); Andy Isabella, Arizona Cardinals (1% owned); Kelvin Harmon, Washington Redskins (0% owned)
Tight Ends - Waiver Wire Options
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns - 30% owned
He didn't play in Week 12 but maybe he'll be cleared ahead of the matchup with Pittsburgh. Don't count on Njoku as a starter but stash him anywhere you are streaming TE or don't have a reliable option.
Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins - 15% owned
As mentioned above with Hurns, there could be more targets headed to the tight end given how many injuries the Dolphins have at receiver. Gesicki scored against Cleveland but more encouraging is the fact he saw seven targets. That marks the fourth straight game he's seen at least six targets. Gesicki is far from a sure bet but he is creeping up the TE rankings to a weekly top-20 option.
Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills - 5% owned
The rookie was stymied by Denver in a low-scoring affair but should have more success in Dallas. The Cowboys are a tough defense at home but they allow the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends and may be without LB Leighton Vander Esch again. Knox hasn't had a true breakout game yet, with 67 yards in Week 3 serving as his season-high. This is an unexciting although potentially useful pick.
Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots - 4% owned
It's hard to recommend Watson after he didn't register a single catch despite the Pats missing two receivers in Week 12. He was targeted just once, so it's not a matter of missed connections either. The Week 13 matchup versus Houston is mediocre, which is the best way to describe Watson as a fantasy option.
Others to consider: Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts (33% owned); Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles (19% owned); Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings (2% owned)
Team Defense - Waiver Wire Options
Philadelphia Eagles Defense - 38% owned
The Eagles were able to sack MVP candidate Russell Wilson six times and force two turnovers, despite a lack of consistent offense putting them in tough positions. This DST hasn't allowed more than 17 points since Week 7 against Dallas and has been much improved. They travel to Miami to face the team that has allowed the most sacks and third-most interceptions in the NFL. They are a no-brain start.
Carolina Panthers Defense - 33% owned
If Philly isn't available, the Panthers are a less desirable option that can at least give you points from sacks with the potential for turnovers. Carolina has held an opponent under 20 points just once all season and is averaging 31 points against in the last four games. If your league penalizes heavily for points allowed, skip this selection. For leagues where sacks weigh more than a single point or pts against don't count, they can be considered a floor play. They face Dwayne Haskins and the Redskins,
Green Bay Packers Defense - 24% owned
Green Bay's issues on Sunday night were mainly on the offensive end, so don't count this squad out based on a loss to the team with the best record in the NFC. It also doesn't change the fact that they'll face the Giants in Week 13, who average an INT and five sacks allowed per game.
