Hello and welcome back to the place that likes your face, the LAFB Network Waiver Wire article. We are on the last push before playoff weeks begin and wouldn’t you know it, there are still bye weeks in commencement. The Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and Minnesota Vikings are all on bye so their players should be on your bench. To all the readers, I am going to keep this under the 50% rostered stat, provided by ESPN Fantasy Football, and of course writing through a PPR lens.

Fantasy Football Week 12 Waiver Wire Wonders

Quarterback

(CLE) Baker Mayfield vs Miami Dolphins

Owned in 45.3% of fantasy leagues

Baker Mayfield begins out waiver wire article this week because of his mighty trend toward progression. Since Week 6, Mayfield has thrown at least 1 TD in each week and you could argue Week 6 as the reigniting of Baker’s season. His average completion rate has gone up to 61.96%, his fantasy point’s average is 21.04, and in these last three weeks, Mayfield has yet to throw an interception.

This streak may continue even longer because the Dolphins haven’t exactly had the best luck with QBs. Overall this season they have mustered 6 picks to 23 TDs, only 13 sacks (roughly a third of what teams like the 49ers and Panthers have), and have been giving up 21.4 fantasy points to the quarterback position. Mayfield may have started off on rocky grounds but if you need someone to fill in for Patrick Mahomes, Baker might be the option.

(JAC) Nick Foles vs Tennessee Titans

Owned in 19.7% of fantasy leagues

Well, last week officially marked the return of the backup in shining armor, Nick Foles. On his week back, Foles’ numbers came out looking pretty good with 296 yards, 2 TDs, and a pick, totaling 22.8 points. Not bad for having to watch Gardner Minshew and Minshewmania reign for a few months. What might be more important is the connection continuation with DJ Chark that began during his absence.

His opponent this week, the Titans, have been middle of the pack when it comes to fantasy points to the QB. Tennessee is currently the 11th worst defense when it comes to their passing defense, averaging 256 yards a game, and allowing the QB a generous 90.5 passing rating. The Jags came off a hastier opponent with the Colts last week so with some advantages leaning Foles’ way, he might be a good stream for a bye week player.

Running Back

(DET) Bo Scarbrough @ Washington Redskins

Owned in 0.3% of fantasy leagues

I would like to say that this pickup should have a warning sign attached to it. Bo was on Detroit’s practice squad two weeks ago, then promoted to starter for the Dallas game. So that explains the rather nonexistent ownage among the leagues but my worry comes from the Detroit backfield itself. It looks like a committee is beginning to form between Scarbrough, JD McKissic and Ty Johnson. Johnson and McKissic handled the passing downs, which were 5 total targets to the RBs, while Scarbrough handled the groundwork. Of the RBs that did score, Scarbrough had his number called, but with his lack of duty in the passing downs, Scarbrough could just be a shiny handcuff that had a good rushing week.

(WAS) Derrius Guice vs Detroit Lions

Owned in 46.9% of fantasy leagues

I had mentioned Guice in last week’s Waiver article so everything I said there, Boom! Same for here as well. I want to highlight Guice though because of his favorable matchup. Detroit is the league’s worst team against running backs. Opposing team’s average 25.8 fantasy points a week to the RB, 124.2 rushing yards, and 4.5 yards per attempt. This week might be a fantasy coach’s dream for Derrius Guice.

(KC) Darrel Williams Bye Week

Owned in 4.6% of fantasy leagues

I wanted to highlight Darrel Williams this week even though he is on bye. Kansas City’s backfield just got rocked last night in Monday Night Football with Damien Williams and LeSean McCoy exiting the game early. They get this week to rest so if you need an RB for this week, look elsewhere. If you aren’t though and have some space on your bench, Darrel Williams might be someone to take into consideration. We don’t know how long either McCoy or Damien Williams will be out but with both RBs having injuries sprinkled in this season, Darrel Williams could have some later upside.

Wide Receiver

(CHI) Anthony Miller vs New York Giants

Owned in 10.2% of fantasy leagues)

(CHI) Taylor Gabriel vs New York Giants

Owned in 7.2% of fantasy leagues)

How odd. Two players from the same team, in the same position, on the same article. Well, it is odd but being different means you’re more willing to do something to get you that W. Last week the Bears had a field day trying to get Mitch Trubisky to get something going on offense. It didn’t turn out as they would have hoped but both WRs were in the double digits for targets. Miller finished with 11, while Gabriel had a team-high 14. Allen Robinson was either stuck behind Jalen Ramsey or had a bad day because he had 6 targets for 4 receptions, but only managed 15 yards. Eventually, the Bears had to spread it out to Miller and Gabriel.

The WRs themselves have been fairly equal for the duration of the season, Miller has had 41 targets and Gabriel 45. A difference that could sway some fantasy coaches could be their actual point total. Miller so far has 50.1 fantasy points, less than 5 points a week, and Gabriel has 87.4, nearly 10.9 points a week. I think Gabriel would be the safer pickup in this instance but the target share between Miller and Gabriel still gives Miller some considerations.

(DEN) Tim Patrick @ Buffalo Bills

Owned in 0.1% of fantasy leagues

It was only a matter of time before Denver had a WR2 that would step up. Tim Patrick is looking to be that guy. This Sunday, both Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick’s target share equaled the number of completions Brandon Allen totaled, 17. Sutton had only one more target than Patrick, one more target and one more TD, but Patrick still had a decent day with 11.7 fantasy points. One thing that sparked my interest in Patrick is the fact that Denver only played with Sutton and Patrick as their WRs. No other WR on the roster had a reception or target.

(OAK) Hunter Renfrow @ New York Jets

Owned in 7.7% of fantasy leagues

Slowly but surely Hunter Renfrow has been becoming part of the Oakland offense. His targets have been fairly consistent, just under 5 (4.8), but his actual reception count is what might cause some questions. This might be due to some QB and WR issues that are getting smoothed out. You might want to consider stashing Renfrow for when he and Derek Carr get on the same page, some hefty damage could be in the opposition’s future.

(MIA) DeVante Parker @ Cleveland Browns

Owned in 44.8% of fantasy leagues

(DAL) Randall Cobb @ New England Patriots

Owned in 31.6% of fantasy leagues

As I am sure you faithful LAFB Network readers know, I have mentioned both WRs in last week’s article so if you want a little more juice from your fruit, check it out there. But this week I wanted to note something about both the players.

Parker has had some major success this past month and shouldn’t be overlooked. Finally, he broke the 20 point marker in fantasy points but he also broke out for more than 100 receiving yards. Additionally, he has had his 3rd game this season with 10 targets.

Cobb, on the other hand, is still in his rise in the Dallas offense. He and Michael Gallup pounced on Amari Cooper’s targets. Cobb finished his second game in a row with more than 100 receiving but has a tough opponent in the New England Patriots. This might have you looking at other options but think about this, the Patriots usually take away the best weapons the other team has. Right now those weapons are Cooper and Ezekiel Elliott so Cobb might be in the clear.

Tight End

(NYJ) Ryan Griffin vs Oakland Raiders

Owned in 1.2% of fantasy leagues

Well, Chris Herndon is no longer active for the Jets so Ryan Griffin is now the for sure starting TE for the J-E-T-S Jets. Herndon’s absence has been fairly consistent all season but Griffin’s success was not. Overall, the Jets haven’t been a very competitive team so the lack of use toward Griffin has been undesirable. That is until this past month happened.

In the past three or four weeks, Griffin has shown that he can be a steady TE option. The Giants held Griffin to one target and reception but the other opposing defenses couldn’t help themselves to the Griffin-effect. 21.9 points last week, 0.8 to the Giants, 11 against Miami, and 22.6 when the Jets played Jacksonville. Griffin’s usage has been improving so you may want to stream him if your TE is sketchy this week.

(DEN) Noah Fant @ Buffalo Bills

Owned in 14.3% of fantasy leagues

I know I mentioned Tim Patrick’s success but Noah Fant has had some progressive play of his own. Last week he had a season-high 11 targets with 4 receptions for 60 yards. He didn’t score but he still scored to us fantasy managers. He had a super high target total which means he has some primetime usage, especially after Week 9’s huge game in Cleveland. Fant has a high ceiling but a relatively low floor. If you are streaming TEs and need a high-risk high reward TE, Fant might be calling your name.

D/ST

New York Giants @ Chicago Bears

Owned in 7% of fantasy leagues

It is no secret that the Giants have been struggling this season. Ultimately the Bears have to been struggling, if not as much, maybe a little bit more so than the Giants. Either way, this week’s game between the teams could prove to be a low scoring or mistake-ridden day. I’m okay with rolling with the Giants against a team that still has some issues to iron out.

Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Owned in 3% of fantasy leagues

The Falcons have had 2 weeks of great defense. They allowed only nine points to division rival New Orleans with six sacks on Drew Brees. Then last week they faced another divisional rival, the Carolina Panthers, and put them on the ropes. They finished with 26 points, surpassing teams like the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers. Atlanta has been on a roll so you might want to scoop them up for a playoff push.