Last week in the NFL we saw more injuries pile up, more players come out of nowhere and even more surprising matchups across the board in fantasy football. By now, guys have either proven themselves to be reliable or their inconsistency has landed them on the bench or dropped altogether.
As trade deadlines come and go, the waiver wire continues to be a vital part of a playoff run in fantasy football.
With four teams on a bye (Cardinals, Chiefs, Chargers, Vikings), here are six waiver wire pickups for Week 12.
RB Jonathan Williams: <1% rostered (ESPN)
With Jordan Wilkins still out (ankle) and Marlon Mack suffering a broken hand in Indy’s 33-13 win against Jacksonville on Sunday, the Colts needed someone to step up big in the run game. Williams fit the bill.
He finished the day with 13 carries for 116 yards and also added a huge reception for 31 yards. With a short week before the Colts travel to Houston to face the Texans, the Colts do not have much time to get healthy. Williams and fellow back Nyheim Hines will carry the workload in the backfield for the time being.
QB Sam Darnold: 12.3% rostered (ESPN)
Darnold has found his rhythm in recent weeks as the Jets finally become healthy for what feels like the first time this season. On Sunday against Washington, Darnold had a career day with 293 yards passing and four touchdowns.
With matchups against Oakland, Cincinnati, and Miami on the horizon, Darnold might not be a bad option for the playoff push. Look for him to continue to develop in Adam Gase’s system, that is if Gase sticks around after 2019.
There is always risk because it’s the Jets, but the schedule is too good to ignore.
TE Jacob Hollister: 15.0% rostered (ESPN)
Hollister continues to be Russell Wilson’s safety net with 17 catches for 137 yards and three touchdowns over the last four games. The stat line may not jump off the page, but Hollister is heavily targeted in the red zone and has been experiencing an increased role in this offense.
Seattle was on a bye last week, but against San Francisco in week 10, Hollister had eight receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown. Now, he gets to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12, which is likely to end in a high-scoring affair.
In the midst of tight end troubles and with some important bye weeks, Hollister is worth a look.
WR Randall Cobb: 31.6% rostered (ESPN)
Cobb is coming off back to back great games as the veteran slot receiver has finally matched up with Dak Prescott. On Sunday against Detroit, Cobb had four catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. With Amari Cooper being double covered a majority of snaps, Cob has found a way to get open and slip through defenders.
It shouldn’t be expected that Cobb revert to his past self as a top-15 fantasy wide receiver, but he could be a solid depth add in an offense that is finding immense success under Kellen Moore.
Dallas faces three good defenses coming up (New England, Buffalo, Chicago) so expect Cobb to be used even more as a secondary option. He is a good flex pickup if he is available in your league.
TE Noah Fant: 14.2% rostered (ESPN)
Denver’s quarterback change from Joe Flacco to Brandon Allen has proven to be the right call as the offense has found new life. Fant has found new life as well with seven catches for 175 yards and a touchdown in the past two games combined.
The Broncos have some favorable matchups ahead for tight ends including next week against Buffalo. It should also be noted Fant was targeted heavily in the red zone on Sunday against Minnesota and two times on the final four plays inside the 10-yard line.
The tight end landscape is tricky, but the rookie first-round pick could be carving out a role with Allen under center.
WR Deebo Samuel: 32.9% rostered (ESPN)
Don’t look now, but Samuel has back to back 100-yard receiving games. With Emmanuel Sanders still banged up and George Kittle out as well, the speedy rookie has been Jimmy G’s favorite target.
Last week against Arizona, Samuel had eight catches for 134 yards. The 49ers also like to use Samuel in reverse and motion sweep plays around the outside. San Francisco travels to Green Bay next week in what should be an exciting game between the top two teams in the NFC.
Though the 49ers prefer to be a run-first offense, Samuel is beginning to show development as a big-play receiver and a potential No. 1 for San Francisco.
