It can be easy to tune out the waiver wire at this point in the season, but it's crucial to remain vigilant in fantasy football. The NFL is always evolving, presenting fresh opportunities and challenges.
Keeping up with the news can help you spot missed waiver wire pickups, providing an advantage for the rest of the season or at least for one week.
Keep an eye on players returning from their bye week; you can add them from waivers before Tuesday, since they won't be playing a game.
Scroll for every player pickup suggestion in our Week 12 fantasy football waiver wire report.
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Week 12 fantasy waiver wire: best pickups
Joe Burrow, QB. Bengals (75% rostered in Yahoo Fantasy leagues)
Not that the name Joe Burrow is under the radar, but his return is far too near for him to be rostered at just 75%.
The team announced that Burrow is targeting a Week 13 return, which would be just in time for the fantasy football playoffs.
Burrow is attached to two of the more elite WRs in the entire NFL. His only complete game of the season was certainly not a confidence booster; however, it's not uncommon for Burrow to start slow.
Either way, that rostership should be closer to 100% as the fantasy postseason approaches. Joe Burrow FAAB: 25%
Emmanuel Wilson, RB, Packers (6%)
While we won't speculate on the exact nature of the injury, Josh Jacobs left and was ruled out due to a knee injury. If Jacobs were to miss any time, Emmanuel Wilson is a must-grab from the waiver wire.
Wilson has proven he can stay relevant in fantasy even with Jacobs healthy. There's no doubt he would get most of the touches and be productive.
The matchups coming up are not desirable, as the Packers face the Vikings and Lions over the next two weeks. However, the opportunity is too significant to pass on him regardless of the opponents. Emmanuel Wilson FAAB: 10%
Sean Tucker, RB, Buccaneers (25%)
There is some hope that Bucky Irving is set to make his return soon, but until that happens, the other two backs will continue to eat. In Weeks past, Rachaad White was the primary beneficiary with Irving out, but in Week 11, it was all Sean Tucker.
Despite facing a favorable matchup, Tucker's ability to dismantle the Bills' defense was remarkable. The undrafted running back from Syracuse rushed for over 100 yards and scored twice.
Tucker out touched White in Week 11, and holds slightly more value moving forward if Irving misses more time. Sean Tucker FAAB: 10%
Josh Palmer, WR, Bills (6%)
With the news that Keon Coleman was a healthy scratch ahead of Week 11, Josh Palmer's stock naturally goes up.
Every season, we have the same conversation surrounding the Bills and who Josh Allen will favor in the passing game. While Khalil Shakir is expected to be the WR1 in the offense, with the Coleman news and the fact that TE Dalton Kincaid is nursing an injury, Palmer should be more involved moving forward as their top field-stretching option. Josh Palmer FAAB: 5%
Week 12 waiver wire streamers: Bye-week sleepers to add
Consider spending a few of your FAB dollars on these one-week plays, and we'll note any Week 12 pickups who also have long-term value.
QB Fantasy Streaming Pickups
Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (45%)
While the Chicago Bears have been winning games, they have also been allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Rodgers should be able to take advantage of this and have a decent fantasy performance.
TE Fantasy Streaming Pickup
Colston Loveland, Bears (48%)
After his breakout game in Week 9, Loveland came back down to earth. However, he was still involved in the offense and had an okay day for fantasy. In Week 12, Loveland will face a Steelers defense that has allowed 16.9 FPPG to TEs, which ranks fourth highest.
Team Defense Fantasy Streaming Pickups
Cleveland Browns D/ST (48%)
There is, of course, a risk involved for allowing points when playing the Raiders, including Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty.
Still, Geno Smith ranks second in most thrown interceptions this season and has been sacked the fourth most times. This should create plenty of opportunities for fantasy points for the Browns' defense via Myles Garrett and company.
Kicker Fantasy Streaming Pickups
Jake Elliott, Eagles (30%)
Playing the Dallas Cowboys is reason enough to start anyone in fantasy football. A bonus to this particular week is that it is also indoors for Elliott, which is becoming increasingly important with the weather.
MORE: When is my fantasy league trade deadline this year?
Week 12 Fantasy Waiver Wire sleeper stashes & watch list
Try to tuck away these Week 12 sleeper pickups for a few FAAB dollars, as well.
Quarterback waiver pickups to stash this week
- Jameis Winston, Giants (4%)
- Mason Rudolph, Steelers (0%)
- Kirk Cousins, Falcons ()
With Jaxson Dart missing Week 10, Winston at least offers some value in deeper leagues if he gets to start again in Week 11.
Aaron Rodgers left Week 11 with an apparent wrist injury against the Bengals. Rudolph may start in Week 12, where he'll get a solid matchup against the Bears.
While we are unsure of the status of Michael Penix Jr., Cousins becomes an interesting stash if Penix misses time. It's a decent matchup in Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints.
Running Back waiver pickups to stash this week
- Tyler Badie, Broncos (2%)
- Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos (1%)
- Ty Johnson, Bills (2%)
With J.K. Dobbins being placed on IR, every fantasy manager hopes that RJ Harvey will be the bell cow. That does not seem likely; therefore, one of these Broncos RBs will provide some value.
Johnson had an excellent showing in Week 11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While at best he's the RB2, it's not like the Bills have an alpha WR, and Johnson has shown ability in the passing game.
Wide Receiver waiver pickups to stash this week
- Adonai Mitchell, Jets (2%)
- Dyami Brown, Jaguars (3%)
- Xavier Legette, Panthers (7%)
Travis Hunter is set to miss the remainder of the season, and Brian Thomas Jr. Can't seem to stay on the field. While Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers should be the top WRs, Brown should see some opportunities as well.
Was it pretty? No. Was it even lucrative for fantasy? No. However, it is worth noting that in his first game as a Jet, Mitchell was targeted six times by Justin Fields, which led the team. When Garrett Wilson returns, Mitchell should still be the WR2.
While the consistency is a concern, Legette being just 7% rostered is far too low for the cemented WR2 in a fine offense. Legette was able to haul in a TD from Bryce Young, and some added production through the air.
Tight End waiver pickups to stash this week
- Brock Wright, Lions (1%)
- Brenton Strange, Jaguars (12%)
Sam LaPorta was placed on IR, giving Wright brand new opportunities in this explosive Lions offense.
Strange's 21-day window has recently opened up, and he should be making his return shortly. The Jaguars require some receiving options for Trevor Lawrence.