Fantasy football waiver wire targets for Week 12

Every Monday during the NFL season, I am going to be presenting you with my top three waiver wire claims to prioritize for your fantasy football teams. I will also include a shortlist of other options. These are players worth consideration if your team is in a bind, but not ones that take priority over the top three. I will also make a point to focus on players that are rostered in under 50% of ESPN leagues, though there may occasionally be exceptions to this guideline.

Below are my top three priorities on the waiver wire ahead of Week 12.

Ty Johnson is a viable RB2 in Week 12 | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

(18.8% rostered in ESPN leagues)

With the Monday news that Michael Carter suffered a high-ankle sprain, Ty Johnson is set to assume the RB1 duties for the Jets for the next few weeks. While there isn’t much positive gamescript on the horizon, Johnson has elite receiving upside to mitigate that downside. Prior to his one-catch game on Sunday, Johnson had logged at least five catches in three of his previous four contests, topping 35 receiving yards in all four games.
Carter had seen at least 50% of the offensive snaps every game since Week 3 of the season prior to his injury in Week 11, leaving a massive amount of snaps and potential volume up for grabs. With Johnson already having some flex appeal, he quickly enters the weekly RB2 discussion as long as Carter is sidelined.

Cedrick Wilson should have a larger role in Week 12 | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

(1.6% rostered in ESPN leagues)

Speaking of injuries, after losing Amari Cooper, the Cowboys were dealt another blow as CeeDee Lamb suffered a concussion in their Week 11 loss to the Chiefs. While this isn’t always a reason to automatically rule a player out for the subsequent week, the fact that the Cowboys play on Thanksgiving may make it difficult for him to return in time.

With Michael Gallup entering the de facto WR1 role, Cedrick Wilson should step in opposite of him in two-WR sets. Having seen at least 58% of the snaps in three of his last four weeks and over 60% in the game Lamb got hurt, he makes for the most natural elevation in role. With a leaky Vegas secondary on tap, Wilson has home-run upside on Thanksgiving and makes for a great short-term target if you’re in a pinch

Make Cam Newton a priority addition | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

(40.9% rostered in ESPN leagues)

It didn’t take long for Cam Newton to re-establish himself as a QB1, and he showcased all of his upside in Week 11. He was efficient from the pocket (21-27 for 189 yards), effective on the ground (10 rushes, 46 yards), and helped his team deliver (two passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown). As long as he is starting, he is an every-week QB1, and a date with the Dolphins is not one to shy away from.