Waivering: Week 12

Tue Nov 19 9:55am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Winston is producing big numbers

This could be a tough week for a lot of fantasy owners with six teams on a bye. A lot of teams could be scrambling for replacements. There are some decent options out there this week but not as many as the last few weeks. That is why it is always a good idea to plan ahead. Keep that in mind for Week 14 with six more teams off.

QUARTERBACK

Drake Maye, Patriots (51.3% owned). Maye just keeps growing every week and doing so in an offense lacking some weapons offensively. It is not holding him back, though. He threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns last week. He has 20-plus fantasy points four of six games. Maye is a legit spot starter for fantasy teams as a rookie.

Anthony Richardson, Colts (54.2% owned). Richardson got dropped in a lot of leagues after he was benched. Well, he returned to the starting lineup last week and played his best game of the season. He looked like the QB1 everyone expected before this season. Richardson scored 31.8 fantasy points against a good Jets defense. He is capable of the huge game any given week when all is going right for him. He is a dual threat with a high ceiling.

Jameis Winston, Browns (40.8% owned). Winston is getting it done as the Browns starting quarterback. He has 27-plus fantasy points two of three games. He threw for a season-high 395 yards last week and has 300-plus yards two of three. Winston is worth using in the right matchup.

RUNNING BACK

Cam Akers, Vikings (49.1% owned). Akers had double-digit carries for the second straight game. He also scored his second touchdown of the season last week. He has two games this season with double-digit fantasy points. He is the top backup for the Vikings right now and getting pretty consistent work in that role.

Roschon Johnson, Bears (46.8% owned). Johnson played a lot last week, rushing 10 times for 33 yards and a touchdown. The Bears used him more, almost platooning him with starter D’Andre Swift. With a new offensive coordinator calling plays, this could be the best most weeks, giving Johnson some improving fantasy value.

Jaylen Wright, Dolphins (35.5% owned). Raheem Mostert is dealing with a hip injury, so Wright could be the top backup for the team if Mostert has to miss any time. Wright would have good value in this role, serving as the No. 2 back in a top run offense.

WIDE RECEIVER

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans (14.6% owned). Westbrook-Ikhine scored another touchdown last week, giving him scores five of six games. He is getting more playing time with DeAndre Hopkins gone. He is a little boom or bust because he doesn’t get a lot of targets, but as long as he keeps scoring, he is going to help fantasy teams. Westbrook-Ikhine has 11-plus fantasy points three of four games.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Saints (24.6% owned). Valdes-Scantling made some more big plays last week, catching two passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. He has three touchdowns on five catches his last two games. Valdes-Scantling is another boom-or-bust play but is making the plays right now.

Kendrick Bourne, Patriots (2.0% owned). Bourne was active in Week 10 but didn’t play a snap. That wasn’t the case last week, catching five passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots want to use younger options at receiver but it is going to be hard to keep Bourne out of the lineup if he keeps playing this well. He is worth a speculative pickup for receiver needy fantasy teams.

Curtis Samuel, Bills (11.1% owned). Samuel got more playing time last week because of injuries and responded with his best game as a Bill. He had five receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown on six targets. He has 14 targets his last two games. Samuel can produce in this offense if he keeps getting the playing time.

Christian Watson, Packers (56.8% owned). Watson was drafted in nearly all leagues but got dropped in many because of a slow start. He is playing more consistently now, though. He has at least three catches three straight and had a season-high 150 yards last week. He is a boom-or-bust play but has good weekly potential in this offense.

Demario Douglas, Patriots (48.8% owned). Douglas has been racking up the targets with Drake Maye as the Patriots starting quarterback. He has 21 targets his last three games and 16 catches during that stretch. This gives him a solid weekly fantasy floor. He isn’t flashy but consistent for fantasy teams.

TIGHT END

Taysom Hill, Saints (64.4% owned). Hill is going to be owned in all formats after this week’s waive wire runs in your league. And he should be after his game-changing performance last week. Hill seems to be getting more and more involved in the offense since the firing of head coach Dennis Allen. Hill has 16-plus fantasy points two of three games.

Jonnu Smith, Dolphins (52.1% owned). Smith had his first 100-yard game as a Dolphins in Week 11. He had six receptions for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Smith is looking more and more comfortable every week in the Dolphins offense. His fantasy stock is rising.

Will Dissly, Chargers (30.5% owned). Dissly continues to get his weekly work in the Chargers emerging passing game. He had four receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown last week. He has at least six targets four of five games. Dissly is not a high-end fantasy tight end but a consistent option at an inconsistent position.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Waivering: Week 12

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