Fantasy Football: top waiver wire pick ups for Week 12

The fantasy football landscape was reshaped in Week 11 due to both injuries and stellar performances. Let’s look at some commonly available players could provide a boost to your lineup down the stretch of the fantasy season.

Redskins wide receivers

Kirk Cousins is heating up toward the end of the season just as he did last year. His performance against the Packers was nothing short of spectacular. He made clean, crisp, strong throws into the powerful and swirling winds. As a result of Cousins’ recent play, the value of Redskins wide receivers, mainly Jamison Crowder, DeSean Jackson, and Pierre Garcon, are seeing a major increase. Jackson is the most commonly owned, at nearly 70% of ESPN leagues, Garcon is the least owned at just under 30%. Crowder sits near 60%, and of the three, is the Redskins wide receiver to own. He is having a breakout season, and currently sits in the top 20 in terms of wide receiver points scored. Crowder has been a high-volume, consistent target out of the slot, and if the Redskins go on a run similar to last season, Crowder, as well as Garcon and Jackson, will be a key reason why.

Vance McDonald, TE, San Francisco 49ers

Yes, the 49ers are horrible, but McDonald has been one of the few reliable options in the passing game. McDonald has had at least 10 points in two of his last three games, plus the 49ers face a very easy schedule down the stretch: @Mia, @Chi, NYJ, @Atl and @LA in Week 16.

Dion Lewis, RB, New England Patriots

No, he didn’t see much work in Week 11, but that will see a major uptick in the coming weeks. James White has been playing the role of a pass catching back, while LeGarrette Blount has been more of a runner. In his podcast, Fantasy Football Focus, Field Yates noted that Lewis is an “x-factor” due to his ability to both run and catch the football. Before Lewis’ return, defenses could tell what was coming based on what running back was in the game. With Lewis, run or pass becomes less predictable, and Lewis’ true running back ability could turn out to be a weapon for the already dangerous Patriots.

Titans wide receivers

As opposed to the Redskins offense which is starting to heat up, the Titans offense is already on fire. Despite a loss at the hands of the Colts, the Titans offense played well from a fantasy prospective. Rishard Matthews, Tajae Sharpe and Kendall Wright continue to all put up solid numbers during this streak. All of them remain start-able against the Bears in Week 12, but afterwards are risky plays as the Titans have a bye followed by a tough schedule, including the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.

Tyler Boyd/Brandon LaFell, WR, Cincinatti Bengals

With A.J. Green out because of a hamstring injury, Boyd and LaFell are set to see increased work. While both of these receivers are among the top adds this week, they should not be started just yet. Owners should take a wait-and-see approach with the two Bengals receivers to see how the team fares without Green and RB Giovanni Bernard in the lineup against the Ravens in Week 12.