By Winsto (11/18/2025)
NOTE: These are players rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
QUARTERBACK
Jacoby Brissett (Ari)–Despite the persistent turnovers, Brissett has had solid fantasy production in his 5 starts this season, throwing for 258+ yards and 2 TDs in each game as well as getting a TD on the ground in Week 09. He faces a Jacksonville defense that is susceptible to the passing attack.
Deeper League Adds:
Aaron Rodgers (Pit)–The cons are there. Two weeks ago, his Week 10 performance was not good (161-1-2). He has a slightly fractured non throwing wrist that could affect his play. He’s probably not throwing for 300 yards or gaining more than 10-15 yards on the ground anymore. But, there are pros. He does have at least 1 passing TD in every game this season. And more importantly, in Week 12 he faces a Chicago defense that has allowed the 5th most passing TDs (20) on the season. If you missed out on Brissett and you need a one week fill-in, he is not a bad choice.
Tua Tagovailoa (Mia)–If you are planning ahead and are relatively desperate, Tua’s next several defenses that he will face after the Week 12 Bye are as follows: NO, NYJ, Pit, and Cin. None of those pass defenses are frightening.
RUNNING BACK
Emanuel Wilson (GB)–This is contingent on the injury status of Josh Jacobs (RB-GB). Jacobs was injured in Week 11, and the initial reports suggest that it is a contusion. Jacobs is a pretty tough player, so I would not be surprised if he suits up for Week 12. However, if he does not, Wilson immediately enters RB2 status. Even if Jacobs plays, Wilson is an upper tier handcuff due to the offense’s reliance on the running game.
Kenneth Gainwell (Pit)–This is contingent on the injury status of Jaylen Warren (Pit-RB), who was injured in Week 11. Chicago and Buffalo are the next two defenses up, so there is opportunity for success here. Initial reports have Warren as being okay, but I would check the injury reports throughout the week. If you are relying on Warren, then Gainwell is a higher priority add.
Sean Tucker (TB)–Whenever a RB goes for 140 total yards and 3 TDs in a game, we need to at least take notice. That is what Tucker did in Week 11 against Buffalo. Now, we have seen something like this happen before (192 total yards and 2 TDs on October 13 2024 against New Orleans), and he then followed that up with touches of 6, 3, 4, and 0 over the next four weeks. Thus, this could just a random event. In addition, it does look like Bucky Irving (RB-TB) will likely play (finally) in Week 12. Yet, the coaching staff may choose to ease Irving back in, so Tucker “could” still see snaps. The downside is that it will be against a Rams defense that has been pretty stellar against the run. Even if he goes back to seeing minimal usage, it does “appear” that he has supplanted Rachaad White (TB-RB), thus making himself an upper tier hand-cuff.
Tyler Allgeier (Atl)–He has double digit carries in five of the ten games Atlanta has played this season, and he has also scored a TD in six of those ten games, with 7 total TDs on the season. He is a decent Bye Week flex play, and he seems clearly locked in as part of this offense and the hand-cuff to Bijan Robinson (RB-Atl). With Kirk Cousins (QB-Atl) now in due to the injury to Michael Penix Jr. (QB-Atl), I would expect even more rushing attempts from this offense.
Bam Knight (Ari)–Emari DeMercado (Ari) looks unlikely to play in Week 12. Michael Carter (RB-Ari) will still play a role, but Knight is the best bet to find the endzone, though Jacksonville’s defense, is solid against the rush.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Was)-The fantasy community’s patience for more Jacory Coskey-Merritt (RB-Was) is growing thinner and thinner already. For now, at least, it “appears” like Rodriquez Jr. is the lead back on this offense. That said, Washington enters its Bye week this week, so I would not be surprised if something changes again.
Deeper League Add(s):
Blake Corum (LAR)–Kyren Williams (RB-LAC) leads this backfield, but Corum has seen double-digit carries three games in a row. Corum is one of those lottery tickets that could pay off.
Brian Robinson Jr. (SF)–He has seen 5-8 touches per game the last three weeks, and has scored a TD in two of those games. He is a decent hand-cuff.
Tank Bigsby (Phi)– This is the time to start consolidating your team and look to add your RB hand-cuffs in case something were to happen. For Saquon Barkley (RB-Phi) fantasy managers, Bigsby is next in line. There would be a drop-off, though, as he is more of a 2 down back, and I believe Will Shipley (RB-Phi) would also see a bit
As well as serve as the 3rd down option on the team.
WIDE RECEIVER
Christian Watson (GB)–Look, I am biased here, as I have been a Watson believer since he entered the league. I have already mentioned him as a deeper league add in past columns when he was still on the I.R. Now he is back. His physical attributes and speed scream WR1. The problem for him has been injuries, playing time, and occasional drops. Romeo Doubs (WR-GB) still looks like the wide receiver to roster on this team, but Watson has now paced the receiving room in snaps two weeks in a row. He also has the penchant for the endzone, as demonstrated by his 2 TD performance in Week 11. I would go for the upside with Watson, despite the risks. There are targets vacated by the injury to Tucker Kraft (TE-GB). Why can’t Watson see some of them. Just be aware of the issues surrounding him as well as the fact that this Green Bay offense tends to spread the ball around, and in addition, Jayden Reed (WR-GB) is reportedly close to returning, which could further complicate things.
Alex Pierce (Ind)–He will face some stingy pass defenses the next two weeks (KC and Houston), but he sees snaps (80% or more when healthy), and he gets yards. He is averaging 73.1 receiving yards per game. What has piqued my interest even moreso, however, is that he has now seen double digit targets in 2 of his last 4 games after not seeing more than 5 in any previous game, and he has 35 targets total in those 4 games. He is flirting with WR2/3 status.
Andrei Iosivas (Cin)–Ja’Marr Chase (WR-Cin) will miss Week 12 against New England, in what has the potential to be a high scoring affair. Iosivas, a 6th round pick from 2023, is the next man up. Joe Flacco (QB-Cin) is going to have to throw to somebody other than Tee Higgins (WR-Cin) and Chase Brown (RB-Cin).
John Metchie III (NYJ)–He saw the highest amount of snaps in Week 11, and led the receiver group in receiving yards (45) and a TD. Now, Tyrod Taylor (QB-NYJ) will behind center, so the passing game may have some value down the stretch, with the 2022 2nd round pick Metchie III looking like the best bet amongst the wide receivers as long as Garrett Wilson (WR-NYJ) is OUT.
Jayden Reed (WR-GB)–If you are a believer in Reed, he is close to returning. The issues surrounding this offense, as mentioned with Watson, however, still apply.
Deeper League Add(s):
Michael Wilson (Ari)–Look, his Week 11 performance (15-185-0) gets my attention, and maybe he can build upon that game. However, Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR-Ari) is expected to return in Week 12 after missing Week 11. I think adding him would be chasing points, but I have, believe it or not, been wrong before.
TIGHT END
A.J. Barner (Sea)–Honestly, I am not exactly sure what to make of Barner. He seemed like he was emerging as a fantasy option a few weeks ago, but fell off his next three games. So of course, when I was ready to write him off, he explodes for a 10-70 stat line in Week 12. He seems to have a solid grip on playing time. I would like to see more consistency before I would start him, but if you are in need of a TE, there is a ceiling here. Just understand that there is also virtually no floor.
Juwann Johnson (NO)–Rashid Shaheed (WR-Sea) is gone. More targets are up for grabs. His Week 10 production (4-92-1) in the first game since the Shaheed trade ( New Orleans had a Bye week in Week 11) could be a sign of good things down the stretch.
Darren Waller (Mia)–If you are in need of help at the position for the stretch run and are willing to swing for the fences, Waller is the perfect addition. There is a less than 0 chance he returns to action from the I.R. after Miami’s Bye week in Week 12, and his remaining schedule is overall pretty favorable to the tight end position.
Deeper League Add(s):
Mason Taylor (NYJ)–Tyrod Taylor (QB-NYJ) brings fantasy relevance to the skill positions on this offense. Add the fact that Garrett Wilson (WR-NYJ) will be missing games, and Taylor should benefit.
Brenton Strange (Jax)–He was averaging 40.8 receiving yards per game before his injury. He is practicing and eligible to return from the I.R., and reports have him possibly playing in Week 12.
Dalton Schultz (Hou)–If you are looking for a floor play at tight end, Schultz is solid. He has seen 20 targets in the last two games with Davis Mills (QB-Hou) at the helm, and even scored his first TD of the season. The downside is he is facing a Buffalo defense that simply does not like TEs scoring fantasy points this week.
Harold Fannin Jr. (Cle)–I mention Fannin Jr. every week. The ceiling seems limited with Dillon Gabriel (QB-Cle) throwing, but he has a steady floor, and is a bit more valuable in PPR scoring, as he has at least 4 receptions in every game with Gabriel.
Taysom Hill (TE-NO)–I will say this every week. You know there will be that occasional game where he blows up. The chances may have increased for this to happen now that New Orleans has moved to a rookie QB and has traded its #2 WR. However, the flip side is he could also easily score a 0. They are coming out of a Bye week, which means the coaching may lean into Hill a bit more come Week 12.