Hey Nerds, the NFL Trade deadline has come and gone, affecting our dynasty rosters! In this Week 12 Waiver Wire, we break down the best fantasy football pickups to add after another chaotic week of roster reshuffling and injuries. Whether you’re managing a dynasty roster or fighting for a playoff position in redraft, this week’s waiver wire targets are here to help.
Missed last week’s pickups? Check out the Week 11 Waiver Wire, and be sure to read Week 12 Trade Advice this Wednesday morning.
Full FAAB chart available at the bottom for quick roster moves.
Week 12 Quarterback Targets | Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups
Kirk Cousins | Atlanta Falcons | 46% Rostership | 20% FAAB
Michael Penix Jr. left during the third quarter of Sunday’s Week 11 contest against the Carolina Panthers with a knee injury. If Penix is forced to miss any time, Kirk Cousins gets a favorable Week 12 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. It is worth monitoring Penix’s injury status throughout the week, and if he is ruled out, Cousins becomes my priority add at quarterback.
Davis Mills | Houston Texans | 41% Rostership | 5% FAAB
Davis Mills made my Week 11 Waiver Wire article and returns for Week 12 after failing to reach 50% rostership. Mills has now led the Texans to back-to-back victories while filling in for the injured CJ Stroud. If Stroud is forced to miss a third game, Mills will host the Buffalo Bills in Week 12.
Mason Rudolph | Pittsburgh Steelers | 12% Rostership | 10% FAAB
Aaron Rodgers injured his non-throwing hand during the first half of Sunday’s Week 11 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. Rodgers was replaced by Mason Rudolph, who was efficient, completing 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. This is why handcuffing your quarterback is vital as we approach the fantasy playoffs, much like Michael Penix’s injury status, Rodgers’ status is worth monitoring throughout the week.
All rostership percentages are based on 12-Team SuperFlex PPR dynasty leagues. Please note: At the time of this publication, all free agents were at or under 50% rostered in Sleeper dynasty leagues.
Week 12 Running Back Targets | Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups
Tyler Badie | Denver Broncos | 23% Rostership | 3% FAAB
With J.K. Dobbins put on potentially season-ending Injured Reserve, the Denver backfield is wide open behind RJ Harvey. Sean Payton is very unpredictable with his backfield usage, so look for Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie to see increased opportunities behind Harvey. On Sunday, McLauglin seemed to be the running back to roster, but that could change in Week 12.
Michael Carter | Arizona Cardinals | 40% Rostership | 3% FAAB
Emari Demercado left early in Week 11 against the San Francisco 49ers and did not return. With Trey Benson still on Injured Reserve, Michael Carter will see some passing down work and a few carries with Zonovan Knight if Benson is not activated for Week 12.
Ty Johnson | Buffalo Bills | 43% Rostership | 3% FAAB
Ty Johnson has been the clear backup behind James Cook this season, primarily checking into the game on occasional passing downs. Speaking of passing downs, Johnson’s 61 receiving yards and a touchdown against Tampa Bay were a season high. If anything happens to Cook, I expect Johnson and Ray Davis to split the workload.
Jaleel McLaughlin | Denver Broncos | 29% Rostership | 3% FAAB
See Tyler Badie.
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Week 12 Wide Receiver Targets | Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups
Isaiah Hodgins | New York Giants | 2% Rostership | 1% FAAB
Isaiah Hodgins was signed off the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad on Thursday and made an immediate impact with the Giants. In Week 11, Hodgins led the team in receptions (5) and receiving yards (57).
Editor’s note: Hodgins used to be a NYG, as evidenced by the photo taken above in 2022.
Mack Hollins | New England Patriots | 35% Rostership | 3% FAAB
Mack Hollins makes the waiver wire article again after seeing a 10% rostership increase from last week. Hollins stepped up in the absence of Kayshon Boutte and has now reached double-digit fantasy points in three of his last four games. Hollins would be my priority add at wide receiver from this group of candidates.
Van Jefferson | Tennessee Titans | 11% Rostership | 2% FAAB
Calvin Ridley will miss the rest of the season with a broken fibula, and Chimere Dike also left the game against the Houston Texans with a concussion. Someone is going to have to step up in the Titans’ receiving core, which could be Van Jefferson after a seven-target performance in Week 11. Jefferson also found the endzone for the first time in 2025. Tennessee faces Seattle in Week 13, which tends to lean towards Tennessee from behind, giving Jefferson some receiving opportunities.
John Metchie | New York Jets | 24% Rostership | 2% FAAB
A name that snuck under the fantasy radars at the trade deadline was John Metchie. Metchie was traded from the Eagles to the Jets for cornerback Michael Carter and a 2027 seventh-round pick. Metchie immediately contributed to a terrible Jets passing offense, playing 82.5 percent of the snaps while tallying three receptions for 45 receiving yards and a touchdown on Thursday Night Football. Sadly, all those statistics led the Jets.
Tyrell Shavers | Buffalo Bills | 4% Rostership | 1% FAAB
Tyrell Shavers had a career day in Week 11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Shavers caught four of five targets for 90 receiving yards and a touchdown. While I don’t think we should anticipate these numbers moving forward, he is at least worth a speculative waiver wire add on a high-powered Buffalo offense.
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Week 12 Tight End Targets | Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups
Greg Dulcich | Miami Dolphins | 20% Rostership | 2% FAAB
Since joining the Miami Dolphins, Greg Dulcich has seen at least four targets in every game, seeing over 30% of the team’s offensive snaps. In the graveyard known as the tight end position, Dulcich is seeing targets, which gives him some fantasy life.
Darnell Washington | Pittsburgh Steelers | 29% Rostership | 3% FAAB
Darnell Washington had his fourth five target performance and had a season high 67 receiving yards against the Cincinnati Bengals. At 6’7”, Washington is always a redzone threat and his 29% rostership should increase. Washington is my priorty add at the tight end position.
FAAB Guide for Week 12 Waiver Wire Fantasy Football Pickups
Here’s the full FAAB breakdown for all positions if you need fast decisions. Scroll through the analysis above for full context behind each recommendation.
| Player | Team | Pos. | Rostership % | FAAB Rec. | Quick Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirk Cousins | ATL | QB | 46% | 20% | Priority streamer if Penix misses Week 12. |
| Davis Mills | HOU | QB | 41% | 5% | Solid SuperFlex fill-in if Stroud sits again. |
| Mason Rudolph | PIT | QB | 12% | 10% | Rodgers’ hand injury could give him a start. |
| Tyler Badie | DEN | RB | 23% | 3% | Dobbins on IR; backfield wide open behind Harvey. |
| Michael Carter | ARI | RB | 40% | 3% | Passing-down role with Demercado hurt. |
| Ty Johnson | BUF | RB | 43% | 3% | Receiving upside; clear no. 2 behind Cook. |
| Jaleel McLaughlin | DEN | RB | 29% | 3% | Timeshare candidate; contingent on Payton’s usage. |
| Isaiah Hodgins | NYG | WR | 2% | 1% | Led team in receptions and yards in Week 11. |
| Mack Hollins | NE | WR | 35% | 3% | Double-digit fantasy points in 3 of last 4. |
| Van Jefferson | TEN | WR | 11% | 2% | Ridley out; increased opportunity after 7 targets. |
| John Metchie | NYJ | WR | 24% | 2% | Immediate role after trade; scored in Week 11. |
| Tyrell Shavers | BUF | WR | 4% | 1% | Big Week 11; speculative add in explosive offense. |
| Greg Dulcich | MIA | TE | 20% | 2% | Steady targets; viable TE streamer. |
| Darnell Washington | PIT | TE | 29% | 3% | Huge frame + consistent targets; priority TE add. |
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Over 50% Rostered Waiver Wire Players | Week 12 Fantasy Football
Other players who are great waiver wire additions but have over 50% rostership include: AJ Barner, Jacoby Brissett, Marquise Brown, Pat Bryant, Blake Corum, Isaiah Davis, Noah Fant, Kenneth Gainwell, Gunnar Helm, Xavier Hutchinson, Theo Johnson, Zonovan Knight, Marcus Mariota, Jeremy McNichols, Adonai Mitchell, Keaton Mitchell, Chig Okonkwo, Rodriguez, Shedeur Sanders, Dalton Schultz, Sterling Shepard, Devin Singletary, Sean Tucker, Malik Washington, Emanuel Wilson, Michael Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Jaylen Wright
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🧠 Week 12 Waiver Wire FAQ
Q1: How much FAAB should I spend in Week 12 as the fantasy playoffs approach?
A: Contenders can use 50–75% of remaining FAAB on players who provide immediate production. Rebuilders should limit themselves to 5–10% on long-term stashes. Redraft managers should be aggressive now—there are only a few meaningful waiver runs left.
Q2: Is Kirk Cousins a must-add if Michael Penix Jr. is ruled out?
A: Yes. Cousins would inherit a strong matchup against the Saints in Week 12 and becomes one of the top quarterback streamers of the week if Penix sits.
Q3: Should I add Mason Rudolph if Aaron Rodgers misses Week 12?
A: Rudolph is worth 10% FAAB as a SuperFlex starter. His efficiency in relief during Week 11 makes him a viable one-week fill-in if Rodgers’ hand injury lingers.
Q4: Who is the best under-50% rostered replacement for Calvin Ridley?
A: Van Jefferson is the leading Week 12 replacement candidate, stepping into expanded volume and red-zone work after Ridley’s season-ending injury.
Q5: How do I find the best playoff stashes during Week 12 waivers?
A: Look for rising snap shares, injuries ahead of players, and offenses trending upward. Names like John Metchie, Michael Carter, and Darnell Washington fit that profile.
Q6: Where can I get more Week 12 fantasy football help?
A: Visit the Weekly Content Hub for Waiver Wire, Trade Advice, Rankings, and Start/Sit guides. You can also check out the Dynasty Nerds App, Dynasty Rankings, Trade Advice, and Rookie Mock Draft Hub.
