Fantasy Football: Week 12’s Best Waiver Wire Options
Everything was so happy and cheery on Sunday heading into a fun Thanksgiving week. That was until some major injuries popped up forcing playoff-bound owners to put aside the packing and shift to some waiver wiring. Here are fantasy football’s top trimmings for the week. (I know, I know. There’s a reason I write for TFG and not The Daily Show)
(All players listed are owned in less than 50% of FleaFlicker leagues)
Chad Henne, Jaguars QB: Henne’s 354 yard, 4 TD performance was certainly shocking. Henne has already been named the starter for Sunday’s game against the Titans, who have allowed 20 touchdowns in the air. He did a terrific job spreading the ball around and is a solid option this week.
Colin Kaepernick, 49ers QB: This was not a name I anticipated typing. Kaepernick had an almost perfect performance against the Bears last night ending with 243 yards and 2 TDs. Jim Harbaugh has already indicated Kaepernick could be next week’s starter, telling ESPN’s Rachel Nichols, “I usually go with the hot hand.” This hot hand would next be facing the Saints who are 31st in pass defense, allowing 305 yards per game and 21 touchdowns on the season.
Ronnie Hillman, Broncos RB: With Willis McGahee out at least 6-8 weeks with a leg fracture and MCL tear, Ronnie Hillman is the next man up. I like Hillman because the Broncos have one of the weakest upcoming schedules in the league (hello, Chiefs, Raiders, Ravens and Browns and their horrible run defenses). I don’t love Hillman, however, because he has failed to impress when given opportunities this season, and I could easily see Lance Ball wind up as the starter or at least a split guy.
James Starks, Packers RB: Starks started off well against the Lions but wound up with 79 yards and a 2.9 yard-per-carry average. He is a fine pickup if you need a warm body, but will likely still spilt carries with Alex Green. Green Bay faces a top rushing defense this weekend in the Giants.
Justin Blackmon, Jaguars WR: Well, you’re certainly going to consider a receiver coming off a 236-yard day. Good, because Blackmon had a coming out performance last week, finally looking like the reliable, physical guy the Jags grabbed in the first round and could be stellar moving forward. As mentioned in the Henne graph, the Jags have a great matchup against the Titans, a safe game to really test out Blackmon’s startability.
Cecil Shorts, Jaguars WR: Shorts on this list is becoming a broken record. How is he only owned in 40% of leagues? After another big week with 81 yards and a long 67-yard score, I suspect he’ll cross the half-century mark. His on-target targets should only increase with Chad Henne under center.
Garrett Graham, Texans TE: Garrett who, you might be asking? Graham busted out last week with 8 catches, 82 yards two touchdowns. Owen Daniels played as well, but the Texans just ran a lot of two-receiver sets, and Daniels was better covered. Don’t expect Graham to reach those numbers again but he’s still an interesting option for suffering Gronk owne
