DFS Army’s Gthom breaks down this week’s top waiver wire targets. These players are typically available in about 50 percent of ESPN leagues. This article is geared toward traditional 12-team leagues, but managers should always check their own waiver wire for potentially better options.
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Arizona Cardinals receiver Michael Wilson (14) catches a pass against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 16, 2025.
QUARTERBACKS
Jacoby Brissett (ARI) – 24% Rostered
In his age-32 season, Brissett has been impressive for fantasy. Since becoming the starter in Week 6, he has averaged an elite 21.9 fantasy points, which ranks as the fourth-best average during that span.
Against the 49ers in Week 11, he scored 23.8 fantasy points and finished 47-of-57 for 452 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. One thing is clear about Brissett: He is going to sling the ball. Since becoming the starter, he has more than 40 passing attempts in three of his five games, with the other two still seeing a modest 31 and 36 attempts.
Brissett will continue to be the starter for the Cardinals, which gives their fantasy assets life as a result. He will try to reprise his most recent performance against the Jaguars in Week 12, who are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to the quarterback position.
Brissett is a must-own quarterback in all league formats. For managers in two-quarterback leagues or superflex leagues, he may be a season-winning addition for your fantasy team, and your FAAB bids should be aggressive.
Joe Flacco (CIN) – 41% Rostered
It was a rough Week 11 performance for Flacco and the Bengals. Flacco finished 23-of-40 for 199 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. His 10.8 fantasy points left much to be desired for his fantasy stakeholders.
While he failed to deliver in his most recent game against the Steelers, fantasy managers should go back to the well for his Week 12 game against the Patriots. They are allowing 16.5 fantasy points per game, which hovers around league median. Even with Flacco’s bad performance against the Steelers, he is still the QB3 in fantasy points per game, averaging 22.5 fantasy points since becoming the Bengals’ starter in Week 6.
Sam Darnold (SEA) – 48% Rostered
Sammy boy has been on a stinker run over his last two games. In those games he has combined for 14.1 fantasy points and has a disastrous one-to-five touchdown-to-interception ratio.
While it seems gloomy for Darnold of late, he has had huge fantasy runs in 2025. Between Week 5 and Week 9 he delivered ceiling performances of 28.6, 28.2 and 20.0. Additionally, he maintained an average fantasy score of 21.6 during that stretch. These scores show that in the right situation he can certainly deliver for fantasy.
Darnold is coming off back-to-back dud performances, but he should be trusted in Week 12 against the Titans, who are a little better than league median when it comes to defending the quarterback. They allow an average of 17.3 fantasy points to the position.
Low-End Streaming Options at Quarterback
- Trevor Lawrence (JAC) @ Arizona Cardinals
- Bryce Young (CAR) @ San Francisco 49ers
- C.J. Stroud (HOU) vs Buffalo Bills
RUNNING BACKS
Emanuel Wilson (GB) – 6% Rostered
Wilson filled in for an in-game injured Josh Jacobs (GB) during his tilt against the Giants. The backup running back finished 11 carries for 40 yards and one touchdown on the ground and one catch for nine yards in the passing game.
For managers looking to take a stake in Wilson, his outlook is simple: if Jacobs misses, he is a slam-dunk RB2 option in Week 12 against the Vikings. If Jacobs plays, Wilson can possibly be played in deep league formats, as the last time Jacobs entered a week hobbled, Wilson still received 14 touches. However, he would be hard to trust in default 10 or 12 team formats.
He will be facing a familiar foe in the Minnesota Vikings. They are slightly better than league median compared with all teams, allowing an average of 21.0 PPR points to opposing backs.
Trey Benson (ARI) – 50% Rostered
Benson is another week closer to returning from injured reserve. He is expected to be the lead running back once he returns, which was the case after starting running back James Conner (ARI) was injured earlier this season. Bam Knight (ARI) and Emari Demercado (ARI) have been leading the backfield in Benson’s absence.
Even if Benson is not the lead back when he returns, he will still be utilized in the passing game, having 13 receptions for 64 yards in four games this season. He also has 29 carries for 160 rushing yards, giving him an excellent 5.52 yards per carry average.
Benson deserves to be rostered because he will have standalone value regardless of the depth chart. In addition, there is a reasonable chance he retakes the lead role in the backfield, which could make him a weekly top-24 running back for the rest of the season.
Kareem Hunt (KC) – 57% Rostered
Kareem Hunt delivered 13.2 PPR points against the Broncos in Week 11. He posted 12 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown on the ground and added one catch for three yards as a receiver. It was his third consecutive game with 12 or more PPR points and his second straight week with a at least 78 percent of offensive snaps played.
Hunt will remain a low-end RB2 in every game Isaiah Pacheco misses. Pacheco logged three DNPs last week, leaving his Week 12 status uncertain. The Chiefs face a difficult matchup against the Colts, who allow 20.2 PPR points per game to opposing running backs — the 11th-lowest rate in the league.
Devin Singletary (NYG) – 33% Rostered
Singletary delivered several season-high totals in fantasy points scored, rushing attempts, rushing yards and touchdowns. His final line was 16 carries for 44 yards and two touchdowns while contributing one catch for three yards in the passing game, which totaled 17.7 PPR points.
The 28-year-old back will never look good on paper. He is on a bad football team that will typically have to throw the ball in order to stay in it, and he also platoons with his teammate Tyrone Tracy Jr. Neither of those things correlates to fantasy consistency over the long term, but Singletary has two consecutive games of 10 or more PPR points and that can’t be ignored.
His next game will be against the Lions. Detroit is the league’s toughest run defense for fantasy purposes. They are allowing only 16.4 PPR points per game to running backs this season. Sure, the matchup does not look great, but if Singletary can fall into the end zone, he just may do enough to deliver low-end flex value.
Sean Tucker (TB) – 29% Rostered
Tucker had a career day in Week 11 against the Bills. He delivered 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the back of 19 carries. He added two catches for 34 yards in the passing game too. All of this production totaled 34.0 PPR points.
His next game won’t likely be as easy. It is against the Los Angeles Rams, and they are stuffing opposing backs, allowing only a league-low two rushing touchdowns this season. On a per-game basis, the Rams allow 17.9 PPR points per game, which is the third-lowest average in the NFL.
The last bit about Tucker worth mentioning is that starting running back Bucky Irving (TB) is looking like he will be back in action for Week 12. He practiced in a limited fashion all three days leading into Week 11, which indicates he is likely going to be active in Week 12. While this may be true, Tucker should be stashed in case he does work in with Irving and White — or in the unfortunate event that Irving continues to miss time due to injury.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (WAS) – 7% Rostered
The backfield is shifting in Washington, and that clearly features more Chris Rodriguez. He finished Week 11 with 15 carries for 79 yards and one catch for six yards through the passing game. This was his second game in three weeks with more than 12 carries. He also failed to score against the Dolphins, the first time that has happened in two weeks.
Rodriguez goes on bye and then faces an elite-level run defense in the Denver Broncos. They are allowing 18.2 PPR points per game to opposing backs, the fourth lowest clip in the NFL.
While his opportunity is increasing, Rodriguez will still be involved in a running-back-by-committee approach. Teammates Jeremy McNichols and Jacory Croskey-Merritt will continue to mix in, which makes Rodriguez difficult to hold during his bye. Managers desperate for running-back production can still pick him up during this week’s waivers.
Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) – 42% Rostered
Gainwell became the featured back for the Steelers in Week 11 once starting running back Jaylen Warren (PIT) was unable to finish the contest due to an ankle injury. He took advantage of his increased usage, posting nine carries for 25 yards on the ground and seven catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns through the air, totaling 29.5 PPR points.
Gainwell likely will not get this type of workload in Week 12 when the Steelers face the Bears. Warren admitted after the game against the Bengals that he “could have returned” if he felt it was necessary. This update makes Gainwell difficult to prioritize, but he should be picked up just in case Warren misses Week 12. If Warren plays, Gainwell should be considered a deep-league flier but not much more than that.
Bhayshul Tuten (JAC) – 19% Rostered
The rookie delivered season-high numbers in snap participation, carries, and rushing yards. He finished with 15 carries for 74 yards and one touchdown, good for 13.4 PPR points.
Tuten has been trending the right way for most of the season, but he has been stuck in a backup role. While his 15 carries were impressive, they still trailed his teammate Travis Etienne’s 19 carries in Week 11.
This moves Tuten up the leaderboard for managers looking for players to stash or use as a deep-league flex flier, but he would be hard to trust in most 10 or 12 team leagues.
Running Backs with Low-End FLEX Potential
- Kareem Hunt (KC) – 48% Rostered**
- Emmanuel Wilson (GB) – 6% Rostered**
- Sean Tucker (TB) – 29% Rostered**
- Devin Singletary (NYG) – 33% Rostered
- Tyler Allgeier (ATL) – 34% Rostered
- Emari Demercado (ARI) – 28% Rostered**
- Bam Knight (ARI) – 39% Rostered**
- Michael Carter (ARI) – 8% Rostered**
- Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) – 42% Rostered
- Tyjae Spears (TEN) – 37% Rostered
- Chris Rodriguez Jr. (WAS) – 7% Rostered**
** Indicates usage is injury-dependent
Stash Only Candidates or Deep-League Running Backs
- Trey Benson (ARI) – 50% Rostered
- Bhayshul Tuten (JAC) – 19% Rostered
- Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) – 1% Rostered
- Blake Corum (LAR) – 11% Rostered
- Ollie Gordon (MIA) – 8% Rostered
- Ty Johnson (BUF) – 1% Rostered
- Brian Robinson Jr. (SF) – 23% Rostered
- Jeremy McNichols (WAS) – 3% Rostered
- Tank Bigsby (PHI) – 21% Rostered
** Indicates usage is injury-dependent
WIDE RECEIVERS
Christian Watson (GB) – 26% Rostered
In his fourth game of the season, we finally witnessed what Watson can do for fantasy managers. His Week 11 stat line of four catches for 46 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants produced 20.6 PPR points.
While Watson is a must-add for fantasy managers in all formats, he carries boom-or-bust potential every week. His 20.6 PPR points in Week 11 highlight the “boom,” while his Week 9 and 10 performances show his ability to disappear, with 7.8 and 6.5 PPR points in those contests, respectively.
His next game will be against the Vikings. They are tough on receivers, allowing just 27.5 PPR points per game, which ranks as the sixth fewest in the NFL.
Michael Wilson (ARI) – 15% Rostered
Wilson was thrust into a role that increased his usage due to teammate and starter Marvin Harrison Jr. missing their contest. Wilson delivered, finishing as the top wide receiver in all of football (prior to Monday Night Football) for Week 12 with 33.5 PPR points. He had 18 targets and converted that into 15 catches for 185 yards. These were career highs in targets, receptions, and receiving yards.
It is difficult to profile Wilson heading into Week 12. His role could revert, which depends on Harrison’s health. Harrison has appendicitis, and it was originally announced that he would miss Week 11 and possibly longer. With no updated announcement yet, and assuming Harrison remains out, Wilson looks to be the top rental addition at the receiver position.
The Cardinals will host the Jaguars next. Jacksonville is allowing 34.3 PPR points to opposing receivers, which ranks 12th most in the NFL. This aligns with the fact that Arizona has thrown the ball 40 or more times in three of their last five games.
Wilson’s big performance makes him deserving of a roster spot for the next few weeks, even if Harrison returns. If Harrison does return, Wilson likely will return to his previous role.
Alec Pierce (IND) – 41% Rostered
What if I told you that a borderline WR2/3 in 2025 has been Alec Pierce? Because that is exactly what he has been since Week 2, averaging 12.6 PPR points per game. Over his last four games, his fantasy production has climbed even higher and he is averaging 14.9 PPR points per game, which ranks 18th best in the NFL during that stretch.
Pierce finished his last game, in Week 10, with four catches for 84 yards and one touchdown. It was his first touchdown of the 2025 season.
He draws a tough matchup next against the Chiefs at Arrowhead, next. Kansas City has been the league’s second-best defense against fantasy receivers. They are allowing 26.6 PPR points per game to the position and a league-low 1,180 receiving yards.
Darnell Mooney (ATL) – 37% Rostered
Starting receiver Drake London has been ruled out for Week 12, making Mooney the presumable WR1. The issue with trusting Mooney is he has literally done nothing this season, averaging 4.8 PPR points per game, despite playing around 90 percent of snaps in most games.
His catch rate has been poor too. In Week 11, he caught three passes for 34 yards on seven targets. The week prior, he had eight targets and only one catch. This trend even goes back to Week 3, when he saw 11 targets and caught four passes.
Mooney will presumably have increased opportunity with London out for Week 12, but managers should proceed with caution. There are red flags in Mooney’s 2025 season that make him difficult to trust for fantasy purposes. He also could potentially be catching passes from an aging backup quarterback, Kirk Cousins (ATL), who seems to be dust in his current form.
Jayden Reed (GB) – 39% Rostered
Currently, Reed is on injured reserve but is expected to return to practice within the next week or so. He is the presumable WR1 for Green Bay once he returns. In 2024, he finished the season with an 11.6 PPR average and ranked 29th among wide receivers. He is a strong late-season addition for managers in need of quality receiver production.
Kayshon Boutte (NE) – 28% Rostered
Likely buried on your waivers is Kayshon Boutte, a player who has had great moments in 2025 when healthy. In the eight games he has finished this season, Boutte carried a 12.0 PPR average. Between Weeks 6 and 8, Boutte was the WR7 overall and averaged 18.8 PPR points, the 10th best average in that stretch. He also posted a single-game score of 26.3 PPR points during that span.
Boutte has not played a full game since Week 8, exiting with an injury in Week 9 and missing Weeks 10 and 11 entirely. If he is healthy enough to play, he becomes a solid flex option with upside, though he can bust for managers. This New England offense is led by arguably the best quarterback in the NFL this season, which should not be overlooked, but there are many pass catchers who can get touches, which increases variance.
Tez Johnson (TB) – 37% Rostered
Johnson had posted five straight weeks of flex-worthy production, that is, until Week 11 against the Bills. In that game he finished with one catch for six yards on three targets.
While Johnson may take a step back in this offense when Chris Godwin (TB) returns – potentially as soon as Week 12 – he should remain on rosters because Mike Evans (TB) is likely out for the rest of the season. Godwin has also struggled to stay healthy this year, and any additional time missed would elevate Johnson’s role. There is also a path in which Johnson outperforms Godwin when he returns to action.
His next game will not be easy as it features a tough defense in the Rams. They are allowing 33.4 PPR points to opposing receivers, a middling amount compared to their league peers. The Rams have also kept receivers out of the end zone this season, too. They have allowed just six touchdowns to receivers, the fourth fewest in the NFL.
Josh Downs (IND) – 56% Rostered
Coming off his bye week, Downs will take on the Kansas City Chiefs. This is a tough matchup for opposing receivers, as Kansas City allows 26.6 PPR points to the position which is the second lowest in the NFL.
Managers can play Downs in any matchup due to his role within the offense and his 11.5 FPPG average since Week 5, but they should expect variance if they do. While the Chiefs will be a difficult matchup to get back on track against, there are worse options to consider over Downs. Week 12 expectations for Downs should be in line with a low double-digit PPR score or worse.
Parker Washington (JAC) – 29% Rostered
After coming into Week 11 with buzz, Washington disappointed his fantasy stakeholders. He finished the game with two catches for 20 yards. While this outcome upset his managers, the Jaguars really did not need to throw the football as they dominated the Chargers from start to finish in their 35-6 win.
Washington will be less appealing once Brian Thomas (JAC) returns to the lineup. One can still see Washington outproducing Thomas for the rest of the season, something that seemed laughable just 12 weeks ago. Still, Washington is a difficult player to trust in Week 12 despite being in a favorable matchup against the Cardinals.
Arizona allows 31.3 fantasy points per game to the receiver position, an average amount. The Cardinals have also made it difficult for receivers to find the end zone, allowing the second fewest touchdowns this season with five.
Tre Tucker (LV) – 46% Rostered
Tucker finished Week 11’s edition of Monday Night Football with four catches for 47 yards and one touchdown. His 14.7 PPR points was his highest mark since his Week 3 explosion against the Commanders, when he delivered 40.9 PPR points.
His next game will not be so easy. He and the Raiders will be matched up with the Cleveland Browns. They are one of the better defenses against fantasy receivers, allowing 28.8 PPR points per game, the eighth fewest. The other worry is edge rusher Miles Garrett (CLE), who can wreck offensive lines and disrupt passing games. The Raiders surrendered five sacks to the Cowboys in their last game.
Tucker does not have a great upcoming schedule (CLE, @LAC, DEN, @PHI, @HOU). While he will not see a favorable matchup for several weeks, the Raiders will be trailing and forced to throw the football. That might be enough for Tucker to deliver flex value. Proceed with caution.
Tyrell Shavers (BUF) – 0% Rostered
Shavers came onto the scene seemingly out of nowhere, but he was tied for the most snaps at the receiver position versus the Bucs. Shavers’ role was elevated once the Bills announced that Keon Coleman would be a healthy inactive. Shavers posted career highs in catches and receiving yards in that opportunity. He had four catches for 90 yards and one touchdown, totaling 19.0 PPR points.
Will there be more to come with Shavers now that the Bills seemingly view Coleman less favorably? No one knows for sure, but receiver-needy managers should consider the third-year Shavers a dart-throw addition with longshot-upside due to the unknowns of Buffalo’s receiver corps.
Those looking to start Shavers against the Texans in Week 12 should proceed with caution. Shavers could easily disappoint, as the Texans allow the fourth-fewest PPR points to receivers at 26.9 per game. He profiles better as a stash candidate so stakeholders can understand his role before relying on him.
John Metchie (NYJ) – 0% Rostered
Elevated into more opportunities in Week 11 was John Metchie. This was due to the injury to receiver Garrett Wilson. Since Wilson will be out on injured reserve for three additional games, Metchie is an interesting addition for managers desperate for receiver production.
He finished with three catches for 45 yards and one touchdown against the Patriots during Thursday Night Football. Additionally, Metchie’s 82 percent snap rate led all Jets receivers in Week 11.
The downside is that the Jets do not throw the ball well. In their last five games, they have had two games with fewer than 10 completions. This makes any Jets receiver a volatile option going forward. If you are taking a shot in this receiver room, Metchie is the one to target for now. Adonai Mitchell (NYJ) also has merit as a stash candidate.
Greg Dortch (ARI) – 4% Rostered
Like his teammate Michael Wilson, Dortch was thrust into a role with additional opportunity due to injuries at the receiver position. Dortch did not disappoint. He caught all six of his targets for 66 yards and one touchdown.
Dortch will remain in play if teammate Marvin Harrison Jr. misses additional time. Their next game is against the Jaguars, who are allowing 34.3 PPR points to opposing receivers, the 12th highest mark in the NFL.
Isaiah Hodgins (NYG) – 0% Rostered
Hodgins got an increase in usage in Week 11 after teammate Darius Slayton was ruled out. The six-year veteran delivered with five catches for 57 yards, which totaled 10.7 PPR points.
It is hard to trust Hodgins in Week 12 against the Lions but if Slayton is out again, then managers can take that gamble. The Lions are allowing 33.7 PPR points to the position – a middling amount – but they have allowed 13 touchdowns, which ranks as the fourth most in the NFL.
The good news in New York is that backup quarterback Russell Wilson (NYG) looks to be the third-string now, which means Jameis Winston (NYG) will continue to back up Jaxson Dart (NYG) going forward. This makes all Giants pass catchers better for fantasy in the event Dart misses additional time with his concussion. If Dart plays, it elevates the fantasy production for all players in New York.
Mac Hollins (NE) – 5% Rostered
If you have a foot fetish and need production at the receiver position, Hollins is a player to add. The always barefoot receiver has finished with 10 or more PPR points in three of his last four games. In that stretch, he has also generated 24 targets, which breaks down to roughly six targets per game. He carries an 11.5 fantasy points per game average in PPR formats during this span.
Hollins’ increased role correlates with when Keyshon Boutte (NE) has missed or been unable to finish his game. Hollins presumably falls off the fantasy radar if Boutte is healthy enough to play in Week 12.
Their next game is against the Bengals. Cincinnati has held opposing receivers to just 30.1 PPR points per game, the 11th fewest clip in the NFL.
TIGHT ENDS
Juwan Johnson (NO) – 35% Rostered
Johnson’s midseason comeback is complete. In Week 10, he scored the most fantasy points of his 2025 season with 19.2 PPR points. This came on the back of four catches for 92 yards and one touchdown. It was his fourth consecutive game with double-digit PPR points, and he has reached that mark in seven of his ten games this season. This makes Johnson a very consistent PPR tight end, and he is widely available on waiver wires.
Johnson will head into his bye week in Week 11 but will return facing the Atlanta Falcons at home. Following that, he has favorable matchups against the Dolphins, Bucs, Panthers, Jets and Titans.
Dalton Schultz (HOU) – 53% Rostered
Schultz isn’t as widely available, or sexy, but he has been getting it done since Week 5. Since then, he is the TE12 in FPPG with 12.0 PPR points. Additionally, he has scored double-digit PPR points in every game since then, except for one. In Week 11, he had six catches for 51 yards on nine targets, generating 11.1 PPR points.
His next game is against the Buffalo Bills, and they are the league’s toughest defense against fantasy tight ends. They are suppressing the position to the tune of six PPR points per game.
A.J. Barner (SEA) – 10% Rostered
Barner has rotated in and out of this article throughout 2025, so it is no surprise to see him finish with 17.1 PPR points in Week 11. His stat line is a bit eye-opening, as he hit season highs in targets and receptions. He had 10 catches for 70 yards on 11 targets.
Consistency has never been Barner’s forte, but that is acceptable for a position like tight end. He and the Seahawks will look to get back on track against the Titans in Week 12. They have been tough on fantasy tight ends, allowing only 11.9 PPR points per game, the 10th lowest in the NFL.
Ja’Tavion Sanders (CAR) – 1% Rostered
Sanders is a Week 12 streaming option in a favorable matchup. He will face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who allow 17.8 PPR points per game to opposing tight ends. Additionally, Jacksonville has allowed the second most touchdowns to the position this season, with seven.
While Sanders leaves much to be desired in the fantasy box score, he has had at least four targets in each of his last two games. Against the Falcons in Week 11, he had four catches for 22 yards, generating 6.2 PPR points.
Colston Loveland (CHI) – 40% Rostered
He profiles more as a tight end to stash or play in a pinch. The rookie has immense talent, which makes him an intriguing wait-and-see option. This talent was on display when Loveland posted a huge 29.8 PPR score in Week 9, when he was the only healthy tight end available. Loveland has struggled to produce meaningful stat lines since. His last two games generated four catches for 55 yards and 9.5 PPR points, followed by three catches for 40 yards and 7.0 PPR points.
Loveland and the Bears will host the Steelers next. Pittsburgh is an interesting team to target for fantasy production at the tight end position. They are allowing 16.8 PPR points and have allowed six touchdowns to the position. Both metrics rank as the sixth worst in the NFL.
DEFENSES TO STREAM
- Browns D/ST @ Las Vegas Raiders
- Bears D/ST vs Pittsburgh Steelers
- Chiefs D/ST vs Indianapolis Colts
- 49ers D/ST vs Carolina Panthers