Waiver Wire Adds for Week 12

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Down goes Burrow. Atlanta makes another quarterback change. Has a new TE 1 option emerged in Baltimore?

Welcome to our Waiver Wire targets for Week 12 of the 2023 NFL season. Let’s make some moves and Happy Thanksgiving!

Quarterbacks

We should caveat here: while these guys are often listed as viable pickups for multiple weeks, you can also view our QB recommendations as synonymous with streaming recommendations. 

Desmond Ridder, ATL

Ridder is back in the driver’s seat in Atlanta, and we can hope that his second stint under center will see him use his legs more and throw the ball to the likes of Drake London and Kyle Pitts. It sounds like Ridder is going to stick for the rest of the season, so there’s at least the coach-speak guarantee that you have a starting QB if you’re in dire straights. 

Matthew Stafford, LAR

Stafford looked like he was past the thumb injury last week, connecting with Puca Nakua for some nice chunk plays. The possible loss of Cooper Kupp is a downgrade, but Stafford is providing decent floor weeks when he’s healthy. McVay likes to throw the ball, and Stafford is still a gunslinger at heart.

Jake Browning, CIN

Browning is the starter in place of Joe Burrow now, and he showed enough in relief of Burrow last week that he could be serviceable. If you need the direct replacement for Burrow, or are looking for a deep 2QB/Superflex play, Browning has enough weapons around him to be good enough in a pinch.

Honorable Mentions

Gardner Minshew, IND

Derek Carr/Jameis Winston, NO

Jordan Love, GB

Running Backs

Zach Charbonett, SEA

Oh, it’s finally time. Kenneth Walker III is likely on the shelf for the Thanksgiving matchup, which means Charbonett is in line for a huge workload against a stout 49ers defense. He’s been solid when he’s gotten the work alongside KW3, but now he’s going to get the chance to run the show. He’s under-rostered, and if you have the chance to grab him, he’s worthy of a flex consideration, even against the San Francisco front.

Ty Chandler, MIN

We said it last week that Chandler would be a big piece of the plan moving forward, and we saw that in Week 11. He and Alexander Mattison essentially split carries, even though Mattison was in on more snaps. Chandler has a lot of pop, and he’s been a breath of fresh air to the Vikings backfield after they lost Cam Akers. That sub-4.4 speed is fun to watch, and he’s got the Bears next week. If you can get him, he’s another RB with big-play ability.

Roschon Johnson, CHI

D’Onta Foreman has owned this backfield when he’s been active, but he did leave last week’s matchup with an ankle issue. Khalil Herbert is also there and back from the IR, but Johnson has great hands in the passing game. He’s got decent PPR upside, even though the Bears have a tough schedule with good rush defenses upcoming, with Minnesota first up on Monday Night Football.

Honorable Mentions:

Salvon Ahmed, MIA

Jeff Wilson, MIA

Ezekiel Elliot, NE

AJ Dillon, GB

Tyjae Spears, TEN

Wide Receivers

Jayden Reed, GB

In Deebo Samuel-esq fashion, Jayden Reed did it through the air and on the ground last week. We’ve mentioned him quite a few times in our waiver articles and said he was a good dark horse flex on our Week 11 livestream, meaning this is likely your last chance to grab him if he’s available. He seems to be forcing himself into becoming a focal point of the offense, and the big play ability with solid work each week makes him more than viable down the stretch. 

Khalil Shakir, BUF

Another of our dark horse flex calls last Sunday, Khalil Shakir took an 80+ yard catch to the house against the Jets. He’s been more reliable that Gabe Davis lately, the latter of whom keeps dropping passes. Shakir may not get a ton of work, but he’s a great dart throw upside play with Josh Allen throwing to him.

Rashid Shaheed, NO

We’re not saying we want Derek Carr to be injured, but it would be better for fantasy players everywhere if Jameis Winston was slinging the rock for New Orleans. Regardless, Shaheed is a great depth piece down the stretch and is another one of those guys who can take one play to the house. He’s done it with Carr already, and Jameis may give him even more upside. He’s another risk-reward guy, but he should be rostered.

Honorable Mentions

Tutu Atwell, LAR  

Rondale Moore, ARI

Josh Downs, IND

Jameson Williams, DET

Elijah Moore, CLE

Tight Ends

Isaiah Likely, BAL

While his season may not be over, Mark Andrews is out for an extended period. We saw flashes of Likely’s athleticism last year when Andrews missed time, but he hasn’t been able to recapture it this year. Now that Likely is the TE1 in an offense that loves to target the tight end, Mark Andrews managers can get the direct replacement off waivers and hope for half of the production.

Luke Musgrave, GB

6 more targets this last week showed that Musgrave will be involved, even on days when the offense runs through Jayden Reed or Romeo Doubs. He’s always going to have a TE2 floor, but the TD upside and continued increase in targets make him a nice choice as a bench tight end or streamer.

Cade Otton, TB

Otton is proving to be a solid outlet for Baker Mayfield. He led the team in receiving against the 49ers with 4 catches on 5 targets. He’s not doing anything jaw-dropping, but Otton is a fine fringe TE1 with upside.

Honorable Mentions

Pat Friermuth, PIT

Michael Mayer, LV

Jonnu Smith, ATL

Anyone you think we missed? Who are you spending your top waiver priority on this week? Sound off on social media and let us know!

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