The playoff push is officially upon us. For most fantasy football leagues, two weeks remain in the regular season, meaning weekly matchups become just as much a part of the waiver wire as finding that diamond in the rough.
Here’s an early look at the week 12 fantasy football waiver wire.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
It’s shocking to me to see Rodgers owned in only 53 percent of leagues on Yahoo.
It appears that Rodgers could be back yet this season, and it’s looking like week 15 would be his return to the lineup. Imagine going into your semifinal matchup with Rodgers at your quarterback position.
That would definitely be worth stashing him just in case he comes back. Now, the downside of this is if the Packers are so far out of the playoff chase that Rodgers rests the remainder of the year. That could happen, because they may not win another game without Rodgers.
It’s a risk worth taking, though. If Rodgers returns, he could vault your team to a semifinal win, especially if you’re stuck in the streaming quarterback game.
Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Speaking of streaming quarterbacks, you’re probably not laughing at that Blaine Gabbert suggestion from a week ago.
Week 12 doesn’t offer much potential for streamers, though, so if Dalton isn’t owned in your league, pounce on him. He’s owned in 51 percent of Yahoo leagues, so you may be out of luck.
He squares off against Cleveland in week 12, which has been terrible against the pass (except against Jacksonville, which basically employs the run, run, pass game, and hopes the defense scores).
Dalton hasn’t been terrible in recent weeks, throwing for at least two touchdowns in every game but one since week seven, and not throwing an interception in his last four games.
He’s a no-brainer for a streaming quarterback. If you can’t grab him, there’s a lot of risk out there, but the quarterback with likely the best matchup is Jacoby Brissett, against a Tennessee pass defense that has faded recently. The biggest issue, though, is that the Titans blitz often, and with a young quarterback and a terrible offensive line, it could be disastrous.
Samaje Perine, RB, Washington Redskins
He’s really the only priority add of the bunch this week, and if you’re able to get him, you’re likely not in the fantasy football playoff chase anyway.
In case one of the bottom-dwellers in your league is asleep at the wheel, Perine is a must-add, if he’s available. Chris Thompson and Rob Kelley are out for the year, so this is Perine’s opportunity to have a full workload.
He had his best game of the year in week 11 and he should be a volume monster off the waiver wire in the coming weeks. If you’re looking for a Redskins running back not named Perine, try Byron Marshall. He’s the only other running back on the active roster.
Corey Coleman, WR, Cleveland Browns
You could add Kenny Stills, too, but I’d rather have Coleman based on volume.
He returned from IR in an impossible matchup against Jacksonville in week 11 and caught six balls for 80 yards. Most importantly, he was targeted 11 times.
With Coleman, you’re at least getting the No. 1 option on a team. You can’t say that for Stills and several of the other decent wide receiver options. Coleman isn’t going to change your team’s fortunes, but he has more potential at volume, which should help him put up more consistent production.
He has a nice rapport with DeShone Kizer, so he shouldn’t linger on the waiver wire any longer.
