The playoffs will start soon, so while some in your fantasy league are likely finished with picking up players on the waiver wire, there are several fantasy owners still alive.
And so they’ll be combing the waiver wire.
So obviously, you not only need players for this week’s games, but also stashes that could make an impact for a future playoff run.
Here’s the best week 12 waiver wire adds.
Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
He’s owned in less than 35 percent of leagues on Yahoo, but if you’re in the thick of a playoff run, Peterson may be the key to a championship.
I never count out Peterson when it comes to an injury. Most NFL players are really good athletes. A select few are freaks. And then there’s Peterson.
No other player could make a return after the injury that occurred to Peterson. But most people can’t come back from an ACL tear in a few months and turn in an MVP year.
Peterson has started to resume light running and some reports are targeting a December return. There’s no indication that he’ll be back by week 16, but he’s worth a stash just in case he comes back later this season.
The Vikings are in dire need of running back help and Peterson has proven many people wrong before when it comes to an injury. He’s an RB1, even with a terrible offensive line. Minnesota needs him and your fantasy team will, too, if he’s back. Pick him up now or watch him disappear in the coming weeks.
Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
With A.J. Green possibly out for the season, it appears Boyd will be the big pickup for the week.
With Green out of the lineup, Boyd became quarterback Andy Dalton’s favorite target. He was targeted eight times and caught six balls in week 11 against Buffalo.
He’s barely owned in fantasy football leagues, so you can bet he’ll be the first or second option off the waiver wire this week. But if you get Boyd, don’t expect an immediate star like Jay Ajay has been off the wire.
There are serious issues in Cincinnati, and losing Green only exasperates them. Brandon LaFell also is an option, so that makes Boyd unlikely to move up into the WR1 discussion.
I like Boyd’s prospects better than LaFell’s, though, so I’m picking up Boyd this week.
Wendell Smallwood, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
He has shown some flashes of being a decent fantasy option, but in week 11, with Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles out with injury, Smallwood filled in nicely.
He tallied 79 all-purpose yards in week 11 against Seattle, with most of that work in the second half. That’s back-to-back weeks where he has at least 13 carries and 78 total yards.
There’s no guarantee that Sproles or Mathews will be out with injuries in week 12, but if they’re gone, Smallwood will get starter’s touches. That makes him a legitimate RB2 in fantasy football.
DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins
Especially late in the season, waiver wire pickups can be more about the matchups than season-long production.
Parker has been pretty good this month, with back-to-back games of at least eight targets. He’s owned in almost 70 percent of leagues, but with his upcoming slate, he should be owned in more leagues with the playoffs on the horizon.
From weeks 12 to 16, he squares off against San Francisco, Baltimore, the New York Jets, Arizona and Buffalo. Three of those five teams — San Francisco, Baltimore and the Jets — are among the worst 11 teams for fantasy points against wide receivers.
Parker has emerged as a solid weapon for the Dolphins. While Miami has shifted its focus to the running game, there’s still room for a wide receiver to be a WR2/3 on a weekly basis. Parker can be that guy.
Tajae Sharpe, WR, Tennessee Titans
I was disappointed in Tennessee’s performance in week 11, but Sharpe’s play has been a bright spot for three straight weeks.
He’s caught at least three balls in three straight weeks, with at least seven targets in two of the last three games. He’s turning those looks into quality production, with double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back weeks.
Marcus Mariota is becoming a better quarterback each week and I expect that to continue, especially in week 12 against Chicago. The Bears have allowed the most points to opposing wide receivers in 2016, so that is a promising matchup this week.
He may occupy a roster spot for only one week with a bye slated for week 13. However, he’s worth a start in week 12.
Mike Gillislee, RB, Buffalo Bills
If you have room on your fantasy football bench, make some room for Gillislee.
LeSean McCoy was injured again in week 11, allowing Gillislee to fill in nicely with 14 carries for 72 yards.
It’s likely that McCoy will be back in week 12, but that still doesn’t mean Gillislee should be off the table. The Bills are a run-first team and barely a week goes by without an injury update regarding McCoy.
Gillislee may not pay immediate dividends this week, but he could see some time later this season, giving your team a decent playoff push.
