Players to Pick Up Now – Week 12

This article is getting pretty slim around this time of the season because most teams already have their teams locked after trade deadline as they make a push in to playoffs. The waiver wire has been thin the last few weeks, so no huge names have jumped off the board, but we still try and find some hidden gems who could still be out there. Last week was not a great one, but one person I hope you grabbed was Josh Reynolds. He did not play in week 11, but since they played this Thursday, I wanted to bring him up last week since he would not make this post by the time it came out for Week 12.

Of course, we let you know the guys we picked last week and how the they did, so let’s take a look below.

Cole Kmet.: Week 11 Results – 2 Tgts, 1 Rec, 12 Rec Yards (1.70 Fantasy Points) (10.50 in Week 12 on Thanksgiving Day)

Jamal Agnew: Week 11 Results – 3 Tgts,3 Rec, 18 Rec Yards (3.50 Fantasy Points, out for season, injured hip)

Robby Anderson: Week 11 Results – 6 Tgts, 5 Rec, 30 Rec Yards (5.50 Fantasy Points)

Josh Reynolds: Week 12 Results (DNP Week 11) – 3 Tgts, 3 Rec, 70 Rec Yards, 1 TD (14.50 Fantasy Points)

Now let’s get to the other players out there that could have a big week and who you should grab before it is too late. Now I am not saying these guys will for sure break out this week, and if you pick them up you should keep them at the end of your bench, and if they don’t do anything, just drop them at the end of the day. But these guys could hit big and then next week you aren’t scrapping for them with FAAB bids against multiple other league managers. I know I did not explain how I pick these players each week before, but it is usually players who are owned in 50% or less in leagues.

Austin Hooper – 24% Owned

I know Hooper has never lived up to his contract he got last season with the Browns, but the ball has to go somewhere since OBJ has left town. In the last 2 weeks, he has seen 5 and 7 targets, so those numbers have gone up from what he is used to. He was even able to haul in a TD in Week 10m so Baker has looked for him more in the red zone. Baker has not played well, we can all admit that, and one of the biggest reasons is his health. It seems he will be banged up all season and not get the rest he needs, so Hooper can be that nice, quick, dump off player Baker needs. Also, they get Tyler Conklin back on the O-line which is massive. TE position is thin already, so Hooper can be viewed as a decent flier.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling – 24% Owned

I know we have been tricked and burned by this one-trick pony for the last few seasons, but he brings that big play ability to any fantasy team who may need that shot in the dark, big game from a flex spot. He lit it up in Week 11 with 123 yards and 1 TD. The thing that stood out to me last week was his targets, Sure, he only caught 4 balls with one being for a large gain, but he has 10 targets in the game. This is a guy who flirts with 2-4 targets when he plays, so if he is seeing the target totals go up, I love it. Also, Lazard may not play yet again which just opens up more opportunity for MVS. Worth a shot.

David Johnson – 49% Owned

I really am not sure why I am putting DJ in this once again, but with the release of Philip Lindsay this past week, this opens the door up for DJ once again. He has yet to give you double digit fantasy points since Week 1, but he has a nice matchup against the Jets this week and could have that safe 8-10 point floor out of a flex spot. You can also look to grab Rex Burkhead (7% owned) as well since he was the one who scored last week, but I think Johnson is the safer option. They did just land Royce Freeman off waivers and although I don’t see him doing much this week, he could fill a void the Texans need at some point.

Laviska Shenault Jr. – 40% Owned

Shenault has been a massive let down this season and was poised to have that second year breakout, but we have yet to see it yet. The biggest reason why I like him as a stash pickup is that Jamal Agnew is out for the season. We saw the Jags use Agnew far more that Shenault when he was healthy, but if Shenault can move back in to that Jamal Agnew role, then he should see his targets go up. It all really hinges on Trevor Lawrence and the play calling because both of those have not looked pretty all year, but give Shenault one more shot. See if they use him more following the Agnew injury and if now, just toss him back on free agency.

THE WRAP UP

Those are the few players I wanted to talk about this week and again, if none of them pan out, just cut them for other waiver wire adds next week. The two teams on byes this week are the Cardinals & Chiefs. Some players may have been dropped, or may still be available to stash for when they come off the bye.

A few players I would look at that may have been dropped or still out there would be Darrell Williams (especially for CEH owners) and Chase Edmonds.