Week 12 Upgrades, Downgrades, and Waiver Wire Wonders

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The number in red next to a waiver wire gem indicated the percentage of a "blind bid" budget used in some leagues to award free agent pickups. If your league does not use blind bid waivers, consider the number a way to rank the quality of waiver wire additions.

Quarterback Upgrade

1. QB Deshaun Watson, CLE (waiver wire: 15-30%)
2. QB Ryan Tannehill, TEN (waiver wire: 10-20%)
3. QB Jared Goff, DET (waiver wire: 5-10%)
4. QB Joe Burrow, CIN
5. QB Derek Carr, LV (waiver wire: 5-10%)
6. QB Andy Dalton, NO (waiver wire: 3-5%)
7. QB Justin Herbert, LAC
8. QB Jacoby Brissett, CLE (waiver wire: 1%)
9. QB Daniel Jones, NYG
10. QB Mike White, NYJ (waiver wire: 1%)
11. QB Bryce Perkins, LAR (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex)
12. QB Trevor Siemian, CHI (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex)
13. QB John Wolford, LAR (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex)

Quarterback Downgrade

1. QB Justin Fields, CHI (waiver wire: HOLD)
2. QB Matthew Stafford, LAR (waiver wire: DROP IN 1QB, HOLD IN 2QB/SUPERFLEX)
3. QB Zach Wilson, NYJ (waiver wire: DROP IN 1QB, HOLD IN 2QB/SUPERFLEX)
4. QB Kirk Cousins, MIN (waiver wire: DROP FOR 20-40% OR HIGHER)

Running Back Upgrade

1. RB Isiah Pacheco, KC (waiver wire: 25-50%)
2. RB Latavius Murray, DEN (waiver wire: 20-40%)
3. RB James Cook, BUF (waiver wire: 15-30%)
4. RB Samaje Perine, CIN (waiver wire: 15-30%)
5. RB Damien Harris, NE (waiver wire: 10-20%)
6. RB David Montgomery, CHI
7. RB Tony Pollard, DAL
8. RB Antonio Gibson, WAS
9. RB Dontrell Hilliard, TEN (waiver wire: 7-15%)
10. RB Najee Harris, PIT
11. RB Alexander Mattison, MIN (waiver wire: 5-10%)
12. RB Devin Singletary, BUF
13. RB Kyren Williams, LAR (waiver wire: 5-10%)
14. RB Cam Akers, LAR (waiver wire: 3-5%)
15. RB Matt Breida, NYG (waiver wire: 3-5%)
16. RB Keaontay Ingram, ARI (waiver wire: 3-5%)
17. RB Justin Jackson, DET (waiver wire: 1%)

Running Back Downgrade

1. RB Darrell Henderson, LAR (waiver wire: DROP)
2. RB James Robinson, NYJ (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER)
3. RB Jaylen Warren, PIT (waiver wire: DROP)
4. RB Saquon Barkley, NYG
5. RB DOnta Foreman, CAR (waiver wire: DROP FOR 25-50% OR HIGHER)
6. RB Dameon Pierce, HOU
7. RB Gus Edwards, BAL (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER)
8. RB Joe Mixon, CIN

Wide Receiver Upgrade

1. WR Treylon Burks, TEN (waiver wire: 25-50%)
2. WR Josh Palmer, LAC (waiver wire: 20-40%)
3. WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE (waiver wire: 15-30%)
4. WR Keenan Allen, LAC
5. WR Greg Dortch, ARI (waiver wire: 10-20%)
6. WR Skyy Moore, KC (waiver wire: 10-20%)
7. WR Darius Slayton, NYG (waiver wire: 10-20%)
8. WR Tee Higgins, CIN
9. WR Christian Watson, GB
10. WR Jameson Williams, DET (waiver wire: 7-15%)
11. WR Demarcus Robinson, BAL (waiver wire: 5-10%)
12. WR Amari Cooper, CLE
13. WR Gabe Davis, BUF
14. WR Robert Woods, TEN (waiver wire: 3-5%)
15. WR Randall Cobb, GB (waiver wire: 1%)

Wide Receiver Downgrade

1. WR Kadarius Toney, KC (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER)
2. WR Mike Williams, LAC (waiver wire: HOLD)
3. WR Garrett Wilson, NYJ (waiver wire: HOLD)

Tight End Upgrade

1. TE Juwan Johnson, NO (waiver wire: 10-20%)
2. TE Logan Thomas, WAS (waiver wire: 10-20%)
3. TE Tyler Higbee, LAR
4. TE Austin Hooper, TEN (waiver wire: 3-5%)
5. TE Dawson Knox, BUF
6. TE Lawrence Cager, NYG (waiver wire: 1%)
7. TE Jonnu Smith, NE (waiver wire: 1%)

Tight End Downgrade

1. TE Kyle Pitts, ATL (waiver wire: DROP)

Quarterback Upgrade

QB Jacoby Brissett, CLE - (waiver wire: 1%) - Brissett was a good fantasy play in Week 11, and not just because of garbage time. He should be a fine one week emergency play against the Bucs if you need someone.

QB Joe Burrow, CIN - Burrow took the Steelers best shot and still had an excellent without help from Ja'Marr Chase. Chase should be back in the next few weeks, and Burrow should be one of the most valuable fantasy quarterbacks this side of Mahomes/Allen/Hurts.

QB Derek Carr, LV - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - The Carr to Adams connection is heating up and making the Raiders quarterback a viable streamer. He was a solid play against the best scoring defense in the league and Carr has streamer viability against the Seahawks this week and for as long as he is passing this efficiently.

QB Andy Dalton, NO - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Dalton resoundingly answered criticism of him keeping his job for Week 11 with the best game of his career - at least in completion percentage and QB rating terms. He'll be a viable streamer against the 49ers with the Saints offense coming together.

QB Jared Goff, DET - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Don't get too hung up on Goff's small stat line from Week 11. The Lions scored four offensive touchdowns and that's the sign of a healthy offense and team that will generate numbers for the quarterback, perhaps on Thanksgiving against the Bills.

QB Justin Herbert, LAC - Herbert got Keenan Allen back, although he saw Mike Williams come back only to end up back on the sidelines. Josh Palmer's emergence is making up for the continued absence of Williams and Herbert is looking comfortable again heading into a matchup with the Cardinals. He'll be a solid QB1 going forward.

QB Daniel Jones, NYG - Jones scored on the ground and produced well through the air in a catchup game script against the Lions. He did lose Wan'Dale Robinson and will have to make it work with the worst receiver group in the league, but if you are going forward with Jones as your QB1, you might be ok. The Cowboys are up next on Thanksgiving.

QB Bryce Perkins, LAR - (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex) - Perkins actually has some value in 2QB/Superflex because of his running ability if he gets to start in Week 12 against the Chiefs. We'll be watching John Wolford's neck issue and Matthew Stafford's concussion status. It's possible Perkins gets to start for more than just this week, and he's probably a good preemptive add in 2QB/Superflex even if he doesn't start in Week 12.

QB Trevor Siemian, CHI - (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex) - Siemian isn't exciting in any way, but if Justin Fields is going to miss time, he'll have some value as emergency depth in 2QB/Superflex leagues.

QB Ryan Tannehill, TEN - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Tannehill came alive as a passer for the second straight week with Treylon Burks back and the Titans pass offense gelling. Teams are going to sell out to stop Derrick Henry, so Tannehill should be streamable going forward, with the Bengals up next.

QB Deshaun Watson, CLE - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - The Browns pass offense is looking healthy with David Njoku rounding back into form and the wide receiver duo putting up numbers most weeks with Jacoby Brissett. Watson will inherit a good situation in Week 13, although he will have to adjust to being a cold weather quarterback and transition to a new scheme and teammates.

QB Mike White, NYJ - (waiver wire: 1%) - Zach Wilson should start this week, but if he falters again vs. the Bears, White should get his shot to save the season soon.

QB John Wolford, LAR - (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex) - Wolford missed Week 11 with a neck issue, but the team might need him to start in Week 12 and for as long as it takes Matthew Stafford to get out of concussion protocol. Wolford has some running ability, but will only be a desperation play in 2QB/Superflex if he starts.

Quarterback Downgrade

QB Kirk Cousins, MIN - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 20-40% OR HIGHER) - Cousins and the Minnesota pass blocking were both disasters against the Cowboys. With Bill Belichick up next on Thanksgiving, Cousins could be getting into a slump at the wrong time for fantasy managers.

QB Justin Fields, CHI - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Fields had another great game for fantasy and it was exciting, but he came out of it with a shoulder injury and it's not clear if he'll miss time or how much he'll miss.

QB Matthew Stafford, LAR - (waiver wire: DROP IN 1QB, HOLD IN 2QB/SUPERFLEX) - Stafford was actually producing behind a piecemeal offensive line without Cooper Kupp before he had to leave and get checked for a concussion. He and the team should be very conservative with this injury issue, so it's hard to say when we will see Stafford again.

QB Zach Wilson, NYJ - (waiver wire: DROP IN 1QB, HOLD IN 2QB/SUPERFLEX) - Maybe it's just the Patriots, but the bye didn't fix whatever is keeping Wilson from progressing in his development. He'll play a weak Bears defense in Week 12, but is only a 2QB/Superflex desperation play.

Running Back Upgrade

RB Cam Akers, LAR - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Akers is coming on as a runner - finally - but it's just as the Rams seem to be ready to close up shop as a competitive team in 2022. He'll be a desperation play who could have growing value.

RB Matt Breida, NYG - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - It was Breida, not Saquon Barkley, who got the score, and Barkley was ineffective against the seemingly vulnerable Lions run defense. You have to wonder if Barkley was overused in Week 10. Breida has Barkley injury upside, so he's worth a bench stash if you have a spot for him.

RB James Cook, BUF - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - The Bills seem like they are ready to trust Cook more down the stretch, and he's posting the big gains that would justify even more usage going forward. He also has Devin Singletary injury upside.

RB Antonio Gibson, WAS - Gibson posted a decisive edge in snaps and touches over Brian Robinson as he appears to be moving into a big enough role to justify starting him everyweek as your RB2/Flex for a suddenly winning Washington team.

RB Damien Harris, NE - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Harris was back from his hamstring injury and looked more effective than Rhamondre Stevenson as a runner. The team could restore a more even balance of snaps and touches between the two going forward. Harris is a what-the-heck flex play against the embarrassed Vikings on Thanksgiving night.

RB Najee Harris, PIT - Jaylen Warren went down with a hamstring injury and Harris had his best fantasy game of the season. After dealing with foot and knee issues of his own, Harris is poised to help fantasy teams that have survived taking him early.

RB Dontrell Hilliard, TEN - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - Derrick Henry looked great as a passer, but his effectiveness as a runner is tailing off, and there's always the risk of overuse catching up with the Titans. Hilliard is one of the best injury upside backups to stash and he even has some desperation play value against the Bengals.

RB Keaontay Ingram, ARI - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Ingram is the injury upside backup now to James Conner, who is not known for durability.

RB Justin Jackson, DET - (waiver wire: 1%) - Jackson is showing that he'll have injury upside if D'Andre Swift gets hurt again, or if Jamaal Williams goes down. The Lions offense is for real and Jackson is running well behind a good line with a diverse set of plays and concepts.

RB Alexander Mattison, MIN - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Dalvin Cook's early season shoulder injury scare didn't result in anything significant for Mattison, but he is still one of the essential injury upside backups to stash for the stretch run.

RB David Montgomery, CHI - Khalil Herbert going on injured reserve lit Montgomery's fantasy fuse about as well as we could have hoped. He had over 100 total yards and a score. We'll see if Justin Fields can play in Week 12. If he can't, it would hurt Montgomery's value slightly, but Montgomery would still be an RB2 play against the Jets.

RB Latavius Murray, DEN - (waiver wire: 20-40%) - Murray scored and seemed to move ahead of Melvin Gordon when Gordon fumbled yet again at the goal line vs. the Raiders. Then Gordon was released. Consider Murray a low ceiling RB2 against the Panthers in Week 12.

RB Isiah Pacheco, KC - (waiver wire: 25-50%) - Pacheco taking over the running game for the Chiefs stuck in Week 11 and he responded with a 100-yard game. The Chargers run defense is weak, but the Chiefs will keep defenses in passing mode because of Patrick Mahomes, so Pacheco has potential for the stretch run with the reeling Rams up next.

RB Samaje Perine, CIN - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - Perine was a tour de force in the passing game, and that was even before Joe Mixon went out with a concussion. Mixon may only miss one or even zero games, but Perine has proven that he can be a league winner if Mixon missed significant time.

RB Tony Pollard, DAL - Ezekiel Elliott was back, but it didn't slow down Tony Pollard one bit. The team finally used him more in the passing game and he ended up being a week winner. Pollard is a must start from here on out.

RB Devin Singletary, BUF - Singletary is coming on just as the Bills need more balance in their offense. He has peaked in December in two of his three previous seasons and he should have a lot of gas in the tank after being used sparingly earlier in the season.

RB Kyren Williams, LAR - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Williams snap count and touches both went up in Week 11, although Cam Akers is also coming on and this offense is going downhill, so even though there's room for value growth, it's not clear if we'll be able to trust anyone in this offense going forward.

Running Back Downgrade

RB Saquon Barkley, NYG - Barkley was bottled up by the Lions in a possible sign that 35 carries in Week 10 was too much for him. He has to be in lineups against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving, but we might see him look weary again with a short week of rest.

RB Gus Edwards, BAL - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER) - It seemed like Edwards was close to playing in Week 11, but his hamstring kept him off of the field. By the time we can trust him, J.K. Dobbins could be back, and it's not even clear that the Ravens will go run heavy in any given game.

RB DOnta Foreman, CAR - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 25-50% OR HIGHER) - When Baker Mayfield enters, fantasy value leaves the Panthers offense. Foreman has been one of the most quintessential boom/bust plays in recent memory. The Broncos had trouble with Josh Jacobs, so we'll lean toward playing Foreman this week, but won't be surprised if the results are poor.

RB Darrell Henderson, LAR - (waiver wire: DROP) - It's hard to understand why the Rams won't use Henderson more, but they would rather keep him in a small role. It's not going to happen for him this year.

RB Joe Mixon, CIN - Mixon left Week 11 with a concussion. We'll see if he's cleared in time to face the stout Titans run defense on the road.

RB Dameon Pierce, HOU - Pierce was suplexed by John Ridgeway in a symbolic moment that showed just how much better the Commanders are than the Texans right now. Pierce should stay in lineups against Miami, but if he has another poor game, we'll feel uncertain about plugging him for Week 13.

RB James Robinson, NYJ - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER) - Robinson somehow got fewer snaps than Ty Johnson. The Jets are still a winning team and they have good matchups in the fantasy playoffs, but our patience with Robinson might result in a wasted roster spot.

RB Jaylen Warren, PIT - (waiver wire: DROP) - Warren left Week 11 with a hamstring injury. There's Najee Harris injury upside there when Warren is healthy again, but that's not worth waiting around for.

Wide Receiver Upgrade

WR Keenan Allen, LAC - Allen came back, stayed on the field, and was productive! Hopefully this week of practice will be uneventful and we'll be able to plug him in again vs. the Cardinals.

WR Treylon Burks, TEN - (waiver wire: 25-50%) - Burks snap share actually went down in Week 11, but his production spiked in a hopeful sign of what is to come for the Titans pass offense. He'll face a Bengals team that could force the Titans out of a run-heavy shell.

WR Randall Cobb, GB - (waiver wire: 1%) - Cobb came back to play an important role right away for Aaron Rodgers. He's not going to change your season, but in deep PPR leagues, Cobb is viable emergency depth.

WR Amari Cooper, CLE - One of the touchdowns was garbage time, but that doesn't change that Cooper has been a massive success for fantasy with Jacoby Brissett and he could get even better in two weeks when Deshaun Watson returns to the field.

WR Gabe Davis, BUF - The Browns sold out to take away Stefon Diggs, and Davis got a bigger share of targets. While the drops didn't go away completely, Davis made enough positive plays to stay in lineups and Josh Allen's circle of trust heading into a great matchup against the Lions on Thanksgiving.

WR Greg Dortch, ARI - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Dortch took over when Rondale Moore left early with a groin injury and had a strong fantasy game. It's not clear how his target share will look when Marquise Brown returns - maybe next week - and we're not sure how long Moore will be out, but Dortch's track record of production this year when Moore is out makes him a priority pickup.

WR Tee Higgins, CIN - For the first time since Ja'Marr Chase went out, Higgins looked like a #1 receiver. The Steelers corners had no answers for him and the Titans corners might not in Week 12. Chase should be back soon, but Higgins is heating up at the right time.

WR Skyy Moore, KC - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - The Chiefs had to put Moore out there against the Chargers out of necessity after their wide receiver group was thinned yet again by injury, and he responded. He's still only a desperation play if Juju Smith-Schuster can come back in Week 12 against the Rams, but Moore has done enough to be worth an add because he's connected to Patrick Mahomes.

WR Josh Palmer, LAC - (waiver wire: 20-40%) - Palmer had a career game against the Chiefs, and even though it wasn't enough to get the win, it's clear evidence of the budding connection between him and Justin Herbert. We'll be watching Mike Williams practice reports, but even if Williams is slated to play, consider Palmer as a WR3/Flex against the Cardinals. He could have value even after all hands are on deck in the Chargers pass offense.

WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - Peoples-Jones scored in garbage time in his hometown and extended his streak of WR3/Flex worthy weeks to seven. When Deshaun Watson comes back in two weeks, Peoples-Jones value could go even higher.

WR Demarcus Robinson, BAL - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - The Ravens went pass heavy and Robinson was the clear #1 receiver, just like everyone had it coming out of the Ravens bye. This offense is going to be tough to count on outside of Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews, but Robinson is worth an add at the end of your bench just to see if this sticks against the Jaguars.

WR Darius Slayton, NYG - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Slayton was the #2 target behind Wan'Dale Robinson against the Lions, but Robinson went out with a torn ACL, and the Giants will probably have to pass a lot on Thanksgiving to keep up with the Cowboys. Slayton has moved into WR3/Flex territory.

WR Christian Watson, GB - Just in case you thought Watson was a fluke, he scored twice in the losing effort against the Titans. He's a boom/bust WR3/Flex against the Eagles.

WR Jameson Williams, DET - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - Williams has been designated to return from the NFI list. It's not clear when he'll play and how much he'll play, but when he returns, he'll have big play upside and there's an outside chance that he'll be relevant with a splash in fantasy leagues.

WR Robert Woods, TEN - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Woods had his highest catch total and second highest PPR fantasy point total of the season as the Titans pass offense is rounding into form. He's decent emergency depth going forward.

Wide Receiver Downgrade

WR Kadarius Toney, KC - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER) - In a microcosm of his career, Toney came into Week 11 with high expectations and left with a hamstring injury. He's not an essential hold and maybe a drop out of sheer frustration.

WR Mike Williams, LAC - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Williams took the field Sunday night, caught one pass, and then left the game. It appears his ankle isn't 100% yet. Hopefully he didn't reinjure it and will have a chance to play this week. Don't drop him unless we hear he's going to be out for a while.

WR Garrett Wilson, NYJ - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Wilson could not keep a lid on his frustration after the Jets loss to the Patriots. As long as Zach Wilson is the quarterback, it will be difficult to trust Garrett Wilson in lineups, but if a change is made by the end of the season, he could be dependable again.

Tight End Upgrade

TE Lawrence Cager, NYG - (waiver wire: 1%) - If you're desperate at tight end this week, consider Cager, a converted wide receiver who has taken over the tight end job for the Giants until Daniel Bellinger can return - which should be in the next 2-3 weeks. The Giants play the Cowboys on Thanksgiving.

TE Tyler Higbee, LAR - Higbee's numbers weren't as good as they were in Week 10, but his involvement in the passing game remained strong. His value might take a hit if Matthew Stafford is out for a while, but the passing game should continue to feature him with Cooper Kupp on the shelf.

TE Austin Hooper, TEN - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Hooper rode the wave of a revived Titans passing game to a two score effort to delight teams that gave him a shot in their lineup. He'll be worth a streaming start against the Bengals and we'll keep him in as long as he's hot.

TE Juwan Johnson, NO - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - You can't deny the fantasy value that Johnson has created in his five scores in five games stretch. Now that Andy Dalton is entrenched as the quarterback, Johnson should have low-end TE1 value going forward.

TE Dawson Knox, BUF - The Browns appeared to be set on taking Stefon Diggs out of the Bills passing game, which freed up a lot of targets for Knox. After posting a season high in yards and catches, Knox will get the Lions on Thanksgiving.

TE Jonnu Smith, NE - (waiver wire: 1%) - If you're desperate at tight end, consider Smith, who is looking good after the catch even if he did set the ball down on the turf. The Patriots are also using him as a runner, so there's multiple paths to value against the Vikings on Thanksgiving night.

TE Logan Thomas, WAS - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Thomas looked like his old self for the first time this year, and he put up fantasy relevant numbers in the balanced Commanders offense. He's worth picking up and playing as a low-end TE1 going forward.

Tight End Downgrade

TE Kyle Pitts, ATL - (waiver wire: DROP) - Pitts has a torn MCL, which will sideline him for at least the near term. He wasn't doing enough to wait around for, so you can sadly drop Pitts now.