Week 12 Byes: Bengals, Bills, Falcons, Jaguars, Jets and Saints - welcome to the bye-pocalypse!
Here are some players to consider picking up this week, if available, to get ahead of the other managers in your league. These players include potential bye-week fill-ins, players who are returning from injury, and defenses to look at in advance.
Beat the Waiver Wire: No-Brainers
In most leagues, these guys aren't available. But if you're fortunate enough to see them on the waiver wire, grab them.
QB Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (73% rostered on Sleeper)
Caleb who? Jayden what? Could the best rookie quarterback actually be Bo Nix? Many managers had the presence of mind to grab Nix, knowing how good his schedule was leading up to and during the fantasy playoffs. The only thing to be aware of is that the Broncos have a bye in Week 14, so make sure to have a pivot option. Nix is currently the QB7 and has the pleasure of facing the Bengals in championship week.
Beat the Waiver Wire: Quarterbacks
Will Levis, Tennessee Titans (15% rostered on Sleeper)
It is tough out there for quarterbacks, and I mentioned Levis last week. He was average last week (and I am not suggesting he will be the QB1 in a week), but if you are the Lamar Jackson or Jayden Daniels manager and have that Week 14 bye looming, you need to prepare now. The Titans play the Jags that week.
Beat the Waiver Wire: Running Backs
Jordan Mason, RB San Francisco 49ers (48% rostered on Sleeper)
A lot of managers may have dropped Mason as soon as Christian McCaffrey returned, but Mason remains one of the best handcuffs to keep on your roster. Mason has shown the ability to be the bell cow when called upon, and the Niners are falling apart at the seams. If the situation arises where San Francisco is out of the playoffs, I could see a world where McCaffrey sits down while Mason finishes out the year.
Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins (15% rostered on Sleeper)
With Raheem Mostert going down to a hip injury against the Raiders, we could see the door opened further for rookie Jaylen Wright. De'Von Achane continues to be the main man in Miami, but if Mostert has to miss time, which he could, being an older RB, we could see Wright worked in more. Wright’s snap share has been steadily increasing since Week 7, and the Dolphins have a middle-of-the-road schedule remaining, but Wright could serve fantasy on his own if Mostert is out, and if Achane happened to get injured, his value would skyrocket.
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (34% rostered on Sleeper)
Once again, it is handcuff time, and I mentioned Trey Benson here before. His snap share has been steadily increasing, along with the chance that the Cardinals will win the NFC West. If playoffs are on the horizon, I expect a slight decrease in James Conner’s usage, which could lead to more Benson. In the two weeks before the bye, Benson finished as the RB20 and RB21 and is beginning to gel with the offense.
Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles (5% rostered on Sleeper)
With all the handcuffs placed on rosters, no one seems to be talking about Gainwell. Saquon is extraordinary this season, but so is his usage, averaging 76% of the running back attempts in Philly. Like the Benson situation, the Eagles' goal is to go to the Super Bowl, so I could see Barkley getting more rest as they tie up their playoff position. The team also has the third-best schedule for running backs remaining.
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears (29% rostered on Sleeper)
The usage of D'Andre Swift changed drastically last weekend with the promotion of Thomas Brown to offensive coordinator. His running back share dropped from 94% to 58%, with Johnsons jumping from 6% to 42%. It might be a one-week thing, but in addition to the share change, Swift did not practice on Wednesday this week due to a groin strain. Even with a less-than-ideal schedule remaining, they have a decent matchup in championship week, and there is a world where they shut Swift down entirely if he is battling something and the Bears wave the white flag.
Beat the Waiver Wire: Wide Receivers
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers (42% rostered on Sleeper)
The sure-handed Thielen returns from IR after Carolina’s bye week to a (slightly) improved offense, and he was previously serviceable as a WR2 with Bryce Young under center. And there are very few targets left for Young to throw it to. I don't adore playing pieces of the Panthers offense, but they have Tampa Bay twice in their final five games, a team that gives up almost four fantasy points over expectation to the wide receiver position.
Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers (19% rostered on Sleeper)
Ladd McConkey came down awkwardly on his right shoulder on Sunday night, and although he did return to the game, it is unclear what his status will be this week. Los Angeles has Quentin Johnston, but if McConkey is limited at all, Joshua Palmer could get more opportunities. Justin Herbert has been on fire lately, finishing as a QB1 in the last four weeks. An explosive offense and some excellent wide receiver matchups on the horizon make Palmer a worthy stash.
Beat the Waiver Wire: Tight Ends
Luke Schoonmaker, Dallas Cowboys (10% rostered on Sleeper)
The Cowboys are grasping at straws to survive the end of the season, and the journey got even more complicated with Jake Ferguson going down with a concussion. However, Schoonmaker stepped in and had six receptions on ten targets in his stead. It is unclear if Ferguson’s concussion will be significant enough to limit him, so grabbing Schoonmaker is a gamble, but the Cowboys have a run of three great matchups for the tight end position starting in Week 14.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (50% rostered on Sleeper)
With at least nine fantasy points in five of the last six games, Henry is a solid contributor in New England. He has had six targets in four out of his previous five games and has run the most routes out of all tight ends this season. Plus, Drake Maye has proven a competent quarterback. The Patriots host the Colts in Week 13, who have given up over three fantasy points above expectation to opposing tight ends. Henry could start you off if you are piecing together tight ends for the fantasy playoffs.
Beat the Waiver Wire: Defense/Special Teams
Cincinnati Bengals (13% rostered on Sleeper)
You might be able to pounce on the Bengals with them heading into a bye week. You probably won’t want to use them the following week against the Steelers, but then you get a delightful run of Dallas, Tennessee, and Cleveland.
Washington Commanders (60% rostered on Sleeper)
Washington has been looking solid in their battle to win the NFC East, and they have a great run of matchups to close out the year. They have their bye in Week 14, so make sure to have an option then, but they play Dallas, Tennessee, and New Orleans, to name a few matchups. This week, we could also see the debut of the team’s new defensive weapon, Marshon Lattimore.
Arizona Cardinals (7% rostered on Sleeper)
I will keep mentioning Arizona with their roster percentage still low. If you want to carry one defense as long as possible on your roster for the remainder of the year, the Cardinals are playable through Week 16 versus Carolina.
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