Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 12: Thomas Rawls on a Roll

Thomas Rawls may be the big pickup to surge your team to fantasy glory. Marshawn Lynch is out this week, and may be out a lot longer, with abdominal surgery being discussed that would put him out until the real playoffs begin.

Rawls has now had two monster games when replacing Lynch. He will be a clear #1 and a top 6 option when Lynch is out. He is owned in about 61% of leagues, so he may not be available in yours. If he is, he is worth the max bid of your remaining money if you operate in such a format.

If you miss out on Rawls, as always, I list potential pickups in Shallow Leagues (50-69% owned), Average Leagues (30-49% owned), and Deep Leagues (owned in less than 30%).

QUARTERBACKS

All Leagues: Brian Hoyer (21%) gets New Orleans. You want a QB against New Orleans. He’s worth starting this week.

Shallow Leagues: Jameis Winston (55%) at IND is improving and coming off a 5-TD performance. He’s worth a start in deep leagues or in 2-QB leagues.

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs MIA (53%) is your other fallback option.

Average and Deep Leagues: I like both Josh McCown (11%) and Matt Schaub (1%) to at least be serviceable in the Browns-Ravens rematch that gave us things like the butt catch in the first time around.

RUNNING BACKS

All Leagues: In addition to Rawls, Javorius Allen (19%) will get a chance to be the starter in Baltimore, with Justin Forsett’s season-ending injury. Allen will be more of a RB2 option.

Shallow Leagues: Theo Riddick (57%) goes against the Eagles’ defense that just got shredded on Sunday, on a short week. That makes him a good flex play, particularly in PPR.

Isaiah Crowell (58%) vs BAL is a fallback option against the Ravens. Low end flex play.

Average Leagues: Keep an eye on Devonta Freeman concussion news, if he is out, Tevin Coleman (45%) vs MIN becomes playable.

Deep Leagues: Ahmad Bradshaw (12%) is getting carries anyway, but if Frank Gore is out (he’ll be on the injury report) then Bradshaw becomes a low-end RB2 option this week.

[Update: I omitted Spencer Ware (1%) from my initial notes. Ware put up big numbers after Charcandrick West left, against the worst run defense in the league. It is still West’s job, but Ware is clearly ahead of Knile Davis and the guy to have if West is out this week]

WIDE RECEIVERS

Pickings are thin at wide receiver this week. There a few limited options if you need immediate help.

Shallow Leagues: The Titans have missed Kendall Wright (54%) and he could be back this week against Oakland.

Average and Deep Leagues: Tyler Lockett (12%) vs PIT gives big play ability in a game where Seattle will need to score. Chris Givens (16%) vs CLE is the WR2 there. Devin Funchess (19%) at DAL has been getting more action recently.

TIGHT ENDS

All Leagues: Brent Celek (3%) at DET should get all the tight end action on a short week with Zach Ertz’ concussion on Sunday. He’s option 1 and should be available to play.

Shallow and Average Leagues: Crockett Gilmore (51%) at CLE, Jacob Tamme (33%) vs MIN, and Kyle Rudolph (37%) at ATL coming off a career high 99 yards are the other fallback options.

OVERALL

Thomas Rawls, RB SEA
Javorius Allen, RB BAL
Brian Hoyer, QB HOU
Theo Riddick, RB DET
Jameis Winston, QB TB
Kendall Wright, WR TEN
Brent Celek, TE PHI
Shaun Draughn RB SF
Tyler Lockett, WR SEA
Spencer Ware, RB KC
Tevin Coleman, RB ATL
Chris Givens, WR BAL
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB IND
Devin Funchess, WR CAR
Johnny Manziel, QB CLE
Isaiah Crowell, RB CLE