Waiver Worthy: Week 12 (2018): Running Backs With Opportunities, Rising Wide Receivers & More

by Will Overton

Week 12 is officially in the books and we are entering what is likely your last (or next to last) regular season matchup. For this weeks waiver wire column we are looking at hot performers on the wire, but also matchup plays as you have to put out the best lineup possible week to week. We are also going to focus on those who I feel are worth an add in the right league format:

Dak Prescott – QB, Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are humming along pretty well right now and a big part of that is the solid recent play of Prescott. The dual threat QB has been getting it done through the air, thanks to the addition of Amari Cooper, as well as on the ground. Prescott has five TD runs in his last six games and also has eight TD passes in these last six with only one interception. This week he faces the Saints, which means he’ll probably be throwing the ball a lot given how well New Orleans stops the run. Prescott also has a nice playoff schedule with no matchups the rest of the way against top half of the league pass defenses. I think Prescott is a Top 10 QB the rest of the way.

Case Keenum – QB, Denver Broncos
If we are looking for a streaming option for Week 13 specifically, and someone more available in leagues, Keenum is your guy. Keenum and the Broncos are another team that’s hot right now and while he isn’t someone you want to use every week he can get the job done in the right matchup. The Cincinnati Bengals are very much that. The team’s season is spiraling and their pass defense may be the worst in the league. I think the Broncos keep rolling and Keenum finds the end zone at least twice, if not more.

Austin Ekeler – RB, Los Angeles Chargers
This is a watch the injury report situation as Ekeler’s success is largely dependant on Melvin Gordon not playing (and he’s out for at least a few weeks). Ekeler does a lot of his damage through the passing game, he caught 10 passes this past Sunday, but he can run if the opportunity presents itself with 5.8 YPC this season. The Chargers may find themselves in a shootout with the Steelers on Sunday Night, which could bode well for him and his pass catching skills. With Gordon out Ekeler is a must use option.

Carlos Hyde – RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
I’ve been highlighting favorable matchups for Week 13, which Carlos Hyde doesn’t have against a solid Indianapolis Colts run defense. However the situation is potentially promising for some fantasy value. Leonard Fournette is suspended for a week, which means Hyde is likely the lead back in run situations. There is also the fact that the Jaguars are changing quarterbacks and may not want to put too much on their new signal caller, giving Hyde have a bigger role despite the poor matchup. You don’t want to have to use Hyde, but if you do need to he could have some value.

Ryan Switzer – WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Over the last few weeks Switzer has taken over as the third receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers and has gotten better each week. He had his best game this past Sunday against the Broncos, catching six passes on eight targets for 67 yards. We know the Steelers notoriously like to use three wide receivers and now that they have someone who is getting the job done I think they’ll keep using him. I mentioned earlier that the Chargers and Steelers could be a bit of a shootout and if it is Switzer could have some nice value.

Robert Foster – WR, Buffalo Bills
This is more of a risky play, but it’s one to consider if you want to gamble on a guy with some upside. Over the last two games Foster has flashed some enticing big play potential with five catches for 199 yards and a TD. The risk is that he seems to be big play dependent and the Bills don’t throw much with Josh Allen under center. The matchup against the Dolphins is nice and I think the Bills are all about seeing what they have in their young guys like Foster so the snap count should be favorable. Like I said there’s risk here, but he may be emerging and you don’t want to miss the boat.

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Make sure to check out all of our Week 12 rankings: