Week 12 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Alex Collins & Cam Newton

With Thanksgiving being a part of Week 12, there is a unique schedule that includes three Thursday games. Only two teams will be on a bye, but they are the Chiefs and Cardinals, so there will be several top-tier fantasy options that will not be available. If your fantasy squad needs some reinforcements, consider adding the following players, who are still available in the majority of leagues. You can also use our Waiver Wire Pickups tool to help find viable options and determine how much of your FAAB you might need to use for each player.

Fantasy Football: Week 12 NFL Waiver Wire Pickups

Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks (51% available)

It is a bit surprising that Collins is available in this many leagues. Chris Carson (neck) is going to be out for the remainder of the season, so he is primed to take on a leading role for the Seahawks. He led the team with 10 carries in Week 11, compared to six total carries for Rashaad Penny and DeeJay Dallas. He finished with just 36 yards, but the volume is encouraging for his potential production down the stretch.

Week 12 Waiver Wire Priority: 1 (10% of FAAB budget)

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (62% available)

The Panthers did not win in Newton’s return as their starting quarterback, but he provided a fantasy-friendly stat line. He completed 21 of 27 pass attempts for 189 yards and two touchdowns. His calling card has been his ability to do damage with his legs, and he did just that, with 10 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown. With Patrick Mahomes or Kyler Murray on bye, those in need of a fill-in can turn to Newton.

Week 12 Waiver Wire Priority: 2 (3%-5% of FAAB budget)

Elijah Moore, New York Jets (59% available)

Despite the Jets losing, Joe Flacco played pretty well in his first start of the season. He threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns, leading the team to 17 points. Moore was his leading receiver, turning 11 targets into eight receptions, 141 yards and a touchdown. While it is uncertain who will start for the Jets at quarterback in Week 12, they have a favorable matchup against the Texans, who have allowed the sixth-most yards passing per game. With at least six targets in five straight games, this is a matchup that Moore could exploit.

Week 12 Waiver Wire Priority: 3 (1%-3% of FAAB budget)

Cedrick Wilson, Dallas Cowboys (99% available)

The Cowboys are in a tough spot. They have a quick turnaround to play Thursday, meaning Amari Cooper (COVID-19) will be forced to miss his second straight game. CeeDee Lamb suffered a concussion against the Chiefs, so he might not be able to clear the concussion protocols in just four days. If he cannot play, Michael Gallup and Wilson would be the Cowboys two most prominent wide receivers. With Lamb leaving early against the Chiefs, Wilson caught four of seven targets for 36 yards.

Week 12 Waiver Wire Priority: 4 (1%-3% of FAAB budget)

Rex Burkhead, Houston Texans (99% available)

The Texans upsetting the Titans was one of the more surprising performances of Week 11. One of the stranger individual performances on the team came from Burkhead, who received 18 carries. He did not exactly take advantage, with only 40 yards rushing, but he had five more carries than the next-closest running back. He never had more than four in a game previously this season, so he is not exactly a lock to have a leading role moving forward. However, if he continues to receive the bulks of the carries in Week 12, he could exploit a Jets defense that has allowed the fifth-most yards rushing per game.

Week 12 Waiver Wire Priority: 5 (1%-3% of FAAB budget)

Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings (64% available)

If coasting towards the fantasy playoffs and have an open spot at the end of the bench, it is not a bad idea to add Mattison. When Dalvin Cook is healthy, his role is usually very limited. Case in point, he had only three carries in Week 11, compared to Cook’s 22. However, if Cook were to suffer an injury down the stretch, Mattison would immediately step into a huge role. In the two games that Cook missed this season, Mattison had a total of 51 carries for 225 yards and 13 receptions for 99 yards.

Week 12 Waiver Wire Priority: 6 (1% of FAAB budget)

Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns (79% available)

The Browns do not have a dynamic passing attack by any means. That has contributed to Hooper only topping 50 yards receiving in a game one time this season. However, those who have Travis Kelce or Zach Ertz could be desperate this week, and Hooper is in a favorable matchup against the Ravens, who have allowed the fourth-most PPR points per game to opposing tight ends.

Week 12 Waiver Wire Priority: 7 (1% of FAAB budget)

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