2018 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 12: Start, Stash and Stream

Welcome back to Start, Stash and Stream where we provide an in depth look into the waiver wire landscape each week. Late season injuries can potentially destroy an otherwise beautiful year-long fantasy squad. And with more than a few notable injuries Week 11, properly scouring the waiver wire could be the difference between finding a lifebuoy in the ocean, or sinking with a cannon ball tied around your waist. Thankfully, RSJ is here to assess the field and provide you with the best pickups for the stretch run, and beyond.  As a note, bye week players worthy of Start, Stash and Stream consideration will find themselves in the “Stash” section from here on out, so be wary.

Start

1. Josh Adams, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (32% Yahoo ownership); (15-20% FAAB)
2. Tre’Quan Smith, WR, New Orleans Saints (26% Yahoo ownership); (10-12% FAAB)
3. Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit Lions (32% Yahoo ownership); (7-9% FAAB)
4. Jalen Richard, RB, Oakland Raiders (44% Yahoo ownership); (7-9% FAAB)
5. Anthony Miller, WR, Chicago Bears (42% Yahoo ownership); (6-8% FAAB)
6. Keke Coutee, WR, Houston Texans (30% Yahoo ownership); (5-7% FAAB)
7. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens (18% Yahoo ownership) ; (4-6% FAAB)
8. Elijah McGuire, RB, New York Jets (14% Yahoo ownership); (4-6% FAAB)
9. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (45% Yahoo ownership); (4-6% FAAB)
10. Frank Gore, RB, Miami Dolphins (25% Yahoo ownership); (3-5% FAAB)
11. Danny Amendola, WR, Miami Dolphins (40% Yahoo ownership); (3-5% FAAB) 
12. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys (48% Yahoo ownership); (3-5% FAAB)
13. Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10% Yahoo ownership); (3-5% FAAB)
14. D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers (39% Yahoo ownership); (3-5% FAAB)
15. Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns (41% Yahoo ownership); (2-4% FAAB)
16. Marquise Goodwin, WR, San Fransisco 49ers (41% Yahoo ownership); (1% FAAB)
17. Jeff Heuerman, TE, Denver Broncos (24% Yahoo ownership); (1% FAAB)

People were praying to the fantasy gods for an answer. Who will take control of the Philadelphia Eagles backfield? Luckily, RSJ has a direct line to heaven, so we answered that last week. After exploding onto the scene the two weeks prior, RSJ’s #1 waiver claim Week 10, Josh Adams, officially left his mark in the Philly backfield Week 11, totaling 10 touches for 72 yards and a score. Again, Adams led all Eagles runners in carries and rushing yardage (7 for 53, 7.57 YPC), and finally started garnering looks out of the backfield (3 receptions for 19 yards). He has the skill set and versatility to dominate a backfield, and with more volume Adams could find himself in the weekly RB2 conversation by season’s end…With Kerryon Johnson week to week with a sprained knee, the Lions will be forced to fill that void from within. With LeGarrette Blount, the human cement truck, and his 2.3 YPC average? No. Maybe Zach Zenner then, and his 1 (ONE!) carry this entire year? Pass. Theo Riddick‘s volume and usage has been steadily on the rise over the past few week, as he has caught 18 balls for 126 yards since Week 9. Sure, he does not profile as your typical running back, and may only receive 5-7 totes out of the backfield per game with Johnson shelved. But Matthew Stafford will likely find himself in the shotgun more often without a true running game, meaning Riddick could see an even greater uptick in the coming weeks…Welcome back (Kotter) to these two former RSJ #1 waiver claims. Tre’Quan Smith looked like he was being phased out of the Saints offense after the acquisition of Dez Bryant. Luckily (for Smith’s fantasy outlook), Dez immediately tore his Achilles, leading New Orleans to sign yet another veteran, Brandon Marshall. Well, maybe the Saints should rethink their wide receivers needs. Smith led all Saints in targets (13), receptions (10), and receiving yardage (157), adding in a score to boot. If he can hold onto that WR2 spot across from Michael Thomas, Smith will remain a weekly Flex play, at worst….Keke Coutee of Week 7 RSJ waiver wire fame is healthy for the first time since Week 7, showing that explosiveness he displayed earlier this season. And while the Texans traded for high-profiled wideout Demaryius Thomas, Coutee seemingly jumped him on the depth chart after leading all Texans in targets (9), receptions (5), and receiving yardage (77).

Stash

1. 1. Rex Burkhead, RB, New England Patriots (19% Yahoo ownership); (5-7% FAAB) 
   2. Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens (3% Yahoo ownership); (3-5% FAAB) 
   3. Dontrelle Inman, WR, Indianapolis Colts (0% Yahoo ownership); (3-5% FAAB) 
   4. Josh Reynolds, WR, Los Angeles Rams (43% Yahoo ownership); (2-4% FAAB)
   5. DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins (14% Yahoo ownership); (1-2% FAAB) 
   6. LeGarrette Blount, RB, Detroit Lions (9% Yahoo ownership); (1% FAAB)
   7. Zach Zenner, RB, Detroit Lions (0% Yahoo ownership); (1% FAAB)
   8. Cameron Brate, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21% Yahoo ownership); (1% FAAB)
   9. Giovani Bernard, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (30% Yahoo ownership)
   10. Willie Snead IV, WR, Baltimore Ravens (36% Yahoo ownership)
   11. Robby Anderson, WR, New York Jets (25% Yahoo ownership)
   12. Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals (34% Yahoo ownership)
   13. Adam Humphries, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (14% Yahoo ownership)
   14. David Moore, WR, Seattle Seahawks (10% Yahoo ownership)
   15. Bruce Ellington, WR, Detroit Lions (0% Yahoo ownership)
   16. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (43% Yahoo ownership)
   17. Trey Quinn, WR, Washington Redskins (1% Yahoo ownership)
   18. Zay Jones, WR, Buffalo Bills (1% Yahoo ownership)
       
   19. Mike Davis, RB, Seattle Seahawks (44% Yahoo ownership)
   20. John Ross, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (13% Yahoo ownership)
   21. Malcolm Brown, RB, Los Angeles Rams (7% Yahoo ownership)
   22. DeDe Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (35% Yahoo ownership)
   23. Alfred Morris, RB, San Fransisco 49ers (14% Yahoo ownership)
   24. Buffalo Bills DST (13% Yahoo ownership)
   25. Taylor Gabriel, WR, Chicago Bears (31% Yahoo ownership)
   26. Seth Roberts, WR, Oakland Raiders (1% Yahoo ownership)
   27. Cole Beasley, WR, Dallas Cowboys (27% Yahoo ownership)
   28. Quincy Enunwa, WR, New York Jets (9% Yahoo ownership)
   29. Jonnu Smith, TE, Tennessee Titans (7% Yahoo ownership)
   30. Tajae Sharpe, WR, Tennessee Titans (1% Yahoo ownership)
   31. Alfred Blue, RB, Houston Texans (6% Yahoo ownership)
   32. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1% Yahoo ownership)
   33. Josh Doctson, WR, Washington Redskins (14% Yahoo ownership)
   34. Lance Kendricks, TE, Green Bay Packers (0% Yahoo ownership)
   35. DeAndre Washington, RB, Oakland Raiders (0% Yahoo ownership)
   36. Maurice Harris, WR, Washington Redskins (32% Yahoo ownership)
   37. Ty Montgomery, RB, Baltimore Ravens (13% Yahoo ownership)
   38. Antonio Callaway, WR, Cleveland Browns (9% Yahoo ownership)
   39. Nick Vannett, TE, Seattle Seahawks (5% Yahoo ownership)
   40. D’Onta Foreman, RB, Houston Texans (11% Yahoo ownership)
   41. Jaylen Samuels, RB / TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (10% Yahoo ownership)
   42. Chris Herndon, TE, New York Jets (7% Yahoo ownership)
   43. Donte Moncrief, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (22% Yahoo ownership) 
   44. Corey Clement, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (19% Yahoo ownership)
   45. Gerald Everett, TE, Los Angeles Rams (2% Yahoo ownership)
   46. Nyheim Hines, RB, Indianapolis Colts (24% Yahoo ownership)
   47. Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles 56% Yahoo ownership)
   48. Ricky Seals-Jones, TE, Arizona Cardinals (32% Yahoo ownership)
   49. Jordan Wilkins, RB, Indianapolis Colts (4% Yahoo ownership)
   50. Spencer Ware, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (10% Yahoo ownership) 
   51. Marcus Murphy, RB, Buffalo Bills (0% Yahoo ownership)
   52. Kendrick Bourne, WR, San Francisco 49ers (0% Yahoo ownership)
   53. Curtis Samuel, WR, Carolina Panthers (2% Yahoo ownership) 
   54. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens (2% Yahoo ownership)
   55. Antonio Gates, TE, Los Angeles Chargers (3% Yahoo ownership)
   56. Rod Smith, RB, Dallas Cowboys (1% Yahoo ownership)
   57. Wayne Gallman, RB, New York Giants (1% Yahoo ownership)
   58. Chase Edmonds, RB, Arizona Cardinals (1% Yahoo ownership) 
   59. Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams (1% Yahoo ownership)
   60. Robert Tonyan, TE, Green Bay Packers (0% Yahoo ownership)

Who or what is a Gus Edwards (scroll to the 1:20 mark in the video below for the famous ‘Who or what is a Private Butz?!?!’ line)!?!? With Lamar Jackson manning the quarterback position, we knew the Ravens offense would have a whole different (aka, run heavy) approach. But prior to Sunday, Edwards had just 15 carries for 64 yards on the season. However, Edwards gashed the Bengals Week 10 for 115 yards on 17 carries (6.76 YPC) with a touchdown. While competing with Alex Collins for carries, and Ty Montgomery and Javorius Allen for receptions out of the backfield, Edwards’ usage could remain volatile for the short term. However, he showed true explosiveness, which has been missing this year from the Ravens backfield, and could eventually separate himself as the lead dog…One of my favorite under the radar Week 12 adds, Dontrelle Inman looks primed to take a larger role in the Colts offense. Chester Rogers and Ryan Grant have repeatedly failed in their starts as the WR2 in this vaunted Indy attack which has seen Andrew Luck throw for 3+ touchdowns in 7 consecutive weeks. Inman ranked second among Colts wide receivers for snaps Week 11, and contributed a 4-34-1 TD line. With Luck slinging and the Colts offense churning, Inman has solid upside in a potentially very high volume role…With their wide receiving corps in shambles, the Washington Redskins might have found a beacon in the night. Rookie Trey Quinn caught all four of his targets for 49 yards, ranking second on the team in each category to Jordan Reed. He also played 12 more snaps (53 to 41) than supposed lead wide receiver Maurice Harris. With an increasing role, Washington’s shifty, little slot receiver could play a large role with Colt McCoy now manning the Redskins passing attack.

Stream

1. C.J. Uzomah, TE, Cincinnati Bengals (20% Yahoo ownership)
2. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Atlanta Falcons (43% Yahoo ownership)
3. Indianapolis Colts DST (26% Yahoo ownership)
4. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants (23% Yahoo ownership)
5. Nick Mullens, QB, San Fransisco 49ers (7% Yahoo ownership)

If A.J. Green misses Sunday’s contest against Cleveland, C.J. Uzomah will once again command a decent amount of targets. Uzomah’s recent failures (6 catches for 64 yards over his past three games) will make you want to temper expectations, but opposing defenses have recently burned the Browns…Turkey, stuffing, and football. The staples of any great Thanksgiving. Add in a shootout in the Superdome at 8:20 at night and you have yourself a full day. With a projected total of 59.5 points, the Falcons and Saints will be lighting up the scoreboard all day, so look for the ever-consistent Mohamed Sanu to garner his 5+ looks and 50+ receiving yards.

Others, for those of you in leagues with your grandparents and pets (50-60% Yahoo ownership)

1. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncs (56% Yahoo ownership); (10-12% FAAB)
2. Doug Martin, RB, Oakland Raiders (58% Yahoo ownership); (6-8% FAAB)
3. Chris Thompson, RB, Washington Redskins (52% Yahoo ownership); (6-8% FAAB)
4. Ito Smith, RB, Atlanta Falcons (59% Yahoo ownership); (6-8% FAAB)
5. Royce Freeman, RB, Denver Broncos (52% Yahoo ownership); (4-6% FAAB)
6. Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks (50% Yahoo ownership); (3-5% FAAB) 
7. Tyrell Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (52% Yahoo ownership); (3-5% FAAB)
8. Benjamin Watson, TE, New Orleans Saints (60% Yahoo ownership)
9. New England Patriots DST (58% Yahoo ownership)

Courtland Sutton now has a streak of 7 consecutive games with at least 50 receiving yards or a touchdown. He provides a solid weekly floor, earning him WR3/Flex status, and in certain matchups will find himself in the WR2 mix…Royce Freeman returned Week 11, out snapping Devontae Booker 13 to 11, and out gaining Booker 30 to 4, while adding in a score. Booker will likely be phased out of the Denver offense in the coming weeks…The New England Patriots DST has been one of the more trick or treat defenses this year, with 5 games of four fantasy points or less, and 3 games of double digit performances. However, New England faces each divisional opponent one more time (Jets, Miami, and Buffalo) from weeks 12-16, and could provide stability to an otherwise shaky position.

Week 12 Waiver Wire Rankings

1. Josh Adams, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
2. Tre’Quan Smith, WR, New Orleans Saints 
3. Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit Lions
4. Jalen Richard, RB, Oakland Raiders 
5. Anthony Miller, WR, Chicago Bears
6. Rex Burkhead, RB, New England Patriots 
7. Keke Coutee, WR, Houston Texans
8. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens 
9. Elijah McGuire, RB, New York Jets 
10. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
11. Dontrelle Inman, WR, Indianapolis Colts 
12. Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens 
13. Frank Gore, RB, Miami Dolphins 
14. Danny Amendola, WR, Miami Dolphins 
15. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys 
16. Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
17. D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers
18. Josh Reynolds, WR, Los Angeles Rams
19. Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns 
20. DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins  

Good luck finding these diamonds in the rough. Remember, some stashes can immediately become starts, so always stay updated with RSJ, as we will always provide the latest and greatest info.

To contact me with any questions or general fantasy football discussion, please email me at redsocker45@gmail.com or tweet me ‪@AJGamballer‪.