Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 12: Sean Tucker, Christian Watson & Colston Loveland Lead Must-Add Players

The fantasy football playoffs are fast approaching, and Week 12 may be the final window to grab high-impact depth before lineups lock in for good. Whether you’re clawing for a playoff spot or building a championship roster, this week’s waiver wire offers multiple players trending upward in workload, efficiency, and opportunity — each capable of swinging a matchup when it matters most.

This is no longer about chasing last week’s box score. It’s about identifying volume, efficiency, and playoff viability. Several names under 50% rostered check all three boxes heading into the final stretch.

Quarterbacks

Jacoby Brissett – Arizona Cardinals (33%)

Brissett has quietly become one of the most efficient passers in football over the past month, averaging 21.9 fantasy points per game and completing over 70% of his passes in that stretch. His record-setting 47-completion performance for 452 yards and two touchdowns in Week 11 highlighted his command of Drew Petzing’s quick-rhythm system. Brissett has also added 80 rushing yards across his last three starts, offering a dependable floor for managers in Superflex formats. With upcoming matchups against Jacksonville and Washington — both bottom-10 in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks — he’s a strong QB1 streamer and a priority add for playoff-bound rosters seeking stability.

Joe Flacco – Cincinnati Bengals (41%)

Flacco continues to defy time and expectations, averaging 22.5 fantasy points since taking over as the Bengals’ starter. His 9.1 air yards per attempt and consistent red-zone usage (five passing TDs in his last three games) keep him in weekly streaming consideration. With Ja’Marr Chase commanding a 25% target share and defenses struggling to limit Cincinnati’s vertical attack, Flacco’s ceiling remains high. A Week 12 matchup against New England — a defense allowing the fourth-most passing touchdowns this year — positions him as a plug-and-play option with multi-TD upside.

Tyler Shough – New Orleans Saints (5%)

Shough’s Week 11 breakout was one of the most unexpected performances of the season, throwing for 282 yards and two touchdowns while completing over 70% of his attempts. His 10.4 yards per attempt ranked among the top three for the week, and he displayed impressive rapport with Chris Olave. Though his floor is volatile, Shough’s arm strength and poise in Kellen Moore’s offense give him streaming potential against a stretch of soft secondaries, starting with Carolina and Chicago.

Running Backs

Sean Tucker – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (29%)

Tucker erupted for 140 total yards and three touchdowns in Week 11, finishing as the top-scoring running back with 32.4 PPR points. His six carries inside the 10-yard line led all backs, and his 7 forced missed tackles highlight the burst and contact balance that made him a priority undrafted free agent. With Bucky Irving sidelined, Tucker’s early-down and red-zone role in Tampa Bay’s balanced offense is secure. Over his last three games, he’s averaging nearly 5.0 yards per carry and has played on 60% of offensive snaps. With matchups against the Rams and Cardinals ahead, Tucker projects as a strong RB2 for teams making a playoff push.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. – Washington Commanders (7%)

Rodriguez is taking on an expanded role, seeing a season-high 57% snap share and 15 carries for 79 yards in Week 11. His 5.3 yards per carry and 24% missed-tackle rate reflect a physical, downhill style that complements Washington’s zone-heavy run game. Over his past two outings, Rodriguez has posted consecutive double-digit fantasy performances, and the Commanders’ upcoming slate — featuring the Giants, Cowboys, and Eagles — includes three defenses ranked bottom-12 in run-stopping efficiency. He’s a sneaky Flex play and a potential volume-based RB2 if the trend continues.

Emanuel Wilson – Green Bay Packers (6%)

When Josh Jacobs exited early, Wilson stepped into a 71% snap share and immediately made his presence felt. He turned 12 touches into 49 total yards and a touchdown while averaging 3.4 yards after contact per carry. His one-cut acceleration fits Matt LaFleur’s inside-zone scheme, and his 0.28 missed tackles forced per attempt matches the league’s best complementary runners. If Jacobs misses another game, Wilson profiles as a plug-and-play RB2 with touchdown upside, especially in a system that has produced a rushing score in nine of eleven games.

Tyler Allgeier – Atlanta Falcons (32%)

Allgeier continues to lead the Falcons in red-zone work, converting two short-yardage touchdowns in Week 10 and maintaining goal-line duties ahead of Bijan Robinson. His 43% rushing share inside the five-yard line ensures Flex value in standard formats, and Atlanta’s upcoming schedule (CAR, TB, LAC) ranks top-five in running back scoring potential. With his role clearly defined, Allgeier remains one of the best bench stashes for playoff teams seeking touchdown stability.

Wide Receivers

Alec Pierce – Indianapolis Colts (48%)

Pierce has found rhythm as Gardner Minshew’s deep threat, topping 80 yards in three of his last four games and scoring his first touchdown of the year in Week 10. He owns a 19% target share and 45% air-yards share since Week 7, both team highs outside of Michael Pittman Jr. His 14.9 PPR points per game over the past month make him one of the most consistent under-rostered receivers in fantasy. With matchups against Houston and Jacksonville, two defenses ranking bottom-12 in explosive plays allowed, Pierce carries weekly WR3/Flex value and legitimate playoff appeal.

Christian Watson – Green Bay Packers (34%)

Watson’s resurgence continues, hauling in four catches for 46 yards and two touchdowns in Week 11 while commanding a 20% target share. His average depth of target of 25.8 yards ranks among the league’s highest, and his red-zone share has climbed to 30% since Week 8. With Jordan Love improving as a deep passer (11.2 yards per attempt over the last two weeks), Watson’s combination of size, speed, and touchdown equity gives him high-end WR3 upside for the fantasy playoffs.

Luther Burden III – Chicago Bears (6%)

Burden continues to see his role expand, logging a 61% route participation rate and 17.8% target share in Week 11. He leads Chicago’s receiving corps with 2.7 yards per route run, showing the same yards-after-catch burst that made him a first-round rookie pick in dynasty formats. Ben Johnson’s offense is leaning more on 11 personnel and manufactured touches, giving Burden a chance to become a weekly Flex play down the stretch.

Tyrell Shavers – Buffalo Bills (1%)

Shavers posted 90 yards and a touchdown on just four receptions last week, displaying strong hands and separation ability on vertical routes. His 31% target rate per route and 2.9 yards of average separation led all Bills receivers. With Keon Coleman’s snap share declining, Shavers could carve out a consistent Z receiver role in Buffalo’s evolving passing game. He’s an intriguing deep-league stash for managers hunting upside.

Tight Ends

Colston Loveland – Chicago Bears (39%)

Loveland’s breakout continues, with ten catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns over his last two games. His 1.9 yards per route run ranks top-10 among all tight ends this season, and his red-zone role remains consistent even with Cole Kmet returning. With upcoming matchups against Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Green Bay—all favorable for the position—Loveland should be rostered in every competitive league as a top-12 rest-of-season option.

Darren Waller – Miami Dolphins (19%)

Waller is nearing a return from injured reserve and was averaging 15.2 fantasy points per game before going down, ranking as the TE4 over that span. He’s expected to slot immediately back into a high-usage role in Miami’s play-action-heavy offense. With a playoff stretch against Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, both bottom-five against tight ends, Waller is a stash with legitimate league-winning potential.

A.J. Barner – Seattle Seahawks (9%)

Barner caught ten passes for 70 yards on twelve targets in Week 11, showing impressive reliability in the short-to-intermediate passing game. Over his last two contests, he’s maintained a 22% target share and top-10 PFF receiving grade at the position. Seattle’s low-volume passing attack limits his ceiling, but Barner remains a strong TE2 with touchdown upside and favorable matchups ahead.