On Thursday, we'll spend the day expressing thanks for the blessings we have in our lives. Thanksgiving is a holiday many associate with football, and the NFL will have two games that happen to pair as perfectly with turkey as stuffing and gravy. It's a joyous day packed with plenty of action.
And I'll be thankful for the opportunity to spend the day watching those games and much more in my life. That includes the opportunity to write this column weekly during the season to an audience that is so engaged and dedicated. It's not something that I will ever take for granted.
Thank you, all of you, for your continued support for the waiver-wire column each week.
Here are the top free agents heading into Week 12.
Note: All players in this column are available in more than 50% of leagues on ESPN.com.
Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens (7.3%)/Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore Ravens (0.2%): With news that J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram II tested positive for COVID-19, the Ravens are stretched thin at running back. Edwards has been a part of their offense for a while now, as a no-nonsense, north-south runner. He does not carry passing-game value, which limits his upside beyond being a flex play. However, volume should work in his favor. I'll also mention Justice Hill as a deep-league consideration, as he's a shifty pass-catcher who figures to play some role against the Steelers, but Edwards is the priority add.
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Baltimore Ravens (48.7%): We know Dobbins will be out for Week 12 due to testing positive for COVID-19, which comes on the heels of the best game of his young career. Dobbins showed the flashes of what made him a buzz-worthy player in the preseason and shades of why he could be a preseason top-10 running back in 2021. We will have to wait until he returns -- perhaps as soon as Week 13 -- but I do believe that Dobbins is still the most valuable addition of the week given the potential upside for a fantasy playoffs run. In the meantime, well wishes to he and Ingram for a speedy recovery from COVID-19.
Salvon Ahmed, RB, Miami Dolphins (42.0%): While Matt Breida played in Week 11, and it's possible a return from Myles Gaskin is on the horizon, Ahmed needs to be added after yet another busy Sunday. He had 12 carries and five catches for Miami, leading the way among Dolphins backs in terms of both snaps and touches. He's a crafty player and someone who will carry fantasy relevance until Gaskin returns. He should be added in all leagues.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts (24.4%): Pittman was one of our favorite waiver-wire adds going into Week 11, and he did nothing to dissuade us from doubling down this week -- add him! Pittman had three catches for 66 yards and a touchdown in Indy's dramatic win over the Packers, showing again that his future is bright. While part of the beauty of the Colts' offense is being able to spread the wealth all over the field, Pittman sure looks like the most talented receiver on the roster.
Corey Davis, WR, Tennessee Titans (47.3%): Every year we have a player who makes this column basically every single week and just never crosses the requisite threshold to be removed from it. Congratulations to Davis, as he is this year's version of that player. Davis has produced double-digit fantasy points in all but one game that he has played this season, including his third game with more than 100 receiving yards in Week 11. Davis is a talented dude who has played well all season and should be rostered in more leagues. Let's make it happen.
Carlos Hyde, RB, Seattle Seahawks (32.7%): The Seahawks are adamant that Chris Carson will play in Week 12, which is awesome news for an offense that needs him. But the suggestion of adding Hyde is rooted in two concepts. First, injuries are fickle, and even if the chances of Carson missing next Monday's game are less than 5%, he's still insurance, since Hyde is clearly the best runner behind Carson. Second, we're at the point of the season when it's essential to secure your roster with useful backups like Hyde in the event something happens to Carson down the line. Hyde ran really well in Week 11.
Tim Patrick, WR, Denver Broncos (14.0%). Patrick caught our eye in previous weeks, as he's a vertical threat for a Broncos offense that has the foundation of a really fun future. And Patrick -- perhaps quietly -- has been pretty steady this season and is coming off his third effort with at least 100 yards. That brings Patrick up to at least 10 fantasy points in six of his past seven games and makes him a reasonable flex consideration in deep leagues.
Dalton Schultz, TE, Dallas Cowboys (24.4%): Schultz has been a steady part of the Cowboys' offense since Week 2 and has averaged 6.33 targets per game during that stretch. He also has at least four catches in seven of those nine games, with double-digit points in four of nine. Allow my broken-record self to remind you that it's impossible to find solid tight end play in fantasy, so Schultz is worth an add if you've been out of luck recently.
Week 12 streaming quarterback options: While no team has a bye this week and you're not likely to be sitting your normal starter, I'll provide these names just in case. As always, check the rankings to see whether we'd start any of those quarterbacks over your usual starter.
Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders (37.8%): Carr has four games with 20-plus points this season and faces a struggling Atlanta defense.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins (36.8%): Yes, Tua was benched in Week 11 and he hasn't been a fantasy rock star so far, but he's playing the Jets.
Alex Smith, QB, Washington Football Team (10.4%): Smith has a juicy Thanksgiving matchup against the Cowboys, who still struggle defending the pass.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns (8.4%): The Browns will hopefully avoid playing in bad weather in Jacksonville (they've had a ton of rainy Cleveland games of late), and Mayfield faces a banged-up and inexperienced secondary.