We're at that point in the season where the bye weeks can create some major disruption to your lineup. And this is the week that might really do it for managers, with six teams at home watching.
Yes, the Falcons, Bills, Bengals, Saints, Jets and Jags are all on a bye in Week 12. Rough. So, if you roster Josh Allen, Joe Burrow or Kirk Cousins, you need to pick up a quarterback, and that's where we're going to start today.
I have four quarterbacks who are available to stream this week. Some have positive matchups. Others? Hey, you're betting on the skill sets and the recent numbers. I'll also break down options at running back and wide receiver, with two tight ends who can boost your lineup. And we'll wrap this up with a defense that can heat up the pocket.
Let's get to it.
Players listed below are deeper-league targets, rostered in less than 50% of ESPN leagues entering this week's waiver period. Although you might notice overlap with Eric Moody's waiver wire column that publishes on Mondays, an important distinction is that the options mentioned in this column are solely for this week's matchups and not based on the players' values for the remainder of the season.
Quarterbacks
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (57.2% rostered; vs. Patriots)
Tagovailoa had a season-high 23.52 points in the Week 11 win over the Raiders, and he has posted 17 or more points, with multiple touchdown throws, in two of his past three games. Tagovailoa gets a matchup versus a Patriots defense that majors in Cover 1 (man-free) this week. Look for Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel to have man-coverage answers here on catch and run concepts, which makes Tagovailoa a solid streaming option.
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (53.8% rostered; vs. Cardinals)
Smith completed 78.1% of his passes in the Week 11 game versus the 49ers, and his late touchdown run was the difference in the Seahawks' win. Smith failed to throw a touchdown in this one, but he's had multiple touchdown passes in two of his last four games, and he's using his legs more to create outside of structure. With at least four carries in each of his last four games, Smith is more willing to pull the ball down on scramble attempts. If you need to grab a quarterback for this week, Smith does give you some upside against the Cardinals defense.
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (30.5% rostered; vs. Eagles)
I have some concerns with the matchup here versus as Eagles defense allowing just 173.2 passing yards per game, the second fewest in the league. That unit is playing really good football. But with six teams on a bye, Stafford remains an option given his recent run on production. Stafford, who dropped a season-high 27.8 points on the Patriots in Week 11, has scored 17 or more points, with multiple touchdown throws, in three of his last four games. And with two legit targets in Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp (who can win one-on-one), Stafford will have opportunities to challenge the Eagles secondary.
Drake Maye, New England Patriots (19.9% rostered; at Dolphins)
In his six pro starts, Maye has averaged 16.2 PPG, and he gives you the dual-threat element in the lineup. Maye has 15 carries during his past three games, and he has averaged 41.3 yards rushing per game as a starter. Yes, I would like to see a better matchup for Maye this week, but he does give you a higher ceiling in the lineup due to his ability to extend plays and create as a runner.
Wide receivers
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (58.0% rostered; vs. 49ers)
We might be chasing the production here with Watson after he scored a season-high 19 points in the Week 11 win over the Bears, catching all four of his targets for 150 yards (37.5 YPC). But Watson has seen 17 targets duing his past three games, and we know he can get loose on deep crossers and verticals. Take the explosive play upside with Watson versus the 49ers.
DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots (28.3% rostered; at Dolphins)
Douglas isn't going to create chunk plays as a third level target, but he does give you a reliable floor in the lineup. During his past three games, Douglas has caught 16 of 21 targets, and he's posted double digit points in two. He's a reliable slot option for Maye, and we know he will get the volume as an underneath route runner.
Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (36.8% rostered; vs. Chiefs)
Managers can also look to wide receiver Jalen Coker (3.2% rostered) on the Panthers roster, but I'll stick with Legette here. Legette has scored 11 or more points in three of his last five games, and he's also logged three carries over that stretch. And with a matchup versus the Chiefs in Week 12, which could force the Panthers to throw with volume to keep up in the second half, Legette fits here as a deeper league option.
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (15.1% rostered; vs. Lions)
I'll take Pierce for the second week in a row because his vertical traits fit with the arm talent (and the throwing mentality) of quarterback Anthony Richardson. Pierce caught three of four targets for 74 yards (10.4 points) in the Week 11 win over the Jets. Bet on more third level throws from Richardson versus the Detroit secondary this Sunday, with Pierce as the deep-ball target.
Running backs
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (27.0% rostered; at Seahawks)
Benson has seen his role increase as the No. 2 in Arizona behind James Conner, and the volume is up. Benson has at least eight carries in each of his past two games (with double-digit points in each), and he's logged three receptions over that stretch for 43 yards. You can work with 8-10 carries versus a Seattle defense allowing 4.8 YPC (25th in the NFL).
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears (17.3% rostered; vs. Vikings)
In the Week 11 loss to the Packers, the first game under new Bears offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, Johnson played a much more defined role. Johnson had 10 carries versus Green Bay, and while he only averaged 3.3 YPC, he did score a touchdown on a goal line run. Johnson, who also added one reception for eight yards, has the physical tools to remain as the downhill hammer for a Bears team that will be more run-heavy moving forward. He's a deeper league option this week for the home matchup versus the Vikings.
Gus Edwards, RB, Los Angeles Chargers (23.8% rostered; vs. Ravens)
I don't love the rushing matchup here versus the Ravens, and Edwards doesn't factor into the pass game. But since his return to the field in Week 10, Edwards is seeing the ball. During the past two games, Edwards has totaled 16 rushing attempts, and he's averaged 5.1 YPC, including 2.13 yards after first contact. As a No.2 behind J.K. Dobbins, Edwards does bring some deeper league value due to his straight-line juice in the Chargers' power run game.
Cam Akers, Minnesota Vikings (21.7% rostered; at Bears)
Akers is getting more consistent looks in the Vikings backfield behind starter Aaron Jones, and he gets a solid matchup on Sunday versus a Bears defense giving up 130.3 yards rushing per game (23rd in the league). Akers now has recorded at least 12 touches in back to back games, and he did catch a touchdown in the Week 11 win over the Titans. He's worth a shot in Week 12.
Tight end
Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins (56.8% rostered; vs. Patriots)
Smith should be scooped up on waivers, but if he's still hanging around in your league, then go get the tight end for the Week 12 matchup versus the Patriots. Smith had a season-high 28.1 points on the Raiders in Week 11, scoring two touchdowns (one on a blown coverage), while catching six of eight targets for 101 yards. Smith has seen at least six targets in four of his last five games, and he will be schemed as a "move player" in the Dolphins offense, which creates open field opportunities.
Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers (33.1% rostered; vs. Ravens)
Dissly, who has emerged as the Chargers pass-catching tight end, scored a season-high 18 points in the Sunday night win over the Bengals, catching four of six targets for 80 yards and a touchdown. Seam routes here with Justin Herbert throwing rockets. And over the last two games, Dissly has seen a total of 12 targets. Take the volume, and his route deployment, in the Monday night game versus the Ravens.
D/ST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (33.1% rostered; at Giants)
The Giants are giving the ball to quarterback Tommy DeVito this week, so let's go with Tampa Bay here due to their ability to disrupt the pocket. The Buccaneers have logged multiple sacks in seven straight games, with a total of nine over their last three. And they have also recorded one takeaway in four of their last five. This feels like a game where Bucs head coach Todd Bowles dials up some heat, blitzing defenders from the second and third level to speed up DeVito's internal clock.