Waiver Favors: 2016 Week 12 Fantasy Football Pickups

By Ha Kung Wong  Fantasy Football Pickups

Twitter: @FBGarbageTime

As usual, I’m back to help with some waiver wire adds via my weekly Waiver Favors article!  But this late in the season, it’s more about depth than game changing pickups.  So I’m going to cover a few deeper pickups this week, for all of those in 14-team leagues or deeper, or those who want to stash some potential lottery tickets.  As usual, all pickups are available in at least 50% of Yahoo standard fantasy football leagues (with some minor exceptions) as of Sunday evening.

Matt Barkley

QB – Chicago Bears – 1% Owned

I know, I know.  Matt Barkley isn’t “good”.  But ever since when has “good” been a requirement for fantasy football?  The 2013 4th round draft pick finally got his chance once both Brian Hoyer and Jay Cutler went down due to injury.  In his first NFL start, Barkley went 28 of 54 for 316 yards, 3 TDs and 2 INTs against the Titans.  Thanks to being in constant catch-up mode, Barkley had plenty of opportunity to spread it around. Unfortunately, he’s also working with 3rd and 4th string WRs who could use some time practicing catching the football.  But volume, a poor defense and a decent schedule (facing the 49ers, Lions and Packers in the next 3 weeks) make him a viable QB in two QB leagues or as a backup in 14-team leagues or deeper.

Taylor Gabriel

WR – Atlanta Falcons – 5% Owned

The former Brown has managed to catch fire with the Falcons.  Over the previous three weeks, Taylor Gabriel has been used very efficiently downfield, getting 5 targets and scoring in each week.  This time around, the Falcons decided to try Gabriel in quick screens, and he made short work of the defense with 35 and 25 yard TDs on his way to a 102-total-yard-day.  His speed and agility has been a great complement for the Falcons Julio Jones, and now that we’ve seen what he can do behind the line, I’d expect quite a few more of those.  So for those with bench space and looking to catch lightening in a bottle in 14-team leagues or deeper, give him a shot.

Marquess Wilson

WR – Chicago Bears – 1% Owned

Marquess Wilson had some flashes early in his career.  But injuries and ineffectiveness have derailed him through, at least, Week 11.  But apparently that all changed when Wilson finally got healthy this last Friday when he put in his first full practice in about a year.  And the opportunity was there with both Alshon Jeffery (suspension) and Zack Miller (foot) unavailable.  And what did he do with that opportunity?  Wilson snagged 8 of 11 targets for 125 yards and a TD.  It’s difficult to predict how things will go for the Bears WRs moving forward, but I think Wilson has a better than average chance of becoming a significant part of this offense and is worth stashing as depth in 16-team leagues and deeper, or for those who are looking to speculate.

Malcolm Mitchell

WR – New England Patriots – 3% Owned

Malcolm Mitchell has been trending up for awhile now with the various injuries across the Patriots receiving core.  Without Chris Hogan available, Mitchell put up a whopping 98 yards and a TD in Week 11, drawing praise from Tom Brady.  And Hogan’s return did nothing to dent his productivity in Week 12, as Mitchell snagged 5 of 7 targets for 42 yards and 2 TDs, including catching the game winner.  He only ended up playing around 50% of the snaps in Week 12 with Hogan back in 2 WR sets, but he’s definitely been efficient with them.  With Rob Gronkowski back out with a chest issue and Martellus Bennett potentially looking at some time off as well with ankle and shoulder issues, Mitchell could increase his snap count and be a sneaky good pick up for those looking to find a Brady beneficiary in New England, particularly in 14-team leagues or deeper.  But if you want to stash him shallower leagues, I wouldn’t object to that either.

And here are previous pickups I’ve mentioned that are still worthy of your consideration:

10-Team Leagues or Deeper

Terrelle Pryor, Jay Ajayi, Devontae Booker, Sammy Watkins

12-Team Leagues or Deeper

Mike Wallace, Tyrell Williams, Jamison Crowder, Kyle Rudolph, Jordan Howard, Mohamed Sanu, Rishard Matthews, Carson Wentz, James Starks, Marqise Lee

14-Team Leagues or Deeper

Sam Bradford, Jerick McKinnon, Matt Asiata, Kenny Stills, Cameron Brate, Adam Thielen, Terrance West, Cole Beasley, C.J. Fiedorowicz, Dennis Pitta, Victor Cruz, Robert Kelley, Kendall Wright, Dontrelle Inman, Quincy Enunwa, Cameron Meredith (at least until Alshon Jeffery is off his 4 game suspension), Tyreek Hill, Vance McDonald, Tyler Boyd, Brandon LaFell, Wendell Smallwood, J.J. Nelson

16-Team Leagues or Deeper

Theo Riddick (PPR), Mike Gillislee, Andrew Hawkins, Russell Shepard (subject to injury), Lance Kendricks, Eli Rogers, Darren Sproles (PPR – subject to injury), Cecil Shorts III, Ty Montgomery

Check back every week for more Waiver Favors!