Here are the top waiver-wire targets in Week 12 of fantasy football.
The home stretch of the fantasy football season is finally upon us as managers aim to make their push for the playoffs.
Regardless of whether you’re looking to secure a playoff spot or playing spoiler to other teams in the league, the waiver wire in Week 12 will be crucial.
We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo, using the 75% rostered mark (at least 25% availability) as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11). Your questions and comments are always welcome!
We also will be taking a look at some deeper players to stash and the top streaming options for the upcoming week.
Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.
Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.
Sanders will not be drafted for his blocking skills – he’s a pass catcher and one of the best in this draft.
Ja’Tavion Sanders was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and joined the Texas Longhorns where he only saw action in three games as a freshman and caught no passes. The Longhorns were run-heavy that year with Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson and only wideout Xavier Worthy (62) managed to catch more than 24 passes that year.
As a sophomore, Sanders became a starter and was second only to Worthy (60) in receptions with 54 catches. His five scores were second only to Worthy. As a junior, he caught 45 passes while Worthy (75) and Adonai Mitchell (55) were also instrumental in the Longhorn’s passing scheme. All three players are in the 2024 NFL draft and the two wideouts are expected to be early calls.
Sanders declared for the NFL draft and posted a respectable 4.69 40-time at the NFL combine, along with prototypical size and weight for a receiving tight end.
Run after catch posts big gains in a vertical passing attack
Too fast to be covered by a linebacker
Strong hands that almost never drops passes or fumbles
Plus-level downfield blocker
Smooth route runner
Already familiar with multiple alignments
Reliable target that highpoints the ball well
Cons
More of a receiver than a blocker could limit to just role work
Needs work as a run blocker
Still needs development after only two playing years in college
Fantasy outlook
Ja’Tavion Sanders projects as a Day 2 pick and potentially the second tight end selected after Brock Bowers is tabbed early in the first round. Sanders is a receiving threat and should end up with a team looking to expand their passing scheme to include the tight end. He’s been likened to the Bills’ Dalton Kincaid and the Cardinals’ Trey McBride.
Taken in Round 2 means that his new team has every intention of integrating him as quickly as possible into the passing equation. Potential landing spots include the Colts who’ll be re-introducing quarterback Anthony Richardson, the Chargers who lost virtually every notable receiver including Gerald Everett, and the Saints. He could also end up on a team that already has a strong tight end but are interested in developing Sanders to take over in the future like the 49ers, Texans, or even the Chiefs.
Sanders higher cost in the NFL draft will most likely send him to a team that wants payoff next year, if not 2024. This is considered a deeper draft for tight ends than most, and recent rookie tight ends have shown that the position is more valued and a better opportunity even in their first season.
