Fantasy football waiver wire, Week 12 picks: Top players to add include Ty Johnson, Marquez Valdes-Scantling

There aren’t many significant names that may jump off the Fantasy football waiver wire lists right now. You won’t find the major difference-maker you may be seeking once trade deadlines have passed. But it is still very important to nab quality fill-ins and replacements for injured players or guys on bye weeks. In Week 13, top wide receivers such as Tyreek Hill (bye) and Amari Cooper (COVID list) will be unavailable. So you will have to consider adding players such as DeAndre Carter, who has scored in three consecutive games, or Laviska Shenault Jr., who now may play a larger role in the Jacksonville offense with Jamal Agnew lost for the season.

Should Carter or Shenault be among your primary Week 12 Fantasy football waiver wire picks? And which other players on Fantasy football waivers are worth adding to plug roster holes created by other injuries or bye weeks? Before determining who to target on the Week 12 Fantasy football waiver wire, be sure to see what SportsLine’s resident Hall of Famer, Scott Engel, has to say.

Engel is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association’s Hall of Fame. He is a four-time FSWA Award Winner and 10-time nominee. In 2020, Scott was a finalist for the FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year Award, which he also won previously. 

In addition to being the Fantasy writer for the Seattle Seahawks’ official site since 2012, Engel’ work has appeared on The Athletic, SiriusXM FantasySports Radio, ESPN.com, NFL.com, the Associated Press, Yahoo Sports, SI.com, the New York Post, USA Today, RotoBaller, and of course, CBSSports.com. So far this season, Engel has recommended notable players such as Cordarrelle Patterson, Dawson Knox and Khalil Herbert ahead of their impact performances,

Now, he’s revealed the best widely available Fantasy football free agents entering Week 12. You can see his top Fantasy NFL waiver wire picks and full analysis over at SportsLine. 

Top Fantasy football waiver wire picks for Week 12

One player Engel is advising Fantasy players to target on the Week 12 waiver wire: New York Jets running back Ty Johnson. Rookie Michael Carter had emerged as a viable Fantasy RB2 this season. But now he is expected to miss two-plus weeks because of an ankle injury. The Jets will have to turn to Johnson and Tevin Coleman to replace Carter. Fantasy players are trying to decide which one of the New York RBs may become as a useful option with more work. Johnson or Coleman could become respectable streamers or even worthy of flex consideration.

Engel advises to bid higher on Johnson, or prioritize him higher in your waiver order. Johnson has already been involved in the flow of the Jets offense as a frequent receiver and complement to Carter. He is more versatile than Coleman and can certainly provide more output in PPR formats with increased playing time. In the first week of December last season, Johnson also rushed for 104 yards and a TD on 22 carries. Coleman simply doesn’t seem capable of providing that type of production.

Engel is also strongly recommending Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. It is very understandable if Fantasy leaguers are wary about adding Valdes-Scantling again. He has teased Fantasy players before. Valdes-Scantling has always demonstrated occasional upside, but consistency has always been an issue. 

Valdes-Scantling flashed more of his big-play ability with a 75-yard TD reception in Week 11. Yet it was his 10 targets that should move Fantasy players to take a chance on Valdes-Scantling again. You may be wondering how much to spend on Valdes-Scantling, because he has burned you before. Engel reveals a comfortable free agent bid number to consider so you can feel comfortable taking the risk this time. 

How to set your Week 12 waiver wire claims

Engel is also all-in on a quarterback who should be an immediate pickup. This player is widely available and could be a huge boost to your Fantasy football lineup. You can only see who it is at SportsLine. 

So which players should you target on the Fantasy football waiver wire before Week 12? And which quarterback is a must-add? Visit SportsLine now to see the best league-winning Fantasy football free agents entering Week 12, all from a Fantasy Hall of Famer, and find out.