Biggest Week 12 Waiver Wire Movers On Fleaflicker: Who’s Here To Stay

Week 12. Finally, the last week of the dreaded bye weeks has arrived! The Steelers and Panthers are the only ones off this week, which is a blessing considering the past few weeks of 4 or 6 teams on bye.

This week, there are two running backs along with a wide receiver, tight end and defense on the list of most added players. The ironic thing is, when it comes to the players on this week’s list I actually the some of the lesser-added guys more.

Fantasy owners tend to just add the hottest guy, or the guy with the breakout performance, not thinking it might just be a one-off performance. With that in mind, let’s get to the most added players on Fleaflicker, and analyze who is here to stay and who you should leave on the waiver wire.

Top Fleaflicker Players Added For Week 12

Jonas Gray (RB,NE) - 8,178 Waiver Wire Adds

Before we get into Gray’s fantasy value, a quick story: I am a fan of Boston College, and my dad of Notre Dame. Whenever the two teams play each other, we always watch the game together. In 2011 I watched Gray, a senior for the Fighting Irish, tear his ACL.

Fast forward through a few years of roster cuts and practice squads, and Gray found his way to New England’s roster in Week 7 after Stevan Ridley, ironically, tore his ACL. After a few weeks of backing up Shane Vereen, Gray broke out Week 11 against the Colts, going for 201 yards on 37 carries with 4 TDs for 44.10 standard fantasy points. He had the 2^nd best fantasy performance of the season, only .68 points less than Big Ben’s Week 8 performance. Despite being the most added player in all of fantasy football this week, and is now owned in 75% of leagues, owners need to be cautious in playing him.

New England is clearly a pass first team with Tom Brady, and his targets led by Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell. The Patriots also recently brought back LeGarrette Blount to add to their rushing attack along with Vereen. I would like to see another game where Gray gets a solid amount of touches before I trust him in my starting lineup. Being sent home from practice for being late this week can’t help him too much either.

Green Bay Packers (DEF, GB) - 4,142 Waiver Wire Adds

30 fantasy points is pretty nice when you get it from your star QB or RB. It’s another thing when you get it from your defense. 3 Sacks, 2 interceptions (including a pick 6), 2 fumble recoveries for another TD, and a punt return TD. This was all against a very game Eagles team, which makes it easy for owners to feel good about going into a game against the Vikings. The Packers are the 3^rd best fantasy defense so far, and are averaging over 10.5 fantasy points a game. After Minnesota, the Packers D faces their biggest test against the Patriots. That game could turn into a shootout, and you might want to look to another option there. After that getting Atlanta, Buffalo, Tampa and Detroit to close the year is pretty nice.

Coby Fleener (TE, IND) - 3,698 Waiver Wire Adds

Back when Dwayne Allen was on this list, I said he was the better tight end in Indianapolis. Throughout the season, Allen scored 8.82 FPPG as opposed to Fleener's 6.79, so I guess I was right about that. After Allen missed last week against the Patriots, Fleener had his best game of the season, going for 144 yards on 7 catches. Going up against the lowly Jaguars this week, Fleener is a must start with Allen out again. Fleener is pretty much a plug and play option this week. I wouldn’t trust him too much when Allen comes back, and would rather have Allen once this week is over.

Isaiah Crowell (RB, CLE) - 3,158 Waiver Wire Adds

On Tuesday the Browns waived Ben Tate, which opened up the Cleveland backfield for Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West. Crowell seems to be the guy to take the starting gig. Last week against Houston, Crowell had 15 touches to West’s 5. Neither have really broken out, and both have averaged under 8 FPPG, but that should change now with Tate gone. Tate averaged around 15 touches per game throughout the games he played, and most of those should be going to Crowell now. The Browns have a pretty good matchup this week against the Falcons, who have given up the 2^nd most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Neither Crowell nor West are fantasy studs the remainder of the way, so let’s get that out of the way. But Crowell is still available in over 50% of Fleaflicker leagues, and even if you don’t start him, he is probably one of the better waiver wire options available to you.

Kenny Britt (WR, STL) - 2,332 Waiver Wire Adds

With the Rams rag-tag team that has been put together, Kenny Britt is the team’s #1 wide receiver. Tavon Austin, who was the projected top guy, averages less than 3 fantasy points a game going for only 18.2 receiving yards a game. Britt had his breakout game this past week in the Rams upset of Denver, going for 128 yards and a TD. His 7 targets and 4 catches are both his best since Week 3. Britt is available in 73% of Fleaflicker leagues, and any #1 receiver, no matter how bad the team or the QB, should be much less available on the waiver wire. It can’t hurt to take a flyer on him and see how he does this week, and get a feel for his value the rest of the season. His upcoming matchups against the Raiders, Redskins and Giants look promising down the stretch.

I have developed a general rule from this column: a case can be made to add any and all of the players on this list. However, there is generally a reason these five were not drafted in most leagues. There is obviously a risk in starting every player, and these waiver wire adds might be risky for your teams until you know for sure what you are going to get out of them. Make sure to share your thoughts and comments below; leave any questions you have for me about these guys or anything related to fantasy football. Good luck in Week 12 RotoBallers.