Fantasy Football: Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups

Nov 16, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34) turns the corner on Houston Texans inside linebacker Akeem Dent (50) during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Texans won 23-7. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Isaiah Crowell, RB, Browns: (8.2% NFL)(23.9% on ESPN) The Browns clarified their backfield Tuesday morning by waiving former starter Ben Tate. I am taking this as a very good sign for rookie Isaiah Crowell who has consistently looked like the best runner on the Browns roster. Crowell will still split carries, probably fairly evenly with Terrance West, who has also run very well, but they seem to like Crowell better through the tackles with West used more on 3rd down and passing situations. Week 12 provides a nice match-up with the Falcons.

Jonas Gray, RB, Patriots: (1.3% on NFL)(9.3% on ESPN) 38 carries, 199 yards and 4 TDs, is about as impressive as it gets. Gray deserves to be the top RB pick-up this week, but don’t expect the same workload or production in week 12 against the Lions. Gray is the New England power/goal line back, and probably has a few more eye popping performances this season, but he’ll also have a few where he’s all but erased from the game plan. He’s a risk/reward play with a high ceiling.

Dan Herron, RB, Colts: (0.0% on NFL)(0.1% on ESPN) Ahmad Bradshaw will likely miss the rest of the regular season with a fractured fibula, and Trent Richardson continues to struggle with the ball in his hands. The Colts are pass first, so there may not be a ton of carries available, but Herron should see an increase in snaps and is worth a speculative add for teams in need of RB help as a guy who can carve out a role for himself if he runs well this week against the Jaguars.

Allen Hurns, WR, Jaguars: (15.4% on NFL)(13.8% on ESPN) Week 1’s top waiver target sees his value spike once more with Allen Robinson out for the rest of the year. He’s shown solid connection with Bortles, and should have success against the Colts next week, with Cecil Shorts likely to draw Vontae Davis in coverage. He is still recovering from a concussion, so double check the practice report later this week to make sure he’s officially cleared before putting him in your lineup.

Kenny Stills, WR, Saints: (4.8% on NFL)(5.8% on ESPN) I’ve mentioned Stills in previous weeks as a guy showing good chemistry with Brees, but suffering from a lack of targets. With rookie WR Brandon Cooks set to miss the next few games with a broken hand, Stills should take over as the #2 pass catcher in the Saints passing attack. Though, the looming return of Pierre Thomas could eat into his targets, Stills should provide steady production against mostly iffy secondaries on the Saints schedule the rest of the way.

Kenny Britt, WR, Rams: (1.2% on NFL)(12.5% on ESPN) Britt finally looked the part of a number 1 receiver for the Rams this past week with 128 yards on 4 catches and a TD. Granted, about half the yards and the TD all came on one play, but it was a very promising showing for Britt with Shaun Hill back under center. The Rams play San Diego, Oakland and Washington the next 3 weeks, so Britt should have plenty of opportunity to expand upon week 11’s success.

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