Fantasy Football Week 12 waiver wire pickups: Latavius Murray and more

We are in the thick of the regular NFL and fantasy football season. While a few teams may have separated themselves, there are still many teams in the hunt. Some of these teams had players get waived or suffer an injury. While it’s always unfortunate to see, that player has an opportunity to make a comeback, later. Meanwhile, opportunity knocks for another worthy player. These players are worth adding on the fantasy football waiver wire due to their performance, new team, or new opportunity with an injury to another player.

Whether your fantasy football team is one that’s separated themselves, one that’s in the hunt, or one that’s simply trying to stay competitive, the fantasy football waiver wire is the best way to revive your team that could use some more life. Here are the players I’d like to highlight after Week 11, heading into Week 12.

Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 12: Running backs

Latavius Murray, Broncos

The Denver Broncos have been struggling to find their identity this season. Injury woes have attributed to this problem. Since losing running back Javonte Williams, they have tried multiple combinations of running backs including Melvin Gordon and Mike Boone, Melvin Gordon and Latavius Murray, and Gordon, Murray, and Chase Edmonds. After Week 11’s loss, the Broncos have released Gordon and announced that Edmonds will miss multiple weeks with a high ankle sprain.

Only rostered in 11.2% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Murray finished as RB2 in Week 11. He totaled 21 touches and is on pace for 20+ on a weekly basis with the only other back being Marlon Mack, who’s on the practice squad. Murray is a priority waiver wire pickup in all formats.

Samaje Perine, Bengals

After Joe Mixon scored 5 touchdowns in Week 9, Samaje Perine said “it’s my turn” in Week 11, following their bye. He scored 3 receiving touchdowns en route to scoring 30.2 PPR FPTS. Good for an RB1 finish, he’s had one RB2 and two RB3 finishes this season, as well.

Still available in nearly 99% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, Perine is the clear second-string running back behind Mixon and change-of-pace for the Bengals. Mixon left Sunday’s contest against the Steelers with a head injury. Perine is a priority add in all formats if Mixon misses Week 12, and a stash in deep PPR leagues.

Eno Benjamin, Texans

After surprisingly being waived by the Cardinals, Eno Benjamin was claimed by the Texans. When filling in for the injured James Conner, he had one game with 92 rushing yards. Otherwise, he does most of his damage receiving, which is probably why the Texans, who already have Dameon Pierce, brought him in.

Only rostered in 20.2% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, Eno Benjamin was likely brought in to replace Rex Burkhead. The 32-year-old back is currently 14th in targets to a running back. He was averaging 5 targets a game in Weeks 1-7. Benjamin is worth stashing in deep PPR leagues with the likelihood of seeing high targets on a struggling team.

If he’s still available, Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs

If he’s recently become available, Melvin Gordon, Waivers