Fantasy Football Today — Week 12 Waiver Wire Early Targets

Episode: EARLY Week 12 Waiver Wire TARGETS! Wilson, Gainwell, Brissett, Juwan Johnson & Others! (FFT Express)
Date: November 17, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Jamie Eisenberg

Episode Overview

This FFT Express episode dives into the early Week 12 waiver wire landscape, focusing on running back pickups after significant injuries, quarterback streaming candidates, and sneaky adds at wide receiver and tight end. Adam Aizer and Jamie Eisenberg quickly hit must-adds, debate the priority order, and provide practical waiver advice for fantasy managers navigating late-season roster setbacks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Injury Fallout and Waiver Priorities

• RUNNING BACKS DOMINATE: A slew of recent injuries, especially to starting RBs, puts backup running backs atop waiver priorities.

  • Emmanuel Wilson and Kenneth Gainwell debated as top adds due to potential starts in favorable situations ([01:49]-[03:43]).
  • Jamie emphasizes injury uncertainty for Josh Jacobs and Jalen Warren, but leans Wilson as the "most added player this week" given Jacobs is more likely out ([02:18]).
  • Adds context: Many managers are desperate, sitting around 5-6 or 6-5, so aggressive waiver bids are warranted even for short-term starters ([03:03]).

  “At this point, it sounds like Jacobs is going to miss Week 12. … Emmanuel Wilson’s probably going to be the most added player this week.”
  — Jamie Eisenberg ([02:18])

• Secondary RB targets:

  • Sean Tucker (opportunity dependent on Bucky Irving’s health).
  • Chris Rodriguez (possible Washington starter post-bye).
  • Devin Singletary, Zonovan Knight (monitor for opportunity swings).
  • Basil Tootin’s health is key—was “outperforming Travis Etienne before he got hurt.” ([04:15])

  “There’s a lot of good running back options for this week if you’re desperate.”
  — Jamie Eisenberg ([04:38])

• Bench Management Debate:

  • Adam raises the question of dropping handcuffs (like Blake Corum, Brian Robinson Jr.) for immediate-use players.
  • Jamie: “You’re trying to maximize the potential of your roster,” particularly given uncertainty of injury outcomes—so don’t be afraid to cut handcuffs for starters ([05:01]).

Quarterback Streaming Options

• Jacoby Brissett:

  • “The one prize” at QB after his impressive week, especially with Kyler Murray sidelined ([05:48]).
  • Not to “say must-start quarterback, but he’s in that conversation already”—five straight games over 22 fantasy points.
  • Jamie recommends Brissett as the only serious 1-QB league target for the week ([06:41]), especially vs. Jacksonville.

• Deeper 2QB/streaming options:

  • “Maybe Bryce Young… if you want to give him an opportunity against the 49ers,” due to high scoring potential.
  • Other possible streamers: Jameis Winston, Jackson Dart (if he clears concussion protocol), Tyrod Taylor, Mason Rudolph, Davis Mills.

  “For the one quarterback leagues, I think you’re looking at Brissett and that’s it.”
  — Jamie Eisenberg ([06:41])

  • Trevor Lawrence briefly mentioned as a matchup-dependent option ([07:32]).

Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Adds

• Michael Wilson:

  • Ranks as “in the top three” of overall priorities due to Marvin Harrison Jr.’s likely absence ([08:32]).
  • Worth “spending a significant amount of fab” if you need a WR, especially for Week 12 at Jacksonville.
  • Value likely drops when Harrison returns.
  • “For the first week, I would say yes,” worth rostering post-Harrison, but overall skeptical about consistent value ([09:23]).

• Other Wideouts of Note:

  • Christian Watson (coming off a two-TD game and 64% rostered).
  • Parker Washington (worth stashing as Cardinals defense a favorable matchup).
  • Darnell Mooney (contingent on Drake London’s injury status).
  • Matt Collins, Jaden Higgins, Jalen Coker, Terrell Shavers, Luther Burden—highlighted as deep-league, emerging, or speculative stashes ([09:57]-[11:29]).

  “Once we get past really the first two guys of Wilson and Watson, it gets to be a slippery slope.”
  — Jamie Eisenberg ([10:41])

Tight End & DST Streamers

• Tight Ends:

  • Juwan Johnson: “Very good prior to [the bye], and I think that will continue, especially without Rashid Shaheed.”
    • “First game without Shaheed, season-high 92 yards, scored a touchdown.”
  • Dalton Schultz: “Still right in our range… earned enough of a leash.”
  • Deep options: AJ Barner (productive, involved for the Seahawks), Brenton Strange, and Chigoziem Okonkwo (Titans, opportunity with injury decimation).

• DSTs:

  • Browns (vs. Raiders), Chiefs (vs. Giants/Daniel Jones), Jaguars (vs. Jacoby Brissett), Saints (vs. Falcons), and the above-threshold Lions (vs. Giants, 70% rostered) ([13:23]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There’s no way your teams didn’t get injured this week, unless you were just very lucky.”
  — Adam Aizer ([01:49])

• “If I can have the 49ers starting running back and then maybe the Packers starting running back, I want that on my roster.”
  — Jamie Eisenberg ([05:19])

• “At this point, again, like—you know, you’re six and five, five and six—coming off of this week, you know, you’re desperate for a win, obviously.”
  — Jamie Eisenberg ([03:03])

• “The one prize [at quarterback] is Jacoby Brissett.… He’s in that conversation already.”
  — Jamie Eisenberg ([05:48])

• “If I need a wide receiver, I’m spending a significant amount of fab on Michael Wilson with the hope that he’s the guy against Jacksonville.”
  — Jamie Eisenberg ([08:50])

• “Once we get past really the first two guys of Wilson and Watson, it gets to be a slippery slope.”
  — Jamie Eisenberg ([10:41])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:49 — Show start; RB injuries dominate the waiver landscape
• 02:18 — Emmanuel Wilson vs. Kenneth Gainwell waiver debate
• 03:43 — RB backup opportunities with Sean Tucker & others
• 05:01 — Should you drop handcuffs for immediate-use RBs?
• 05:33 — Week 12 QB pickups: bracketing Brissett as the main option
• 08:32 — Michael Wilson and WR waiver order
• 09:55 — Secondary WRs: Watson, Washington, deep stashes
• 11:59 — Tight end streamers: Juwan Johnson, Dalton Schultz, others
• 13:23 — DST pickups, including the Browns, Chiefs, Jaguars, and Lions

Summary Table: Top Waiver Adds

| Position | Top Targets | Other Options | |--------------|-----------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | RB | Emmanuel Wilson, Kenneth Gainwell | Sean Tucker, Chris Rodriguez, Singletary, Knight | | QB | Jacoby Brissett | Bryce Young, Taylor, Winston, Mills, Lawrence | | WR | Michael Wilson, Christian Watson | Parker Washington, Mooney, Higgins, Shavers | | TE | Juwan Johnson, Dalton Schultz | AJ Barner, Brenton Strange, Okonkwo | | DST | Browns, Chiefs, Jaguars, Saints, (Lions >70%) | — |

Tone & Takeaways

• Urgency is key—short-term RB adds take precedence, but don’t neglect high-upside WRs like Michael Wilson in the right situation.
• Risk-taking is justified late in the season; be aggressive with FAAB and not afraid to churn bench depth.
• Streaming QB is limited, so prioritize Brissett if you need a spot starter.
• Beyond the top waiver names, it’s a speculative week—dig deep, take fliers, and balance immediate needs with playoff upside.

Closing Thought:
Jamie and Adam encourage listeners to check back tomorrow for a full episode with extended discussion and rankings as injury info crystallizes.

“Thank you very much Jamie. Thank you everybody for watching and listening. We will talk to you tomorrow with a long breakdown of your waiver wire options.”
— Adam Aizer ([13:30])