EARLY Week 12 Waiver Wire TARGETS! Wilson, Gainwell, Brissett, Juwan Johnson & Others! (FFT Express)

Summary

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

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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.

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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]).

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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]).

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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])

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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]).

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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])

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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

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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%) | — |

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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.

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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])

Transcript

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[Adam Azerher]

Let's get an early look at the waiver wire right now on FFT Express. Welcome everybody. How we doing? Man, a lot of injuries. There's no way your teams didn't get injured this week unless you were just very lucky. Adam Azerher And Jamie Eisenberg on this Monday afternoon. Taking an early look at the waiver wire here and we've got a couple of running backs that are pretty interesting. Who are you preferring right now, Kenneth Gainwell or Emmanuel Wilson?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Based on what Jalen Warren said, I think you got to go with Emmanuel Wilson. So Warren said that he felt he could have come back into the game and they were just being smart. And keeping him out still does not mean he's going to miss that. He's going to play in Week 12 against Chicago. But I think at this point it sounds like Jacobs is going to miss week 12. And so just given the circumstances of what we're looking at with both these injuries, Jacob's out, Warren probably in. I think Emmanuel Wilson's probably going to be the most added player this week in the majority of weeks.

[Adam Azerher]

And it's interesting because Jacobs doesn't seem to have a long term injury. So, you know, are we, I guess it's a fab question or just a priority question. Is this kind of fool's gold? Because last night we were thinking, man, we got maybe some multi week week winner potential here. You know, must start guys potentially, but not necessarily looking that way.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

No, which obviously is positive because we'd rather have Jacobs out there, rather have Jalen Warren out there. But I think at this point, again, like, you know, you're six and five, five and six, you know, coming off of this week, you know, you're desperate for a win, obviously four and seven or worse, you know, you're trying to salvage your season if possible. So you're going to spend what you need to spend to get one of these guys because, you know, you're looking at not the most challenging of matchups, I think, for Emmanuel Wilson taking on the Vikings and Jalen Warren taking on the Bears, you know, so both these guys could be, excuse me, Kenwald taking on the Bears. You could be looking at both these guys. I haven't, you know, gone completely through my running back rankings, but like, both these guys are going to be top 24 running backs.

[Adam Azerher]

Got Sean Tucker in there too. How does he factor in?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I put him third just because of the potential of Bucky Irving returning. But, you know, clearly there's an opportunity for him to be a starter as well. If we find out that Irving is going to miss another game, you know, you're looking at a situation where not an easy matchup. It was much easier that he, you know, took on the Bills, you know, taking on the rave, the, excuse me, the Rams this week is going to be, you know, not an easy opponent. But I still think if Tucker gets the starting job, as he should, then he's at worst a flex. So you got his situation, you got the situation in Arizona. If Trey Benson doesn't return and Amari Di Mercado's out, then Zona the night. Great matchup again. Or not great. Good matchup against Jacksonville, but obviously we've seen Knight have some productive performances looking long term. You got, you know, Chris Rodriguez and most likely looking like he's the starting running back for Washington coming off their bye week. I still think Devin Singletary is worth adding and it sounds like Basil Tootin is going to play. He said after the game he talked to the media, which is usually a good sign that he's going to be back. He was outperforming Travis ETN before he got hurt. So, you know, another situation worth monitoring there. So there's a lot of good running back options for this week if you're desperate.

[Adam Azerher]

Yeah, maybe one of the conversations we'll have is do you drop a handcuff for these guys here, right? Let's say your roster set. We'll talk about this tomorrow. But you drop your, your Blake Corum, your Brian Robinson Jr. For these guys. What, what's your scenario where you're doing.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

That scenario you're doing that is that you're trying to maximize the potential of your roster. So, you know, we don't, you know, you said we seems like we escaped some long term injuries for Jacobs and more and we just don't know yet. You know, by the time people are listening to this, they may know. You know, those guys are going for MRIs today. So, you know, make it may get differing news than what we're saying right now. We'll address that on Tuesday. But I still think for what you're looking at is like if I can have the 49ers starting running back and Christian McCaffrey and then maybe the packers starting running back, I want that on my roster.

[Adam Azerher]

All right, so let's talk about quarterbacks here and who we're looking at. With Michael Panics out probably for the season, or at least possibly he might be out for a long time. But anyway, not that that's a huge fantasy thing, but who are we looking at at quarterback?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

There's one prize and that's Jacoby Brissette. You know, he's certainly proven himself with the absence of Kyler Murray and this was the kind of the game we wanted to see how he would do. Right. Because no, Marvin Harrison and he did great. I mean just an absolutely fantastic performance despite the fact that the Cardinals lost. So taking on Jacksonville, I know Justin Herbert didn't take advantage of this matchup, but I think Brissette has proven now five straight games over 22 fantasy points, like he's a, you know, I don't want to say must start quarterback, but he's in that conversation already. So after him it's really a mixed bag. So in one quarterback leagues, I think it's worth a deeper look to take a look at Justin Fields after what he just did against the Patriots.

[Adam Azerher]

Taylor is starting.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Oh, they didn't announce that. I'm sorry. Yeah. Fool you.

[Adam Azerher]

That just happened about an hour ago.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Okay. Yeah, I didn't see that.

[Adam Azerher]

Do you believe that? I mean it's. It's just always seemed like Aaron Glenn wanted to go this way. It's like looking for excuses.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

So there you go, another two QB option. So really for the one quarterback leagues, I think you're looking at Brissette and that's it. And then after him, maybe Bryce Young if you want to give him an opportunity against the 49ers because I would guess that's going to be a high scoring game or the potential for high scoring game. Both. Defense is not exactly playing great and the Panthers just showed you that if Bryce Young has to throw, he can be pretty decent. So he would be second. And then it's a lot of two QB options. So Jameis Winston may be starting again. Jackson Dartstone, the concussion protocol to Rod Taylor now is an option. Kirk Cousins rest of season. I don't know how much you want to trust them. Mason Rudolph for how long. He may start with Aaron Rodgers dealing with the wrist injury if in fact he does miss time. Davis Mills, if you're looking at it for Thursday's game, probably going to be throwing a lot in tough matchup against the Bills. And then shadow Sanders if you want to trust him. Not the most challenging matchups for the Browns as they take on the Las Vegas Raiders.

[Adam Azerher]

Yeah, Mason Rudolph at Chicago. I'm not sure if you said him, he's that's pretty good matchup. And then you know, I'll make a case for Trevor Lawrence. We'll see how injured the Cardinals are if they can get some defensive backs back. But yeah, it looks like we're probably going to be spending time on running back and wide receiver on the waiver wire. So speaking of wide receiver, we'll take a break and talk about Michael Wilson and anyone else that comes to mind when we come back on FFT Express. Fantasy football has a lot of oars. Start or sit, draft or bust, buy or sell. But you don't have to pick because Nationwide is so much more than a great insurance company. They're one of America's largest financial services companies too. Insurance and financial services. Game changer for your insurance and financial needs. Nationwide is on your side. Nationwide Investment Services Corporation Member FINRA Columbus, Ohio okay, I think I know who the number one wide receiver is this week. So how did you compare Michael Wilson to the running backs?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

You know, again, there's no guarantee that Marvin Harrison Jr. Is going to be out for week 12. I'm sure they're going to take their time to make sure he's 100 healthy, especially with their season going the way that it is. Why would you rush him back? So probably he's in the top three. You know, I think you put him up there with Wilson and with Gainwell, you know, if you want to put him ahead of Tucker or behind Tucker, that's, you know, certainly a conversation worth having. But 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.

[Adam Azerher]

Okay, we just had a talk on beyond the box score. What do you expect from Michael Wilson when Marvin Harrison Jr. Comes back? Feel like I was the pessimistic one on it, but I think we all kind of agree to, you know, he's got some value, just not gonna when you're weak. But what do you think is he's even going to be rostered when worth rostering, when Marvin Harrison Jr. Is back.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

For the first week? I would say yes. You know, I mean, this is a team that is really struggling to, you know, hold leads and, you know, run the ball consistently. So you've seen Jacoby Brissette have some heavy volume and I mean you just, you just saw Trey McBride, Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch all play well. So there's certainly an opportunity for Wilson to sort of get that 7 day target number range. Yeah, but he hasn't done anything with it prior to this. I mean, he was completely useless for fantasy managers prior to this week.

[Adam Azerher]

Any other wide receivers stand out?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Christian Watson, 64 roster. You know, he coming off a five target game but score two touchdowns. You got to feel like there's something building there and I think we're still sort of in this. What do the packers actually look like offensively? And now they may have to throw more without Josh Jacobs There. So hopefully that benefits Watson. But you know, two games in without Tucker Kraft one. Jordan Love looked miserable. When he looked a little bit better against the Giants, it was the Giants. So with what Minnesota is going to throw at him, you know, from, from a blitz standpoint and how will he hold up? I. I think there's a chance for Washington to maybe make some plays down the field, but he definitely should be rostered. I'm gonna go back to Parker Washington. I know it wasn't a good game, but they really just didn't have to throw the ball very much. And I think as you alluded to the Cardinals defense, not great right now. So Washington is still worth stashing on your bench, especially if Brian Thomas remains out. You have to have some interest in darn on Mooney just to see what happens with Drake London. We don't know how long that'll be, how long he'll be out, but maybe Mooney looks a little bit better. I know he's been really tough to trust, but this is, you know, we're starting. Once we get past really the first two guys of Wilson and Watson, it gets to be a slippery slope. Matt Collins, it sounds like Case on Booty is going to be back. At least he's gonna try and practice on Wednesday. But Holland's two his last three games been really good. Jaden Higgins, three of his last four games, seven plus targets. There is a chance that Xavier Leguette is out for week 12. He's dealing with a hip injury. So Jalen Coker back to back games with four targets. Maybe he starts to get a little bit more involved and then the last guy. I think you just got to give him some potential. Look, last two guys. Excuse me, but, but Terrell Shavers, you know, coming off the game that he just had, like, why would you not just take a flyer on him if you have an empty roster spot in case he becomes the a starting wide receiver. Like they just scored the most points they scored all season and happened without Keon Coleman on the field. So maybe Shavers earns a bigger role and then you should just stash Luther Burden at this point to see what happens.

[Adam Azerher]

Yeah, Keisha Booty himself is appealing 63 rostered and I'd like to see if Darius Slayton can get some practices and certainly don't have to put any claims for him on Tuesday. But everything we liked about him still exists. If Slayton get back on the field. Are there any good tight ends?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Jamie, he has one. Juwan Johnson coming off his buy very Good prior to that and I, I think that will continue especially without Rashid Shahid. So first game without Shahid, you know, season high 92 yards, scored a touchdown. He's been over 10 PPR points in all but three games this season. Dalton Schultz is still right in our range 65. You're not gonna probably love him against Buffalo but you know, rest of season he's I think earned enough of a leash to you know, use him as a low end starter. At least consider him as a loan starter. And then the other two guys would be AJ Barner and Brent Strange or three guys. Excuse me, AJ Barner and Brenton Strange. Look, I mean again how much you want to trust these guys right away remains to be seen. But Barner coming off as a game as productive as he was or involved as he was and he's the tush push guy for the, for the Seahawks and Brenton Strange we hope is going to have a significant role. He was starting to look like that before he got hurt and then the last guy right now you have a Titans offense. I know nobody wants to trust them but they just lost Ridley for the season. The two rookies are banged up in in DK and IO manor Chigo Conquo is facing the Seahawks and might have an opportunity here to catch a few passes. So deeper leagues he's not a bad flyer. Oh sorry DSTS not the best group but Browns are 65 roster they get the Raiders the Chief 62 roster they get Daniel Jones in their building the Jaguars get Jacoby Brissette as good as these plays been turned over prone the last two weeks and the Saints get a very beat up Falcons team. If you want to trust them and.

[Adam Azerher]

Be and just above the threshold you have the Lions facing the Giants. If it's Jim and they're 70% roster.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yep.

[Adam Azerher]

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 on fantasy football today.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

See you.