Fantasy Football Today

Episode: Waiver Wire! Is This a Great Week or a "Fooled You!" Week?
Date: November 18, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamie Eisenberg

Episode Overview

This episode centers on navigating a tricky Week 12 waiver wire. Injuries and unclear statuses for key running backs have made pickups riskier than usual, leaving fantasy managers debating whether this is a week to strike with major FAB bids or to play it safe and avoid getting “fooled.” The crew covers top priorities at each position, dives into player health, analyzes team matchups, and debates whether certain breakouts are real or just one-week blips. Listener league drama, trade etiquette, and start/sit decisions also get airtime.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Waiver Wire Uncertainty in Week 12

• The week is defined by injuries at RB (Josh Jacobs, Jalen Warren) and ambiguous timelines: "You never like a good waiver wire week at running back because it means other running backs got injured. But now we're seeing these injuries might not be long term at all." (Adam, 01:41)
• Multiple backfields (PIT, GB, LV) are “in wait and see mode.” (Jamie, 04:25)
• Risk of aggressively bidding FAB only to find injured starters play is high.

2. Top Waiver Wire Priorities Debated

Jamie’s Top 3:

• Kenneth Gainwell
• Emmanuel Wilson
• Michael Wilson
  Dave’s Top 3:
• Emmanuel Wilson
• Michael Wilson
• Juwan Johnson
• “This is going to be the most complicated waiver wire week of the season and the most impactful one because it’s going to make or break a bunch of fantasy teams fighting for playoff spots.” (Dave, 03:37)

3. Injury Updates and Strategy

• Josh Jacobs (knee bruise): “My guess is they’d probably keep him out, but could play this week.” (Jamie, 04:25)
• Jalen Warren: May play, but prior situations show PIT could hold him out last-minute.
• Marvin Harrison Jr.: Could return from appendix removal after one game; situation impacts Michael Wilson.
• Bucky Irving, Sean Tucker: “Tucker has been the guy, but Bucky Irving could return this week.” (Jamie, 04:25)
• Knowing the status of these injuries is critical for waiver strategy.

4. Schedule Analysis for Key Waiver Backs

• Kenneth Gainwell (if Warren out): Faces CHI, BUF, BAL, MIA — good schedule.
• Emmanuel Wilson: MIN (inconsistent run D), then DET (elite vs. run) — schedule less appealing.
• "If we learn that Warren’s ankle is a problem ... then yeah, absolutely, Gainwell would be the one that I would want." (Dave, 07:28)

5. Trade Exploits & Appeals

• Jamar Chase (suspended, appealing): "Find the Jamar Chase owner and make him a trade... this is an opportunity to have Jamar Chase down the stretch." (Adam, 08:00)
• “He’s appealing… I’d be very surprised if he wins the appeal, but...” (Jamie, 08:39)

6. Wide Receiver and Tight End Streaming

• Michael Wilson: Volume king if Harrison is out — “18 targets!” (Dave, 12:04)
• Andre Yosivas: “He’s sneaky. I didn’t say he’s guaranteed, just sneaky.” (Jamie, 11:19)
• Juwan Johnson: "You could make the case should be the number one waiver wire priority." (Adam, 24:43)

7. Waiver Wire by Position

All recommendations depend on injury news; monitor closely before running waivers or setting lineups.

Quarterback

• Top: Jacoby Brissette (“Easy choice”—Jamie, 20:56)
• Streamers: Jameis Winston, Bryce Young if he plays.

Running Back

• Top: Emmanuel Wilson, Kenneth Gainwell (interchangeable based on injury news, 22:22)
• Next tier: Chris Rodriguez, Bashel Tootin, Donovan Knight

Wide Receiver

• Top: Michael Wilson, Christian Watson, Andre Yosivas (24:54)
• Deep: Alec Pierce, Greg Dortch, Darnell Mooney if volume roles open up.

Tight End

• Top: Juwan Johnson (“Good for around 10 PPR points as a floor from week to week.” —Dave, 24:54)
• Dalton Schultz (if available), Noah Fant (Joe Flacco check-down appeal).

Defense / Kicker / IDP

• DSTs: Browns (#1), Chiefs, Jaguars, Saints
• Kicker: Harrison Butker (“in his building” vs. Colts), Jake Elliott
• IDP: Curtis Robinson (SF LB, "I’m spending the rest of my $3 in fab…", Adam, 20:08)

8. FAB Bid Advice & Playoff Prep

• Adam: "If you need someone, just get them. But… you're obviously running the risk of not having [the starter]."
• “If you have a very good record… a lot of value to holding on to some fab ... you can bully [waiver moves] during fantasy playoffs.” (Adam, 16:43)

9. Deep-League/Dynasty Watch

• Stashes: Bryce Young, Luther Burden, Keaton Mitchell, Ty Johnson
• Waiver “traps”: Many RBs and WRs here are pure stopgaps or need an injury to matter; prioritize based on need (37:38).

10. Listener League, Trade, and Waiver Etiquette

• “When you're out of contention, that shouldn't matter... you're still entitled to go after players on the waiver wire.” (Dave, 31:07)
• “Once you are mathematically eliminated from a playoff spot, you shouldn’t be allowed to make trades.” (Adam, 32:21)
• Lighthearted notes on the crew’s standings and the idiosyncrasies of competitive leagues.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Dialogue

• On Waiver Chaos:
  “This is going to be the most complicated waiver wire week of the season and the most impactful one because it’s going to make or break a bunch of fantasy teams fighting for playoff spots.” — Dave Richard (03:37)

• On Michael Wilson’s Target Explosion:
  “18 targets!” — Dave Richard (12:04)

• On Risky FAB Bids:
  "If you spent a lot of fab tonight on Emmanuel Wilson or Kenneth Gainwell, you're obviously running the risk of not having [the starter]." — Adam Aizer (16:12)

• On Trade Etiquette:
  "Once you are mathematically eliminated from a playoff spot, you shouldn’t be allowed to make trades." — Adam Aizer (32:21)

• On Backup Running Backs:
  “If anything happens to Etienne… now you’re getting, you know, what do you want to put the floor at here? 9, 10 touches on a week to week.” — Dave Richard (57:46)

• On Juwan Johnson:
  "You can make the case [Juwan Johnson] should be the number one waiver wire priority." — Adam Aizer (24:43)

Highlights by Timestamp

• Waiver Wire Overview & Top 3 Priorities:
  • 01:41 – "I have very mixed feelings about the waiver wire this week..."
  • 03:25 – Jamie & Dave’s top three waiver targets.
• Injury Status Rundown (RBs):
  • 04:08 – Josh Jacobs, Jalen Warren, Bucky Irving, Michael Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr.
• Schedule Analysis for RBs:
  • 09:24 – “Kenneth Gainwell vs Emmanuel Wilson... Gainwell’s schedule so much better...”
• Trade & Suspension Talk:
  • 08:00 – "You need to go try to acquire Jamar Chase... this is an opportunity..."
• Receiver Depth and Streamers:
  • 11:15 – “There's one sneaky one, though, who I miss. Joshua.” (Andre Yosivas)
  • 12:04 – “7 or 8 PPR points [for Wilson]”
• Listener League Drama:
  • 13:26 – “What a win. One by, like, one point...”
  • 15:31 – “Adam lost by 0.38. Quentin Johnston was in his lineup.”
• FAB & Roster Construction Philosophy:
  • 16:12 – "Just bear in mind, if you spent a lot of fab...you're running a risk..."
• QB/WR/RB/Tight End Waiver Rankings:
  • 20:56 -- Jamie’s QB priorities
  • 22:22 -- Dave’s RB priorities
  • 23:56 -- Jamie’s WR priorities
  • 24:54 -- Dave’s tight end priorities
• Streaming DST and Kicker
  • 27:51 -- Top defenses to stream
  • 29:58 -- Kicker recommendations
• Deep league names & dynasty stash:
  • 37:38 – QB/WR/RB/TE deep stashes outlined
• Trade & waiver wire etiquette:
  • 31:07 – “When you're out of contention, that shouldn't matter...”
  • 32:21 – “Mathematically eliminated team cannot make trades.”

Actionable Fantasy Takeaways

Running Backs

• Don’t Overcommit FAB unless you have clarity on injuries to Jacobs/Warren.
• Prioritize certainty: If a handcuff is a guaranteed start, spend; otherwise, hold back FAB for playoff weeks.
• Snag backups with upside: Even deep options like Donovan Knight could become relevant fast.

Wide Receivers

• Michael Wilson: Big opportunity if Harrison sits; expect heavy targets again.
• Deep fliers: Yosivas, Alec Pierce, Greg Dortch — upside, but situation-dependent.

Quarterbacks

• Brissette and Winston are leading streams; Young is a deeper, upside play if healthy.

Tight Ends

• Juwan Johnson is a priority for needy teams.
• Noah Fant is a viable streamer, especially with Flacco under center and pass-catcher injuries.

Playoff Strategy

• Save FAB where possible if you’re a near-lock for playoffs; you can dominate late waivers with a FAB edge.
• Watch for late-season breakouts from backups and handcuffs as injuries mount.

League Etiquette

• Waivers: Stay active, even if you’re out of contention.
• Trades: Once mathematically eliminated, sit out trade market.

Final Words

This is waiver wire week with landmines—a lot hinges on midweek injury news. The safest moves are priority backups where certainty emerges, but caution and patience with FAB are advised if you’re already set for the playoffs. Try to roster players with upside and monitor news up until waivers run, particularly for RBs and WRs with open situations.

[Podcast ends at 71:15]

Useful for managers who missed the show: Every major waiver, injury, streamer, and strategic consideration is here, with hosts’ authentic tone and humor preserved. Check injury news before finalizing claims!