FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast – Week 12 Waiver Wire: Must-Have Players to Add to Your Roster (Ep. 1848)
Release Date: November 17, 2025
Hosts: Joe Pisapia (“Joey P”), Derrick Brown (“DBro”), Pat Fitzmaurice (“Fitzy”)

Episode Overview

In this engaging and high-energy episode, the FantasyPros crew dives into the fallout from a chaotic Week 11 and delivers comprehensive analysis for navigating the Week 12 waiver wire. The hosts provide actionable advice for fantasy managers looking to rebound from unexpected performances or to keep the momentum rolling into the playoffs. They break down the most valuable waiver adds, analyze players’ roles amid injuries, caution against common point-chasing traps, and serve up their favorite streamers for quarterbacks, tight ends, defenses, and kickers. The tone is analytical, but peppered with humor, self-deprecation, and plenty of insider banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Waiver Wire Must-Adds: Top Names and Injuries

(05:00–11:59)

Emmanuel Wilson (Packers RB)

• Context: Taking over with Josh Jacobs potentially out (PCL injury; timetable TBD).
• Role & Upside:
  • “After Jacobs was out…94% of the snaps, all of the rushing opportunities, 73% of the routes for Emmanuel Wilson.” – Dbro [05:16]
  • Viewed as a “plug and play volume RB2 immediately” until Jacobs returns.
• FAAB Recommendation:
  • “You could justify 25 or 30%. Yeah. Late date…it's probably going to take a zesty bid to get it.” – Fitzy [06:50]

Michael Wilson (Cardinals WR)

• Week 11 Explosion: Caught 15 of 18 targets for 185 yards from Jacoby Brissette.
• Critical Context: Marvin Harrison Jr. likely out after an appendectomy, opening a one- to two-week window.
  • “I’m probably going to be ranking Michael Wilson as a top 25 receiver this week if Harrison is out.” – Fitzy [08:48]
• Caution: “Feels like late season Trey Tucker to me…This is probably like you don’t want to be point chasing or FAB chasing on the waiver wire.” – Dbro [09:09]
• Recommendation: Viable only as a one-week fill-in; not worth heavy spending.

Christian Watson (Packers WR)

• Boom-or-Bust Profile: Still under 50% rostered despite big-play potential.
  • “He is the wide receiver five for the week. If you read the primer, you probably flexed him…better days are ahead for Christian Watson.” – Dbro [11:50]
• Schedule Analysis: Five favorable matchups with deep-ball-vulnerable defenses; strong stash for the stretch run.

Kenneth Gainwell (Steelers RB)

• Stepping In: Jalen Warren's ankle injury may be minor, but volume and passing role increase for Gainwell.
  • “He does have a standalone role…even before Jalen Warren went out, Gainwell played 4 of the 5 third down snaps, 11 of the 12 two minute drill snaps.” – Dbro [15:24]
• Recommendation: Must add for Warren managers; flex potential even if Warren plays.

2. Running Back Market: Handcuffs, Streamers, & Injuries

(19:34–29:37)

Sean Tucker (Buccaneers)

• Unexpected Breakout: 19 carries, 106 yards, 2 TD – but Bucky Irving could return soon.
  • “It seems like there’s at least a decent chance Bucky Irving is back this week…Tucker, not White, is probably the real handcuff for Bucky Irving.” – Fitzy [20:30]
  • “Don’t go point chasing…view as a primary handcuff. I’m probably not spending more than 4 to 5% of fab.” – Dbro [21:45]

Bashel Tootin (Jaguars)

• Potential Rising Handcuff: 74 rushing yards and a touchdown before exiting with ankle injury.
  • “If anything happens to ETN, Tootin would be an automatic RB1 with LaQuint Allen probably spelling him on some downs…maybe we’re seeing the worm turning in Jacksonville.” – Dbro [24:00]
• Week 11 Snap Share: Over 40% before injury.

Chris Rodriguez (Commanders)

• Solid Flex Option: 16 carries for 79 yards, but on a bye for Week 12.
  • “Rodriguez…is probably like an RB3 and if he scores during a week he’s probably an RB2.” – Dbro [26:51]

Bam Knight (Cardinals)

• Backfield Wild Card: 27% rostered; next man up with injuries to Amari Demercado.
  • “Possible Bam Knight is a true lead back for the next couple of weeks…but a tough matchup with the Jaguars.” – Fitzy [29:14]

3. Wide Receiver Waiver Landmines & Deep Adds

(31:54–44:03)

Tyrell Shavers (Bills) / Greg Dortch (Cardinals)

• Caution Against Chasing Points:
  • “I’m not spending any fab on these guys. Greg Dortch had only a 10% target share…The 57 attempts for Brissette is doing a lot of heavy lifting.” – Dbro [32:49]
• Committee Roles: Both stuck in committees, limited sustainability.

Mac Hollins (Patriots)

• Short-term Value:
  • “He could have had like two back to back games with over 90 yards…if Booty is out and the next two weeks are fantastic, they get the Bengals and the Giants. Matt Hollins can have more ceiling weeks.” – Dbro [34:20]

Xavier Legette / Jalen Coker (Panthers)

• Jalen Coker as Deep Add:
  • “The Panthers actually have a better matchup this week…especially if Leggett is out this week and Coker is number two behind Tetar McMillan; I think Coker might be playable.” – Fitzy [37:28]
• Long-Term Skepticism: Legette remains too volatile.

Jaden Higgins (Texans - Dynasty Watch Only)

• “Not enough time for it to happen…excited about him for Dynasty because what we’ve seen is really impressive.” – Fitzy [41:05]
• Houston WRs: “It’s maddening he has to share snaps with Xavier Hutchinson…Not chasing this for 2025 re-draft.” – Fitzy [41:13]

Darnell Mooney (Falcons)

• Viable with London Out: Mooney is a volume-dependent flex only if Drake London misses time. [41:45–42:07]

Luther Burden (Bears)

• Monitoring Role: Possible handcuff WR; needs injury to DJ Moore or Rome Odunze to matter.

4. Drop Candidates & Roster Management

(44:33–45:55)

• Keon Coleman: “Yeah, I do. And I’m the Keon Coleman guy…with the playing time uncertain, there’s no reason to keep him around.” – Fitzy [44:46]
• Garrett Wilson (Jets): “The chances of Garrett Wilson coming back and then playing meaningful football for the New York jets is 2 and 8.” – Joey P [45:18]
  • If forced to choose, drop Wilson from IR for someone who can actually help in 2025.

5. Week 12 Top Streamers (QB, TE, DST, K)

(46:29–48:42)

Quarterbacks

• Jacoby Brissette (Cardinals): “He’s been basically a QB1 every single freaking start…gets the Jaguars, man.” – Dbro [48:02]
• Bryce Young (Panthers): “I’m not point chasing here after the big Bryce Young game. I’m just trying to target the San Francisco defense.” – Fitzy [46:36]

Tight Ends

• Colston Loveland (Bears): Good matchup; splits with Cole Kmet but has enough routes.
• Juwan Johnson (Browns): Productive in limited starts; viable streamer for those in need.

Defenses

• Raiders: Targeting rookie Shador Sanders making a start for the Rams.
• Browns: Facing turnover-prone Geno Smith and the Raiders.

Kickers

• Cairo Santos (Bears): Consistent fantasy production, double-digit points in 4/5 games.
• Cam Little (Jaguars): Two games with 13+ points in last 3 weeks.

6. Top 5 Waiver Adds (Hosts’ Consensus)

(49:01–49:33)

• 1. Emmanuel Wilson
• 2. Bashel Tootin
• 3. Christian Watson
• 4. Michael Wilson
• 5. Kenneth Gainwell (Dbro)
• 5. Bam Knight (Fitzy, also notes Jacoby Brissette highly as a streamer)

Memorable Quotes & Banter

• “It’s stuffing and cuffing time. Even if you’re a Mac and cheese person, probably a good idea to go out and get Sean Tucker if you’ve got Bucky Irving on your team.” – Fitzy [21:05]
• “The 57 attempts for Brissette is doing a lot of heavy lifting for (Greg Dortch).” – Dbro [32:49]
• “I’m a Cokehead too!” – Dbro, on Jalen Coker [38:08]
• “He shoved Olamide Zaccheaus into a closet—a small closet, because Zaccheaus isn’t a tall guy—but a closet nonetheless.” – Dbro [43:15]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Emmanuel Wilson discussion: 05:00–07:00
• Michael Wilson analysis: 07:00–10:54
• Christian Watson deep dive: 10:57–13:59
• Kenneth Gainwell debate: 13:59–16:00
• RB Handcuff Carousel (Sean Tucker, Tootin, Rodriguez, Bam Knight): 19:34–29:37
• WR Minefield (Dortch, Shavers, Mac Hollins, Panthers WRs): 31:54–40:02
• Deep Dynasty Mention (Jaden Higgins): 40:02–41:30
• Drop Candidates: 44:33–45:55
• Top Streamers & Waiver Adds Wrap-up: 46:29–49:33

Summary Takeaways

• Prioritize RB handcuffs (Wilson, Gainwell, Tootin) with the fantasy regular season winding down and injuries mounting.
• Cautious approach to big Week 11 WR performances (Michael Wilson, Dortch, Shavers): Don’t overspend on outlier games.
• Christian Watson is a stretch-run upside play, especially in leagues with big-play scoring.
• Week 12 is a week to stream QBs and TEs, with Brissette, Bryce Young, Loveland, and Juwan Johnson as top pickups.
• Strategic Roster Moves: Be ready to drop injured or uncertain assets (Keon Coleman, Garrett Wilson) to free up spots for contributors.

This episode is a practical, sentiment-balanced guide to navigating a tough waiver wire week with playoff implications on the horizon, full of actionable insights, sharp banter, and plenty of must-know context.