Footballguys Fantasy Football Show

Episode: Week 12 Waivers || Fantasy Football 2025
Date: November 18, 2025
Hosts: Alfredo Brown & Dave Kluge

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the most impactful waiver wire pickups ahead of Week 12 in the 2025 fantasy football season. Alfredo and Dave break down their top recommendations for league-winning moves in the crucial playoff stretch, discussing running backs taking over starting roles, wide receivers with breakout potential, and highlighting the nuances of game theory for the end-of-season grind. The discussion features in-depth player analysis, injury contexts, and actionable FAB (Free Agent Budget) advice, while keeping the show lighthearted and fun.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fantasy Football "Cuffing" Season & Waiver Wire Priorities

• It’s the time of year to prioritize backup RBs who can win leagues if the starter gets hurt, as well as rookie stashes who may break out.
  • Dave: "This is the time of year where it’s cuffing season. Get your rookies... get your injury-away running backs." (05:10)
  • Alfredo: "We’ve got a lot of players that are handcuffs getting more action—one or two-week rentals but also potential long-term league winners." (04:23)

2. Tier 1 Waivers: Top Priority Running Back

Bashal Tootin (RB, Jacksonville Jaguars)

• Availability: 78% of Sleeper leagues
• Breakout Game: Out-carried Travis Etienne 15-to-12; 6 touches in 1st quarter, first TD of the game.
• Injury Note: Suffered an ankle twist—status is day-to-day, optimism for quick return, but high-ankle risks linger.
  • Alfredo: "Finally this past week, he out-carries Etienne 15-12. He’s got flex appeal now... if he’s getting double-digit touches." (07:23)
  • Dave: "He left the NFL Combine with the highest relative athletic score of any rookie in this draft class." (08:39)
• Strategy: If healthy, he’s the favorite waiver add for long-term value; injury uncertainty is only concern.

3. Tier 2 Waivers: Immediate-Impact Running Backs

Emmanuel Wilson (RB, Green Bay Packers)

• Context: Josh Jacobs injury (PCL sprain, could miss 1-6 weeks)
• Pros: Could see starting role if Jacobs is out, high upside as RB2.
• Cons: Might only be a short-term rental, plus faces tough run defenses.
  • Dave: "I think Emmanuel Wilson...could be more than a one-week rental...Brock Bowers played through this injury and had to rest up for a month." (11:31)
  • Alfredo: "Do I want to spend 50–70% of my FAB on a guy maybe for one week? Wilson is probably the surefire start this week, but less long-term appeal." (13:23)

Chris Rodriguez (RB, Washington Commanders)

• Role: 16 touches, 85 total yards last week; TD-dependent flex play with limited passing work.
• Drawbacks: No explosive play upside, shares work and rarely catches passes, stable but low ceiling.
  • Dave: "He’s one of those very safe flex plays, but unless he’s scoring multiple TDs, I just don’t know if there’s a ton of upside." (15:12)
  • Alfredo: "I think it just comes down to what we’re spending our FAB on..." (16:08)

4. Tier 3 Waivers: Upside Wide Receivers

Christian Watson (WR, Green Bay Packers)

• Boom/Bust: Capable of top-12 weeks, but streaky and injury-prone.
  • Dave: "He’s on waivers, you pick him up, he has a huge game, you start him, and then it’s two catches for 21 scoreless yards or he leaves injured." (19:34)
• Use Case: Great as a FLEX for underdogs in need of ceiling.
• FAB Suggestion: 5–20%, only more if desperate at WR.

Luther Burden (WR, Chicago Bears)

• Growth: Role growing but blocked by Romo Odunze and DJ Moore.
  • Dave: "As long as everyone is healthy there, it’s going to be really tough for him to get the volume required." (17:54)
• Comparable to: Amon-Ra St. Brown’s late rookie-year breakout IF injuries strike above him.

5. Tier 4 Waivers: Deep Stashes & Contingent Value

Sean Tucker (RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

• Usage: Explosive in starts, but role will vanish when Bucky Irving is back.
  • Dave: "I think Sean Tucker gets completely put to the back burner here... just 100% contingent upside." (22:47)

Jaden Higgins (WR, Houston Texans)

• Part-time: Role increasing but stuck behind established WRs, lacks guaranteed snaps.
  • Dave: "Last week, only ran routes on 65% of plays—Nico Collins is the only full-time receiver there." (24:30)

6. Tier 5 Waivers: Long Shot Receivers

Michael Wilson (WR, Arizona Cardinals)

• Big Week: Huge stat line, but will lose targets when Marvin Harrison Jr. returns; available in ~60% of leagues.

Adonai “AD” Mitchell (WR, NY Jets)

• Opportunity: Likely WR1 with Garrett Wilson out and Tyrod Taylor starting.
• Concerns: Dropped several passes, volatile offense, but high target share likely.
  • Dave: "AD Mitchell is intriguing... only receiver who has any talent in this room right now." (27:12)
• Preferred in deeper leagues.

Tyrell Shavers (WR, Buffalo Bills)

• Fluky Performance: Trending due to one big play; unlikely to repeat with all WRs healthy.
  • Dave: "Not really buying into the Terrell Shaver stuff." (28:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On RB Handcuffs:
  “Go through depth charts, find who that RB2 is, see if they’re available on your waiver wire and just load up your bench with as many of these guys as you possibly can at this point in the season.” – Dave Kluge (05:10)
• On Bashal Tootin’s Athleticism:
  “He left the NFL Combine with the highest relative athletic score of any rookie in this draft class.” – Dave Kluge (08:39)
• On Christian Watson’s Volatility:
  “We know the Christian Watson experience... you pick him up, you wait to see what’s going to happen, then you get like two catches for 21 scoreless yards or he leaves the game early with an injury.” – Dave Kluge (19:34)
• On Jaden Higgins:
  “I’m still keeping a light on for him long term, but the problem is like he’s still a part time player.” – Dave Kluge (24:30)

Segment Timestamps

• [04:23] — Week 12 Waiver Priorities: Philosophy & Top Options
• [07:23] — Bashal Tootin: Breakout, Analysis, and Injury Risk
• [11:31] — Emmanuel Wilson: Josh Jacobs Injury, Short vs. Long-Term Value
• [15:02] — Chris Rodriguez: Safe, Low-Upside Flex
• [17:54] — WRs: Christian Watson vs Luther Burden (Boom/Bust vs Steady Growth)
• [22:00] — Tier 4 RBs & WRs: Sean Tucker, Jaden Higgins
• [25:19] — Deeper WRs: Michael Wilson, AD Mitchell, Tyrell Shavers

Streamers: QB & Defense

Quarterback Streamers [29:51]

• Jacoby Brissett (ARI vs JAX): Most appealing; consistently top-12 when starting.
  • “Only quarterback in NFL history to attempt more than 50 passes and complete over 80%—he’s just looked darn good.” – Dave Kluge (30:46)
• Bryce Young (CAR vs SF) & Joe Flacco (NE vs CLE): Options, but less confidence.

Defense Streamers [32:37]

• Top Choices:
  • Raiders vs Browns: Targeting Shadur Sanders’ first start.
  • Browns vs Raiders: Facing a terrible OL—lowest pass block grade in NFL (29th overall, 32nd in pass).
• Other Streamers:
  • Jaguars vs Cardinals: Arizona giving up most fantasy points to opposing DSTs last four weeks.
  • Saints vs Falcons: Kirk Cousins has 1 TD & 3 INT in last 8 games; Atlanta’s offense is struggling.

Player Watch List & Game Theory Tips

• Check All Dropped Players: Sometimes standouts like Alec Pierce reappear after byes.
• Stash for the Playoffs: Always evaluate RB2s and WRs with potential for late-season opportunity.
• FAB Management: Prioritize spending big on RBs with RB1 upside, not short-term WRs.

Summary Table: Top Waiver Priorities

| Tier | Player | Position/Team | Upside | Risk | FAB Estimate | |------|----------------------|-------------------------|----------------------|-----------------------|---------------------| | 1 | Bashal Tootin | RB / Jaguars | Flex & RB1 Potential | Ankle injury status | 30–50% (if healthy) | | 2 | Emmanuel Wilson | RB / Packers | Immediate RB2 value | Short-term rental | 20–50% | | 2 | Chris Rodriguez | RB / Commanders | Safe flex | Low ceiling, shares | 20–30% | | 3 | Christian Watson | WR / Packers | High ceiling | Boom/Bust, injury | 5–20% | | 3 | Luther Burden | WR / Bears | Growth potential | Blocked by others | 5–20% | | 4 | Sean Tucker | RB / Buccaneers | Only if Bucky out | Role likely gone soon | <10% | | 4 | Jaden Higgins | WR / Texans | Playmaking upside | Playing time unclear | <10% | | 5 | AD Mitchell | WR / Jets | WR1 on team atm | Volatile situation | Deeper leagues | | 5 | Michael Wilson | WR / Cardinals | Volume spike | Marvin Harrison return| Deeper leagues |

Closing Remarks

With fantasy playoff spots on the line, Alfredo and Dave urge listeners to focus FAB on running backs with league-winning upside and to use streaming options strategically at quarterback and defense. They encourage checking the waiver wire for dropped players and monitoring injury updates, especially at RB. Listener engagement is requested in the comments to discuss which RB waiver target they'd prefer to spend big on for Week 12.

"This is the time to lock in. Make sure you’re joining us for each of these shows as we hit the crucial run to fantasy playoffs.” – Alfredo Brown (37:21)

Next Episode Tease:

• Players to STASH for the fantasy playoffs
• Last trade episode of the year
• Starts & Sleepers breakdown for Week 12