Eleven best players available on Week 12 waivers

The NFL is headed into the final game of Week 11, with a Monday Night Football matchup pitting division rivals the Los Angeles Chargers against the Kansas City Chiefs. We’ll keep an eye on that game to see what possible waiver wire wonders might emerge, but until then, let’s take a look at the best waiver options going into Week 12.

The fantasy playoffs loom, so If you’re anywhere in the mix in your leagues, be sure to prepare your team for the last week of byes, with the final four coming in Week 12.

With that in mind, here are eleven of the best players available in at least 50 percent of fantasy leagues, per ESPN ownership rates.

Jonathan Williams, RB, Indianapolis Colts (0 percent)

Marlon Mack left the Colts matchup with the Jaguars early in the third quarter with a fractured hand. Mack had already accumulated 109 rushing yards and a touchdown, and Williams quickly picked up the slack. He rushed 13 times for 116 yards and caught one pass for 31 more yards. Mack’s injury will keep him out for their Thursday night game in Houston and maybe longer. Williams was in for an injured Jordan Wilkins, so there is a chance Wilkins returns, but he didn’t practice last week, and with the short turnaround, he looks unlikely to play, giving Williams the start.

Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco (25.1 percent)

Emmanuel Sanders valiantly toughed out his rib injury against the Cardinals but was in and out of the game and eventually was forced to stay sidelined. His absence once again helped Samuel to a big game. Last week he caught eight passes for 112 yards against Seattle, and this week he caught eight passes for 138 yards against the Cardinals.

Derrius Guice, RB, Washington (45.8 percent)

Guice returned for his first game since suffering a torn meniscus in his knee in Week 1. Against the Jets in Week 11, he rushed seven times for 24 yards and caught 1-of-2 targets for a 45-yard touchdown. Adrian Peterson led the way, but Guice put up more fantasy points due to his long catch and run for a touchdown. In a lost season, there’s no reason for Washington to ride Guice hard to win games, so he’ll likely remain in a committee with Peterson, but so far, so good, for his fantasy usefulness.

DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins (44.7)

Parker continues to go under the radar playing for the Dolphins, but he also continues to put up useful stats nearly weekly. Over his last seven games, he’s averaged 4.9 receptions on 7.4 targets for 67.6 yards and totaled four touchdowns. This latest game came against all-world cornerback Tre’Davious White, and he caught seven passes for 135 yards. Parker’s learning curve has been unbearably long, but he might finally have gotten there.

Bo Scarbrough, RB, Detroit Lions (.3 percent)

Scarbrough was the surprise starter in Week 11 against Dallas after getting promoted from the practice squad on Saturday. He rushed 14 times for 55 yards and a touchdown and looked good in the process. Scarbrough likely won himself another start next week against Washington. His lack of a passing game role keeps his ceiling low, but he played well enough to grab him for a good matchup in Week 12.

Noah Fant, TE, Denver Broncos (13.7 percent)

Fant caught 4-of-11 targets for 60 yards and ran the ball twice for negative seven yards. The results aren’t what you want, but the usage sure is. With Emmanuel Sanders gone, Fant has taken a big step up in his workload and shown enough ability to be worth a roster spot.

Randall Cobb, WR, Dallas Cowboys (29.6 percent)

Cobb keeps producing despite his status as the third or fourth target on the team. This week he caught 4-of-7 targets for 115 yards and a touchdown. He made a couple of drops but has shown excellent ability after the catch of late. He will have inconsistencies, but the Cowboys passing offense is playing great right now, and they’re worth betting on.

Sam Darnold, QB, New York Jets (12.4 percent)

Sam Darnold completed 19-of-30 passes for 293 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception against Washington. The opponent wasn’t good, but he has looked better of late, and there is upside in easy matchups. Next week he’ll be at home against the Raiders.

Jeff Driskel, QB, Detroit Lions (2.3 percent)

Driskel likely isn’t going to be a starter in this league, but he’s got the goods to help a team and fantasy players. He completed 15-of-26 passes for 209 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions against a tough Cowboys defense and ran for 51 yards and a touchdown. His two great receivers, lousy defense, and rushing ability combine for substantial fantasy upside at a low price.

Cameron Brate, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1.5 percent)

O.J. Howard blew his chance this week when he couldn’t catch a ball, which ended up getting intercepted. After that, he was bench-bound, and Brate ended up seeing 14 targets, which he caught ten of for 73 yards. That’s a bonanza in PPR leagues. Bruce Arians is a weirdo when it comes to tight ends, so we can’t bank on Brate leading the way moving forward, but he’s likely the tight end that Arians feels most comfortable with moving forward.

Ryan Griffin, TE, New York Jets (1.1 percent)

More people would have picked up Ryan Griffin if Chris Herndon hadn’t been looming in the background, but Herndon is gone, and Griffin keeps putting up useful stats. This week he caught 5-of-5 targets for 109 yards and one touchdown against Washington. He’s now had four touchdowns in his last six games and topped six receptions or 66 yards in three of his previous four. He’s not a must add, but in a weak position, he has streaming ability.