Best fantasy football RB waiver wire pickups for Week 12

Hello and welcome to the Week 12 running back waiver wire watch!

Another weekend of NFL action has wrapped up and and don’t look now, but we’re rapidly approaching Thanksgiving and that means the fantasy playoffs are right around the corner. So you better start getting things in order for a postseason run.

We’ll go over some RB performers that you should consider scooping off the waiver wire ahead of Week 12 and as always, we’ll classify a waiver add as someone who is rostered in 60% of leagues at the max.

Week 12 byes: Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders

The Buccaneers came up short in a 44-32 shootout loss to the Bills, but we have to assume that Sean Tucker is pleased with his performance. The third-year Bucs running back was a monster on Sunday, racking up 106 rushing yards, 34 receiving yards, and three total touchdowns to earn 30+ fantasy points in all scoring formats. The third-year back out of Syracuse has gotten an increased number of snaps over the last month in Bucky Irving’s absence and kept getting fed more and more touches throughout Sunday’s loss.

One thing to note is that Irving did return to practice last week, but was eventually ruled out of Sunday’s game and that’s an indicator that his return could be on the horizon. Even if he does suit up for this Sunday’s critical showdown against the Rams, we can expect Tucker to remain an important figure in the offense moving forward.

Week 12 matchup: @ Los Angeles Rams, 8:20 p.m. ET

The Packers prevailed over the Giants in a 27-20 victory, but it got a bit dicey on offense with both Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs exiting with injuries at various points. Jacobs was eventually ruled out with his knee injury, leaving Wilson to pick up the slack and did just that with 11 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown.

Jacobs entered Week 11 with the second-most rushing TD’s in the NFL and his potential absence would be a huge blow for the Packers. He’s considered day-to-day and will most likely miss this Sunday’s game against Minnesota, so be on the lookout for Wilson on the wire. Especially if you’re a Jacobs manager that hasn’t secured him as a handcuff yet.

Week 12 matchup: vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET

The Jaguars pounced all over the Chargers in a 35-6 blowout win on Sunday and did so with running backs Travis Etienne and Bhayshul Tuten both having solid outings out of the backfield. They put up identical numbers with Etienne breaking off 19 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown while Tuten had 74 yards and a score off 15 rushing attempts.

It was a season-high in carries for the fourth-round rookie back and it was the most that he’s been on the field this year. He’s finally starting to carve out a role in the offense and living up to some of his preseason expectations as a rookie sleeper. He could be a good asset to have down the home stretch, especially for Etienne managers who have yet to secure him as a handcuff.

Week 12 matchup: @ Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. ET

The Chiefs fell to the Broncos 22-19 in Week 11 and not only is a a 10th straight AFC West title unlikely at this point, the AFC juggernaut is staring down the possibility of missing the playoffs altogether. The offense doesn’t have the spark that it’s had in year’s past and Hunt has provided the only semblance of a rushing attack in recent weeks, taking 13 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown in their loss to Denver.

Hunt has been filling in for Isiah Pacheco, who has been out with a knee injury since their Monday-night win over the Commanders a few weeks back. But honestly, the veteran has been a more effective backfield option and they’d probably be better off sticking with him even when Pacheco is cleared to return. Keep Hunt in mind this week.

Week 12 matchup: vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET