Getty Image / Will Newton
Welcome to Week 12. The fantasy playoffs are in the not too distant future. It’s time to start thinking about who will be in your lineup going forward. I’ve listed some players here who performed well last week and could be a vital piece in your playoffs.
Don’t worry, my full list of players to start and sit for the playoffs is coming later this week.
For now, here are players you should be looking to pick up in Week 12.
TE Ryan Griffin
Griffin came out of nowhere this week for his first career 100+ receiving yard game in 87 games. If you own one of the recently injured tights ends, Griffin could be someone to pick up.
QB Sam Darnold
Griffin had the game of his life thanks to his quarterback. Maybe Darnold needs to be in the new Ghostbusters movie thanks to back-to-back 20+ fantasy point performances. He’s someone to think about having for your fantasy playoffs as he continues to have favorable matchups in the upcoming weeks.
QB Nick Foles
Foles was impressive in his first full start as a Jaguar with 296 passing yards and two touchdowns. He’s another quarterback with great matchups throughout the rest of the fantasy season.
TE Ross Dwelley
Dwelley saw the end zone twice as he started again for the injured George Kittle. Pay attention to Kittle’s status throughout the week; if he doesn’t play, Dwelley is the streaming option.
TE Cameron Brate
Like Jonas Gray, O.J. Howard might be heading towards the one-hit-wonder territory. While Howard only saw one target this week, Brate saw a team-high 10 catches in their loss to the Saints.
RB Jonathan Williams
Marlon Mack left the game last Sunday with what is diagnosed as a fractured hand. Williams saw 147 total yards on 14 touches. With a four day turnaround, Williams will get the lead back duties. Mack owners need Willams as a handcuff.
TE Kyle Rudolph
Rudolph was written off as a fantasy option when Vikings were barely throwing the ball. Rudolph is back thanks to touchdowns in three straight games. The Vikings will head into their bye this week, but in the following weeks, Rudolph faces teams ranked in the bottom ten against the tight end in three of the next four games, including the fantasy championship.
QB Jeff Driskel
The outlook is not looking good for Matthew Stafford. The diagnosis on his back could have him out for up to six weeks. In his absence, Driskel isn’t lighting it up real football-wise, but in fantasy, he’s played well, including a 27 point performance this week.
QB Dwayne Haskins
Here’s another quarterback who is playing good enough to be fantasy relevant. He has a talented receiver in Terry McLaurin and Derrius Guice and Adrian Peterson in the backfield. The Redskins aren’t going to win actual football games, but Haskins may help you win fantasy games.
RB Derrius Guice
Guice returned this week and split carries with Adrian Peterson. He had a relevant fantasy day thanks to 45-yard receiving touchdown. This will eventually be Guice’s job, as the weeks progress, you’ll see him get more and more reps. He has upside going forward.
TE Noah Fant
I listed Fant on waiver wire a couple of weeks ago; I’ll bring him back again. He had 11 targets against the Vikings. Brandon Allen looks to rely on Fant going forward.
TE Jacob Hollister
Hollister made eight catches and had a touchdown in Week 10. Russell Wilson loves throwing to his tight end in the red zone, and with the way he’s playing, Hollister will have that opportunity a lot going forward.
WR Randall Cobb
Cobb had 115 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Lions on Sunday and now has back-to-back games with 100+ yards and a score. Since the team’s Week 8 bye, Cobb has 16 catches on 23 targets with 256 receiving yards and two touchdowns over three games.