Is it possible to believe that the Thanksgiving holiday period is behind us? How about December arrives this week? Impossible to grasp, isn’t it? However, we must come to that realization, especially in the realm of fantasy football. In most leagues, there are only two weeks remaining before the postseason arrives. There are many managers out there that are trying to cement their playoff spot. Likewise, there are just as many, if not more, that are simply trying to push their way into securing a berth. In either case, there are players out there that can help managers get where they want to go. To assist with that mission, may I present this fantasy football playoff waivers edition?

As with all of my articles, I welcome debate and discussion. Do you have questions about players that aren’t included here? Do you agree or disagree with the selections? Let’s talk about it! Before going further, let me point out that all roster percentages are provided by ESPN. Now that is out of the way, let’s get right into it!

Top Running Back PickUps

Samaje Perine, Denver Broncos, 26% Rostered

Without question, there hasn’t been a more complete turn around to a season like the one that the Denver Broncos are currently going through. After a very embarrassing start, Denver has won five straight. In the last two games, Samaje Perine has been a major contributor to the offense. His roster percentage is sure to go up, so the time to strike is now.

Clearly, Perine has demonstrated versatility the past two games. Against Minnesota, he had just one carry, but caught seven passes for 60 yards. This past Sunday against Cleveland, he caught just one pass, but rushed seven times for 55 yards and a touchdown. In both games, Perine finished with 13 fantasy points. Teammate Javonte Williams had 18 carries for 65 yards and caught three passes against Cleveland. Undoubtedly, both have value in fantasy football going forward.

The Browns have one of the top defenses in football, but couldn’t quite bottle up Perine. Cleveland ranks 12th against running backs. The Broncos’ next opponent, Houston, ranks a bit lower at 16. Jacksonville’s Travis Etienne had 56 yards on 20 carries and caught four passes. Both Perine and Williams can generate similar numbers. However, Williams is 88% rostered, so he is out of consideration. If Perine is available, he is the running back to add this week on the fantasy football playoff waivers edition.

Jeff Wilson, Miami Dolphins, 27.3% Rostered

If you are looking for a running back to stash with upside, consider Jeff Wilson. He had a nice game against a tough NY Jets defense last Friday with 11 rushes for 56 yards. Further, he caught three of three targets for another 17 yards. True, De’Von Achane may return. Then again, he may not. Another truth is that Raheem Mostert is the leader of the Miami backfield.

Regardless, both have had, or are currently having, injury issues. If something should happen to one or both, Wilson is in line for major work in a dynamic Miami offense. Best of all, the Washington defense is up next. They went into their game against Dallas ranked 18th against fantasy running backs.

Expect that ranking to fall after Tony Pollard rushed 13 times for 79 yards and a TD while catching six of six targets. Wilson is a worthy waiver pickup with the Commanders the next opponent. He is worthy, and not just because he has the same last name that I do.

Top Wide Receiver PickUp

Jonathan Mingo, Carolina Panthers, 7.6% Rostered

Admittedly, there’s not a whole lot to like about the Carolina offense at the moment. In fact, their head coach, Frank Reich, was just fired after a 1-10 start. Then, again, maybe that move will shake things up a bit and the team will play better. Even with all the issues, as hard as it may be to believe, there is positive news regarding Jonathan Mingo.

Over the past three games, Mingo has 19 targets. Certainly, coming away with just eight catches for 86 yards isn’t anything to get excited about. In his last game, however, he caught four of six targets for 60 yards. That averages out to 15 yards per catch. Without question, that is a worthy stat for a wide receiver.

Lastly, with new coaching, rookie QB Bryce Young could start to look like the first overall pick that he is. If that happens, it will be much more difficult to pick up Mingo than it is now. Truthfully, wide receiver is a thin position on the wire. Mingo is as good a dart throw as can be found. Add him if WR is a team need.

Another Wide Receiver Consideration:

If there isn’t any excitement tingling through your body when looking over Mingo, a real long shot could be in the desert. Another surprising location to look for WR help, perhaps, but adding Greg Dortch could just pay off. With Kyler Murray back at QB, Dortch has nine catches on 17 targets for 103 yards and a TD. The Steelers are next for Arizona and Pittsburgh ranks a lowly 24th against fantasy wideouts. Dortch could be a one week rental worth investing in.

Top Quarterback Pickup

Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers, 48% Rostered

Let’s face a certain reality, shall we? There aren’t many, if any, quarterbacks on the wire at this point in the season worth picking up. The only QB that merits investigation is barely below 50 percent rostered. However, if Jordan Love somehow has managed to hide out on your league’s waiver wire, get him. Run, don’t walk, and rescue him from the waiver jungle.

In the past few games, Love has come alive big time. He was especially on fire against the Packers on Thanksgiving. Love completed 22 of 32 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns. He has seven TD passes in his last three games. Even better, Love has no interceptions in his last two. Further, he rushed for a season high tying 39 yards against the Lions.

To be sure, there were (and still are) many questioning if Love is the man in Green Bay. Clearly, the past few games indicate that he can lead the Packers back to the promised land. Love can do that for your fantasy team as well. After a tough matchup against Kansas City next week, the sledding gets much easier the rest of the way. The following three games are at the Giants, home against Tampa and at Carolina.

Love is the only QB that will be recommended on this fantasy football playoff waivers edition. If he isn’t available and you need a QB, throw me a line and we’ll put our heads together and see what we can come up with.

Top Tight End Pickup

Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers, 22.9% Rostered

It should come as no surprise that as bleak as the quarterback situation is, tight end isn’t any better. Of course, even in the best of times, the TE position is the bleakest in fantasy. Even so, there was one that performed reasonably well against top competition that should get a look. That player is Gerald Everett.

Against Baltimore Sunday night, Everett caught four of four targets for 43 yards and a touchdown. That resulted in him getting 14 fantasy points, his best output of the season. Certainly, you would like for him to have a few more targets, but when it comes to tight ends, you live with what you can get.

Everett faces New England in week 13. They rank an excellent seventh against TEs in fantasy. No worries, though, as Baltimore ranked eighth going into the game against the Chargers. With the lack of selections out there, give Everett a look if you need help at this razor thin position.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy football playoff waivers edition! As always, I welcome suggestions, comments and input from all my readers. Let’s discuss!

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