Deep dive RB handcuffs top Week 12 waiver targets

sharon_orn

Each week, I'm tasked with picking the for fans. That article is a more cursory glance at the waiver wire, helping the countle s fantasy players in more casual leagues on NFL.com figure out who is worth adding to their roster.Typically, this column is the one for the diehards in more intense leagues, where I try to highlight breakout candidates to add before they become a household fantasy name. Unfortunately, we've reached the Walt Weiss Jersey  point of the year where that task becomes incredibly difficult, as after 12 weeks there are very few players not on the fantasy radar. That's why you'll see a lot of repeat names in here over the next few weeks, without a ton of new analysis. Most of these players are in need of something to change to get their opportunity to truly produce, such as an injury to someone ahead of them on the depth chart. And while we never wish injury on a player, it's a fact of fantasy and real football that injuries happen, and teams need to be prepared to fill the void. That's why the running back list is basically a list of the top handcuffs who should be owned just in case. On to the "Deep Dive" waiver wire targets for Week 12.Running backs, (2.8 percent owned)Ajayi has been used primarily to spell the last few weeks, averaging 6.8 yards per carry on his 15 attempts since Week 9. The rookie shows great burst and balance, two of the traits that made him a favorite among draftniks. The will feed Miller down the stretch, but it is worth noting that Ajayi only saw three fewer touches against Dallas (six to nine) on 20 fewer snaps (12 to 32). He's one of the top handcuff options in the NFL right now and needs to be owned in more leagues., (2.6 percent owned)The Detroit backfield continues to be a confounding one in fantasy, but the one thing we  Marcus Semien Jersey can trust is Riddick catching pa ses out of the backfield. With five more catches on Sunday against the , Riddick now leads all running backs with 50 receptions on the season, and trails only in receiving yardage. He hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 5, but for owners in PPR leagues, Riddick is an excellent bench stash with weekly flex appeal., (0.2 percent owned)Heading into Week 11, head coach Bill O'Brien said he planned to give Grimes more work. While we hoped that meant he'd cut into the unimpre sive 's workload, he actually just stole the few touches that had gone to . Despite Blue posting a solid fantasy day, Grimes still looks like the better back (and most of Blue's production came on a trick play). Grimes is definitely worth a stash, as he's averaging more than twice as many yards per carry as Blue since 's season-ending injury, and is a more dynamic option catching pa ses out of the backfield, as well. He might not see enough touches to put into your lineup next week, but his upside is huge if he and Blue ever flip-flop roles (which they should)., (0.2 percent owned)For awhile, it seemed like the would turn to in the event that went down again with an injury, but if Week 11 taught us anything, it's that refuses to die (in fantasy terms). The veteran played the most snaps of any back last week (41), and turned nine touches into 89 yards. Most of that came through the air, as he had five catches (on seven targets) for 67 yards, with 60 yards after the catch. As we've been writing for weeks, at this time of the year it becomes imperative to handcuff your stud running backs. While the could turn to more of an RBBC if Ivory is forced to mi s time, Powell looks like the safer play giving his consistent role in the pa sing game -- he leads all backs with 20 receptions., (0.1 percent owned)The were on their bye last week, so Hightower is likely still sitting on the waiver wire. suffered an undisclosed injury in Week 10  Joe Morgan Jersey that forced him out for much of the game, letting Hightower see his first significant action of the year. Ingram should be fine after a week of rest, but his owners will want to stash Hightower on their bench if they can. He saw more work than when Ingram was sidelined, and is the ideal handcuff for one of fantasy's top backs in an offense starting to fire on all cylinders.Other names to consider: (MIN), (DAL), (STL), (JAC), (CAR)Wide receivers, Washington (1 percent owned)While played the most offensive snaps of any Washington pa s catcher against the , his stat line of one catch for five yards on one target left a lot to be desired. Still, we expected that offense to regre s on the road against a tough Carolina defense. Crowder is still worth a stash in deeper leagues, especially PPR formats, even if the return of limits his weekly ceiling. He'll have a chance to rebound against the this week., (0.1 percent owned)With sidelined with an injury and still not 100 percent, the needed someone else to step up in the pa sing game, and Nelson answered the call. The speedy rookie caught four of his six targets on Sunday for 142 yards and a touchdown. Had he not been rather inexplicably caught from behind by (a defensive end) he could have had a second touchdown as well. Nelson's fantasy value will remain spotty though, and dependent on injuries to the players ahead of him. So far this season, he's only had three games where he's played more than three offensive snaps (Week 1, Week 8, Week 11), and those were all games where either Floyd or Brown was inactive. He's worth a stash in deeper leagues for sure,  Catfish Hunter Jersey as both Brown and Floyd are battling lingering hamstring injuries, but don't chase the points and try to start him next week., (2.5 percent owned)Harris is coming off of his bye and likely still on the waiver wire in most leagues. With officially shut down for the season, Harris will remain the team's primary slot receiver. He's looked good this season, most recently against the . He'll have fringe WR3 value the rest of the season, and I like his consistency and upside more than 's., (0.2 percent owned)The San Diego offense had an absolutely terrible outing on Sunday against the , even worse than many expected after they'd lost many key playmakers to injury (, , etc.). Still, injuries create opportunities for ancillary players, and Inman will continue to see his number get called. He had only three catches on Sunday, but showed his big-play ability by taking them for 51 yards. The could be in a tailspin after this recent showing (with their head coach on the hot seat), but Inman is still worth a stash in deeper leagues.Other names to consider: (CAR), (NYG), (HOU), (GB), (SD), (DEN)Tight ends, (3.6 percent owned)Miller wasn't able to make it three straight weeks with a spectacular touchdown catch, but he did have more catches and yards than for the second straight week. He'll face a defense that struggles against big, athletic tight ends recently (, ), and could be a decent desperation streamer on the short week (the head to Lambeau Field on ). , (0.4 percent owned)Walford didn't get to exploit a Reggie Jackson Jersey  plus matchup against the , as his entire offense sputtered in Week 11. He'll look to rebound against the this week, another team that tight ends routinely beat. He's a decent streaming option who is available in pretty much every non-dynasty league., Washington (0.1 percent owned)The oft-injured suffered a left MCL sprain last week, but did play through it. owners should monitor his healthy throughout the week, and if signs point to him sitting, will be an excellent streaming option against the . New York has one of the worst defenses in the league when it comes to covering tight ends (most catches and receiving yards allowed to the position). Carrier caught a touchdown filling in for Reed earlier in the season, too.Other names to consider: (BAL), & (SF), (ATL)-- Alex Gelhar is a writer and editor for NFL.com, and the producer of the . He did end up buying "Star Wars: Battlefront" as an early birthday present to himself, and has been enjoying it so far. Talk to him about Battlefront or ask him for fantasy advice on Twitter .