Welcome to your essential guide for Week 12 fantasy football waiver wire pickups for the 2024 season! As the playoffs approach, it's crucial to optimize your roster with key pickups to secure your championship run.

Unlike previous seasons, where injuries to running backs forced managers to scavenge the waiver wire for replacements, this year has seen a surprising stability at the running back position. Nevertheless, the Week 12 waiver wire is abundant with opportunities at quarterback, wide receiver, and tight end, making it a golden chance for savvy fantasy managers.

League-Winner Alert:

**Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts - Rostered in 43.5% of Leagues** If you missed out on Richardson during the draft, now's your chance to grab him! His performance in Week 11 was nothing short of spectacular, throwing for 272 yards with a touchdown while also rushing for 32 yards and two touchdowns, amassing 28.1 points. With a strong showing against the Lions on the horizon, Richardson's dual-threat capabilities make him a fantastic pickup.

High-End QB2 Candidates:

**Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams - Rostered in 28.3% of Leagues** Stafford has been lighting it up with big performances, boasting 295 yards and four touchdowns last week. The Rams' porous defense means they often play from behind, creating a fast-paced environment ideal for fantasy scoring. Match this with star receivers like Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, and you have a recipe for success.

**Jared Goff, Detroit Lions - Rostered in 57.2% of Leagues** Goff bounced back beautifully against the Jaguars with a stunning 34.6-point game. He's looking to continue that success against the Colts, who are known for their generous defense against quarterbacks. This could be a high-scoring outing.

**Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks - Rostered in 49.5% of Leagues** Smith's 2024 season has seen its ups and downs, but his ability to produce points continues. Despite recent struggles, he remains a viable option due to his rushing upsides, such as gaining a touchdown on the ground in the previous week.

Solid Bench and Streaming Options:

**Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings - Rostered in 59.9% of Leagues** Darnold has shown he can control the game as a QB2, scoring 23.6 points after a shaky outing prior. He tends to shine against favorable matchups, so keep an eye on him in Week 13.

**Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns - Rostered in 8.5% of Leagues** With two out of three starts topping 23 points, Winston is a wild card to consider. However, his string of tough matchups could make him a high-risk, high-reward option for the upcoming weeks.

**Drake Maye, New England Patriots - Rostered in 17.8% of Leagues** Maye has impressed with his playmaking ability. Recent matchups and his ability to run the ball make him a decent pickup, especially as they face the Colts next week.

Running Backs with Reliable Value:

**Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders - Rostered in 58.6% of Leagues** Though his previous game was a setback, Mattison has consistently provided 7-15 fantasy points per game. Monitor his ankle injury for clarity on his status moving forward.

**Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons - Rostered in 47.8% of Leagues** Although the Falcons' last game was an anomaly, Allgeier's role is critical—especially if Bijan Robinson were to miss any time, catapulting him into a significant fantasy asset.

Wide Receivers to Consider:

**Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers - Rostered in 50.6% of Leagues** While Johnston is touchdown-dependent, he offers a unique upside, scoring six touchdowns this season. His usage in the Chargers’ offense could lead to higher production in upcoming games.

**Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers - Rostered in 48.4% of Leagues** Watson’s recent performance spike makes him an intriguing option, particularly with several high-scoring matchups ahead. If Jordan Love remains healthy, expect Watson's value to potentially rise.

Tight Ends You Should Not Ignore:

**Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints - Rostered in 46.2% of Leagues** Hill presents immense upside as a dual-threat player receiving extensive utilization in the Saints' offense. He should be considered a must-add with his potential to finish as a top-five tight end.

**Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers - Rostered in 13.1% of Leagues** Dissly has quietly become a favorite target of Justin Herbert and is establishing himself as a potential tight end with significant upside heading into the final weeks of the season.

Stay proactive on the waiver wire and leverage these insights to elevate your team as your fantasy playoffs approach!