Scott Engel is in his 13th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com. Scott's work is also featured on The Athletic and SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio
The Seahawks scored a thrilling win at San Francisco in Week 11 and are now aiming to notch another key victory as they get ready to face the Cardinals. Every matchup takes on greater importance for the Seahawks right now, and the pressure is also on to win in fantasy football. We help you nail down the essential victories with recommended starters to go with when faced with tough lineup choices, and issue full waiver wire rankings.
The running back waiver wire rankings are expanded for this week to properly set up your roster depth for the upcoming playoffs.
Six teams are on byes in Week 12, so we help you fill in any perceived lineup holes. The Bills, Bengals, Falcons, Jets, Jaguars and Saints are all idle this week. Our analysis is based on PPR (Points Per Reception) formats.
NFL Week 12: Wide Receiver Starters
START Ladd McConkey: The Chargers are a pleasant surprise at 7-3, and Justin Herbert has found his new top target in the rookie WR. McConkey finished with a career-high 123 yards in Week 11 and topped 100 yards in two of the past four games. Baltimore allows the most Fantasy Points Per Game to opposing WRs.
START Courtland Sutton: He is looking like a must-start fantasy WR right now. Sutton caught six-plus passes and totaled 70-plus receiving yards in each of his last four games. In any tight lineup decisions involving Sutton, give him the nod. The Raiders have been regularly vulnerable to opposing passers, allowing 18 TD passes in 10 games.
START Jameson Williams: The Detroit WR is a pure upside play, and he has a good matchup for fantasy purposes this week. Indianapolis ranks 25th in receiving yards allowed to WRs over the past four weeks. Williams posted a career-high 124 yards in Week 11 and the Detroit offense looks simply unstoppable right now.
START Josh Downs: He can be productive whether Indianapolis stays in the game for a while or plays from behind against the Lions. In the past two games, Downs caught 12 balls on 15 targets and finished with 70-plus yards in each outing. You can get decent fantasy totals from Downs this week as a fantasy WR3.
Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers On The Waiver Wire
- Christian Watson: He rolled up a career-best 150 receiving yards last week and is an upside play among the Green Bay WRs.
- Rome Odunze: The rookie might solidify himself as a frequent fantasy starting option soon.
- Jerry Jeudy: Posted a season-high 146 yards in Week 11 and was targeted 11 times in each of the last two games.
- Xavier Legette: The first-year Panthers WR may function as his team's No. 1 WR for the rest of the season.
- Diontae Johnson: Stash him if you can, because Johnson might re-emerge later in the season when he becomes more comfortable in the Baltimore offense.
- Wan'Dale Robinson: Tommy DeVito takes over at QB for the Giants, and Robinson can be a regular target for him on key passing downs.
- Elijah Moore: This Browns WR was targeted 29 times in his last three games.
- Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: In the last six games, he has caught five TD passes. Westbrook-Ikhine appears to have a knack for finding the end zone from anywhere on the field and his target amounts are rising.
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling: The Saints are on a bye week, so grab MVS now for depth. Derek Carr does seem to like gunning downfield to him.
- Jalen McMillan: He might settle in soon as a frequent target for Baker Mayfield.
- Ricky Pearsall: Another rookie to consider, Pearsall may be a useful streaming option at times.
- Alec Pierce: Anthony Richardson is not hesitant about throwing downfield, and Pierce is his deep-play specialist.
- Mike Williams: At least keep Williams on the watch list to see if Russell Wilson starts connecting with him on deep and jump balls more often.
- Demario Douglas: A viable add in larger leagues for some respectable PPR totals.
NFL Week 12: Running Back Starters
START Brian Robinson Jr.: You may already be leaning to starting Robinson against Dallas, yet I am featuring him here to recommend that he gets the call over other options in any close lineup decisions. Robinson is up to seven rushing TDs in eight games and might be good for two more against the Cowboys.
START Najee Harris: The Pittsburgh RB was held under 70 rushing yards in his last two games, but he also rushed for 100-plus yards in his three previous games. Harris rushed for three TDs in his last five games and might get into the end zone more than once as the AFC North-leading Steelers face the Browns.
START Rhamondre Stevenson: The Patriots will likely look to control the clock as much as possible against Miami with their lead RB. The Dolphins rank 24th in FFPG allowed to RBs and have allowed 10 RB rushing TDs in 10 games.
START Bucky Irving: He was recently dealing with a toe injury but rushed for 73 yards on 13 carries before Tampa Bay's Week 11 bye and can be even more effective after getting more rest. The Giants rank 29th in the NFL in rushing defense and their defense might spend a lot of time on the field this week.
Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs On The Waiver Wire
- Jonathon Brooks: Expected to make his pro debut in Week 12 and may be a useful fantasy option during the playoffs.
- Audric Estime: Javonte Williams is still a significant factor in the Denver backfield, yet Estime might deliver a few quality performances, too.
- Roschon Johnson: A consistent goal-line area option for the Bears, Johnson is up to five rushing TDs on the season.
- Jaylen Wright: This week, I am highlighting some key fantasy "insurance" RBs to add if they are already not on your roster, ranking them based on situational outlooks and potential contributions. Wright is the top fantasy-related backup RB to De'Von Achane.
- Jordan Mason: Fantasy insurance RB for Christian McCaffrey
- Tyler Allgeier: Fantasy insurance RB for Bijan Robinson.
- Braelon Allen: Fantasy insurance RB for Breece Hall.
- Ray Davis: Fantasy insurance RB for James Cook.
- Blake Corum: Fantasy insurance RB for Kyren Williams.
- Zach Charbonnet: He must be rostered if you start Kenneth Walker III. Charbonnet is a proven fantasy producer when needed to take on a larger role, and he Is an essential fantasy insurance RB. At this time of year, it is very important to make sure that you have the top guys on NFL depth charts behind your regular starters.
- Trey Benson: Fantasy insurance RB for James Conner
- Gus Edwards: Fantasy insurance RB for J.K. Dobbins.
- Justice Hill: Fantasy insurance RB for Derrick Henry.
- Cam Akers: Ray Davis: Fantasy insurance RB for Aaron Jones.
- Khalil Herbert: Fantasy insurance RB for Chase Brown
NFL Week 12: Quarterback Starters
START Justin Herbert: The Chargers' star passer has been throwing more often in recent weeks and passed for two TDs in three of the past four games. He faces the league's lowest-ranked pass defense as Los Angeles engages in a must-see AFC battle with Baltimore.
START Geno Smith: If you need a streaming QB option for Week 12, Smith will be a comfortable fit. After delivering a heroic performance at San Francisco last week, he will certainly be geared up for a pivotal NFC West showdown with Arizona. The Cardinals rank 21st in the league in passing defense. The return of Abe Lucas and the promising play of Olu Oluwatimi is bolstering Smith’s protection while Jaxon Smith-Njigba is busting out in Year Two.
Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks On The Waiver Wire
- Anthony Richardson: Reclaimed his starting job last week and instantly displayed the form that excites fantasy players about his potential with two rushing TDs.
- Bo Nix: Coming off tossing a career-high four TD passes, this impressive dual producer also leads Denver with four rushing TDs this season
- Jameis Winston: Will always throw often to help his fantasy totals, but the upcoming schedule is unfriendly fantasy-wise (Two vs. Pittsburgh, one vs. Denver, one vs. Kansas City).
- Drake Maye: The New England rookie can post adequate fantasy totals when needed as a streamer.
- Russell Wilson: Capable of providing a decent statistical floor and is always a threat to hit on some downfield TD throws. You can vote for Wilson as one of the Top 50 Seahawks Players of All Time.
NFL Week 12: Tight End Starters
START Hunter Henry: He is also highlighted as a waiver wire add below. The Dolphins have allowed the most receptions to TEs over the past four weeks.
START T.J. Hockenson: He will be playing in his fourth game since returning from a long injury layoff, and the Bears rank 26th in receiving yards allowed to TEs over the past four weeks.
Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends On The Waiver Wire
- Jonnu Smith: He is becoming a more integral part of the Miami passing game and came through with the best performance of his career in Week 11, finishing with six receptions for 101 yards and two TDs.
- Hunter Henry: A regular top target for Maye who can post double-figure PPR totals often.
- Luke Schoonmaker: Can be streamed in Week 12, as Jake Ferguson may be out for Dallas.
- Isaiah Likely: He has occasional upside and could deliver a few more spike performances the rest of the way.
- Will Dissly: The former Seahawk caught nine passes on 12 targets in his last two games.
- Ja'Tavion Sanders: Keep your eye on more possible production from this rookie as the Panthers continue to feature their young offensive players.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Defensive Streamers: Tampa Bay (vs. New York Giants), Washington (vs. Dallas), Miami (vs. New England).
Check out the Seahawks 53-man roster for the 2024 season.
This is a 2024 photo of Laviska Shenault Jr of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81)
This is a 2023 photo of Michael Dickson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4)
This is a 2023 photo of Jason Myers of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5)
This is a 2024 photo of Sam Howell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6)
This is a 2023 photo of Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7)
This is a 2024 photo of Coby Bryant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback/safety Coby Bryant (8)
This is a 2024 photo of Kenneth Walker III of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9)
This is a 2024 photo of Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11)
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13).
This is a 2024 photo of DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14)
This is a 2024 photo of Tyler Lockett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16)
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18).
This is a 2024 photo of Jake Bobo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks rookie receiver Jake Bobo makes his first touchdown catch on a pass from Geno Smith in the fourth quarter.
This is a 2024 photo of Julian Love of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20)
This is a 2023 photo of Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21)
This is a 2024 photo of Tre Brown of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22)
This is a 2024 photo of Kenny McIntosh of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25)
This is a 2024 photo of Zach Charbonnet of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26)
This is a 2024 photo of Riq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27)
This is a 2024 photo of Nehemiah Pritchett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28)
This is a 2024 photo of Josh Jobe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks S Jerrick Reed II is in his first season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32).
This is a 2024 photo of Dee Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Williams (33)
This is a 2024 photo of Brady Russell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38)
This is a 2024 photo of Chris Stoll of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41)
This is a 2024 photo of Drake Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42)
This is a 2024 photo of Tyrice Knight of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48)
This is a 2024 photo of Trevis Gipson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Trevis Gipson (50).
This is a 2024 photo of Olu Oluwatini of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51)
This is a 2024 photo of Boye Mafe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53)
This is a 2023 photo of Dre'Mont Jones of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (55)
This is a 2024 photo of Derick Hall of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58)
This is a 2024 photo of Jalen Sundell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks offensive lineman Jalen Sundell (61)
This is a 2024 photo of Sataoa Laumea of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63)
This is a 2024 photo of Christian Haynes of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64)
This is a 2024 photo of Michael Jerrell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65)
This is a 2024 photo of Charles Cross of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2024 photo of Laken Tomlinson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson (70)
This is a 2023 photo of Abraham Lucas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72).
This is a 2024 photo of Anthony Bradford of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75)
This is a 2024 photo of Cody White of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82).
This is a 2024 photo of Dareke Young of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83)
This is a 2024 photo of Pharaoh Brown of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86)
This is a 2022 photo of Noah Fant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 6, 2022 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87)
This is a 2024 photo of AJ Barner of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88)
This is a 2024 photo of Jarran Reed of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90)
This is a 2024 photo of Byron Murphy II of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91)
This is a 2024 photo of Mike Morris of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94)
This is a 2024 photo of Myles Adams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Myles Adams (95)
This is a 2024 photo of Johnathan Hankins of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris (98).
Seahawks defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (97)
This is a 2024 photo of Leonard Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99)
