CFB Waiver Wire: Players to Pick Up Week 12

Welcome back to the college football waiver wire watch. Hopefully, you have clinched a spot in the fantasy playoffs. Let's go win this thing. As I've done throughout the college football season, I'll pick two players from every conference who either caught my eye in the previous week or who have a favorable matchup shortly. As always, I'll answer any questions or comments in the comments section below.

First, though, here are the guys who came through last week and may still be available in your leagues:

Jackson Harris, WR, Hawaii (41.0 points)
Lunch Winfield, QB, Louisiana-Lafayette (34.6 points)
Joe Fagnano, QB, UConn (32.5 points)
Jordan Gant, RB, Akron (30.3 points)
Kendrick Raphael, RB, Cal (23.0 points)
Cale Hellums, QB, Army (21.8 points)
Evan Dickens, RB, Liberty (21.7 points)
Ole Miss D/ST (16.0 points)
North Carolina D/ST (11.5 points)
Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama (10.5 points)
Garrison Smith, K, FAU (10.0 points)

70+ Club in Upcoming Slate: Here are the college games that have an Over/Under closest to the 70-point mark, which potentially means a plethora of fantasy points. Enjoy these barn burners and roster some players in these games if you can.

70.0 points - North Texas at UAB
70.0 points - Utah State at UNLV
64.5 points - USF at Navy
64.5 points - Texas State at Southern Miss
63.5 points - FAU at Tulane
63.5 points - Air Force at UConn
62.5 points - Marshall at Georgia State
61.5 points - New Mexico State at Tennessee
61.0 points - UTSA at Charlotte
60.5 points - Utah at Baylor
60.5 points - Memphis at East Carolina

*Fantasy Points referenced are in DraftKings format.
**To qualify for recommendations, players must be rostered in fewer than 50 percent of Fantrax Leagues

American Conference Waiver Wire Pickups

Jake Retzlaff, QB, Tulane (40 Percent Rostered)

Retzlaff was benched in a Week 10 loss at UTSA after throwing a pair of interceptions. He responded in a big way in Week 11 at Memphis with 38.6 fantasy points and an upset of the Tigers. He racked up his second 300-yard passing game of the year and had four total touchdowns. He's been one of the best in the run-game this year with 87 carries for 556 yards and 10 touchdowns. Getting benched in that one game has allowed him to free up for fantasy rosters going into the playoffs, pounce right away if you can.

Asaad Waseem, WR, Florida Atlantic (38 Percent Rostered)

The upcoming schedule for the Owls is nuts with Tulane, UConn, and East Carolina. Even though Waseem has just six catches (on 11 targets) for 70 yards in his last two games, he's still a top recommendation because the next three games are going to be shootouts and the potential will be there. When competing in the fantasy playoffs, you may need some upside and there's plenty of it here at the wideout position. North Texas WR Cameron Dorner (10 percent rostered) is also a sneaky play if Waseem is not available.

Week 11 Rewind: Army QB Cale Hellums (21.8 points - 1/3, 26 YDS, 36 ATT, 118 YDS, 1 TD) & Florida Atlantic WR Asaad Waseem (9.7 points - 4/4 TAR, 57 YDS)

ACC Waiver Wire Pickups

Mason Heintschel, QB, Pittsburgh (49 Percent Rostered)

Heintschel has displayed elite passing volume in his last two outings at 43.0 attempts per game. Even better, the Panthers have won each of their last five games with the true freshman under center. With a huge matchup against Notre Dame up next, the volume that will go through the youngster could be massive. Pitt will follow up that highly anticipated game with Georgia Tech and Miami, so I don't see how Heintschel is not airing the ball out each and every week the rest of the way.

Randy Pittman, TE, Florida State (29 Percent Rostered)

Pittman has dealt with some injuries off and on this season, however, when he is on the field, he's been productive at 10.8 fantasy points per game (FPPG). The versatile tight end has two touchdown receptions as well as two rushing scores this year. The Seminoles have a favorable fantasy schedule the rest of the way with Virginia Tech, NC State, and Florida. He's available in a ton of leagues still, and tight ends are hard to find if you don't already have one of the best ones.

Week 11 Rewind: Duke QB Darian Mensah (18.2 points - 22/31, 222 YDS, 3 TD, 2 INT, 5 ATT, 3 YDS, 1 FL) & Cal RB Kendrick Raphael (23.0 points - 19 ATT, 83 YDS, 1 TD, 5/7 TAR, 37 YDS)

BIG 12 Waiver Wire Pickups

Joe Jackson, RB, Kansas State (43 Percent Rostered)

Kansas State is coming off a bye and will travel to Oklahoma State to play one of the worst defenses in all of the Big 12. Jackson has seen heavy volume over his last four games at 17.5 rushing attempts and 3.5 targets per game. Even if he hasn't been efficient with those touches, he should have success against the Cowboys. It's kind of crazy that Jackson has not scored a touchdown with that kind of volume. Expect that to change this week.

Chamon Metayer, TE, Arizona State (32 Percent Rostered)

Metayer has a touchdown in each of his last two games. He's also on a three-game streak with at least seven targets. The Sun Devils have been riddled with injuries which has caused them to lean on their big-framed tight end a bit more over the last few weeks. With remaining games against West Virginia, Colorado, and Arizona, Metayer will have a great chance to add a few more scores. At a tough tight end position, he's a top recommendation the rest of the way.

Week 11 Rewind: Arizona QB Noah Fifita (16.8 points - 16/31, 158 YDS, 2 TD, 13 ATT, 25 YDS) & Kansas TE Boden Groen (6.2 points - 2/3 TAR, 42 YDS)

Big Ten Waiver Wire Pickups

Ethan Grunkemeyer, QB, Penn State (13 Percent Rostered)

Grunkemeyer looked the part in his start against Indiana, as the Nittany Lions nearly upset the Hoosiers. Although it was just 11.6 fantasy points, it showed that he has the talent to push the ball downfield. They'll get to play at Michigan State this week, and that defense is much worse than the ones they have played the last three weeks. He's started his collegiate career against Iowa, Ohio State, and Indiana, quite the brutal stretch. It will get much easier the rest of the way with Michigan State, Nebraska, and Rutgers.

Cole Rusk, TE, Illinois (8 Percent Rostered)

Since the Big Ten offenses are getting weird, and the weather is getting crazier in the Midwest, it's time to get creative to find productive tight ends. Let's go with Rusk, who had great games against Ohio State (11.8 fantasy points) and Washington (9.6 fantasy points) in Week 7 and Week 9 respectively. He's had a few weeks with zero fantasy points, but I like his chances to garner some targets in an upcoming game with Maryland.

Week 11 Rewind: Wisconsin TE Lance Mason (1.5 points - 1/4 TAR, 5 YDS) & Rutgers WR KJ Duff (8.9 points - 2/4 TAR, 69 YDS)

C-USA Waiver Wire Pickups

Nick Minicucci, QB, Delaware (37 Percent Rostered)

Minicucci has been one of the best quarterbacks in all of college fantasy this season at 28.4 FPPG. The Fightin' Blue Hens are new to FBS, and that's likely the reason Minicucci is still available on waiver wires. He could be the key to a playoff push, as they go up against Sam Houston who has been one of the worst teams in the nation at stopping quarterbacks. He's been great on the ground with 80 carries for 231 yards and eight touchdowns. Delaware finishes the year with Wake Forest and UTEP, which makes him viable the rest of the way.

Evan Dickens, RB, Liberty (34 Percent Rostered)

No reason to move away from Dickens after he has delivered back-to-back impressive performances. In his last two games, he's combined for 50 carries for 344 yards and five touchdowns. That's elite production at the running back position and he's in line to do the same thing with upcoming games against FIU and Louisiana Tech. He's available in far too many leagues after averaging 35.2 FPPG over his last two outings.

Week 11 Rewind: Louisiana Tech QB Blake Baker (1.5 points - 4/7, 41 YDS, 2 ATT, -1 YDS, *Left w/ Injury) & Liberty RB Evan Dickens (21.7 points - 28 ATT, 127 YDS, 1 TD)

MAC Waiver Wire Pickups

Jordan Gant, RB, Akron (21 Percent Rostered)

Gant was a top performer last week with 28 carries for 153 yards and two touchdowns which yielded 30.3 fantasy points. He's the top recommendation, as he'll be in line for more huge performances against Kent State and Bowling Green to finish the season. He currently has 850 yards and five touchdowns on 169 carries, so look for him to push 200 carries and likely get over that 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career.

Nik McMillan, WR, Buffalo (15 Percent Rostered)

McMillan is on a three-game 100-yard receiving streak. He's received double-digit targets in all three of those games and is putting together quite the season. The experienced receiver has 41 grabs (on 68 targets) for 584 yards and one touchdown. It's kind of crazy that he has only one score with that much receiving production. His teammate and number one receiver, Victor Snow (70 percent rostered) has seven touchdowns on 45 catches. Maybe that will even out more in remaining games against Central Michigan, Miami of Ohio, and Ohio.

Week 11 Rewind: Miami of Ohio RB Jordan Brunson (4.9 points - 15 ATT, 49 YDS) & Akron RB Jordan Gant (30.3 points - 28 ATT, 153 YDS, 2 TD, 0/1 TAR)

Mountain West Waiver Wire Pickups

Anthony Colandrea, QB, UNLV (37 Percent Rostered)

Over his last four games, Colandrea is averaging 33.9 FPPG. He's combined in those games to complete 68.5 percent of his passes for 1,209 yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions. He's also added 55.3 yards per game on the ground with five total rushing touchdowns over that span. The Rebels' defense has struggled mightily which helps set up Colandrea for fantasy fireworks when UNLV takes the field.

Kyri Shoels, WR, San Jose State (23 Percent Rostered)

Shoels has commanded at least seven targets in six straight games. He's taken full advantage of those opportunities too with three 100-yard receiving performances over the last couple of months. With the Spartans' high-flying offense, the floor is high here which is a nice when locking in a fantasy playoff roster. Upcoming games against Nevada, San Diego State, and Fresno State should have the potential for a lot of receiving production for Shoels.

Week 11 Rewind: Hawaii WR Jackson Harris (41.0 points - 7/10 TAR, 130 YDS, 3 TD) & San Diego State RB Lucky Sutton (7.8 points - 18 ATT, 78 YDS, 0/2 TAR)

SEC Waiver Wire Pickups

Seth McGowan, RB, Kentucky (41 Percent Rostered)

Kentucky has their break from SEC play with Tennessee Tech in Week 12. That's a perfect time to scoop up McGowan who has been a workhorse for the Wildcats this season. He's rushed for 621 yards and nine touchdowns on 136 carries in eight games. He was awesome against Florida last week with 22.9 fantasy points, including a pair of touchdowns, his third time scoring multiple touchdowns this year. Although he likely only plays a half of football, it's probable he gets a score or two before sitting the rest of the way.

Braylon Staley, WR, Tennessee (49 Percent Rostered)

Staley has been heating up over his last four appearances at 22.3 FPPG. In those games, he has a combined 27 catches (on 39 targets) for 381 yards and three touchdowns. The redshirt freshman has been one of the most consistent receivers for the Vols with at least five catches in six of nine games. The Vols were on a bye this last week, so that's why he's able to be on the waiver wire article. He has a nice stretch to end the season with New Mexico State, Florida, and Vanderbilt.

Week 11 Rewind: Mississippi State WR Brenen Thompson (13.2 points - 4/5 TAR, 92 YDS) & Alabama TE Josh Cuevas (10.5 points - 4/4 TAR, 58 YDS, 1 ATT, 7 YDS)

Sun Belt Waiver Wire Pickups

Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, QB, Marshall (45 Percent Rostered)

Rio-Wilson has averaged 17.9 carries over his last seven games and is a true dual-threat quarterback for the Thundering Herd. He's been decent through the air as well with 14 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions. On the season, he's averaging 22.8 FPPG. The best part is that Marshall goes up against a Georgia State defense that has had trouble stopping opposing quarterbacks all season long. He's one of the top recommendations for the week.

OJ Arnold, RB, Georgia Southern (28 Percent Rostered)

Arnold is coming off one of his best games of the season with 20 carries for 105 yards in a close win at Appalachian State. Over his last four games, he's averaging 14.8 rushing attempts per game and has been active in the passing game at 2.5 targets per game. Most of the Eagles' playmakers are rostered across leagues, so this is a chance to get in on that offense that plays at one of the highest tempos in the nation. He's worth considering in flex spots over the next three weeks with Coastal Carolina, Old Dominion, and Marshall.

Week 11 Rewind: ULL QB Lunch Winfield (34.6 points - 17/27, 192 YDS, 3 TD, 2 INT, 18 ATT, 49 YDS, 2 TD) & JMU WR Landon Ellis (7.9 points - 3/5 TAR, 49 YDS)

INDEPENDENTS & PAC-12 Waiver Wire Pickups

Joe Fagnano, QB, UConn (31 Percent Rostered)

Fagnano is on an absolute heater with at least three passing touchdowns in five straight games. Since Week 6, he's averaging 32.7 FPPG, and that's pure passing production for the most part, as he doesn't run the ball much. The Huskies will go up against Air Force this week, and that game should feature a ton of points. It won't stop there, as they finish the regular season with FAU, yet another game which will have a ton of scoring. Fagnano has a realistic chance at leading the nation in passing yards and passing touchdowns after the next two games. He has thrown for 25 touchdowns and zero interceptions!

Week 11 Rewind: UConn QB Joe Fagnano (32.5 points - 27/39, 311 YDS, 3 TD, 6 ATT, 51 YDS) 

DEFENSE & KICKER RECOMMENDATIONS

Defense

Washington (vs. Purdue) - Rostered in just 12 percent of leagues. Purdue will need to travel across the country and play in a tough environment.

Kentucky (vs. Tennessee Tech) - Best option this week and available in 87 percent of leagues. Double-digit scoring the last two weeks against Florida and Auburn.

Kansas State (at Oklahoma State) - Available in 95 percent of leagues. Should have no issues with the Cowboys.

Week 11 Rewind: Ole Miss vs. Citadel (16.0 points - 0 PA, 2 SK), UNC vs. Stanford (11.5 points - 15 PA, 9 SK, 2 TA), & Virginia vs. Wake Forest (5.0 points - 16 PA)

Kicker

Michael Petro, UTSA - Rostered in just 16 percent of leagues. Averaging 7.7 FPPG and has double-digit performances in three of his last four games.

Kali Nguma, North Texas - Available in 74 percent of leagues and North Texas just keeps scoring forever. Averaging 8.7 FPPG.

Nicolas Radicic, Indiana - The Badgers have a legit defense, so they could hold the Hoosiers to more FG opportunities. Radicic is available in 56 percent of rosters.

Week 11 Rewind: Indiana Nicolas Radicic (9.0 points - 2/2 FG, 3/3 XP), FAU Garrison Smith (10.0 points - 2/2 FG, 4/4 XP), Florida Trey Smack (1.0 points - 1/1 XP)

SUMMARY & TOP RECOMMENDATIONS

Utilizing the two players for each conference above, here are my top recommendations for the week by position:

QB: MARSH Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, UD Nick Minicucci, TUL Jake Retzlaff

RB: AKR Jordan Gant, KSU Joe Jackson, LIB Evan Dickens

WR: TENN Braylon Staley, FLATL Asaad Waseem, SJSU Kyri Shoels

TE: AZST Chamon Metayer, ILL Cole Rusk, FLAST Randy Pittman

D/ST: Kentucky (vs. Tennessee Tech), Washington (vs. Purdue), Kansas State (at Oklahoma State)

K: UTSA Michael Petro, NORTX Kali Nguma, IND Nicolas Radicic

Be sure to check out our college football custom rankings and our player rankings cheat sheet for up-to-date season-long rankings, as well as our college football weekly rankings to help guide your lineup decisions. During the season, our college football DFS optimizer and value report are powerful tools to help build DFS lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel.