Post-waiver wire fantasy football pickups for Week 12

Like a container filled with green bean casserole, may these post-waiver leftovers give sustenance to your fantasy rosters.

QB: Taylor Heinicke (Washington Commanders)

The bones of the quarterback position have been picked clean by now. It’s mostly gristle and fat. Jimmy Garoppolo and Trevor Lawrence are still available in some leagues, but Heinicke is available in 86% of Yahoo Sports formats.

The Commanders play the Falcons on Sunday. Atlanta’s defense has given up the most yards in the NFL. It is especially weak against the pass. Heinicke didn’t have a touchdown in Week 11, but he could have a few Sunday.

Garoppolo and Lawrence are better long term, but Heinicke has a higher projection this week. Fortunately, there are no teams on a bye this week, so Heinicke should only be used in an emergency.

RB: Kyren Williams (Los Angeles Rams)

The Rams cut ties with Darrell Henderson Jr., leaving Cam Akers and Williams as the team’s primary backs. In Week 11, Williams played more snaps than Akers and Henderson combined. 

Akers had more carries than Williams but scored only 0.7 more fantasy points. The Rams know what Akers can do. Williams is available in 70% of leagues and should get plenty of chances against the Chiefs.

WR: Treylon Burks (Tennessee Titans)

The Titans took Burks in the first round to replace A.J. Brown. An early-season foot injury and a midseason appearance by rookie Malik Willis at QB didn’t help, but after season highs in catches (seven) and yards (111) against the Packers, the rookie looks ready to contribute.

Burks doesn’t have a touchdown, but neither do most Titans not named Derrick Henry. Burks is available in almost 60% of leagues and could be a steal this late in the season.

TE: Juwan Johnson (New Orleans Saints)

Johnson started making noise in late October. He has a touchdown in three straight games and five scores in his past five games.

Johnson will face a tough 49ers defense on Sunday, but he had no problems against Jalen Ramsey and the Rams last week. Only three active tight ends had more fantasy points than Johnson last month. He’s available in roughly 57% of leagues and could be exactly what you need for a playoff run.

DST: Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have a top-five defense this week, according to ESPN. That hasn’t been the case for most of the season, but it has had five sacks in each of its past two games. The Chiefs defense even had an interception and fumble recovery against the Chargers last week.

On Sunday, Kansas City will get what’s left of the other Los Angeles team. No team gives up more fantasy points to opposing defenses than the Rams, with or without Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp. 

The Chiefs defense was a popular waiver add this week, but it's still available in 30% of leagues. Plug it in before Kansas City plays the Bengals on Dec. 4.

K: Cameron Dicker (Los Angeles Chargers)

The rookie already has two winning field goals and hasn’t missed a kick all season. He’s available in 90% of leagues. Don’t overthink it. He’s a safe play until he misses a kick. Then you can send him back to the kiddie table.