We are officially in the last few weeks of the 2025 fantasy football regular season, so you probably have some idea regarding whether or not you are still in the playoff race or not in your league. Loading up on potentially valuable assets from the waiver wire is an absolute must if you plan on making the extra push in the postseason, so we’ll be outlining which players could help you do that in this article.
One important piece of advice is to never give up in fantasy football. It doesn’t matter how unlikely a playoff berth looks, if you have a chance, you need to do everything in your power to remain as competitive as possible.
Let’s go over the four top-priority waiver additions ahead of Week 12 as well as some honorable mentions!
Note: Remember that if you don’t see a certain player on this list who you think deserves to be mentioned, it could be because we have already listed them in a previous article in this series!
Kenneth Gainwell (RB, PIT)
42.2% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Steelers running back Jaylen Warren exited the game during the second half with an ankle injury, clearing the way for Kenneth Gainwell to make another big impact as a multi-dimensional playmaker during Pittsburgh’s 34-12 victory over Cincinnati on Sunday.
The former Eagles running back received 16 touches, totaling 105 yards both on the ground and through the air, leading the team in receiving yards in the process. While it doesn’t sound like Warren will be missing any significant time with the ankle injury he sustained, it’s hard to argue that Gainwell hasn’t earned a more consistent role on offense this season, especially considering how active he’s been in the passing attack.
Gainwell is a high-upside pickup who has displayed the ability to be a PPR weapon in the absence of Jaylen Warren. He has a high ceiling and is the perfect player to stash on your bench in case he is given more opportunities. The pass-catching running back is the exact type of player who could go on a tear in the fantasy playoffs if circumstances were to break his way.
Overall, picking Gainwell up is definitely worth it. There should even be some weeks where he is capable of providing standalone value.
Emanuel Wilson (RB, GB)
5.8% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Emanuel Wilson, like Gainwell, benefitted from a surplus of offensive snaps because of a teammate’s injury. Packers running back Josh Jacobs went down with a knee injury early in the team’s matchup against the New York Giants on Sunday, giving Wilson the green light to take 11 carries for 40 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Jacobs’ status is currently in doubt for next week against Minnesota, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Wilson could be the starter in Week 12. If that’s the case, he could be a great plug-and-play option off of waivers if you are in need of a win heading into the final weeks of the fantasy football playoff race.
If this turns out to be a multi-week absence for Jacobs, Wilson could be one of the hottest names in fantasy football, so he is one of the highest-priority additions this week.
Christian Watson (WR, GB)
26.2% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
This list continues with another Green Bay Packer in wideout Christian Watson. Since returning from the knee injury he sustained late last year, Watson has been one of the most consistent contributors to Green Bay’s passing attack, totaling 4+ targets and 45+ receiving yards in every game he’s played in this season.
He’s been no stranger to big plays either, registering two touchdowns against the Giants in Week 11. If Watson can continue to make big plays, he should certainly be on the weekly fantasy radar and is worth a spot at the end of your bench. He’s shown chemistry with Love in the past, and it seems as though the team was very eager to get him involved offensively upon his return.
Watson has been fantasy relevant in the past, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine him emerging as the top target on this team now that tight end Tucker Kraft has been ruled out for the rest of the year. Watson could be a high-ceiling option with an underrated floor if he keeps receiving similar volume. He may not be the top option, but he should be picked up in most fantasy leagues.
Mack Hollins (WR, NE)
5.2% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Emerging as a regular target in one of the most efficient passing offenses in football is no small feat, but Mack Hollins has managed to do just that over the past five weeks, earning a spot on this list. Over the past two games alone, Hollins has received 15 targets, sending a clear message that he’ll be more involved going forward than he was earlier in the season.
With superstar quarterback Drake Maye at the helm of the offense, Hollins could become fantasy relevant instantly if he becomes the second option in the passing game. And, after recording 170 receiving yards over his last two contests and establishing himself as a deep threat with an impressive catch radius, it seems as though the veteran wideout is on his way to doing exactly that.
Overall, Hollins has the chance to pick up speed late in the fantasy season, something that could be extremely beneficial to fantasy teams in the thick of the playoff race. Because of Hollins’ presence in such a good offense, he’s my top waiver priority this week, especially considering the fact that he’s only currently owned in 5.2% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
The veteran’s name will be one to watch over the next few weeks, and if he can continue on this trend, he has the opportunity to be one of the steals on the waiver wire this year, providing impressive value over the back half of the 2025 fantasy football season.
HM. Sean Tucker (RB, TB)
HM. Tyjae Spears (RB, TEN)
HM. Devin Singletary (RB, NYG)
HM. Darnell Mooney (WR, ATL)
HM. Pat Bryant (WR, DEN)
HM. Michael Wilson (WR, ARI)