Hot Fantasy Football Players Week 12

Another short week in the NFL, along with three NFL football games on Thursday, makes for some early and often fantasy football plays and fantasy opportunities. This week, we look towards the fantasy football playoffs, who will be the NFL players performing at a high pace for our fantasy team needs, and who in pro football that is riding the waiver wire for fantasy football and shouldn't be.

NFL Power Rankings...only unowned

Let's take a heavy look at NFL stars who are not considered major fantasy football options, even with a few good fantasy point total weeks thrown into their NFL season stats. These pro football players are owned in less than 50% of the public ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues.

Matt Moore

The Miami Dolphins have won three NFL games in a row, on the back of Moore scoring six touchdowns in that span. Matt Moore can pick apart softer secondaries and Dallas is not really that. However, he is going to be asked to throw more and run the offense as his own. Last week, Moore went 14 of 20 for below 200 yards, but had three touchdowns thrown in the contest. With contests against Philadelphia, Oakland and New England during what might be your fantasy football championship game, Moore is a decent pickup for a starter if needed, or a viable starting option in a QB2 format.

Rex Grossman

Sure, he plays on the Washington Redskins, and, yes, he will be playing Seattle this weekend in this NFL matchup. However, in weeks 14 and 16 he will be playing against tragic NFL defenses, especially versus the pass. His last week's near-300 yard passing, 2 touchdown performance may not happen this week, but in the upcoming NFL games, he will have his fantasy football chances.

Jake Locker

Matt Hasselbeck made it through the NFL game last week until the injury happened...and this isn't how a starting quarterback should play, nor win. Jake Locker looked 100% better in his play time, throwing for two touchdowns, one of which was to a very happy wide receiver in Nate Washington. Hasselbeck might / might not start at quarterback this weekend, but picking up this QB in a deep fantasy football league might not be the worst idea.

Matt Leinart

Look, picking up Matt Leinart is only an option for deep, deep, deep fantasy football leagues. Losing Matt Schaub was a big hit to most fantasy owners this year, and Leinart getting back Andre Johnson won't be a cure-all for this loss. However, getting Johnson back will allow Leinart to have one more receiving target when they meet the Jaguars on Sunday.

Kevin Smith

Maurice Morris owners cringed at Kevin Smith's NFL play last week. This week, we have a pretty clear idea of who is starting for the Lions at running back. And, what makes things worse, even after last week's performance, fantasy owner's still haven't jumped on this fantasy football phenom...he is still available in 30% of the public leagues out there.

Toby Gerhart

He may not be the best option, but his NFL output last week was mostly due to the Vikings playing from behind, thereby not having a solid running game to catch his breathe with. This week, he'll have fantasy football troubles...Atlanta is the number two NFL defense against the rush, and is the # 7 defense in fantasy football.

CJ Spiller / Tashard Choice

With Fred Jackson going to the NFL's IR with a broken bone in his leg, fantasy football owners need to look at these two as each possibilities. Unfortunately, this might be another Washington or Kanasas City backfield, as far as fantasy football goes, and fantasy football situations unfold.

Chris Ogbonnaya

In fantasy football leagues, he is still available 50% of the time. If you are a fantasy football owner and he is on the waiver wire, even if your fantasy football team does not need him, add this NFL player today! He is going to be fantasy football money, and get a lot of fantasy football points...be mindful of him playing versus some solid defense for the next three NFL games.

Riley Cooper

Cooper stepped in for a beat-up Maclin. Now with Jackson having minor aches and pains, fantasy football owners will find goodness in Cooper, as well as Eagle's tight end Brent Celek.

Harry Douglas

Roddy White will be drawing double-coverage this week versus Minnesota. Oh...and did I mention Minnesota is in the bottom of the NFL in passing defense? Ya, if you are a fantasy football owner and need a WR, WR3 or FLEX, Douglas is a good fantasy football pickup.

Vincent Brown

An impressive week 10 performance versus the Raiders was met with a disappointing one last week versus the Bears...but it was the NFL's Chicago Bears. This week, he'll have a bit easier time versus the Broncos, along with next week's matchup versus Jacksonville.

Antonio Brown

I love the Pittsburgh Steelers. I love the NFL. But I rarely suggest a Steeler wide receiver for fantasy football needs...until now. However, in the last four NFL games, he has a total of 26 catches for 374 yards and 1 touchdown. Versus Kansas City, Cincinnati and the Browns in these next week, Brown is definitely a fantasy football pickup option from the waiver wire.

Titus Young

In the last three NFL games he either has had a touchdown or 70 yards. This is a fantasy football trend, and makes him a fantasy football option. Green Bay isn't a favorable matchup, but with Calvin Johnson dealing with an injury, Young's playtime should go up.

Jerome Simpson

A.J. Green will come back as the Bengals go into playoff mode in these last weeks of the NFL season entering the NFL playoffs. However, while Green is out, Simpson is a WR2 or WR3 fantasy football option, and when Green is back, will find fantasy football spots in WR3 and FLEX positions.