2024 NFL Fantasy Football waiver wire: Denver Broncos rookie Bo Nix and Anthony Richardson among top targets

nfl Tuesday 19 November 2024 12:23, UK

Who are the top NFL Fantasy Football targets ahead of Week 12 of the season? From a New Orleans Saints unicorn to Denver's star quarterback...

The Denver Broncos rookie quarterback is beginning to cook as he continues to adjust to life in the NFL and to Sean Payton's offense. Nix starred once again at the weekend as he completed 28 of 33 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-6 win over the Atlanta Falcons, for whom Kirk Cousins was sent to the bench in the fourth quarter.

In doing so Nix became the first rookie in history to complete at least 80 per cent of passes while throwing for 300-plus yards and four touchdowns, and has now thrown 11 touchdowns in his last four games to trump the production of fellow rookies Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams. He looks more comfortable by the week with more confidence to attack tight windows and push the ball downfield, while exploiting his pocket mobility to create on the move. Payton's Broncos are becoming one of the more unsung success stories of the campaign as they compete with the Los Angeles Chargers for second place in the AFC West.

The Indianapolis Colts made the decision to return to Anthony Richardson as the starting quarterback on Sunday, having benched him for Joe Flacco in the previous two outings. They reaped immediate rewards as Richardson finished 20 of 30 for 272 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 32 yards and two scores, one of which being an impressive drop-shoulder truck to power into the end zone.

Richardson remains the most athletically gifted player to ever test at the quarterback position, armed with needle-moving athleticism out of the pocket and a downfield cannon capable of taking the top off a defense. He has routine errors to clean up, but the former first-round pick looks every bit the kind of player that will benefit from a string of consistent games, having entered the NFL with a limited sample size compared to other rookies in his class.

The Los Angeles Chargers, much like the Broncos, have become one of the underrated stories of the campaign behind a rejuvenated Justin Herbert, who has benefitted enormously from the arrival of Jim Harbaugh and his coaching staff while thriving in the face of a makeshift receiving core. Tight end Will Dissly has emerged as a surprise contributor after managing four catches for 80 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Cincinnati Bengals, lifting him to 37 receptions for 352 yards and a score on the year.

Dissly has seen 33 targets over the past five games as the Chargers begin to lean into their passing attack more having spent the first half of the season establishing a consistent rushing presence through JK Dobbins. Week 12 sees the Chargers face a Baltimore Ravens defense ranked last against the pass.

The Jameis Winston experience promises a rollercoaster, ranging from erratic errors to gung-ho aerial production, with Cleveland receivers seeing more joy than they ever did while running routes for Deshaun Watson. Jerry Jeudy was an example of as much in Week 11 when he made six catches for a season-high 142 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Saints, following up returns of 73 yards and 79 yards over the previous two weeks.

Elijah Moore has also been a beneficiary of Winston's introduction, making six catches from eight targets for 66 yards and a score at the Superdome on Sunday. He has now been targeted 29 times over the past three games while seeing a significant spike in production, notably making eight catches from 12 targets for 85 yards in the recent win over the Ravens. Cleveland's season may be over, but there are yards out there for Browns receivers with Winston throwing the rock at will.

Within the Saints' revival behind interim head coach Darren Rizzi has been an immediate impact for wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling following his mid-season arrival from the Buffalo Bills. The former Kansas City Chiefs man is a field-flipping chunk-play merchant, making two catches for 87 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Browns having managed three receptions for 109 yards and two scores against the Falcons the previous week. While Alvin Kamara runs the show out of the backfield, Valdes-Scantling is proving an invaluable field-stretcher in the absence of the injured Rashid Shaheed. Granted, the Saints are now entering a bye week, but he could be one to stash before they return to face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13.

Sunday was National Taysom Hill day, the New Orleans Saints unicorn exploding with seven carries for 138 yards and three rushing touchdowns alongside eight receptions for 50 yards and a 42-yard kick return to inspire his side to a 35-14 win over the Cleveland Browns. It was good for 41.5 fantasy points on the day and followed up his 110 combined scrimmage yards over the previous two weeks in hinting at an increased role amid Klint Kubiak's efforts to reignite his Saints offense. There isn't another player in the NFL like him; when he goes big, he really goes big - as this fantasy player was reminded the hard way last week. Again, the Saints may be on a bye, but he is one to grab hold of now over the second half of the season.