10 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets Heading Into Week 12

Javorius Allen

ESPN Ownership: 5%
Yahoo Ownership: 12%

Depending on Marshawn Lynch's health status, Javorius "Buck" Allen is either the top waiver wire priority or the second highest waiver wire priority add of the week given the circumstances that emerged from the Ravens' Week 11's game versus the Rams; namely, the loss of Justin Forsett for the rest of the season with a broken arm. Forsett was injured early on in the game so Allen had plenty of opportunity to make his mark.

While Allen didn't light the world on fire in Week 11, accumulating an unimpressive -4.18 Rushing NEP on 22 carries, he was facing a stout fifth-ranked Rams’ run defense. But he did show plenty of acumen in the passing game, recording a 4.17 Reception NEP off of 5 catches on 6 targets, equating to a very respectable 0.69 Reception NEP per target, which could portend well for his value, particularly in PPR leagues moving forward.

As if things couldn't get any worse for the Ravens this season, they also lost Joe Flacco to an ACL tear, meaning the somehow-still-in-the-league Matt Schaub will be their signal caller for the remainder of the season. Flacco's 0.07 Passing NEP per drop back this season has been very pedestrian; but the last time Schaub held a starting gig anywhere, the 2013 Houston Texans, he posted a -0.09 Passing NEP per drop back.

All of this means that the Ravens, if they're smart, will probably rely more on the run than they have this season, where through Week 10 they were sporting the eighth-highest pass-to-run ratio in the league. So if you are a Forsett owner, or simply need another starting running back on your squad for your playoff run, Allen should be your guy if you can't get Rawls (assuming Lynch is done for the season).