Week 12 Waiver Wire Wide Receiver Priority List | Choosing Between Khalil Shakir, Tutu Atwell, Elijah Moore, Rondale Moore, Greg Dortch, Jayden Reed, Darius Slayton and Robert Woods

While the waiver wire priority list stories for quarterbacks and running backs going into week 12 wasn’t all that exciting, the list of wide receivers that fit our criteria definitely should turn some heads.

Speaking of those stories, be sure to read about the quarterbacks and running backs. Check back for a story on tight ends later today. 

As we have in the waiver wire priority list series, we will focus on players with an own percentage under 50. That leaves a bunch of quality options at the receiver position, so the focus will be on guys we’ve briefly mentioned in previous stories this week. 

Mark Morales-Smith wrote one of the stories, while Lou Landers typed up the other. 

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The Top Wideouts on the Wire

We will take a look at Buffalo Bills’ Khalil Shakir, Los Angeles Rams’ Tutu Atwell, Cleveland Browns’ Elijah Moore, Arizona Cardinals’ Rondale Moore and Greg Dortch, Green Bay Packers’ Jayden Reed, New York Giants’ Darius Slayton and Houston Texans’ Robert Woods.

Shakir had another solid outing for the Bills in week 11, catching three of his four targets for 115 yards and a touchdown. His numbers were greatly boosted by an 81-yard touchdown.

Shakir has now reached at least 50 receiving yards in three of the team’s past four contests. He was a better fantasy performer than Stefon Diggs in week 11, which doesn’t seem sustainable, but Shakir has been consistently better than Gabe Davis of late, so he might have control of the No. 2 wideout position now. 

Atwell had a solid start to the season, but has been an afterthought after Cooper Kupp returned. Kupp is injured again, which could open up some opportunities again for Atwell, even if it’s only for a week. Keep an eye out for more details to Kupp's injury.

Atwell played 59 snaps in week 11, catching one of his three targets for 17 yards. He hasn’t topped 50 receiving yards since week 3, but again, if Kupp misses time, Atwell should be involved more often again.

I had Elijah Moore on this list last week, but when the news of Deshaun Watson’s season-ending injury was revealed, I didn’t like Moore’s fantasy outlook and believed he was droppable. Moore made me eat my words after a solid performance in week 11.

Moore caught six of his seven targets for 60 yards. Those aren’t exactly flashy numbers, but in PPR formats, that’s a pretty solid fantasy showing. 

If Moore develops a good connection with Dorian Thompson-Robinson, similar outings could become the norm the rest of the season.

Rondale Moore and Greg Dortch had two very different days as wide receivers in week 11, but ended up with similar fantasy outings for the Cardinals.

Moore was targeted once, but hauled in the pass for a 48-yard touchdown. He added 6 rushing yards on two attempts. Dortch caught 6-of-8 targets for 76 yards.

It was Moore’s first touchdown of the season, and his 48 yards were a new season high. Dortch had just one catch and two targets coming into the game, so his performance was definitely a surprise to fantasy owners. 

The Cardinals’ offense is still adjusting to life with Kyler Murray, so any player that can produce in a given week makes for a good waiver wire addition in case it turns into a trend.

Reed has been all over these waiver wire stories for weeks, so I’m really not sure what I need to tell you to get his own percentage above 50%.

In week 11, Reed was targeted six times in the passing game, catching four for 46 yards. He got three carries, including a 32-yard touchdown. 

He’s not been racking up a ton of touches, but he’s making the most of them and has now scored in three of the past five contests. Reed has only failed to reach 40 scrimmage yards in three games, and he’s combined for three touchdowns in those contests. It's time for you to add Reed if you can.

The Giants’ offense showed signs of life in week 12, with Darius Slayton playing a big part in that.

Slayton caught four of his five targets for 82 yards and a touchdown. The four receptions tied a season high, and his 82 yards was a new season high. It was also his first touchdown.

The only problem is that Slayton left the game with an arm injury. I have not seen an update on his status going forward, so keep an eye out for that.

Woods got back on track in week 11 with a solid showing in the Texans’ win. He had only one catch the previous week after missing some time with an injury.

Woods finished week 11 with five catches for 44 yards on eight targets. In the Texans’ offense that features Tank Dell and Nico Collins at receiver, there appears to still be room for a third receiver to produce, and it’ll be either Woods or Noah Brown, the latter who missed week 11 with an injury.

The Priority List

Let’s break this down in two parts - first, the best streaming options for week 12, and then the best long-term fantasy options.

Before naming the best streaming options, let’s take a look at the matchups each player has.

Shakir and the Bills take on the Philadelphia Eagles in week 12, which sets up as the best matchup on paper for wideouts. Atwell and the Rams face the Cardinals, which is an average matchup. Rondale Moore and Dortch’s matchup with the Rams is a bit tougher.

Elijah Moore and the Browns will face the Denver Broncos and their improving defense. Reed’s matchup against the Detroit Lions is a bit above average, Slayton’s clash with the New England Patriots is pretty similar and Woods’ battle with the Jacksonville Jaguars is average. 

For the top streaming option, I think Reed is the best option. Shakir has a higher ceiling, but I’d still slot him behind Reed beacause the Packers' wideout has been more consistently involved over the course of the season.

I’d take Slayton here if he ends up playing. If Kupp doesn't play for LA, then I’d take Atwell here - if Kupp plays, then Atwell is a guy I'd avoid starting. Give me Woods next, followed by Dortch, Elijah Moore and finally Rondale Moore.

As for the best-long term options, I like Reed the best, again narrowly edging out Shakir. Woods would be my third choice. 

Things get tougher to choose after that, but I’d go with Slayton as long as he isn’t expected to miss much time. Dortch and Rondale Moore are pretty close for me, but I’d lean Dortch as the best long-term option after what we saw in week 11. I’d wrap things up with Elijah Moore and finally Atwell.

None of these wide receivers have been super consistent this season, which is why they are available in so many leagues. Most of them have produced enough solid fantasy outings to at least be heavily considered for rosters now. 

They might not be startable every week, but if you can play your matchups right, these are guys that could help you as your fantasy league starts up postseason play.