One-Hit Wonders or Here to Stay? Analyzing Week 12 Breakout Players: Cooper Rush, Bucky Irving, Jordan Addison, Noah Gray and More

With week 12 of the NFL regular season in the books, it’s time for a couple final recaps of the action that took place.

Here, we’ll continue the one-week wonder or here to stay series, where we’ll identify fantasy standouts from the previous week of play and then determine if they are here to stay or just a one-hit wonder. Here’s last week’s story. Check back soon for the panic meter series.

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Quarterbacks

Caleb Williams and Cooper Rush are the two quarterbacks I want to discuss this week.

Williams was 32-of-47 passing for 340 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in week 12. He also had 33 rushing yards on six carries.

It was the second-most passing yards Williams has had in his young career. He had multiple TDs for the fourth time. It was the fifth time in the past seven games that Williams had over 30 rushing yards.

Williams has a tough schedule ahead, but I think he’s officially here to stay as a fantasy asset. His week 12 numbers aren’t sustainable, but the Bears’ offense has looked better since making some coaching changes a couple weeks ago. I think Williams could be at least an average fantasy performer for the remainder of the season.

Rush, who was part of my waiver wire story, was 24-of-32 passing for 247 yards, two touchdowns and no picks in week 12. He had one rushing yard on four attempts, and didn’t fumble.

It was his second straight good fantasy showing, and Rush now looks to be settling in a bit. I’ve been critical of the Cowboys’ offense over the past few weeks, but things definitely are more promising for several fantasy options going into week 13.

With more favorable matchups coming, I think Rush is here to stay as a fantasy asset, and is someone you could stream in the right matchups.

Running Backs

Bucky Irving and Nick Chubb are two running backs we’ll mention after week 12.

Irving rushed for 87 yards and a score on just 12 carries in week 12. He added 64 receiving yards on six catches and targets. 

Irving played 34 offensive snaps, which was 52% of the team’s total. He probably would have played a few more if the Bucs didn’t win in a blowout. Rachaad White played 32 snaps, while Sean Tucker was at just five snaps. White had 47 total yards on 13 touches, while Tucker had 10 yards on five touches.

Irving has been dealing with an injury, but certainly looks like the best running back the Bucs have. I don’t expect Tampa Bay to abandon White and Tucker completely, but I think Irving will continue to be the clear lead back for the remainder of the season.

With some favorable games ahead, I fully expect Irving to remain as a good/great weekly starting option, so he’s definitely here to stay in my book.

Chubb had 59 yards and two scores on 20 carries back on Thursday night. He also had a one-yard catch on his only target.

It was the most carries Chubb has gotten since returning to the field. He also had a season high in yards, but the two scores are what really made his fantasy day pop.

I’m rooting for Chubb to remain a good fantasy option after everything he’s been through, but I see this performance as a fantasy outlier. He’s got tougher games ahead, and is going to need to keep scoring to deliver big fantasy scores. Chubb is a flex-level starting option for the remainder of the season, and while he’ll be started in a bunch of leagues, fantasy owners need to temper their expectations a bit.

Wide Receivers

Jordan Addison and Jaylen Waddle are the wideouts I want to talk about this week.

Addison went for 162 yards and a score on eight catches and nine targets this week. It was his first game over 100 yards this season, and actually the first time he topped 75 yards.

Addison was the top Minnesota pass catcher in the contest, comfortably ahead of T.J. Hockenson, and way ahead of Justin Jefferson, who was held to 27 yards on two catches and five targets.

I own a couple shares of Addison, so while I’d love for him to deliver every week, I just don’t see that happening. He’s normally the No. 2 option behind Jefferson, and Hockenson is going to be the preferred guy too most weeks. 

With tougher games coming, I don’t think Addison can remain a top-end fantasy talent. He’s a flex-level option, but unless he continues to deliver, Addison is going to be a risky option in the tougher matchups.

Waddle finally got going with 144 yards and a score on eight catches and nine targets. It was his second time over 100 yards, with the other coming way back in week 1.

Jonnu Smith was actually the top target for Miami in week 12, with Tyreek Hill only going for 48 yards on five catches and six targets. Waddle has a bit more favorable schedule ahead than Addison, so while I’d be more inclined to believe in Waddle, I don’t think he’s here to stay as a top-end fantasy option.

Hill and Smith are going to soak up a ton of the targets in the passing game, meaning Waddle’s performances are probably going to be inconsistent going forward. He’s another flex-level option for the remainder of the season, and though he’ll be starting more often than Addison in some favorable matchups, Waddle’s fantasy performances are likely going to be average most weeks.

Tight Ends

Noah Gray and Austin Hooper are two tight ends worth discussing after week 12.

Gray had 66 yards and two scores on four receptions and targets in week 12. It was his second straight game with two scores.

Gray has been somewhat involved most of the season, but is starting to garner attention in all fantasy leagues. His touchdowns are propping up his fantasy scores the past couple weeks, but in an offense led by Patrick Mahomes, he’s in a favorable situation.

Gray was part of my waiver wire story this week, and while I am willing to take a chance on him, these performances are not sustainable. He’s not going to keep scoring twice a week, and if he doesn’t score at all, you’re probably looking at a fantasy score under 10.

With tougher matchups ahead, Gray will probably only top out as a deep-league starting option most weeks.

Hooper was also part of my waiver wire story. He had 59 yards and a score on four catches and targets in week 12.

Hooper has gotten four targets in three straight games, and has 35 or more yards in those contests. The Patriots’ offense is desperate for pass catchers, and even though Hooper is the team’s No. 2 tight end behind Hunter Henry, he’s shown he can deliver on a weekly basis.

I think Hooper’s week 12 performance was on the top end of his fantasy potential, and while I don’t think those keep up, I also think Hooper is here to stay as a fantasy option.

He too has a tougher schedule remaining, so he’s probably only a deep-league option, but he’s certainly someone to try out in those leagues. 

At a weak fantasy TE position, standard league owners at least need to keep tabs on Hooper and Gray.