Fantasy football waiver wire: 5 wide receivers to target for Week 12

A.J. Green, DeSean Jackson and Percy Harvin are all on bye this week. Here are five receivers on the waiver wire who might help fantasy owners.

By Jon Benne@LordBenne Nov 19, 2013, 10:00am EST

The good news for fantasy owners is that this is the final bye week. The bad news is that several studs at wide receiver won't be available. The Seahawks, Bills, Eagles and Bengals have the week off, forcing owners to sit guys like A.J. Green, DeSean Jackson and Golden Tate.

More: Week 12 receiver rankings

With the fantasy season hitting the stretch run, here are five waiver wire receivers who could help you out in the playoff races.

Jarrett Boykin, Green Bay Packers (owned in 50 percent of leagues)

Boykin continues to impress as the slot receiver. He caught six more passes for 91 yards in Sunday's loss to the Giants and now has a date with Minnesota's crumbling defense. Aaron Rodgers is due back soon and Randall Cobb isn't eligible to return until Week 15. Continue riding Boykin as a WR3 throughout the fantasy playoffs.

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers (owned in 28 percent of leagues)

Crabtree is practicing, but the 49ers haven't activated him from the PUP yet. It's possible he will make his return this week. The 49ers have until Nov. 28 to either activate him or shut him down for the season. They're suddenly in a dogfight for a Wild Card spot and need Crabtree back to give the sagging passing game a boost. He's still just a roster stash until further notice.

Rishard Matthews, Miami Dolphins (owned in 22 percent of leagues)

Matthews' newfound production may not be a fluke after all. A week after lighting up the Buccaneers, Matthews recorded four catches for 52 yards against the Chargers. The Dolphins have tough matchups against the Panthers and Jets coming up, so Matthews will be more of a WR4 going forward. He's a quality add in deeper leagues.

Nate Burleson, Detroit Lions (owned in 11 percent of leagues)

Burleson is expected to make his return this week against the Bucs. He's been practicing and says his arm is 100 percent, and the Lions could desperately use a more credible No. 2 threat opposite Calvin Johnson. Burleson was performing well before his car accident, recording 19 catches and 239 yards in three games. He should be back on the WR3 radar in time for the fantasy playoffs.

Mario Manningham, San Francisco 49ers (owned in 9 percent of leagues)

Another 49ers receiver working his way back from injury, Manningham is getting eased back into the offense. San Francisco's passing offense is in a big slump right now, but next week's matchup with the Redskins could help the 49ers jump-start things. Manningham remains a boom-or-bust option until Crabtree comes back.