Each week, TSN.ca takes a look at the top available players in fantasy football ahead of the weekly waiver deadline.

Quarterbacks

Josh McCown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Chicago)

Last Week: 15/23, 288 yards, 2 TDs

McCown relied heavily Mike Evans last week against the Redskins and it worked wonders. McCown has thrown two touchdowns in back to back games and even ranked top-10 in fantasy points for quarterbacks. While McCown is not a strong QB1 option, you could do worse for a reach as he faces the far from intimidating Bears defence in Week 12.

Ryan Mallett, Houston Texans (vs. Cincinnati)

Last Week: 20/30, 211 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

Mallett was eased into the Texans offence as the team pounded the Browns with rookie Alfred Blue, but still threw two touchdowns in a winning effort. Mallett will be no more than a QB2 option against the Bengals in Week 12 as the Texans figure to have Arian Foster back in the lineup. However, as Mallet gains more confidence he offers high-upside down the stretch.

Running Backs

Jonas Gray, New England Patriots (vs. Detroit)

Last Week: 38 carries, 199 yards, 4 TDs

For years, the Patriots have frustrated fantasy owners with their unpredictable running back rotation. On Sunday, they took that frustration to a whole new level as Gray led all of fantasy in scoring while sitting on the waiver wire in 98 per cent of leagues. Gray appears to have likely solidified his role as the Patriots early-down back, but is likely best used as an RB2. He had no catches on Sunday and if he struggles against the tough front of the Lions this week, the Patriots will turn to Shane Vereen as a passing back.

Tre Mason, St. Louis Rams (at San Diego)

Last Week: 29 carries, 113 yards; one catch (two targets), one yard

Tre Mason has slowly been gaining more carries in the Rams ‘hot-hand’ backfield for weeks. On Sunday, Mason emerged as the feature back for the team while torching the Broncos top-ranked run defence to the tune of 113 yards. While Mason’s rise has been well documented, he remains available in more than 50 per cent of leagues. Mason is likely a safer – though lower-upside – claim than Gray this week as a plug-and-play RB2.

Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders (vs. Kansas City)

Last Week: Four carries, 43 yards; three catches (four targets) for 16 yards

The Raiders turned to Murray in the second half of Sunday's loss to the San Diego Chargers, benching Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew. Murray is worth adding as a stash as his role remains to be determined in the Raiders offence. However, Murray offers plenty of upside, he could quickly take over the starting role if he provides similiar results to Sunday. The Raiders will try once again for their first win on Thursday against the Chiefs.

Wide Receivers

Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns (at Atlanta)

Last week: Suspended

Gordon, who led the NFL in receiving yards one year ago, will return this week after serving his 10-game suspension. The Cleveland Browns threw the ball a ridiculous 50 times against the Houston Texans  and, had he been in the lineup, Gordon likely would have received a healthy share of those targets. Gordon is expected to re-enter the Browns offence as a starter this week and has a favourable matchup against the Falcons secondary.

Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks (at Arizona)

Last Week: Six catches (nine targets), 45 yards, 1 TD

The Seahawks passing attack has been anemic since trading Percy Harvin from the Jets, instead the offence has been relying on running the ball more than ever to move the chains. Against the Cardinals’ strong run defence, the Seahawks will likely have no choice but to throw the ball – likely to Baldwin. Due to the matchup, he’ll be a FLEX option in Week 12.

Chris Hogan, Buffalo Bills (vs. New York Jets)

Last Week: Seven catches (nine targets), 74 yards

Hogan is emerging as Kyle Orton’s go-to guy as continues to check the ball down to slot-receiver Hogan and the Bills’ running backs. Due to the amount catches he’s compiling, Hogan is a worthy pickup PPR fantasy leagues, especially with a matchup against the Jets secondary looming. Hogan is available in 100 per cent of fantasy leagues.

Tight Ends

Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Jacksonville)

Last Week: Seven catches (seven targets), 144 yards

Luck’s top tight end option Dwayne Allen left Sunday’s game in the second quarter with an ankle injuring, leaving Fleener as the No. 1 tight end. Fleener’s starred in the role as he hauled in all of his targets, while the Colts top receiving threats were shut down. Luck likely won’t be forced to turn to Fleener out of desperation again against the Jaguars secondary, but Fleener will have a good shot at a touchdown in a high-scoring game. Reports conflict on the severity of Allen’s injury, but Fleener could be worth a pickup regardless at fantasy’s weakest position.

Andrew Quarless, Green Bay Packers (at Minnesota)

Last Week: Two catches, 35 yards

If you’re in desperate need of a tight end, Quarless is one name to look at. Though not a top option in the Packers lethal passing attack, he is atop the depth chart at tight end. Lining up on the majority of downs with an offence that finds the open man gives Quarless some fantasy relevance, but if you’re starting it will be touchdown-or-bust for points. Against the Vikings, Quarless will likely have chances to score as the Packers look to put 50 points for the third straight week.