Looking for the best players to target on the waiver wire this week? Well, the Fantasy Ticker is just the place for that. Here are the top pickups for Week 12, as well as a key player to trade for and one you may want to quickly unload.

HOT PURCHASES

These players should be free agents in many leagues. Pounce on them if you can.

Redskins RB Rock Cartwright (owned in 7 percent of Yahoo! leagues)
Opportunities just keep opening up in the Redskins' backfield, and this time, it's Cartwright's turn to step in. With Clinton Portis already sidelined with a concussion, Ladell Betts went down with a knee injury Sunday at Dallas, allowing Cartwright to see extended action as the featured back. He responded with a solid effort, rushing 13 times for 67 yards and catching seven passes for 73 more, giving him 140 yards from scrimmage. With word that Betts suffered a torn MCL and is likely done for the season, Cartwright should handle the bulk of the carries for Washington until Portis comes back, giving him value in all formats.

Saints WR Robert Meachem (28 percent owned)
A first-round pick back in 2007, Meachem has teased fantasy owners all season, flashing his potential one week but then disappearing the next. Lately, however, he has started to develop some consistency. Meachem only caught two balls Sunday at Tampa Bay, but they both went for TDs, giving him four scores in his last three games and six TDs on the season. Formerly a big-play threat only, the speedy wideout has become a red-zone target for QB Drew Brees as well, adding to his value. With Lance Moore (ankle) sidelined indefinitely, Meachem should continue to get plenty of playing time in this up-tempo offense, making him a good bet to find paydirt each week.

Rams WR Brandon Gibson (2 percent owned)
He might not be a name you know well, but Gibson is someone fantasy owners should become familiar with. A rookie out of Washington State who was acquired by the Rams around the trade deadline, Gibson has come on strong over the past two weeks. After catching seven passes for 93 yards in Week 10, he had five grabs for 61 yards in Sunday's contest with the Cardinals. But the most intriguing thing about his performance on Sunday was that he was targeted 17 times, showing just how big a part of the passing game he is. With some poor pass defenses on the schedule, Gibson could have a bunch of big games still ahead of him.

Giants TE Kevin Boss (34 percent owned)
During a season in which finding quality tight ends on the waiver wire has been extremely difficult, Boss could be one of the few exceptions. After doing little in his first seven games, Boss has emerged as a legitimate weapon over the last month. Catching five passes for 76 yards and two TDs Sunday vs. Atlanta, Boss now has 10 receptions, 163 yards and four TDs in his past three outings, providing QB Eli Manning with a big target around the goal line. He probably won't be incredibly consistent, but if you've been going with a mediocre TE lately, Boss could be the upgrade you've been looking for.

BUY LOW

Here's a player who has underperformed thus far and seen his value drop. Trade for him before it's too late.

Chargers WR Vincent Jackson
One of the hottest receivers in the league over the first couple months, Jackson has hit the skids as of late, catching just five passes for 66 yards and no TDs over his last two games. But this guy is way too good to stay down for long. Prior to his two-game slump, Jackson had grabbed TDs in four consecutive games and had four contests of at least 100 yards receiving. A primary target for QB Philip Rivers, Jackson is going to break out again soon, and it very well might be this week vs. the Chiefs. In his Week Seven meeting with K.C., he torched them for 5-142-1. Get V-Jax now before he gets back on the fast track.

SELL HIGH

Deal this guy for productive players now, because his value is about to fall off.

Bills WR Terrell Owens
This one was almost too easy. Mired in a season-long drought, Owens broke out with a monster game Sunday against Jacksonville's weak secondary, hauling in nine passes for 197 yards and a score, which came on a 98-yard bomb. But prior to Sunday's contest, T.O. had one TD catch and had surpassed 60 receiving yards just once. Given his struggles throughout '09, it's difficult to envision the nearly 36-year-old Owens becoming a fantasy stud down the stretch, as he hasn't resembled the T.O. of old all season long. If you can get someone to give you good value for him following this effort, get rid of the volatile receiver now.

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