Fantasy Football: Week 12 DraftKings and FanDuel advice
We’re here to give you the best match-ups and players as you set your Fantasy Football DFS lineups for Week 12.
Each position will be broken into three separate categories:
1. High-tier – These are your “heavy hitters.” If you play season-long fantasy football, they more than likely are the players who went in the first few rounds. They will cost you a pretty penny, but in the end, it’ll be worth it.
2. Mid-tier – This is where a majority of the players will be located. The key is finding the players with the most favorable match-ups, and in turn, exceeding the dollar amount placed upon them.
3. Low-tier (value) – These are your bottom-of-the-barrel players in terms of pricing, but not necessarily in ability or situation. Not only should these players outperform their salary, they should crush it.
At the end, I’ll provide you with two lineups (one for FanDuel and one for Draft Kings). These lineups should be used for you to use as a base while you plug in some different players you may prefer.
Nov 14, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterbacks
High-tier
Tom Brady, New England Patriots vs. New York Jets (FD $9,100/DK $7,800): Brady bounced back nicely from his ugly Week 10 performance by throwing four touchdowns against the 49ers. He now has 3+ touchdown passes in four out of six games this season.
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams (FD $8,600/DK $7,100): When the Saints are playing at home, you want to strongly consider playing Brees. While playing at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome this season, he is averaging 366 passing yards and 3 touchdowns per game.
Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans vs. Chicago Bears (FD $8,300/DK $7,200): Mariota continues his string of strong fantasy performances when he threw for 290 yards and 2 touchdowns last week. This week he gets a Bears defense that has given up multiple touchdown passes in three out of their last four games.
Mid-tier
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins (FD $8,00/DK $6,300): After last week he now has multiple touchdowns in eight straight games. The Redskins have given up multiple touchdown passes and 300+ passing yards in two straight games against opposing quarterbacks.
Eli Manning, New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns (FD $7,800/DK $6,500): After a slow start to the 2016 season, Manning has turned it on lately as he now has multiple touchdown passes in four out of his last five games. The Browns have given up multiple touchdown passes to opposing quarterbacks nine times this season.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers vs. Oakland Raiders (FD $7,800/DK $6,800): It’s not often you seem Newton this cheap especially in a good matchup. As always, Newton’s running ability and goalline rushing attempts give him a high ceiling. The fact that he’s coming off a mini bye week while the Raiders are coming off a short week does nothing but help his outlook.
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (FD $7,500/DK $6,700): Wilson now has 22+ fantasy points in three straight games. In two out of the last four weeks the Buccaneers have given up four touchdown passes in a game to an opposing quarterback.
Low-tier (value)
Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons (FD $7,100/DK $5,300): As bad as Palmer has been this season, the Falcons defense has arguably been worse. They have given up 3+ touchdown passes in six different games this year.
Nov 14, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) runs with the ball during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Giants defeated the Bengals 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Running Backs
High-tier
David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons (FD $9,500/DK $8,900): Johnson has 100+ total yards in every game this season. He’s the best fantasy running back so far this season and the Falcons are a favorable matchup.
Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts (FD $9,500/DK $9,000): Bell is averaging 30 fantasy points over his last two weeks and is averaging over seven receptions per game. The guy is an animal.
Mid-tier
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins (FD $8,600/DK $8.500): Last week was arguably the toughest matchup Elliott had all year. Yet, he still managed to go over 125+ total yards. This week won’t be as nearly as tough.
Jay Ajayi, Miami Dolphins vs. San Francisco 49ers (FD $8,400/DK $7,600): Playing against a run defense as bad as the 49ers is a dream matchup for every running back in the NFL. Ajayi should be worth his price tag but there is some risk here. Going into Week 12, the Dolphins center (Mike Pouncey) left tackle (Branden Albert) and left guard (Laremy Tunsil) are all dealing with injuries.
Melvin Gordon, San Diego Chargers vs. Houston Texans (FD $8,200/DK $7,000): Before going on his bye week, Gordon went four straight weeks with 100+ total yards. With the week off, he should be fresh while the Texans should be a little more banged up than usual after coming off a short week.
Thomas Rawls, Seattle Seahawks vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (FD $7,000/DK $5,700): After his performance last week, it’s clear Rawls is back to 100% healthy. The same can’t be said for his teammate C.J. Prosise who will miss Sunday’s game. Rawls will be a workhorse in a plus matchup.
Rashad Jennings, New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns (FD $6,600/DK $5,600): Jennings had a season-high in carries (21) and receptions (5) last week. Over the last three weeks, his carries have increased every game. The Browns have allowed a rushing touchdown to an opposing running back in nine out of eleven games in 2016.
Low-tier (value)
Chris Ivory, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills (FD $5,900/DK $4,200): This play is only recommended if T.J. Yeldon can’t suit up. If he can’t, Ivory will be a workhorse who should see 20+ touches.
Wendell Smallwood, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers (FD $5,700/DK $4,300): If Ryan Mathews or Darren Sproles miss Monday’s game, Smallwood is a recommended play. If both miss this game, he’s a strong recommendation.
Nov 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) catches a pass as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (24) tackles him in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Wide Receivers
High-tier
Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns (FD $9,000/DK $8,800): A lot of people were burned by Beckham’s dud of a day last week. However, it’s unlikely he does that two games in a row. Especially when he has the Browns defense on the same field as him.
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts (FD $8,800/DK $9,200): Brown now has 7+ receptions in five out his last six games. Last time I checked he’s still one of the most dangerous players in the NFL and the Colts secondary still isn’t that good.
Mid-tier
Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders vs. Carolina Panthers (FD $7,800/DK $7,700): After 11 weeks, Cooper has established himself has one of the top-ten best fantasy wide receivers in 2016. The Panthers have one of the worse secondaries in the NFL and won’t have the leader of their defense, Luke Kuechly, on the field for Sunday’s game.
Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams (FD $7,300/DK $6,800): Just like with Brees, when Cooks is playing at home inside the dome, you want to strongly consider him. The speedster has the ability to win you a week.
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons (FD $7,200/DK $7,000): Fitz has 6+ catches in six straight games. The Cardinals should be trailing in this one and it’ll force Carson Palmer to throw. When he does, Fitzgerald is his favorite target.
Low-tier (value)
Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers (FD $5,600/DK $5,000): I’m not sure why Matthews price is so low but hey, I won’t fight it. He has four straight games with 10+ targets and 5+ receptions. This week he gets a Packers defense who can’t stop a nosebleed.
Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens (FD $5,600/DK $4,000): With A.J. Green and Giovani Bernard out for Sunday, the Bengals will be without two of their top three most targeted players. Boyd has a good chance to fill that void.
Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) flips the ball after a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Tight Ends
High-tier
**Patriot’s Rob Gronkowski is the only tight end in “high-tier” pricing. However, he might not play on Sunday due to injury.
Mid-tier
Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys (FD $7,400/DK $6,200): The last time Reed played the Cowboys he finished with 5 receptions for 70 yards. That same game they gave up 5 receptions for 51 yards to the Redskins other tight end Vernon Davis. Since then they have suffered a number of injuries to their secondary. In short: The Cowboys aren’t good at covering tight ends.
Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers vs. Oakland Raiders (FD $7,000/DK $5,800): One of the best fantasy tight ends against one of the worse defenses when it comes to covering tight ends. I’ll take it.
Low-tier (value)
Martellus Bennett, New England Patriots vs. New York Jets (FD $5,500/DK $4,500): With Gronk out of the lineup last week, Bennett didn’t do anything. Yet, he’s still taking a gamble on in this offense if Gronk can’t suit up for the second straight game.
Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings, vs. Detroit Lions (FD $5,300/DK $3,700): The last time Rudolph played the Lions he scored a touchdown. In total, the Lions have given up nine total touchdowns to opposing tight ends this season.
Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles, vs. Green Bay Packers (FD $5,000/DK $3,700): Ertz has been heavily involved in the offense over the last three weeks and there’s no reason to believe that’s going to change. He gets a tremendous matchup against a Packers defense that has given up 31+ points in four straight games.
Nov 13, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Denver Broncos strong safety T.J. Ward (43) celebrates a recovered fumble against the New Orleans Saints in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Broncos won, 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
D/ST
High-tier
Miami Dolphins vs. San Francisco 49ers (FD $5,000/DK $3,300): The Dolphins are officially a top-ten fantasy defense and they get a great matchup. What makes this great matchup even better is they get a west coast team that has to travel all the way to the east coast for a 1:00 EST game. Note: Miami is mid-tier in DraftKings
Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs (FD $4,900/DK $3,700): The Broncos used their bye week to get healthy and now they get a couple of key defensive players back. When they are at full strength, they are the best defense in the NFL.
Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars ($4,800/DK $3,800): Jacksonville’s offense is a mess and it’s because Blake Bortles has a habit of throwing pick-sixes. I’m sure Rex Ryan and the entire Bills defense already knows this.
New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns (4,800/DK $3,600): They are playing the Browns. What else do you really need to know?
Mid-tier
Tennessee Titans vs. Chicago Bears (FD $4,500/DK $2,800): Matt Barkley is probably starting for the Bears who has yet to record an NFL touchdown in his four-year career.
Low-tier (value)
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts (FD $4,300/DK $2,800): Andrew Luck has been ruled out and Scott Tolzien will be the starting quarterback for the Colts.
Nov 13, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks to wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) after his fourth quarter touchdown catch against the Denver Broncos at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Broncos won, 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Lineups
FanDuel
QB – Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
RB – Melvin Gordon, San Diego Chargers
RB – Thomas Rawls, Seattle Seahawks
WR – Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
WR – Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
WR – Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles
TE – Martellus Bennett, New England Patriots
K – Josh Lambo, San Diego Chargers
D/ST – Tennessee Titans
Remaining Salary – $0
DraftKings
QB – Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals
RB – Thomas Rawls, Seattle Seahawks
RB – Rashad Jennings, New York Giants
WR – Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
WR – Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders
WR – Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints
TE – Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
FLEX – Jordan Matthews
D/ST – Pittsburgh Steelers
Remaining Salary – $400
Stacks
New Orleans
New England Patriots
Arizona Cardinals
Dallas Cowboys
Seattle Seahawks
More from FanSided