Need help with filling out your fantasy football seasonal lineups for Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season? You probably do with six teams on bye this week — Falcons, Bills, Bengals, Saints, Jets and Jaguars.
Vinnie Iyer is here for you again, back with another edition of the Decider, a unique blend of positional rankings and start ‘em, sit ‘em advice. Let's get into breaking down the best and worst plays in redraft based on matchups, usage, and other factors, plus some good price values to target in DFS.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Regular starts
- Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (at LAR)
- Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (at LAC)
- Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (vs. DAL)
- Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. BAL)
- Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (at SEA)
- Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (at LV)
- Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (at IND)
- Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (at GB)
Stronger starts
9. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR): Mahomes dropped in three TDs last week vs. the Bills and should lead a big scoring output in a road rout of the Panthers
10. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (vs. NE): Tua is trending up with his key receivers and can keep it going vs. a struggling Patriots pass defense.
11. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NYG): The Giants give up a ton of big pass plays, and he should have Mike Evans back.
12. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (vs. TEN): By the numbers, this looks like a spot to keep slumping, but the Titans were burned plenty by the Vikings last week.
13. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CLE): He didn't destroy the Ravens' bad pass defense last week with some red zone woes, but now he gets a team he can rip with Moonballs deep downfield.
14. Anthony Richardson, Colts (vs, DET): He can compile some favorable rushing and passing garbage production at home.
15. Drake Maye, New England Patriots (at MIA): He just keeps a finding a way to make enough fantasy-friendly plays despite turnovers.
WEEK 12 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
DFS pick
Tommy DeVito, New York Giants (vs. TB, $4,000 on DraftKings, $6,000 on FanDuel): It might be difficult to trust DeVito in seasonal as a QB1 starting this week, but of course he has some lineup appeal in two-QB and Superlex. The Buccaneers are a giving pass defense, and he has the weapons to do damage, plus he's at home and may need volume opposite Mayifleld. The ROI is too good to pass up to get 3X or 4X return, even if there might be some higher than expected ownership.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
16. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (vs. SF): Love has not put up pleasing fantasy stats of late, and the Niners' D won't let him break out of it.
17. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (vs. PHI): He can be OK here with volume opposite Hurts, but they should run more on the Eagles, and it's hard to expect more than 2 TDs with limited yardage.
18. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI): Jonathan Gannon's defense is playing well, so don't go chasing what he did to the 49ers in crunch time.
19. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI): You cannot go here again with the Bears' pass defense looming on the road.
20. Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns (at PIT): You cannot go here again with the Steelers' pass defense looming at home.
21. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (vs. MIN): He compiled well for Thomas Brown on the Packers, but here's thinking the blitzing Vikings can wreak real havoc.
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Fantasy Football Week 12 Start 'Em: Running backs
Regular starts
- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers (at GB)
- Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (at LAR)
- Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI)
- Joe Mixon, Houston Texans (at TEN)
- Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens (at LAC)
- De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (vs. NE)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (at IND)
- David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (at IND)
- James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (at SEA)
- Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (vs. SF)
- Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (vs. PHI)
- Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (vs. TB)
- Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (vs. DET)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (at MIA)
- Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (vs. DAL)
- Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI)
- Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders (vs. DAL)
- D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (vs. MIN)
- Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR)
- J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. BAL)
Stronger starts
21. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (at LV): Sean Payton is non-committal about his lead back but hot hand and matchup says this is the play over Audric Estime.
22. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NYG): The Giants have had trouble with stopping the run all season.
23. Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR): He should return this week and team up with Hunt for some big time rushing yardage to close out the Panthers.
24. Cam Akers, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI): He's getting more run with Jones of late, and he can come through against a team that struggles every which way vs. backs.
25. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NYG): Here's yet another solid double-up situation for RB2 or FLEX given the bye weeks.
Week 12 FANTASY ROSTER MANAGEMENT ADVICE
Stock Watch | Trade Advice | Sleepers | Busts | Usage Report
DFS Picks
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (at IND, $7,300 on DraftKings, $8,600 on FanDuel): Look for Gibbs to explode outside against the Colts in the fast track of the Luke with the force being strong with him for multiple TDs.
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI, $6,900 on DraftKings, $8,100 on FanDuel): This dude compiles and scores even when inefficient with limited work, and they should look to him often against a still-weak Cardinals run defense.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
26. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (vs. HOU): The Texans are just that nasty against the run even with no Tyjae Spears.
27. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (vs. KC): He can't run on this D and now has to deal with Jonathon Brooks getting touches.
28 Najee Harris and 29. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CLE): The Steelers need to air it out more vs. the Browns who handle the traditional running game well.
30. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns (vs. PIT): Chubb isn't getting the free reign on high-leverage work, and it's hard to do much on the Steelers.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Regular starts
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (at IND)
- Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (vs. NE)
- Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI)
- George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. BAL)
- Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (vs. DAL)
- A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (at LAR)
- Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (at NE)
- Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (at NE)
- Nico Collins, Houston Texans (vs. TEN)
- Malik Nabers, New York Giants (vs. TB)
- CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (at WAS)
- Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (if he returns, at NYG)
- Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (at LAC)
- Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (at CHI)
- DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (at LAR)
- DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI)
- Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (at GB)
- Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI)
- Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (at LV)
- Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (at DET)
- Marvin Harrison Jr, Arizona Cardinals (at SEA)
- Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (at IND)
Stronger starts
23. Quentin Johnston and 24. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. BAL): Johnston can score, and McConkey can do it with great volume.
25. DeAndre Hopkins and 26. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR): Mahomes should go off with all of his weapons for a big offensive performance.
27. Calvin Ridley and 28. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans (at HOU): They both can produce a lot of garbage-time production vs. a bad secondary (see Lamb and friends).
29. DJ Moore and 30. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (vs. GB): They got more involved with Thomas Brown calling plays for Caleb Williams, and garbage points can be had vs. the Vikings secondary at home.
31 Jerry Jeudy and 32. Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns (vs. PIT): The running game is gone, and this should also be a high-volume garbage game from Jameis Winston.
33 DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots (at MIA): He can do some volume damage in the slot for Maye.
WEEK 12 WAIVER WIRE ADVICE
Full Waiver Wire Recommendations | How to Spend FAAB | Top Waiver Targets
DFS picks
Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (vs. NE, $7,200 on DraftKings, $8,300 on FanDuel): Hill is slowly heating up to his usual explosive levels, and it happens here.
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. NYG, $7,000 on DraftKings, $8,000 on FanDuel): Check on the hamstring, but if he plays, this is the ideal red zone and field-stretching opponent for him working with Mayfield with no Chris Godwin.
Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (vs. SF, $5,900 on DraftKings, $7,300 on FanDuel): The 49ers got ripped by JSN last week at home, and Reed can give them plenty of trouble on good target volume on short-to-intermediate slot routes.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
34. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (at GB): He's barely playable, so do it at our own risk for the WR40 on the season.
35. Tank Dell, Houston Texans (vs. TEN): Dell shouldn't be needed much away from Collins here.
36. Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears (vs. MIN): This is more of an outside receiver game.
37. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (vs. NE): He's the Samuel of this offense.
38. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (vs. SF): Don't chase last week in a bad spot.
39. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI): Don't chase last week in a bad spot.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must starts
- Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR)
- George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (if he returns, at GB)
- Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (at DEN)
- Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (if he plays, at IND)
- Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (at SEA)
- Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. BAL)
Stronger starts
7. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CLE): He should find the end zone in this sweet spot on the road.
8. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (at MIA): He should be busy again as the Dolphins have some trouble in that type of coverage (see Bowers).
9. Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NYG): Otton has a tough spot, but he's too important to their passing game.
10. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI): Hock was a downer vs. the Titans, but he rebounds with a score in Chicago.
11. Ja'Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers (vs. KC): Here's one rookie to really like with some issues otherwise at tight end and a great matchip.
12. Theo Johnson, New York Giants (vs. TB): Here's another rookie to like with DeVito in another stellar matchup.
DFS pick
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR, $5,800 on DraftKings, $7,200 on FanDuel): His dud vs. the Bills while Noah Gray made two-TD hay will mean some will be off him this week when he should provide major payback in a smash spot to resume his previous hot streak.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
13. Jonnu Smith, MIami Dolphins (vs. NE): He's tempting to chase points with, but he's still a borderline start in most weeks.
14. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (at LAC): The Chargers cover the position well, and you also need to worry about Isaiah Likely again.
15. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (vs. PIT): The Steelers erased Andrews last week, and Njoku isn't Likely.
16. Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (vs. DAL): They might not need him much in this game with the big pass plays and steady big chunk runs.
17. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (vs. SF): He's trending in the wrong direction with more healthy wideout options.
18. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles (at LAR): The numbers say yes, but the reality says no.
19. Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (vs. MIN): Nyet against the Vikings.
20. Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (vs. TEN): Titans just stopped Hock.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Start 'Em: Defense/special teams
Stronger starts
- Houston Texans (vs. TEN)
- Minnesota Vikings (at CHI)
- Denver Broncos (at LV)
- Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (at CLE)
- Detroit Lions (at IND)
7. Miami Dolphins (vs. NE): They were great last week and get another solid matchup at home.
8. Washington Commanders (vs. DAL): You can go back to playing them at home vs. the reeling rivals.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (at LAR): Vic Fangio can work in some big plays vs. Stafford.
10. Arizona Cardinals (at SEA): They were sizzling before the bye, and it continues out of the desert for Jonathan Gannon.
11. Green Bay Packers (vs. SF): The Packers are fine at home, forcing turnovers and getting some sacks.
12. Los Angeles Rams (vs. PHI): They are playing well with their young energy, which will lead to some key plays on Sunday night.
DFS pick
Houston Texans (vs. TEN), $3,600 on DraftKings, $4,700 on FanDuel): They're running hot for DeMeco Ryans after MNF, and they keep it up with big plays vs. the Titans.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
13. Chicago Bears (vs. MIN): They can do something vs. Darnold, but they are hard to trust.
14. San Francisco 49ers (at GB): They can be sat for not getting the job done.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NYG): You're getting right into a road trap.
16. Baltimore Ravens (at LAC): Not vs. Jim Harbaugh's team.
17. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. BAL): Not vs. John Harbaugh's team
Get more of Sporting News NFL writer Vinnie Iyer's Week 12 fantasy football advice by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
