NFL Week 12 DFS: Cheap Targets and Pricey Fades on DraftKings Daily Fantasy Football
Fantasy enthusiasts got their fill of DFS action over the NFL's Thanksgiving slate. Players like Christian McCaffrey, CeeDee Lamb, Jordan Love and Dak Prescott shined on Thursday.
Managers looking to continue a hot streak or rebound from poor Thursday/Friday games will have to weigh their options carefully. Players from eight teams are already off the table, and there are a few injury situations to navigate.
Players ruled out this week include Tee Higgins, Mack Hollins, Hayden Hurst and Joe Burrow—who suffered a season-ending wrist injury last Thursday night. Justin Jefferson is not expected to return this week either, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.
Below, we'll dive into a few of our favorite potential value plays and some pricey options that might not be worth the risk in Week 12.
Get the latest DFS values at DraftKings.
Quarterback
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Target: Joshua Dobbs, Minnesota Vikings, $5,900
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs remains a solid (and surprisingly affordable) DFS option. Though he only arrived in Minnesota at the trade deadline, he's playing like he's been in Kevin O'Connell's offense for years.
Dobbs is 2-1 as the Vikings starter and has logged at least one rushing and one receiving touchdown in every game with the team. He should have a strong floor this week against the Chicago Bears.
The Bears defense has been very up and down this season, and it has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Fade: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers, $7,800
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert should be a reliable fantasy option in most weeks. However, his value has suffered from the loss of Mike Williams (torn ACL) and some inconsistencies under offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
This would be a good week to shy away from Herbert at his current price point. The Chargers are set to host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, and Baltimore has been a very unfriendly team to opposing quarterbacks.
Only the Cleveland Browns had allowed fewer fantasy points to the QB position than Baltimore entering Week 12.
Running Back
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Target: Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers, $5,400
The Pittsburgh Steelers fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada early in the week. However, it's highly unlikely that new play caller Mike Sullivan will shy away from Jaylen Warren—who has been a more explosive backfield option than Najee Harris.
Warren has regularly out-produced Harris despite seeing fewer opportunities. In Week 11, for example, Warren logged 129 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, while Harris recorded 35 yards on 12 carries.
If anything, the coordinator change should mean a bigger workload for Warren, who has a fair matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have allowed the 15th-most to opposing RBs this season.
Fade: James Cook, Buffalo Bills, $6,200
The Buffalo Bills have started to lean on James Cook and the rushing attack in recent weeks. Over his past two games, Cook has tallied 222 scrimmage yards, five receptions and a touchdown—though he has fumbled twice.
However, Cook is a risky play at this price point. The Bills will visit the Philadelphia Eagles, who have been far more vulnerable to the pass than the run in 2023. There's far more potential for players like Stefon Diggs and Dalton Kincaid than for Cook.
The ceiling isn't particularly high for Cook, and neither is the floor. Philadelphia has allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs.
Wide Receiver
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Target: Demario Douglas, New England Patriots, $4,400
Managers seeking a budget flex play should target New England Patriots wideout Demaro Douglas. He's taken over the No. 1 receiver role in the wake of Kendrick Bourne's season-ending ACL tear.
Over his last four games, he's seen no fewer than four receptions or six targets. He's had at least 54 receiving yards in three of those four games, and he's averaged five receptions and 60 scrimmage yards during that span.
Douglas carries a solid floor, and he should have a fairly high ceiling this week against the New York Giants. The Giants have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers.
Fade: DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans, $6,100
DeAndre Hopkins should have a decent floor because of his role as the Tennessee Titans' top target. However, consistency hasn't been a strength for Hopkins—who has had fewer than 50 yards four times this season.
This is also a tough week to trust Hopkins at this price point. While the Carolina Panthers haven't been a very good team in 2023, they've been solid against opposing passing attacks.
Carolina ranks sixth in passing yards allowed, 12th in net yards per pass attempt allowed and has surrendered the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts.
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Tight End
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Target: Josh Oliver, Minnesota Vikings, $2,700
Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver has been anything but a dependable DFS option this season. However, he had a terrific day against the Denver Broncos last week, snagging four of four targets for 47 yards and a touchdown.
While Oliver will continue to play the No. 2 role behind T.J. Hockenson, but with Hockenson still dealing with a rib injury, Oliver is worth a gamble in Week 12—especially if Jefferson indeed does not go.
Oliver and the Vikings will face the Chicago Bears, who have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing TEs.
Fade: Donald Parham Jr., TE, Los Angeles Chargers, $3,300
While Chargers tight end Donald Parham isn't notably more expensive than budget options like Josh Oliver, he should be avoided this week.
Parham has had the occasional good game this season, and there's some potential with Gerald Everett (chest) limited. However, he's also recorded fewer than 10 receiving yards five times this season.
There's too much risk with Parham this week against the Ravens. Baltimore has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends in 2023.
*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.
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