SB Nation will be bringing you the top Daily Fantasy options each week through the regular season and into the playoffs. We have a small sample size of which offenses look good to target and others we should avoid until further notice. As for who should be in your lineups, here are the top value plays of the week, with an eye toward low ownership and high upside.
Top daily fantasy football plays for Week 12 of the NFL season
With Week 12 of the NFL season upon us, we take a look at some of the best values to be found on Draftkings and FanDuel, and some players worth fading.
Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images
Quarterback
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers ($7,000 DK, $8,600 FD)
The running game is non-existent, other than Wilson himself. And a good chunk of running back usage is going to be J.D. McKissic, who excels as a pass-catcher. Basically, the entire offense starts and ends with Wilson, and his volume as a passer and runner makes him a bargain at his salary. As an added bonus, the Seahawks are on the road and their Legion of Boom is so devastated by injuries, it’s unlikely the game turns into a rout, keeping Wilson in the game throughout.
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints ($6,700 DK, $7,600 FD)
Saints rookie sensation Marshon Lattimore is out, which changes the whole outlook for the Rams’ passing game. Todd Gurley will get his, but Goff’s chances have dramatically improved while his ownership is likely to remain somewhat depressed.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers at New York Jets ($6,600 DK, $8,000 FD)
Newton is playing like it’s 2015 again, especially with his running, with 181 yards over the past two games. The Jets are among the worst defenses in the league in terms of stopping mobile quarterbacks. Plus, Newton gets his favorite target, Greg Olsen, back this week. It’s all systems go.
Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans ($5,400 DK, $6,900 FD)
Two of Brissett’s best three fantasy outputs this season came against bad pass defenses at the RCA Dome. Brissett gets one of the league’s worst defenses at the RCA Dome on Sunday.
Discount Darling C.J. Beathard, 49ers vs. Seahawks ($4,600 DK, $6,200 FD)
As noted, the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom is broken. Without Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor, this is not a defense to be feared, as the Falcons proved on Monday night. There’s even less concern on the road, as is the case this week. The ghost of Jimmy Garoppolo has Beathard playing pretty well the last few weeks, and at $4,600, the value is in full bloom.
Avoid: Paxton Lynch, Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders ($4,400 DK, $6,200 FD)
I get it. He’s the ultimate value facing a terrible pass defense. He only needs to throw for around 200 yards and one touchdown and he makes value, while opening up all sorts of lineup construction possibilities. I totally get it. I also don’t think he’s going to get 200 yards, he might not throw a touchdown and there’s going to be turnovers. In the Millionaire Maker, with no Steelers exposure, there’s not a lot of need to save salary at quarterback. There are values elsewhere.
Also consider: Tom Brady, New England Patriots; Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs; Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Running back
LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs ($8,500 DK, $8,300 FD)
The ultimate pivot play. Todd Gurley is the most expensive play at running back on DraftKings and figures to be the most-owned at the position. At $100 less and anticipating significantly less ownership, McCoy is a phenomenal play, especially considering McCoy gets Tyrod Taylor back at QB. McCoy has topped 28 DK points in 3 of his past 5 games. Gurley has topped 28 once in his past six.
Tevin Coleman, Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($6,500 DK, $6,200 FD)
Coleman has had two decent performances in a row in place of the injured Devonta Freeman, but his best chance to really make a mark comes this week against the Buccaneers, who have struggled to defend the run for most of the season. Coleman has gotten 20 carries in each of the past two weeks, and that trend should continue here, setting him up for a possible 100-yard afternoon.
Duke Johnson Jr., Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals ($4,600 DK, $5,500 FD)
The Browns are on record saying they want to get Johnson even more involved in the offense than he has been this season. That is sweet DFS music. The Bengals are a bottom-five defense against pass-catching backs, and with the Browns almost certain to be playing from behind, Johnson could be looking at double digits in targets, making him a terrific play on full-point PPR DraftKings.
Discount Darling: Devontae Booker, Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders ($3,700 DK, $5,500 FD)
Booker has assumed a fairly large share of the carries as the Broncos have fallen off a cliff. Booker had 14 carries and six targets last week, and he could easily surpass those numbers against the Raiders’ swiss-cheese defense.
Discount Darling 2: J.D. McKissic, Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers ($3,700 DK, $5,500 FD)
The Seahawks have tried just about everything at running back this season, to no avail. McKissic has been one of the few bright spots when given a chance. His carries and targets have increased each of the past three weeks, and McKissic topped 10 DK points on Monday night. A few more touches and McKissic is a solid bet to make value.
Avoid: Jordan Howard, Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles ($6,000 DK, $7,500 FD)
Given the way the Eagles are steamrolling opponents the last few weeks, Howard is in danger of being taken out of the offense should the Bears be forced to abandon the running game. At $6,000, that’s an expensive risk to take.
Also consider: Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs; Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints; Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers.
Wide receiver
Brandin Cooks, New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins ($7,100 DK, $7,600 FD)
The Patriots are firing on all cylinders right now, and with Chris Hogan still out of the lineup, Cooks has become Tom Brady’s favorite target. Cooks exploded in Mexico City last weekend and the Dolphins defense rivals the Raiders in ineptitude. Expect a few deep shots Cooks’ way and at least one long touchdown.
Alshon Jeffery, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Chicago Bears ($6,300 DK, $7,100 FD)
There’s going to be tons of ownership headed to T.Y. Hilton at $6,700 and playing at home, where he historically excels. But Jeffery has the REVENGE GAME! narrative going against the Bears, as well as overflowing chemistry with red-hot quarterback Carson Wentz. Take the discount and the reduced ownership and ride the hot hand.
Kenny Stills, Dolphins at Patriots ($4,800 DK, $5,600 FD)
Speaking of chemistry, Stills and Matt Moore are locked in right now, with Stills putting up his biggest numbers with Moore under center. The Patriots’ defense has vastly improved over the past few weeks, but it’s the likes of Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker who should see the most attention. Expect Stills to fly under the radar for another productive afternoon.
Corey Coleman, Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals ($4,300 DK, $5,800 FD)
There’s going to be tons of ownership heading to Corey Davis at $4,600. But Coleman is actually the more polished receiver and it only took one week – after missing eight – for Coleman to go right back to playing like a future All-Pro. As with Jeffery, take the discount and lower ownership for some nice tournament leverage.
Discount Darling: Dede Westbrook, Jacksonville Jaguars at Arizona Cardinals ($3,600 DK, $4,900 FD)
No one knows who Westbrook is. But he dominated the preseason for Jacksonville and he should be targeted heavily with Patrick Peterson shadowing Marqise Lee. Westbrook had three catches on six targets in his debut last week and should see a significant boost in target share with Allen Hurns out, as well.
Avoid: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals vs. Jaguars ($5,600 DK, $7,200 FD)
This is no knock on Fitz, but expecting Blaine Gabbert to overcome the ferocious Jaguars pass rush – and for Fitzgerald to get the best of the suffocating Jaguars secondary – seems a bit too tall a task.
Also consider: T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts; Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams; Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans.
Tight end
Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers ($5,800 DK, $7,000 FD)
The 49ers have been Giants-level terrible against the tight end position for weeks, and Graham has been right at or above 20 DK points in 3 of 4 weeks. He is listed as questionable, but practiced in full on Friday, so he’s good to go, but that little red “Q” might hold his ownership down. Good.
Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts ($5,000 DK, $5,900 FD)
Walker has been banged up for weeks, but it hasn’t really stopped him. He’s been scoring in double digits on a weekly basis and should have plenty of good looks against the sagging Colts defense.
Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers at New York Jets ($4,800 DK, $6,400 FD)
Olsen might be eased in a bit in his first game back off injury, but that doesn’t mean Cam Newton is going to ignore him. It’s hard to get a read on ownership, but figure he’ll not be this cheap and low-owned at any point the rest of the season.
Jared Cook, Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos ($4,600 DK, $5,400 FD)
The one place to attack the Broncos’ defense is with the tight end, and right now Cook is about the only reliable receiver that Derek Carr can turn to. If Olsen does draw high ownership, Cook is the perfect pivot.
Discount Darling: Tyler Kroft, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns ($3,900 DK, $5,700 FD)
Always, always, always target the opposing tight end against the Browns, especially a cheap one who scored a touchdown last week.
Avoid: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Jets vs. Panthers ($4,300 DK, $5,600 FD)
Jenkins hasn’t scored a touchdown in the past three games and takes on a Top 5 defense against the position. With Kroft a $400 discount against the anti-Panthers vs. tight ends, it’s a good week to fade ASJ.
Also consider: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs; Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots; Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles.
Defense
Jacksonville Jaguars at Arizona Cardinals ($4,100 DK, $5,500 FD)
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Chicago Bears ($3,600 DK, $4,900 FD)
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins ($3,400 DK, $4,700 FD)
Carolina Panthers at New York Jets ($3,300 DK, $5,000 FD)
Discount Darling Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($2,900 DK, $4,600 FD)
Avoid: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills ($3,700 DK, $5,000 FD)
