Bye-mageddon is here! With an abnormal amount of bye weeks, we were all avoiding this week like the plague. Week 12 is officially here, and the stakes are getting higher as the playoffs draw closer. Between injuries, bye weeks, and trades, there are questions across all lineups and I’m here to help! Stuck between two players and don’t know who to start in Week 12? In these weekly articles, I will review and help you decide which WRs and TEs to start and sit every week based on matchups, weather conditions, injuries, and more. You’ll never see studs like Justin Jefferson or CeeDee Lamb on this list, but this is more advice to help you decide between those two players that will help you set and win your weekly lineup. For any additional gameday questions, be sure to follow me on X at @Lobosffden.
Week 12 Start and Sit
Start ‘Em Wide Receivers
Ladd McConkey vs. Baltimore Ravens
If you haven’t learned by now, you should be starting WRs vs. this Baltimore Defense in fantasy football. Ladd McConkey comes off his second 100-yard performance of the season and has built some momentum that should continue in Week 12. Dating back to Week 3, McConkey has had 6+ more targets in all but ONE game. This Ravens allows the most points to opposing WRs, and with the amount of teams on Byes this week, McConkey should be fired up in all formats.
DJ Moore vs. Minnesota Vikings
I know what you’re thinking and you’re right. DJ Moore has been underwhelming, especially considering where he was being drafted this offseason. However the silver lining is that Shane Waldron was released as the Offensive Coordinator prior to week 11, and in the first week of his absence, DJ Moore put up double-digit fantasy points for the first time since Week 5. The offense seemed to have gained some momentum with newly appointed OC Thomas Brown, and they get a chance to continue that vs. a Vikings defense that allows the 3rd-most points to opposing WRs, and the 5th-most passing yards per game. DJ Moore was WR6 last year, and while it’s doubtful he will end anywhere near that this year, the potential is there. Start him this week, that matchup is too juicy.
Jameson Williams vs. Indianapolis Colts
Jameson Williams has been one of the best surprises of the 2024 campaign. Jamo comes in having had (5) double-digit fantasy performances, despite missing 3 weeks to injuries. Jamo exploded for 124 yards last week and gets a favorable matchup in Week 12 vs. a Colts defense that has been exposed via the passing game all year. In what could be a high-scoring game with Anthony Richardson back under center, the Lions could keep the offensive fireworks going, and Jamo should be a part of it. He’s a solid WR3 with WR2 upside this week.
Sit ‘Em Wide Receivers
Jaylen Waddle vs. Las Vegas Raiders
If I told you Jaylen Waddle has had ONE game this season, where he’s put up double-digit fantasy points, would you believe it? Well, you better believe it! He’s been extremely underwhelming, and despite Tua coming back from his injury. he has yet to put up 10+ fantasy points since Week 1. Waddle has yet to break more than 4 receptions in any game since Week 1, and until he shows any signs of promise, Waddle deserves to be on your bench. There are better plays in Week 12.
Diontae Johnson vs. Los Angeles Chargers
When Diontae Johnson got traded to the Ravens, there was optimism that we would see some consistent play from Diontae. It has been quite the opposite for Diontae Johnson, as he has yet to see more than a 30% snap count share, and no more than 2 targets since his arrival to Baltimore. Whether he’s still learning the playbook, the Ravens are figuring out how to use him, or if his fantasy relevance is non-existent in Baltimore, I’m staying far, far away from Diontae. He can actually be dropped in all formats.
Michael Pittman vs. Detroit Lions
Pittman has taken the backseat to a surging Josh Downs in this offense, and despite seeing the most targets (8) he’s seen since Week 5, Pittman was only able to wrangle in 9.6 fantasy points. Pittman’s best finish of his 2024 campaign has been WR20, which isn’t encouraging as we enter Week 12. With the return of Anthony Richardson, the inconsistencies from the young QB led to uncertainty for the 5th-year WR. The only WR I’m comfortably starting in Indy is Downs. Leave Pittman in the pits of your lineup (and the waiver wire).
Check out all of our Week 12 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex
Start ‘Em Tight Ends
Will Dissly vs. Baltimore Ravens
Dissly has slowly become one of Justin Herbert’s favorite targets in that Chargers offense. Over the last five weeks, Will Dissly has 33 targets, which is more than Kyle Pitts, Mark Andrews, and George Kittle. Fresh off his best fantasy performance of his 2024 campaign in Week 11, Dissly should continue to build momentum vs. this Baltimore secondary. Not only is Dissly a good bye-week filler in this bye-maggedon, but is turning into a reliable TE moving forward.
Cade Otton vs. New York Giants
The Cade Otton breakout is here. Dating back to Week 3, Cade Otton has seen 8+ targets in all but two games and finished as a top 10 TE in all but 3 games during that span. Mike Evans is expected to be back in Week 11, but I don’t expect that to impact Cade Otton too much. He’s solidified himself as a key asset ot that Tampa Bay offense, and that should continue as the Bucs look to bounce back from this 4-game losing streak. Otton is in the “set it and forget it” territory.
Jonnu Smith vs. New England Patriots
When the Dolphins signed Jonnu Smith, I think expectations were low for lots of the fantasy football world. Smith comes in as the TE8 in fantasy football and has solid upside vs. a New England defense that hasn’t quite been “stingy” vs the air game. Dating back to Week 5, Jonnu Smith has averaged 6.5 targets, and seemingly replaced Jaylen Waddle in that Miami Offense. If you’re looking for a replacement TE with all the bye weeks, Jonnu Smith should be a solid filler.
Sit ‘Em Tight Ends
Tucker Kraft vs. San Francisco 49ers
Kraft got off to a hot start in 2024 but has cooled a bit in the last few weeks. He was held catchless last week vs. Chicago and now faces a 49ers defense that allows the 6th-least points to opposing TEs. There are inconsistencies in this Green Bay offense, between the WR core, and Tucker Kraft should be added to that list. His matchup this week warrants you look elsewhere.
Cole Kmet vs. Minnesota Vikings
Despite the matchup, Cole Kmet deserves to be on your bench until we see this Chicago offense come back to life. Since his 24-point performance in Week 6, Kmet has a COMBINED 14.9 fantasy points. He’s got a combined 6 targets in the last 4 games, and seemingly not a part of this offense. If we start to see this offense come back to life in Chicago, Kmet might be startable, but until we see those signs of life, leave Kmet on your bench.
Isaiah Likely vs. Los Angeles Chargers
It feels like Isaiah Likely doesn’t make a small appearance. He’s the definition of boom or bust at the TE position. Dont let his Week 11, 75 yard performance fool you, Likely isn’t likely to see consistent production. He’s put up double-digit performances just twice, and with a healthy Mark Andrews, we shouldnt see anything more than a few booms to go along with a lot of busts. Leave him on your bench.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 12 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!