This week’s late slate features three games, and while there are plenty of top-tier players to target, the challenge lies in finding value to balance your DFS lineup. With a lack of high-value, low-cost options, it’s all about strategic roster construction. In this article, I’ve identified some budget-friendly plays to pair with the pricier stars, helping you build a lineup that maximizes upside without breaking the bank. Let’s dive in!
Week 12 NFL DFS for the Late Slate
Quarterbacks
Bo Nix
Bo Nix has been on fire this season, sitting as the overall QB7 in fantasy. He’s been a consistent producer week after week, and Week 12 offers another great opportunity.
The Broncos face the Raiders, a defense that’s allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing players. When Nix faced them back in Week 5, he delivered—throwing for 206 yards, two touchdowns, and adding a rushing TD for good measure.
With this favorable matchup, Nix is set to keep rolling. Bo knows how to deliver for fantasy managers, and Week 12 should be no different!
$6,300 on DraftKings
$8,000 on FanDuel
Brock Purdy
Purdy has multiple touchdowns in each of the past five games. This week the Packers are up. The Packers defend the pass exceptionally well. It doesn’t matter to me because Purdy has just been good all season. I would look for him to have Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle involved in the passing game early.
$6,400 on DraftKings
$8,100 on FanDuel
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey
The Packers are middle of the pack at defending running backs. Running backs average 98 yards and a touchdown rushing against the Packers. CMC is set up in a good spot to produce in Week 12. This looks like the game where McCaffrey gets his first touchdown of the season. I am not overthinking this one.
$8,500 on DraftKings
$9,500 on FanDuel
James Conner
The Cardinals play the Seahawks in Week 12. The Seahawks give up the eleventh most fantasy points to opposing teams running backs. James Conner has four straight games with double-digit fantasy points. Running backs average 120 yards rushing against the Seahawks which is the third most. Conner is going to run a lot in Seattle.
$6,500 on DraftKings
$7,700 on FanDuel
Dylan Laube
The Raiders have had some injuries at running back this past week. Laube is expected to be a big part of the Raiders offense against the Broncos in Week 12. The price is right if you want a running back that will be involved and it allows you to pay up at other positions.
$4,000 on DraftKings
$4,000 on FanDuel
Kenneth Walker III
Walker is the primary ball carrier for the Seahawks. He has double-digit fantasy scores in all but two games this season. The Cardinals give up the 8th most fantasy points to opposing teams running backs. Eleven different running backs have scored double-digit fantasy points against the Cardinals this season. Walker will most likely make it 12.
$6,900 on DraftKings
$8,100 on FanDuel
Wide Receivers
Jauan Jennings
Jennings has 11 targets in each of the last two games. He has totaled 17 receptions, 184 yards and 1 touchdown. He has over 90 yards receiving in each of these games. The Packers are a tough defense but the Niners will throw and Jennings is the top wide receiver in the Niners offense.
$5,600 on DraftKings
$6,700 on FanDuel
Devaughn Vele
The rookie wide receiver has been making his mark, ranking second among Broncos wideouts in snaps played over Weeks 10 and 11. He’s thriving in the slot role when given opportunities.
In Week 10, he posted 4 receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown. He built on that momentum in Week 11 with 5 targets, hauling in 4 catches for 66 yards.
This young playmaker is steadily carving out a role in the Broncos’ offense—one to keep an eye on as his involvement grows!
$3,900 on DraftKings
$5,500 on FanDuel
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
JSN has over 100 yards in each of the last two games. He also has 24 targets over those two games. He had a 37% target share in those two games. In Week 12 the Seahawks play the Cardinals who are middle of the pack against wide receivers. JSN is the number-one wide receiver for the Seahawks moving forward.
$6,300 on DraftKings
$7,500 on FanDuel
Christian Watson
Watson has led the Packers in targets in the past three games. That is a 20% target share over that period of time. The Packers will have to pass to stay in the game with the Niners. Watson is the deep ball guy. Out of all the Packers receivers, Watson is the most likely to have the volume to bring some success in Week 12.
$5,200 on DraftKings
$6,100 on FanDuel
Tight Ends
Trey McBride
McBride boasts a 34% target share of the Cardinals’ passes. The Cardinals play the Seahawks in Week 12. The Seahawks are middle of the road at defending tight ends. So you have the top option in the Cardinals passing attack going up against a defense that defends his position average. I’ll take my chances with McBride.
$5,600 on DraftKings
$6,700 on FanDuel
Brock Bowers
Brock Bowers is the best receiver on the Raiders. The Raiders play the Broncos in Week 12 and the Broncos actually defend tight ends well. The Raiders also played the Broncos in Week 5. In Week 5 Bowers saw 12 targets, which he turned into 8 receptions, 97 yards, and a touchdown. I am not worried about playing Bowers in Week 12.
$6,300 on DraftKings
$7,500 on FanDuel
George Kittle
Kittle was written up in this space last week but did not play in Week 11. Kittle has scored double-digit fantasy points in seven straight games that he has played. Seven straight. Kittle will be back in the lineup in Week 12. He is the top-scoring tight end this season. Pop him back in your lineup as well.
$6,000 on DraftKings
$7,700 on FanDuel
Defense
Broncos
Looking for a great fantasy defense this week? Look no further than the Broncos. They’ve been dominant, ranking as the second-highest-scoring fantasy defense this season. Now, they face the Raiders, whose offense has been a disaster both in real life and in fantasy, allowing the second-most points to opposing defenses.
This matchup is as straightforward as it gets. Start the Broncos D with confidence and watch the points roll in. Yippee Kay Yay!
$3,200 on DraftKings
$5,100 on FanDuel
Make sure to check out all of our Week 12 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!