If you read my weekly column from last week, played the top DFS stack of Jared Goff, David Montgomery, and Jameson Williams, congratulations on cashing in your contest(s). Week 12’s 10-game slate will be a bit more challenging with six teams on bye. Nevertheless, I have done the research to identify my top three cash and GPP plays at the skilled positions, top positional fade, and top stacks to help YOU win big. Without further ado, it is time to discuss my Week 12 NFL DraftKings picks for the main slate.
Week 12 NFL DFS Picks for the Main Slate
Quarterbacks
Jayden Daniels (QB – WAS): DK $7,000 vs. DAL (Cash)
After starting off the season strong, Jayden Daniels has finished outside the top 12 in two straight weeks. Daniel’s slump comes to an end this week with the Cowboys coming to town. Dallas, schedule adjusted ranks fourth in most DK points allowed per game to QBs with 20.6. (per Pro Football Reference). Washington is a heavy favorite at (-10.5) and has the second-highest implied team total of (27.5). Although Daniels will command high rostership, eat the chalk, enjoy those DK points racking up, and get unique elsewhere in your lineup construction.
Tua Tagovailoa (QB – MIA): DK $5,800 vs. NE (GPP)
Fresh off his Week 11 QB10 finish, Tua Tagovailoa has the Dolphins in the playoff hunt with a two-game winning streak. With Detroit/Indianapolis and Arizona/Seattle matchups garnering attention from the DFS community, New England-Miami may get overlooked. Just last week the Patriots allowed a QB6 performance to Matthew Stafford. I understand division games are tough to predict, but Tagovailoa is in a nice spot. Not only will Tagovailoa succeed against the Patriots’ defense, but I believe he can finish as a top-five option this week.
Anthony Richardson (QB – IND): DK $5,600 vs. DET (Cash)
If you are a true football fan, you have to be happy for Anthony Richardson. Richardson willed his team to victory against the New York Jets with 304 total yards (272 passing, 32 rushing) and three touchdowns (1 passing, 2 rushing). Easily his best game as a pro. As good as Richardson played in Week 11, he will need to go to another level against the best team in football (Detroit Lions). On paper, the matchup is not good. The Lions are fifth in the fewest DK points allowed to QBs (per Pro Football Reference). However, Detroit is susceptible to mobile QBs. This game has the highest over/under on the slate of (50.5) with Indy as (+7.5) point home underdogs. Richardson’s reasonable salary will draw rostership, but he is my favorite point-per-dollar play on the slate (regardless of position).
Sam Darnold (QB – MIN): DK $5,900 at CHI (Fade)
Last week against Tennessee Sam Darnold bounced back completing 20 of 32 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns. Good enough for QB9. Count me out this week as Minnesota heads to Chicago for a division matchup. On the season, the Bears give up the fewest DK points to QBs with 12.9 per game (per Pro Football Reference). Chicago is in dire need of a win and I think they will get it. Pay the extra $200 DK for Baker Mayfield in a better spot.
Running Backs
Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – DET): DK $7,300 at IND (Cash)
The RB position is loaded with good plays this week. It is a shame DK only allows players to play three RBs because I want to play them all. Since I cannot, please make sure to plug in Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs’ matchup versus the Colts is a good one. Indy, schedule adjusted concedes the ninth most DK points per game with 25 (per Pro Football Reference). Breece Hall had seven receptions en route to an RB3 finish against Indy’s defense. Gibbs is a dangerous man in space and if he gets the receiving work like Hall did, an RB1 finish is very possible.
Kareem Hunt (RB – KC): DK $5,700 at CAR (Cash)
Some folks believed that Isiah Pacheco was ready to return back to action but Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is sitting him out one more week. Fire up Kareem Hunt. Carolina returns from their bye week to send off Hunt in style. The Panthers give up the most DK points to RBs with 31.7 per game (per Pro Football Reference). With Kansas City (-10.5) point road favorites I expect Hunt to score multiple touchdowns, achieve over 100 scrimmage yards, and finish inside the top five.
Bucky Irving (RB – TB): DK $5,300 at NYG (GPP)
It was reported earlier this week that Todd Bowles may play three running backs against the New York football Giants. As a result, Bucky Irving is flying under the radar. Irving has averaged 20+ DK points in four out of his last five matchups. New York, schedule adjusted, allows the 10th most DK points to RBs with 24.5 per game (per Pro Football Reference). With Daniel Jones no longer under center, I am not sure how the Giants will be competitive. Give Irving all the opportunities he can handle.
Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND): DK $7,100 vs. DET (Fade)
If Indy wants to win this game against Detroit, they need to run the football. That starts with Jonathan Taylor. As good as Taylor is, I am unsure if he can overcome such an awful matchup. In spite of the Lions’ injuries on defense, they rank fifth in the fewest DK points allowed to RBs (per Pro Football Reference). Taylor’s lack of receiving work along with Richardson’s inside the five-yard line red zone touches caps his upside. I prefer Josh Jacobs in a better spot for $300 less DK.
Wide Receivers
Josh Downs (WR – IND): DK $6,200 vs. DET (Cash)
Detroit may be the most formidable team in football but they are not invincible. The Lions are also vulnerable to WRs (slot in particular). Enter Josh Downs. This is the area of the field where Downs operate for Indy. Detroit, schedule adjusted ranks third in most DK points allowed per game to WRs with 39.8 (per Pro Football Reference). The Lions will be without the services of rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold so Downs has enormous upside. Spike week incoming.
Calvin Ridley (WR – TEN): DK $5,700 at HOU (Cash)
Had it not been for a huge touchdown called back last week Minnesota more people would be talking up Calvin Ridley this week. However, Ridley’s involvement post DeAndre Hopkins trade warrants cash consideration. Ridley is playing on 90% of snaps, averaging eight targets, and 72 yards in the last three weeks. Ridley’s matchup against the Texans is good. Houston, schedule adjusted surrenders the ninth most DK points to WRs with 36.2 per game (per Pro Football Reference). Wheels up in another negative game script for Ridley.
Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA): DK $5,300 vs. NE (GPP)
This has been a lost season for Jaylen Waddle. Between battling injuries, along with Tua missing time, targets have been hard to come by. So much so that Waddle is fourth in the pecking order behind De’Von Achane, Tyreek Hill, and Jonnu Smith. For this week, there’s a chance we see Waddle’s first double-digit output since Week 1. New England Patriots top cornerback Christian Gonzalez will be guarding Tyreek Hill. Waddle will be covered by Marco Wilson. Wilson has a PFF grade of 57.7 while allowing a 73% catch rate (per PFF). If no one else believes in Waddle this week, I do.
Deebo Samuel Sr. (WR – SF): DK $6,500 at GB (Fade)
San Francisco will be without Brock Purdy this week. It’s not ideal for a team fighting to make a playoff push. Opportunities will be few and far between for Deebo Samuel Sr. Fellow teammate Jauan Jennings has out-targeted Deebo in the last two weeks (22-13), George Kittle is scheduled to play and oh there’s Christian McCaffrey. Green Bay is ninth in the fewest DK points allowed to WRs (per Pro Football Reference). For $100 more DK, give me DK Metcalf.
Tight Ends
Travis Kelce (TE – KC): DK $5,800 at CAR (Cash)
Prior to last week, Travis Kelce (from Weeks 8-10) had scored 20+ DK points per game. Kelce looks to get back on track against a porous defense. Carolina, schedule adjusted, allows the second most DK points to opposing TEs with 16.7 per game (per Pro Football Reference). Kelce is in position to smash so make sure to play him before his salary eclipses $6,000 again.
Sam LaPorta (TE – DET): DK $4,300 at IND (GPP)
After missing last week’s against Jacksonville Sam LaPorta is back in a plus matchup versus Indy. The Colts are bad at covering the middle of the field. Indianapolis ranks fifth for most DK points allowed to TEs (per Pro Football Reference). LaPorta is an inexpensive way to get exposure to the slate’s highest O/U and leverage against costlier TEs. LaPorta was the TE4 in Week 10. I like his chances for a top-five finish this week.
Luke Schoonmaker (TE – DAL): DK $2,500 (Cash) at WAS
On Monday night football Jake Ferguson got ruled out early with a concussion. Week 12’s slate was already up which is why Luke Schoonmaker’s salary is so low. Schoonmaker was the TE10 with 6 receptions for 56 yards off of 10 targets. The matchup against Washington should keep Schoonmaker busy. The Commanders give up the 12th most DK points to TEs (per Pro Football Reference).
Cade Otton (TE – TB): DK $5,500 at NYG (Fade)
Mike Evans has returned from injury and it is unclear how it will affect Cade Otton moving forward. If Tampa Bay trails at any point in this matchup, Otton may not be the best option to attack the Giants’ secondary. New York is the second stingiest team against opposing TEs with 7.6 per game (per Pro Football Reference). Trey McBride is preferred for $100 more DK.
Top Stacks
1. Lions-Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta
2. Commanders-Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, Noah Brown
3. Dolphins-Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle
4. Cardinals-Kyler Murray, James Conner, Marvin Harrison Jr.
5. Colts-Anthony Richardson, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce
Make sure to check out all of our Week 12 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!