Welcome to the Fantrax Week 12 FAAB Guide!
With another thrilling week officially in the books, we’re eager for an exciting new slate of games in the National Football League. But from the aftermath of last week, there are a new batch of readily available players that could provide a much-needed boost to your roster. Which one(s) should you grab? Are they starters that you can rely on for the rest of season (ROS), or just another batch of one-hit wonders? This weekly Fantrax FAAB Guide will help you with these decisions and serves as a resource on how to manage your FAAB, i.e. Free Agent Acquisition Budget.
Each week, I’ll outline available players (with <70% Fantrax availability) that should be picked up and my recommendations on how much of your FAAB should be used on your bids for them. If you don’t see a popular name mentioned below, then they are likely already rostered on over 70% of Fantrax leagues (e.g. James White, J.K. Dobbins, Dallas Goedert). If your league utilizes standard waiver claims instead of the FAAB system, then you can still use these recommendations to prioritize your waiver claims. Also, make sure to catch our weekly Waiver Wire report as well.
Since each Fantasy Football league’s format is different, I will suggest bid amounts by percentage rather than dollar amount. Also, since each league is different, use this guide as general advice but apply it with your knowledge of your own league mates. For example, if you want to bid on Gus Edwards but your league is full of Ravens fans, then you should probably bid higher than suggested below.
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Week 12 FAAB Guide
QUARTERBACKS
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (58% rostered in Fantrax Leagues)
The talk of the town last week was all about Taysom Hill and his TE eligibility in ESPN and FanDuel leagues. Head coach Sean Payton shocked everyone when he announced that Hill, not Jameis Winston, would take over the reins after QB Drew Brees suffered multiple fractured ribs and a collapsed lung in Week 10. Any starting QB is an obvious must-start in the TE slot, but would the 30-year-old gadget player be worth starting at QB?
Taysom Hill turns on the jets 💨
His 2nd rushing TD of the game
(via @Saints)pic.twitter.com/JQvruC0YwO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 22, 2020
While we were cautiously optimistic that Hill could “Tim Tebow” his way to a safe rushing floor, he surpassed expectations with a performance more akin to Bills savior Josh Allen. In a victory over Atlanta, Hill completed 18 of 23 pass attempts for 233 yards. Pedestrian numbers, sure, but he also carried the rock 10 times for 51 yards and TWO touchdowns. His rushing scores boosted his numbers enough to make him a QB1 in Week 11. What’s more impressive is he could’ve added a passing TD if he didn’t underthrow a bomb to Emmanuel Sanders. With a decent matchup on deck against the Broncos in Week 12, followed by a repeat game against the Falcons — who’ve given up the MOST points to QBs — Hill is one of this week’s top waiver add and worthy of a hefty FAAB bid.
Recommended Week 12 FAAB Bids: 5% in regular leagues, 15-20% in 2QB or SF leagues.
Daniel Jones, New York Giants (68% rostered)
It’s been a wildly inconsistent season thus far for Giants QB Daniel Jones. Then again, the same could be said for ALL of the NFC East. The second-year QB last completed 21 of 28 passes for 244 scoreless yards in a victory over the inept Eagles. He also had nine carries for 64 yards and a TD. Now freshly rested off his bye, Jones will look for a late-season resurgence against a forgiving Bengals defense.
While it’s never comforting to rely on Jones, he admittedly had an extremely rough schedule prior to his bye. His upcoming matches against Cincinnati, Seattle, and Arizona are all ideal opponents that Jones should take advantage of. While I think Jones could be a top-12 QB in Week 12, I’d also recommend not watching him attempt to do so.
Recommended Week 12 FAAB Bids: 2-3% in regular leagues, 12-15% in 2QB or SF leagues.
RUNNING BACKS
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens (57% rostered)
Last week was a breakout performance for Ohio State product J.K. Dobbins. Like Lions rookie D’Andre Swift did in Week 10, the Ravens rookie finally took over the backfield. He logged 17 touches for 85 total yards and a rushing score in a narrow overtime loss against the Titans. His involvement led the team over fellow RBs’ Gus Edwards (three carries for six yards) and Mark Ingram (two carries for two yards).
But also like Swift, Dobbins will, unfortunately, be unable to build momentum as he and Ingram both contracted COVID-19. Their positive tests will make them inactive for Week 12’s rematch against the Steelers stout defense. That means Edwards will be the clear-cut lead back on a prolific offense built around the run game.
While Pittsburgh presents the WORST matchup for opposing RBs, he still managed 87 yards and a TD against them last month. Though he’s only startable while Dobbins and Ingram are inactive, Edwards’ expected usage makes him deserving of a serious FAAB bid. His potentially large workload and scoring upside qualify him as Week 12’s NUMBER ONE pickup. If you can’t afford him, then Justice Hill (19% rostered) is a serviceable budget pivot.
Recommended Week 12 FAAB Bids: 12-15%
Carlos Hyde, Seattle Seahawks (64% rostered)
In Fantasy Football, a lead RB on a red-hot offense is worth his weight in gold. Such is the case for perennial journeyman Carlos Hyde, who found himself commandeering Seattle’s backfield behind scorching chef Russell Wilson. Hyde notched 14 carries for 70 yards and a TD in a win over the Cardinals under the TNF spotlight. He also added two catches from three targets for an additional 16 yards, making him Week 11’s RB7.
Carlos Hyde delivers the BOOM 💥 pic.twitter.com/bH7Q0XGZNo
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 20, 2020
Though fellow backups DeeJay Dallas, Travis Homer, and even Alex Collins proved to be adequate fill-ins, it’s evident that Hyde trumps them all in the pecking order. He was debilitated from a hamstring injury that rendered him inactive for the prior three weeks, yet he still led all RBs upon his return. The Seahawks face a formidable Eagles D-line in Week 12, and lead rusher Chris Carson is expected back this week. But if Carson is out yet again, then Hyde could see another week of top-10 fantasy production.
Recommended Week 12 FAAB Bids: 7-10%
Frank Gore, New York Jets (45% rostered)
It’s never fun rostering someone under the tutelage of human tonsil stone Adam Gase, but Frank Gore may prove to be the exception. The ageless wonder rushed 15 times for 61 yards and a TD in a loss to the Chargers. He also caught both targets for an extra 13 yards. Though rookie La’Mical Perine was expected to take over the helm after Le’Veon Bell was cut earlier this year, he’s inexplicably taken a backseat to Gore instead.
Things won’t change as Perine suffered a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss time. That means Gore should see more opportunities as the sole leader of the Jets backfield. It’s not ideal, but any starting RB during a brutal COVID-infested season is worth rostering. He’ll have a decent shot to produce against a mediocre Miami defense in Week 12. Gore will also have TD upside as the Dolphins just gave up two rushing scores to the Broncos’ Melvin Gordon.
Recommended Week 12 FAAB Bids: 5-7%
WIDE RECEIVERS
Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons (47% rostered)
What a meltdown. The Falcons were unable to get any sort of rhythm going during a horrendous loss to against the Saints. But one of the lone bright spots was the 2018 sixth-round pick from LSU, Russell Gage. He reeled in seven of 12 (!) passes for 58 yards, which led the team in targets. His usage spiked with stud wideout Julio Jones hobbled by a nagging hamstring injury.
With Jones now a game-time decision for Week 12, Gage will continue to see high usage as one of Matt Ryan’s favorite targets. They get to face the Raiders’ middling defense, who just showcased their inept secondary on primetime against the Chiefs. Gage is a Flex-worthy option who gets a tremendous upgrade in PPR leagues.
Recommended Week 12 FAAB Bids: 7-10%
Damiere Byrd, New England Patriots (13% rostered)
Just when Jakobi Meyer was heating up, fellow Patriots receiver Damiere Byrd burst through the doors in Houston to extinguish the flames. Byrd nabbed six of seven targets for an incredible 132 yards and a TD, adding an 11-yard carry.
Damiere Byrd showing off his ball-tracking ability pic.twitter.com/VCLX2FyYYL
— Receiver Life (@ReceiverLife_) November 23, 2020
While it’s difficult to trust Byrd — who was coming off a goose egg blunder against the Ravens — a look at his past games reveals a trend. The deep threat has garnered 10+ PPR points in EVERY favorable matchup so far:
- Week 2 at SEA: 13.2 fantasy points
- Week 9 at NYJ: 11.5 pts
- Week 11 at HOU: 26.3 pts
Recommended Week 12 FAAB Bids: 5%
Nelson Agholor, Las Vegas Raiders (44% rostered)
Guess who’s back in the conversation? None other than Raiders WR Nelson Agholor!
*crickets*
It’s an understandable reaction as the once stone-handed receiver has been lackluster in his five years with the Eagles. But with a new dawn, there’s a new day, which is exactly what Agholor has apparently needed with a rejuvenation in Sin City. Though he’s had a rollercoaster of results this season, he’s coming off an outstanding performance against the Chiefs. During a loss to the Chiefs on SNF, he caught six of nine targets for 88 yards and a TD. He has a chance to heat up with a Charmin-soft matchup in Week 12 against a charitable Falcons secondary.
BEAUTIFUL pass and catch for the @Raiders TD. @derekcarrQB ➡️ Nelson Agholor
📺: #KCvsLV on NBC
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/O0IlFC03uf pic.twitter.com/HAhpps1NGz— NFL (@NFL) November 23, 2020
But strangely, Agholor has done surprisingly well only against stout opponents, tallying 50+ yards AND a TD against the last five top-10 defenses he’s faced. Conversely, he’s been devastatingly unsatisfactory otherwise, recently nabbing just eight yards in Week 10 against the Broncos and a donut in Week 8 against the Browns. Both opponents were favorable matchups on paper. He gets an incredibly weak Falcons defense in Week 12, followed by another layup matchup in against the Jets. But Agholor is always a volatile, risky play, so roster and start him at your own risk.
Recommended Week 12 FAAB Bids: 3-5%
TIGHT ENDS
Jordan Reed, San Francisco 49ers (32% rostered)
Last week, I recommended you all to grab Jordan Reed:
“He’s back! The talented glassman Jordan Reed just caught five of six targets for 62 yards against the Saints. In an ugly, TD-dependent skill position, Reed finished as the TE5 without even scoring. That’s how depressing the TE landscape has been this year. With George Kittle likely out for the season, Reed could see a return to his glory days as a top-10 TE ROS. The Pro Bowler also has an advantageous schedule as well, making him worthy of a significant bid. If you’re struggling at TE (i.e., you don’t have Travis Kelce), then add a few extra FAAB bucks to your bid to ensure his place on your team. If you’re successful, enjoy him while you still can.
The same applies now after his bye. If you need help at the TE position (who doesn’t?), then spend a few more FAAB bucks on him. He’s worth it… while he lasts.
Recommended Week 12 FAAB Bids: 7%
Jordan Akins, Houston Texans (18% rostered)
Has Jordan Akins finally emerged as the lead TE for the Texans? Judging by last week, it sure seems so. Akins grabbed five of six targets for 83 yards in a win over the Patriots. His six targets were twice as much as fellow TE Darren Fells, who often siphoned touches from each other. With Randall Cobb possibly inactive on a short week for Thursday’s Thanksgiving showdown against the Lions, Akins could continue to see worthwhile usage as the primary TE. It’s a gamble, but so is practically every other TE this year minus Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, and (lately) Mark Andrews. With such a desolate landscape, there are certainly worse options.
Recommended Week 12 FAAB Bids: 3%
Chris Herndon, New York Jets (36% rostered)
It’s about time. That’s what most Fantasy Football managers said when they saw their draft sleeper darling Chris Herndon FINALLY do something worthwhile. He caught a paltry two of three targets for 32 yards and a TD during a loss to the Chargers. Yet, his measly stat-line was a godsend as it was his best fantasy outing all year. But with an unfavorable matchup against the Dolphins looming, Herndon is just a risky gamble for Week 12.
Recommended Week 12 FAAB Bids: 2-3%
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