Yahoo DFS Football: Week 12 Picks

Yahoo DFS Football: Week 12 Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Football series.

Another exciting slate of NFL action is on tap in Week 12, with 12 games scheduled for the Sunday main slate beginning at 1:00 PM Eastern time. Additionally, the Colts and Texans will face off on Thursday Night Football, the Ravens and Rams will meet on Monday Night Football, and the four teams on bye are the Cardinals, Chiefs, Chargers and Vikings. Even with some high-powered offenses out of the equation, there's no shortage of enticing options to choose from. Among the suggestions below are a backup quarterback set to capitalize on a favorable matchup and a couple of standout rookie wide receivers who should continue to turn heads.

TOURNAMENTS (GPP – GUARANTEED PRIZE POOL)

QB: Jeff Driskel, DET at WAS ($24): If Matthew Stafford (back) sits another game, Driskel could deliver superb bang for the buck at just $24. Driskel has shown some nice running ability in his two starts since Stafford got injured, rushing 13 times for 88 yards and a touchdown. He's been competent as a passer as well, averaging 239 passing yards with a 3:1 TD:INT. Meanwhile, the Redskins just allowed a four-touchdown game to Sam Darnold, who came into that contest with a 7:9 TD:INT on the season. 

RB: Kareem Hunt, CLE vs. MIA ($17): Nick Chubb is still Cleveland's primary weapon on the ground, but Hunt has carved out a nice role for himself in his first two games back from suspension. The former Chiefs star has rushed the ball 10 times for 42 yards while catching 13 of 17 targets for another 90. With a nice volume floor thanks to his involvement in the passing game, Hunt should rip off some big plays in the open field against a Dolphins team that's surrendering 30.5 points per game.

WR: Terry McLaurin, WAS vs. DET ($20): It's hard to trust any member of the Redskins' offense right now, but McLaurin has shown a propensity for big plays and will face a Lions defense that gives up the third-most passing yards per game at 288.6. The rookie wide receiver has topped 60 yards in five of nine games played and has five touchdowns, making McLaurin the clear-cut top target for rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins. With the Redskins likely to be playing from behind, McLaurin should get plenty of opportunities to make plays downfield.

Other Against-the-Grainers

QB: Aaron Rodgers (GB, $31), Sam Darnold (NYJ, $26)

RB: Ezekiel Elliott (DAL, $29), Todd Gurley (LAR, $20), Brian Hill (ATL, $13)

WR: Marvin Jones (DET, $21), John Brown (BUF, $19), Golden Tate (NYG, $18)

TE: Ryan Griffin (NYJ, $14), Darren Waller (OAK, $21)

DST: Detroit Lions (at WAS, $14), Seattle Seahawks (at PHI, $15)

CASH GAMES (H2H, 50/50s and DOUBLE UPS)

QUARTERBACK

Matt Ryan, ATL vs. TB ($33): For all the flack Ryan's gotten this season, he has still topped 300 passing yards in seven of nine games while adding three-plus touchdown passes in four of those seven 300-yard outings. With Atlanta's backfield decimated by injuries, the Falcons should throw early and often against a Buccaneers team that's giving up the most points (31.3) and second-most passing yards (290.9) per game in the league. The Buccaneers can put up points in a hurry themselves, so expect to find plenty of fantasy value in what should be a shootout.

RUNNING BACK

Jaylen Samuels, PIT at CIN ($17): James Conner's (shoulder) availability for this one is unclear, and Samuels should remain involved even if Conner suits up. The versatile running back delivered a gem of a stat line when these teams met back in Week 4 -- 10 carries for 26 yards and a touchdown, eight receptions for 57 yards and 3-for-3 passing for 31 yards out of the wildcat. That performance from Samuels came with Conner also playing, so imagine what Samuels can do against the league's worst run defense (167.0 yards allowed per game) if Conner sits.

Alvin Kamara, NO vs. CAR ($32): Kamara was eased back into action with only four carries two weeks ago, but any restrictions were lifted in last week's win over Tampa Bay. The versatile running back carved up a stingy Buccaneers run defense with 75 yards on 13 carries, and he was targeted 10 times for the second straight game, this time catching all 10. Carolina allows the sixth-most rushing yards per game at 128.4, so Kamara's a threat to deliver a huge performance as both a rusher and receiver.

WIDE RECEIVER

Mike Evans, TB at ATL ($35): While New Orleans' Michael Thomas is running away with the league receiving yards crown, Evans is the only other man over 900 with 993 yards. Evans has been especially explosive on his best days, with at least 180 yards and a touchdown on three separate occasions this season. The Falcons are one of five teams that have allowed at least 1,800 yards and 12 touchdowns to wide receivers this season -- two of the other four are on bye, while the Giants are facing the lowly Bears offense and the last team on the list is Evans' own Tampa Bay squad.

Odell Beckham, CLE vs. MIA ($22): Beckham is in the midst of a disappointing first season in Cleveland, but he has a nice opportunity to make amends, at least for one week. His $22 valuation is tied for the lowest it has been all season, even though Beckham is coming off five consecutive games with over 50 yards and has averaged five catches per game in those past five. Beckham's talent should shine through against the lowly Dolphins, making this an ideal buy-low opportunity.

DK Metcalf, SEA at PHI ($20): Metcalf wasn't targeted more than seven times in any of his first six NFL games, but the standout rookie has been thrown to at least nine times in three of the past four games. With Tyler Lockett potentially limited by a shin injury, Metcalf's role could increase even further coming out of Seattle's bye. He might not be available for as little as $20 much longer.

TIGHT END

Zach Ertz, PHI vs. SEA ($22): With the Cardinals on bye this week, there's actually some thought that needs to go into the tight end position instead of just plugging in whomever's facing Arizona. Ertz has reemerged as an elite tight end over the past two weeks following a disappointing stretch, as he's stepped up for the receiver-strapped Eagles with consecutive nine-catch performances adding up to 197 yards and a touchdown. The Seahawks are one of seven teams to allow over 600 yards to tight ends already this season, so they'll have trouble slowing Ertz down.

DEFENSE

Chicago Bears, CHI vs. NYG ($19): Chicago's defense goes out there every week knowing it will likely be getting limited offensive support, and this matchup should provide plenty of opportunities to force game-altering turnovers. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has eight interceptions in nine games, and he has put the ball on the ground 13 times, including 10 times in the last four games alone. Each of the Giants' past three opponents have scored fumble return touchdowns, and Chicago has the playmakers on defense to extend that streak.

Honorable Mentions1

QB: Jameis Winston (TB, $33), Drew Brees (NO, $31)

RB: Nick Chubb (CLE, $31), Derrick Henry (TEN, $30), David Montgomery (CHI, $18)

WR: Julio Jones (ATL, $35), Tyrell Williams (OAK, $25), Allen Robinson (CHI, $22)

TE: Cameron Brate (TB, $12), Jacob Hollister (SEA, $18)

DST: Cleveland Browns (vs. MIA, $16), Buffalo Bills (vs. DEN, $16)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Sasha Yodashkin plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: Youngsash, DraftKings: Yashdogg,Yahoo: Sasha, Fanball: Yashdogg.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sasha Yodashkin
Sasha has been contributing NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB and Tennis content to RotoWire since 2015, with an emphasis on DFS. He is a huge New York sports fan who has been playing fantasy sports since middle school.
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