NFL DraftKings Picks: Week 12

I’ll be posting NFL DraftKings picks here. I cannot post lineups anymore, but I will list some players I like each week.

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Week 12: Main Slate

I can no longer post any lineups, per DraftKings rules. I will be trying something different this year, which is to rank my order of preferences by position taking price into account.


Top DFS Quarterbacks:

1. Drake Maye, $6,900 (at Bengals)
2. Sam Darnold, $5,400 (at Titans)
3. Jacoby Brissett, $5,300 (vs. Jaguars)
4. Jared Goff, $6,000 (vs. Giants)
5. Caleb Williams, $5,700 (vs. Steelers)
6. Jameis Winston, $4,600 (at Lions)

You have to pay up for Drake Maye now, but he’s worth it against the dreadful Bengals. Sam Darnold also looks good versus the anemic Titans. Jameis Winston is a viable cheap option.


Top DFS Running Backs:

1. Jahymyr Gibbs, $8,300 (vs. Giants)
2. Jonathan Taylor, $10,000 (at Chiefs)
3. Alvin Kamara, $5,500 (vs. Saints)
4. Derrick Henry, $7,600 (vs. Jets)
5. Travis Etienne, $5,900 (at Cardinals)
6. Kenneth Walker, $5,400 (at Titans)
7. Quinshon Judkins, $6,000 (at Raiders)

Jahmyr Gibbs is the best value this week. His workload has increased with Dan Campbell calling plays, and he has the easiest matchup of any running back except for the New England rushers. Jonathan Taylor can be used as well, especially with his high price tag causing sticker shock to some DFS players. Meanwhile, there are some solid options in the $5K range. Alvin Kamara has a very easy matchup, while Kenneth Walker saw a goal-line carry for the first time last week.


Top DFS Wide Receivers:

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, $9,000 (at Titans)
2. Rome Odunze, $6,100 (vs. Steelers)
3. Jameson Williams, $5,700 (vs. Giants)
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, $8,000 (vs. Giants)
5. George Pickens, $6,900 (vs. Eagles)
6. Zay Flowers, $6,300 (vs. Jets)
7. Mitchell Tinsley, $3,000 (vs. Patriots)
8. DeVonta Smith, $5,600 (at Cowboys)
9. Alec Pierce, $5,000 (at Chiefs)
10. Michael Wilson, $4,800 (vs. Jaguars)
11. Andrei Iosivas, $4,100 (vs. Patriots)
12. Rashid Shaheed, $4,600 (at Titans)

Jaxson Smith-Njigba is the best play at receiver despite being the most expensive player at his position. Rome Odunze and Jameson Williams both have tremendous matchups this week. Mitchell Tinsley will start in favor of Ja’Marr Chase.


Top DFS Tight Ends:

1. Trey McBride, $6,800 (vs. Jaguars)
2. Hunter Henry, $3,900 (at Bengals)
3. Mark Andrews, $3,800 (vs. Jets)
4. Chig Okonkwo, $3,700 (vs. Seahawks)
5. Dallas Goedert, $4,200 (at Cowboys)

You’re either playing Trey McBride or one of the cheaper guys because no one is coming close to McBride in production.


Top DFS Defenses:

1. Seahawks, $4,000 (at Titans)
2. Browns, $2,900 (at Raiders)
3. Raiders, $3,500 (vs. Browns)
4. Saints, $2,500 (vs. Falcons)
5. Ravens, $3,900 (vs. Ravens)
6. Patriots, $3,800 (at Bengals)

Shedeur Sanders may get sacked a dozen times this week, so the Raiders are intriguing. However, the Seahawks are the top play with their pressure rate against another quarterback who holds the ball for an eternity. The Saints are a nice cheap play against Kirk Cousins.




Players to Avoid: Lamar Jackson (6700), Jalen Hurts (6600), Darnell Mooney (4800). Lamar Jackson appears to be injured, which is affecting his rushing ability. … Jalen Hurts is often far worse without Lane Johnson. Darnell Mooney has been a big disappointment this year, and he has not connected with Kirk Cousins.

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Week 12: Buccaneers at Rams Showdown Slate

Top Captains: Matthew Stafford (16200), Davante Adams (14700). I don’t like Puka Nacua as a captain because he doesn’t score many touchdowns. He has a higher floor than everyone, so he is better off being a flex. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford could throw a bunch of touchdowns again. If he does, Davante Adams could catch a bulk of them because he’s targeted so often in the end zone.

Top Spend-Up FLEX (in addition to Top Captains): Puka Nacua (11800), Kyren Williams (10000). As mentioned, Puka Nacua is better off being a flex. Kyren Williams looks good as a flex as well, given that Tampa Bay’s run defense has declined recently.

Top Value: Blake Corum (3000). Blake Corum has gotten 12, 13, 13, and eight carries in his previous four games. He’s doing a lot for a backup.

Top Punt Play: Colby Parkinson (2400), Davis Allen (2000), Terrance Ferguson (1600). Tyler Higbee is out, so the other Rams tight ends will do more than usual. The problem is projecting which tight end will score a touchdown.

Player to Avoid: Chris Godwin (7600). Chris Godwin is returning to the field, but I don’t trust him to do much.

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Week 12: Panthers at 49ers Showdown Slate

Top Captains: George Kittle (12900). The Panthers usually struggle against tight ends, and now they’ll be worse against them with their two top linebackers being injured.

Top Spend-Up FLEX (in addition to Top Captains): Christian McCaffrey (12400), Brock Purdy (10000). Christian McCaffrey will likely be needed for the raw points. Brock Purdy, meanwhile, looks healthy for the first time since Week 1.

Top Value: Jalen Coker (4000). Jalen Coker has seen four targets in each of the past two games. With the Panthers needing to throw often, he could continue to see as many or more tagets.

Top Punt Play: Ja’Tavion Sanders (2800). Some might be willing to play Tommy Tremble because of the meme-like last name, but Ja’Tavon Sanders has seen nine targets in the past two games. The 49ers also happen to struggle against tight ends.

Player to Avoid: Rico Dowdle (10400). Rico Dowdle seems to be too expensive for a team that figures to trail by double digits in this game.