Week 12 FanDuel Picks
Quarterback
Cash Game Option
Matt Ryan, Falcons ($7,900) vs. Tampa Bay
Ryan pops up #1 on the $/point ranks, which you can find each week on our DFS tool.
He draws a Tampa Bay pass D that’s allowed the 2nd most fantasy points to enemy passers. They’ve allowed 2+ passing scores in 8 straight.
At home and with a banged up running game, Ryan looks like a high-floor, high-ceiling option.
Tournament Target
Baker Mayfield, Browns ($7,500) vs. Miami
This one’s all about the matchup, as Baker hasn’t inspired much confidence with his performance thus far. (The only silver lining is a pair of 2-TD outings over his last 2.)
The Dolphins have allowed nearly 8.1 YPA to QBs, plus 2+ TDs to 7 of their past 9 opponents. With the Browns implied for a slate-high 28.25 points, Mayfield makes for a strong stack with Odell Beckham.
FanShare Ownership Projection: 13.0%
Also consider: Russell Wilson
Running Back
Cash Game Options
Alvin Kamara, Saints ($8,300) vs. Carolina
In 2 games since returning from injury, Kamara’s tallied 18 catches while averaging almost 6.0 yards per carry (17 attempts).
He should be featured a bit more on the ground on Sunday against a Carolina unit that’s allowed 18 total scores to RBs — most league-wide. The Saints enter as 10-point home favorites implied for nearly 28 points.
Leonard Fournette, Jaguars ($7,000) at Indianapolis
The Jags underutilized Fournette in their last matchup, feeding him only 8 carries. Before that he went on a Week 10 bye — so he should be fresh entering this one.
The Titans are weaker vs. the pass than vs. the run, but it’s hard to turn down a true workhorse in a game that’s expected to remain close. Fournette’s also set for some positive scoring regression given his massive red zone usage. Surprisingly, he’s scored just once so far in 2019.
Tournament Target
Phillip Lindsay, Broncos ($6,300) at Buffalo
This game might be the lowest-scoring on the slate, but someone has to produce …
Right?
Lindsay looks like the top candidate on Denver’s side. He’s coming off a game with 16 carries and 2 targets. Now he draws a Buffalo D sitting 27th in Football Outsiders run DVOA. Another 15+ touches are likely in this one.
FanShare Ownership Projection: 9.7%
Also consider: Le’Veon Bell, Derrick Henry, Kareem Hunt
Wide Receiver
Cash Game Options
Julio Jones, Falcons ($8,400) vs. Tampa Bay
Jones vs. Michael Thomas is certainly close, but I’ll take the $800 discount on the Falcon.
You simply can’t beat a matchup with Tampa Bay. The Bucs have surrendered the most yards, TDs and fantasy points to enemy WRs. They’ve allowed 8 WRs to reach the 100-yard mark since Week 3.
With no Austin Hooper and a running game that’s likely to struggle, Jones should be peppered with targets.
D.J. Moore, Panthers ($6,400) at New Orleans
Not much to say here. Moore’s been among the most consistent WRs league-wide, rattling off 5+ catches in 6 straight. He’s hit 95 yards in 3 consecutive matchups.
Next up is a Saints pass defense that might remain without shutdown CB Marshon Lattimore due to a hamstring injury.
Tournament Target
Odell Beckham, Browns ($7,000) vs. Miami
He’s not a traditional tournament play in the sense that he’ll be noticeably owned. But we’re talking about one of the league’s top WR talents against the league’s thinnest secondary. And he’s $7,000.
I find that proposition hard to pass up. The Fins have routinely allowed #1 WRs to go off, most recently surrendering 9-137-2 at home to John Brown. As a unit, Pro Football Focus grades this unit 29th in pass coverage — with the league’s worst pass rush. I’d be surprised if Beckham doesn’t break loose for a couple of explosive plays.
FanShare Ownership Projection: 16.5%
Also consider: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Tyler Lockett, Calvin Ridley, Terry McLaurin, Robby Anderson
Tight End
Vance McDonald, Steelers ($5,300) at Cincinnati
The Steelers will be down JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner on Sunday, which should force more work McDonald’s way.
He’s already reached 7 targets in 3 straight. And among TEs, only Greg Olsen has run more routes over that stretch. Against a punchless Cincy defense, McDonald will carry top-5 TE upside.
FanShare Ownership Projection: 9.1%
Also consider: Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert
Defense
Cash Game Option
Steelers ($5,000) at Bengals
Tournament Target
Broncos ($3,800) at Bills