Week 12 FanDuel Picks
Cash Game QBs
Gardner Minshew, Colts ($6,700) vs. Buccaneers
The Bucs are confronting some key injuries on defense, with LB Lavonte David and CB Jamel Dean already ruled out. LB Devin White is questionable with a foot injury.
On Indy’s side, the Week 11 bye afforded WR Josh Downs a chance to nurse a knee injury. He’s off the Week 12 injury report.
Also note: Teams have chosen to attack the Bucs through the air, leading to the third highest pass-rate over expected. You’re not grabbing Minshew expecting 45 attempts, but 35-40 are possible in what could develop into a sneaky shootout.
Also consider: C.J. Stroud
Tournament QBs
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars ($7,800) at Texans
Lawrence rebounded last week with 32.2 FD points -- easily a season-high. It came in a plus matchup vs. Tennessee, following a stretch of largely tough matchups.
Last Sunday also brought the return of WR Zay Jones, who’d been out since Week 5.
Week 12 looks like a strong opportunity to build off the breakout. Houston will remain without S Jimmie Ward. On the year, the Texans sit 26th in FD points allowed; 22nd in pass DVOA.
Also consider: Jalen Hurts
Cash Game RBs
Rachaad White, Buccaneers ($7,000) at Colts
We’re without Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler, and other prominent RBs on this main slate. So this looks like a position to save at, and White fits as the top RB $/point option.
He’s reached 13 carries in seven of ten games. And he’s delivered in the passing game with top-seven marks in targets and catches. There’s no reason to shy away from a Colts defense allowing nearly 25 points per game.
Isaiah Pacheco, Chiefs ($6,600) at Raiders
Pacheco saw 19 carries last week in a narrow loss, giving him 16+ touches in seven of his past eight.
He’s hit 4.7 YPC in two his past past three, with help from some favorable fronts. Per Next Gen Stats, Pacheco’s faced eight-man boxes on only 14.7% of his attempts – one of the lowest marks league-wide.
Sunday turns up a road matchup with the Raiders, one that should continue his streak of fantasy-friendly volume. The Chiefs hop off the plane as 8.5-point favorites, implied for nearly 26 points. The Raiders have already allowed an 85+ yard rusher in four of their last five matchups.
The Chiefs also enter Sunday without Jerick McKinnon (groin).
Also consider: Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor
Tournament RBs
Jonathan Taylor, Colts ($7,500) vs. Bucs
Given his new workhorse role, Taylor’s simply underpriced. The 24-year-old is coming off a season-high 24 touches at New England.
As noted above, the Bucs are dealing with several key injuries on defense. So while their season-long numbers say this is a tough matchup, I think this week tells a different story.
Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($7,400) vs. New Orleans
Robinson's last outing found him out-carrying Tyler Allgeier 22-9. While Robinson hasn’t played significantly better than Allgeier this year — and HC Arthur Smith is often, well, fickle— there’s still upside coming out of a bye.
Consider: Robinson sits tied for sixth among RBs in ceiling projection. He’s eighth in RB salary. Sure, the Saints bring a tough run D, but note that Sunday’s matchup will feature two teams ranking seventh or higher in situation-neutral pace.
Also consider: Travis Etienne, Josh Jacobs
Cash Game WRs
Michael Pittman, Colts ($7,600) vs. Buccaneers
The Bucs -- absent CB Carlton Davis (ankle/foot) -- rank just 28th in FD points allowed to WRs.
Pittman, meanwhile, should be healthy coming off a bye week. He’s garnered 8+ targets and exactly 8 catches in three straight.
Nico Collins, Texans ($6,900) vs. Jaguars
The Jags-Texans game features an over/under of 47.5 – second highest on the main slate. Clearly, there’s shootout potential.
Collins would figure to play a prominent role in such a development. Noah Brown will remain out, while Collins just matched his season-high in catches (7) and targets (11) vs. Arizona. Current projections have the young Texan fourth in our WR $/point ranks.
Greg Dortch, Cardinals ($4,800) vs. Rams
Dortch plays better on full PPR sites, given his low-aDOT profile. But we’re looking at a near minimum price WR here, one with a potentially excellent target outlook.
Michael Wilson is out. And Marquise Brown appears truly questionable with a heel injury after missing practice on Thursday and Friday.
Also consider: A.J. Brown, Chris Godwin
Tournament WRs
Stefon Diggs, Bills ($8,700) at Eagles
The Eagles were gashed by Isiah Pacheco and the Chiefs last week, but we’re not expecting a repeat against Buffalo.
Expect the Bills to lean on Diggs in this one. Philly's allowed the most fantasy points to WRs on the year. No surprise there, as opposing defenses have opted for a pass-heavy approach while avoiding their talented front seven.
DeVonta Smith, Eagles ($7,400) vs. Bills
Smith tallied 6 catches for 99 yards last week at Kansas City. He drew a 36.3% target share in that one, the Eagles' first full game without Dallas Goedert.
Now, we’ll have to keep an eye on Smith’s gameday status, as he missed Friday’s practice with a knee. But he wasn’t even listed on Philly’s final injury report.
I like the matchup with a thin Bills pass D that’ll now be without S Taylor Rapp and CB Dane Jackson.
Drake London, Falcons ($6,200) at Saints
London is a borderline cash option at such a cheap price point. It really comes down to the amount of risk you want to take, as the floor remains low alongside Desmond Ridder.
Coming out of a bye, though, he’ll face a Saints unit missing top CB Marshon Lattimore. London should also be closer to full health after dealing with a groin injury.
Also consider: Cooper Kupp, Tank Dell, Chris Olave, Christian Kirk
Tight End (Cash or Tournament)
Trey McBride, Cardinals ($6,100) vs. Rams
The Cardinals have already ruled out Michael Wilson. Marquise Brown sat out practice Thursday and Friday with a heel after getting in a limited session on Wednesday.
So McBride could wind up as Kyler Murray’s go-to target in a plus matchup. The Rams have surrendered TDs to lead TEs in two of their past three matchups. On the year, they sit 26th in FD points allowed.
Also consider: Dalton Kincaid, Cade Otton
Defense (Cash or Tournament)
Broncos ($4,100) vs. Browns
Also consider: Patriots
Get the Week 12 Lowdown
Matt Schauf and Jared Smola dish out the must-have info ahead of Week 12 action.