Weekly Positional Rankings: Week 12

In this series, I’ll give you my top 30 quarterbacks, 60 running backs, 60 wide receivers, and 30 tight ends each week to help you with your start/sit decisions in your leagues. To generate this list each and every week, I examine team trends, Vegas over/unders, implied points, pace of play, among various other factors to build a projection for each player and subsequently adjust rankings for upside and more detailed matchup specifics.

Among the rankings, there will surely be some that surprise you or that you may disagree with. At the end of each position section, I’ll give you my thoughts on some players that perhaps are ranked higher/lower than you might expect and insights as to why they are a good/bad play this week. Ultimately, these rankings should help your start/sit dilemmas and ensure you have the requisite resources to make an informed decision. The fantasy playoffs are just a few weeks away, and start/sit decisions could be the difference between a bye week, having a first round matchup, or looking in from the outside.

Without further ado, let’s dive into Week 12’s positional rankings!

Quarterbacks

Start ‘em: Baker Mayfield, QB CLE

The time has finally come: the time where you can confidently start Mayfield again. It’s been a woefully disappointing season for Mayfield and the Browns, but as of late, the former number one selection has performed well against solid defenses. Over the last three weeks, Mayfield has averaged 18.8 fantasy points per game, which ranks 14th among quarterbacks who have played at least two games over that stretch. This has come against Denver, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh; these are three of the better defenses in the NFL. Playing at home against Miami this week, trust Baker as a back-end top ten quarterback option with three touchdown upside.

Sit ‘em: Tom Brady, QB NE

The ageless wonder himself has performed admirably for fantasy GMs thus far thanks, in part, to an incredible soft first-half schedule. Brady ranks as the QB13 in fantasy points per game on the year. Since week seven, however, Brady ranks as just the QB25 in points per game among quarterbacks who have played at least three games. He has performed as a QB2/QB3 option with just four touchdowns in his last four games. Facing off against a Dallas defense this week may pose another challenge for Brady to crack even the top 15 quarterbacks. Dallas ranks eighth-best in fantasy points per game allowed to opposing signal-callers. Brady is a low-floor low-ceiling option this week, which warrants being on your bench.

If you’re desperate: Jeff Driskel, QB DET

Driskel has performed well above expectations as a short-term fill-in for Matthew Stafford, who was also having a great season in his own right. Over the last two weeks, Driskel has averaged 22.8 fantasy points per game, good for eighth among quarterbacks. With 88 rushing yards, Driskel has shown a solid rushing floor to go along with solid passing production against the Bears and Cowboys. This week, he gets a much softer matchup at Washington, who have allowed the eighth-most passing touchdowns in the league. The Lions are 3.5 point favorites with a solid implied team total of 22.75 on the week. Driskel is a great desperation play in week 12 if you’re without a top option like Patrick Mahomes.

Running Backs

Start ‘em: Derrius Guice, RB WAS

In his first game back from another prolonged injury, Guice showed well and commanded solid volume in the Washington backfield. He split touches and snaps fairly evenly with veteran Adrian Peterson, and this was to be expected as the Redskins ease Guice back into action. With a week under his belt, expect Guice to carve out more of a role in week 12 against a beatable Detroit rushing defense. The Lions have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, including 17 total touchdowns allowed. Guice’s three-down ability will allow him to benefit from most game situations, but the risk, of course, is Washington gets blown out once again. Start Guice this week a strong FLEX option or a low-end RB2.

Sit ‘em: Royce Freeman, RB DEN

After being a clear part of a committee in Denver for much of the early season, Freeman has seen his touches decrease over the last two games. Over this stretch, teammate Phillip Lindsay has out-touched Freeman 27-15 and has out-gained him 161-59. Lindsay has taken clear command of this backfield, and Freeman thus hasn’t seen the opportunity he once did. In a difficult matchup this week against a strong Buffalo run defense, Freeman just doesn’t have the upside needed for FLEX consideration. With a low-floor and low-ceiling in week 12, Freeman can stay on your bench.

If you’re desperate: Raheem Mostert, RB SF

This desperation play is contingent on teammate Matt Breida being ruled out once again for week 12, which at the time of this writing is unclear. Should Breida sit again, Mostert is in position to be a desperation FLEX option if you’re in a pinch. While he was ineffective on his touches last week, Mostert did manage to see eight touches and played on nearly 50% of San Francisco’s snaps. In comparison, Tevin Coleman saw 15 total touches and was also inefficient on the ground, mustering just 14 yards on his 12 carries. This week, Mostert is set up well against a vulnerable Packers run defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. There’s a risk that Tevin Coleman dominates the backfield, which makes Mostert’s floor scary-low, but Mostert has upside to be efficient on his projected ten touches and hit double-digit fantasy points.

Wide Receivers

Start ‘em: Odell Beckham, WR CLE

It’s shocking that in week 12 Beckham has to be listed as a start instead of just assumed to be, but alas, here we are. While you’ve likely been starting Beckham despite his WR28 position on the season, this start selection is a vote of confidence for the former New York Giants star receiver. Despite low fantasy production, Beckham’s peripheral stats have been solid. Beckham has a 26% target share on the season and has seen 38% of the Browns’ air yards. His lack of production has come in tandem with Mayfield being woefully ineffective for much of the season. With Mayfield a strong start this week, look for Beckham – his number one option – to finally be a strong WR1 option for fantasy against a Dolphins team that allows the sixth-most fantasy points per target to opposing wide receivers.

Sit ‘em: Darius Slayton, WR NYG

The Giants were on bye in week 11, but the last time we saw them, Darius Slayton exploded for 34.1 PPR fantasy points. This was an exciting performance from the rookie from a dynasty perspective, but it’s not something we can expect – or even close to it – in week 12. Instead of facing the Jets and their weak secondary, the Giants travel to Chicago to face a strong Bears defense against the passing game. Chicago has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers on the season. With just 17 implied points on the week, the Giants may have overall struggles to move the football down the field. This game has a good chance to be a low-scoring, lackluster game in both real life and fantasy. I wouldn’t trust the rookie Slayton in my starting lineup in week 12.

If you’re desperate: James Washington, WR PIT

If nothing else, Washington appears to be the last man standing after the war between Cleveland and Pittsburgh last week. Possibly without JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee, concussion) and Diontae Johnson (concussion) this week as well as James Conner (ankle) doubtful, Washington is one of just a few playmakers left for Mason Rudolph. Over the last three weeks, Washington has been solid. He has seen a 14% target share and 23% of the team’s (very few) air yards. While the Steelers offense may look a lot different come Sunday, their matchup against the Bengals is still very favorable. Cincinnati has allowed opponents to score 27.6 points per game and have allowed the third-most fantasy points per target to wide receivers. Washington has a solid floor-upside combination this week, especially if Smith-Schuster and Johnson wind up sitting out.

Tight Ends

Start ‘em: Vance McDonald, TE PIT

For similar reasons as mentioned above for James Washington, McDonald may be one of the few weapons left for Rudolph and the Steelers come Sunday against a terrible Bengals team. McDonald has seen seven targets in each of the last three games for Pittsburgh. While the production hasn’t been outstanding, McDonald has become one of Rudolph’s favorite options in this low-risk passing game. After Zach Ertz, Mark Andrews, Darren Waller, and Evan Engram (if he plays) this week, the next group of tight ends is one jumbled mess. McDonald has volume and efficiency upside in a good matchup, and thus comes in as the “best of the rest”.

Sit ‘em: Dallas Cowboys TEs

The Cowboys have a solid duo at tight end with Jason Witten and Jarwin leading the pack. Witten has been a reliable situational threat for Dak Prescott, and Jarwin has shown his upside and athleticism in recent weeks. While both have been solid throughout the season, they’re risky plays in week 12 against the Patriots. New England has a top-tier defense against tight ends this season, allowing just 9.8 fantasy points per game to the position as a whole. With Witten and Jarwin splitting time and opportunity, there’s just not enough projected points to go around to make either a startable option. There are better options for an upside play in week 12, which is the main goal is for tight end streaming.

If you’re desperate: Ryan Griffin, TE NYJ

Griffin has been one of the most productive tight ends in the league over the last four weeks. He has managed to get 50 or more yards in three of four games, and he’s scored three touchdowns over this stretch. In week 12, he gets one of the best matchups for tight ends, facing off against a Raiders team that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to the position. With a game total of 46.5, the Jets-Raiders game is expected to be one of the higher scoring games of the week. The Jets may need to play catch-up for much of the game, and Griffin should benefit from a pass-heavy gameplan. He’s a back-end TE1 play this week, and he has top-five upside.

That concludes this week’s rankings article! As this series is released on Thursdays, be sure to follow any lingering injuries and changing injury status updates for players as Sunday approaches. If you’re wondering about a player I didn’t dive into detail about, feel free to reach out to me @FFzinger on Twitter. Best of luck this week, and I’ll be back next week to give Week 13’s positional rankings.

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Michael Zingone

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