Week 12 Positional Rankings

Michael Zingone

Happy Thanksgiving week! Week 12 brings one of the best weeks of football, as no team has a bye and we get extra primetime games between Turkey Day games, Sunday Night Football, and Monday Night Football. While you are hopefully staying safe and enjoying time with loved ones, use this article as your guide to all you need to know about this week’s slate of games.

One of the most challenging aspects of providing this article each week is the possibilities of COVID delays. Hence, I will assume that – as of this writing – all games will be played. That way, I can provide the most information possible for you in case these games do wind up occurring.

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.

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

Quarterback

Pos Player Matchup Rank
QB Patrick Mahomes II @TB 1
QB Russell Wilson @PHI 2
QB Josh Allen LAC 3
QB Deshaun Watson @DET 4
QB Kyler Murray @NE 5
QB Justin Herbert @BUF 6
QB Tom Brady KC 7
QB Derek Carr @ATL 8
QB Aaron Rodgers CHI 9
QB Lamar Jackson @PIT 10
QB Cam Newton ARI 11
QB Matt Ryan LV 12
QB Carson Wentz SEA 13
QB Taysom Hill @DEN 14
QB Ben Roethlisberger BAL 15
QB Matthew Stafford HOU 16
QB Jared Goff SF 17
QB Kirk Cousins CAR 18
QB Ryan Tannehill @IND 19
QB Baker Mayfield @JAC 20
QB Tua Tagovailoa @NYJ 21
QB Daniel Jones @CIN 22
QB Philip Rivers TEN 23
QB Alex Smith @DAL 24
QB Teddy Bridgewater @MIN 25
QB Andy Dalton WAS 26
QB Drew Lock NO 27
QB Nick Foles @GB 28
QB Nick Mullens @LAR 29
QB Jake Luton CLE 30
QB Ryan Finley NYG 31
QB Joe Flacco MIA 32

Start ‘em: Derek Carr, QB LV

Carr had a career game on Sunday Night Football in week 11, throwing for 275 yards and three touchdowns in a high-scoring game. While the Raiders may not have perceived elite weapons, Carr and company have been succeeding in Jon Gruden’s system.

This week, Carr’s position in the rankings and as this week’s Start ‘em choice is mostly based on matchup, as the Raiders take on the Atlanta Falcons and their bottom-dwelling defense. The Raiders actually have the highest implied total on the week at 29.5 points, and the Falcons have been the best matchup in all of fantasy football for opposing quarterbacks in 2020. Carr brings a great floor and another three-touchdown ceiling in week 12, making him an ideal mid to late QB1 in the fantasy rankings.

Sit ‘em: Ben Roethlisberger, QB PIT

The 10-0 Steelers play perhaps their biggest profile opponent and division rival, the Baltimore Ravens, in a rescheduled Sunday game. It’s unlikely Big Ben will be carving up the Ravens solid defense, with the Steelers having an implied team total of just 24.5 points for this game. While they remain four-point favorites, this game has one of the lowest over/unders on the week at just 44.5 points.

Roethlisberger and company have been slinging it over the last few games in very good matchups; their 92 total pass attempts over the last two weeks are among the highest in all of football. While Big Ben likely carries a solid floor, overall upside – or lackthereof – pushes him down the rankings out of QB1 territory. In a start-one QB league, you can likely find a better option.

If you’re desperate: Matt Ryan, QB ATL

On the other side of the field as Carr this week, Ryan boasts and equally strong matchup against the Raiders, who have allowed the sixth-most points to opposing quarterbacks this season. The Falcons, despite being underdogs, have a very solid 26.5 point implied team total in what looks to be a very high scoring game.

Ryan’s recent play – which includes two games out of his last three with zero touchdowns – is reason to be a bit skeptical of the veteran quarterback. However, he should be set up for success as a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 for desperate fantasy managers in week 12. You could certainly do worse.

Running Back

Pos Player Matchup Rank
RB Dalvin Cook CAR 1
RB Nick Chubb @JAC 2
RB James Robinson CLE 3
RB Derrick Henry @IND 4
RB Aaron Jones CHI 5
RB Alvin Kamara @DEN 6
RB Josh Jacobs @ATL 7
RB Ezekiel Elliott WAS 8
RB Miles Sanders SEA 9
RB Salvon Ahmed @NYJ 10
RB Mike Davis @MIN 11
RB Antonio Gibson @DAL 12
RB Todd Gurley II LV 13
RB James Conner BAL 14
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire @TB 15
RB Kareem Hunt @JAC 16
RB Kalen Ballage @BUF 17
RB Jonathan Taylor TEN 18
RB David Montgomery @GB 19
RB Ronald Jones II KC 20
RB Damien Harris ARI 21
RB Wayne Gallman @CIN 22
RB Kenyan Drake @NE 23
RB Gus Edwards @PIT 24
RB Chris Carson @PHI 25
RB Giovani Bernard NYG 26
RB Melvin Gordon III NO 27
RB Duke Johnson Jr. @DET 28
RB Devin Singletary LAC 29
RB Leonard Fournette KC 30
RB Chase Edmonds @NE 31
RB J.D. McKissic @DAL 32
RB Nyheim Hines TEN 33
RB Adrian Peterson HOU 34
RB Zack Moss LAC 35
RB Frank Gore MIA 36
RB Latavius Murray @DEN 37
RB Darrell Henderson SF 38
RB Raheem Mostert @LAR 39
RB Cam Akers SF 40
RB Carlos Hyde @PHI 41
RB Phillip Lindsay NO 42
RB Le’Veon Bell @TB 43
RB Jamaal Williams CHI 44
RB Kerryon Johnson HOU 45
RB James White ARI 46
RB Malcolm Brown SF 47
RB Joshua Kelley @BUF 48
RB Jordan Wilkins TEN 49
RB Devontae Booker @ATL 50
RB Tony Pollard WAS 51
RB Samaje Perine NYG 52
RB Alexander Mattison CAR 53
RB Jerick McKinnon @LAR 54
RB Boston Scott SEA 55
RB Brian Hill LV 56
RB D’Onta Foreman @IND 57
RB Darrel Williams @TB 58
RB Matt Breida @NYJ 59
RB DeeJay Dallas @PHI 60

Start ‘em: Salvon Ahmed, RB MIA

Ever since breakout running back Myles Gaskin went to injured reserve, Ahmed has filled the starting running back spot for the Dolphins and performed admirably. In back-to-back games, Ahmed has scored at least 12 fantasy points in PPR formats. He’s shown solid usage both in the running and passing game, racking up 33 rushes and six receptions over the last two weeks.

This kind of volume from the running back position is enough to be a mid-range RB2 at worst on a weekly basis. This week, Ahmed ranks slightly higher than that due to a favorable matchup against the Jets, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. It’s a bit crazy to say, but Ahmed is a locked-in RB1 for fantasy managers in week 12.

Sit ‘em: Le’Veon Bell, RB KC

Since joining the Chiefs in week seven, Bell’s overall usage in the offense has been rather stagnant. The veteran back has seen between four and seven carries and has seen no more than three targets in every game as a Chief. Overall, Bell has yet to have a ten touch game. Clearly the second-fiddle to star rookie Clyde Edward-Helaire, Bell should only be trusted as a FLEX play in good matchups; week 12 is not one of those weeks.

The Chiefs play the Buccaneers who just got torched by Jared Goff and the Rams passing attack, and Kansas City will look to do the same. The Buccaneers have allowed the fewest rushing yards in the NFL in 2020, partly because their main weakness on defense is via the pass. Overall, Bell’s usual six to nine touches don’t project to muster any more than a few fantasy points, barring a touchdown. He can stay on your bench.

If you’re desperate: Wayne Gallman, RB NYG

With the Giants having their bye this past week, it’s easy to forget that Gallman has been one of the more productive running backs in the NFL over the past month. Since week seven, Gallman is the RB6 in points per game in PPR formats among running backs who have played at least three games. This is in large part due to production via touchdowns, as Gallman has scored in four consecutive games.

His overall opportunity share has been trending upwards since week seven, topping out at 19 touches in his last game. Cincinnati, having just lost Joe Burrow, will be a competitive matchup for the Giants as they try to win the NFC East, and the Bengals have allowed the fourth-most running back rush yards in the NFL in 2020. Gallman is a solid RB2 play for desperate fantasy managers with clear upside to crack the top 12.

Wide Receiver

Pos Player Matchup Rank
WR Davante Adams CHI 1
WR Keenan Allen @BUF 2
WR DeAndre Hopkins @NE 3
WR D.K. Metcalf @PHI 4
WR Tyreek Hill @TB 5
WR Stefon Diggs LAC 6
WR Terry McLaurin @DAL 7
WR Tyler Lockett @PHI 8
WR Calvin Ridley LV 9
WR Will Fuller V @DET 10
WR Adam Thielen CAR 11
WR Justin Jefferson CAR 12
WR Julio Jones LV 13
WR Michael Thomas @DEN 14
WR Cooper Kupp SF 15
WR A.J. Brown @IND 16
WR Diontae Johnson BAL 17
WR Mike Evans KC 18
WR Robert Woods SF 19
WR Allen Robinson II @GB 20
WR D.J. Moore @MIN 21
WR Brandin Cooks @DET 22
WR Chris Godwin KC 23
WR Chase Claypool BAL 24
WR Amari Cooper WAS 25
WR Antonio Brown KC 26
WR Robby Anderson @MIN 27
WR DeVante Parker @NYJ 28
WR Jalen Reagor SEA 29
WR D.J. Chark Jr. CLE 30
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster BAL 31
WR Christian Kirk @NE 32
WR Marvin Jones Jr. HOU 33
WR Darius Slayton @CIN 34
WR Jamison Crowder MIA 35
WR CeeDee Lamb WAS 36
WR Michael Pittman Jr. TEN 37
WR Tyler Boyd NYG 38
WR Nelson Agholor @ATL 39
WR Tee Higgins NYG 40
WR Sterling Shepard @CIN 41
WR Curtis Samuel @MIN 42
WR Jerry Jeudy NO 43
WR Jarvis Landry @JAC 44
WR Mike Williams @BUF 45
WR Brandon Aiyuk @LAR 46
WR Corey Davis @IND 47
WR Travis Fulgham SEA 48
WR Cole Beasley LAC 49
WR John Brown LAC 50
WR Jakobi Meyers ARI 51
WR Marquise Brown @PIT 52
WR Michael Gallup WAS 53
WR Denzel Mims MIA 54
WR KJ Hamler NO 55
WR Josh Reynolds SF 56
WR Henry Ruggs III @ATL 57
WR A.J. Green NYG 58
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling CHI 59
WR T.Y. Hilton TEN 60

Start ‘em: DJ Moore, WR CAR

Fantasy managers have been able to trust Moore a bit more consistently over the last few weeks. While the third-year pro has just three games on the season with over four receptions, Moore has topped 90 yards receiving in five of his last seven games. Coming into week 12, Moore and the other Panthers’ receivers should see continued success in a good matchup against a porous Vikings defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers on the season.

While the Panthers have just a 23.5 point implied team total, they come in as only small underdogs on the day and should be able to keep up with the Vikings’ offense. DJ Moore should be started as a confident WR2 play in all formats, and his teammates Robby Anderson and Curtis Samuel are also strong plays on the week as top 40 options.

Sit ‘em: Bengals Wide Receivers

This season, the Bengals wide receiver trio of Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, and AJ Green have each had their moments of fantasy football success. With the unfortunate injury to star rookie Joe Burrow, however, the Bengals are projected to be one of the worst offenses of the week, even against a bad New York Giants team.

The Bengals are anticipated to start Brandon Allen this week, and their implied team total is just 18.75 points on the week. This is tied for last with the New York Jets; yes, that bad. Overall, even in a good matchup, the uncertainty of this situation makes each of the Bengals receivers just a WR4 play on the day. If you have strong other options, feel confident to bench the trio of wide receivers for higher upside plays.

If you’re desperate: Jalen Reagor, WR PHI

The main thing holding Reagor back from being a top option this week at the wide receiver position is his quarterback, Carson Wentz. Despite very favorable matchups over the last three weeks, Wentz’s play has been simply horrendous. The Eagles offense is averaging just under 20 points per game, and Wentz has thrown for more than 260 yards in a game just once since week one. For reference, Justin Herbert has just once game under 260 yards as a starting quarterback this year.

All that said, Reagor is seeing a solid opportunity as a focal point of the Eagles passing attack, commanding a 19% target share since his return in week eight. The Seahawks are simply the best matchup a wide receiver could ask for in fantasy football, and so Reagor is a solid WR3 option this week for desperate fantasy managers.

Tight End

Pos Player Matchup Rank
TE Travis Kelce @TB 1
TE Darren Waller @ATL 2
TE T.J. Hockenson HOU 3
TE Dallas Goedert SEA 4
TE Mark Andrews @PIT 5
TE Hunter Henry @BUF 6
TE Rob Gronkowski KC 7
TE Noah Fant NO 8
TE Hayden Hurst LV 9
TE Evan Engram @CIN 10
TE Eric Ebron BAL 11
TE Jonnu Smith @IND 12
TE Austin Hooper @JAC 13
TE Mike Gesicki @NYJ 14
TE Logan Thomas @DAL 15
TE Jordan Reed @LAR 16
TE Robert Tonyan CHI 17
TE Jared Cook @DEN 18
TE Jimmy Graham @GB 19
TE Dalton Schultz WAS 20
TE Tyler Higbee SF 21
TE Richard Rodgers SEA 22
TE Trey Burton TEN 23
TE Jordan Akins @DET 24
TE Gerald Everett SF 25
TE Mo Alie-Cox TEN 26
TE Kyle Rudolph CAR 27
TE Irv Smith Jr. CAR 28
TE Jacob Hollister @PHI 29
TE Tyler Eifert CLE 30

Start ‘em: Hunter Henry, TE LAC

Henry has been a consistent focal point of the Chargers offense from a targets perspective this season. The veteran TE option has earned at least six targets in all but two games this season. Overall, the yardage hasn’t been stellar for Henry this season. He has not surpassed 50 yards since week three despite seeing good volume from rookie star Justin Herbert.

In week 12, Henry and the Chargers face to Buffalo Bills, who have been a great matchup for tight ends. The Bills defense has allowed the second-most fantasy points to the tight end position this season. In a high-powered Chargers offense and a good matchup, start Henry with confidence as a mid-range TE1.

Sit ‘em: Rams TEs

While Jared Goff and the Rams offense had a stellar passing attack in week 11, neither Tyler Higbee nor Gerald Everett could find much success on a day where Goff threw for 376 yards. Both tight ends finished with around six fantasy points in PPR formats. This offense has clearly focused on funneling targets to star wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods, leaving little for the Rams’ tight end ground to pounce on for fantasy football success.

In week 12, while the Rams do have a solid 26 point implied team total, both Rams tight ends should be on your bench. The 49ers – the Rams’ week 12 opponent – have allowed the fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season. With a split opportunity share of an overall small piece of the pie, these two tight ends take enough away from each other to only be low-end TE2 plays.

If you’re desperate: Austin Hooper, TE CLE

Since his return in week ten, Hooper hasn’t had much fantasy success. While also dealing with some bad weather in Cleveland stunting the passing attack, Hooper has just four catches for 44 yards over his last two games combined. He is clearly not the plug-and-play tight end he was last year in Atlanta, but in a good matchup, Hooper can still be a playable option at the position. This week, the Browns take on the lowly Jaguars and have the fourth-highest implied team total of the week at 27.75 points. The Jaguars have been awful in most phases of defense this season, and they’ve allowed seventh-most fantasy points to tight ends on the season. If you’re desperate for tight end production this week, Hooper is a solid play with touchdown upside in a good matchup.

That concludes this week’s rankings article! 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.

michael zingone
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