Week 12 Positional Rankings

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.