Weekly Matchups: Seven Rookie Starters For Week 12

If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably noticed a series of tweets I share on a weekly basis regarding player and team defensive performances, all from a fantasy lens. I’m going to be sharing some of that same information with you here. I use this each week as I am making my own lineup and waiver wire decisions and thought you might find this valuable as well.

Bo Nix, QB DEN

The Broncos have struck gold, finding a rookie quarterback performing at the highest level. Nix is on a real heater, reeling off five QB1 performances in his past seven games, including last week’s QB4 performance. Nix is boosting the offense as a whole, allowing perpetual disappointment Courtland Sutton to enjoy his best season in years. This week, Nix faces off with division foe Las Vegas. The Raiders have allowed six QB1 games and nearly 22 fantasy points per game to the position.

Jayden Daniels, QB WAS

While Nix has enjoyed a hot streak, fellow rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has struggled, dealing with difficult matchups and a nagging rib injury. Daniels has finished outside of the top-20 fantasy quarterbacks in three of the past five games, including the past two weeks, finishing as the QB21 and QB25. Assuming Daniels is closer to full strength, this week’s matchup against the hapless Cowboys has a chance to heal all of Daniels’ wounds. Dallas is one of five teams allowing more than 23 fantasy points per game to opposing signal callers and have given up top-five fantasy finishes in three of their past five matchups.

Ladd McConkey, WR LAC

After somewhat of a slow start to his career, Chargers rookie receiver Ladd McConkey has come alive in recent weeks. Over the past month, the Georgia product is the WR10 overall, thanks in large part to a huge Week Eight performance. If you haven’t been watching closely, you might initially be worried about this week’s matchup against the Ravens. The traditional shut-down defense has leaked all season, allowing the most fantasy points per game to receivers by a wide margin. Baltimore is giving up 42.6 fantasy points per contest to wideouts, three more than any other team. The Ravens continue to deal with injuries, making the matchup potentially even more attractive.

Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE CAR

The players we’ve talked about so far have been pretty clear fantasy starters, so let’s dig a bit deeper here. The Panthers come off their bye week to face off with the Chiefs, obviously a matchup they’ll be huge underdogs in, but that could be good news. The Chiefs are among the worst in the league at slowing down tight ends, allowing nearly 16 fantasy points per game. As the Panthers have dealt with injuries at the tight end spot, rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders has gotten the chance for some extended playing time. He’s quietly put together four top-fifteen fantasy finishes in his past five games.

Tyrone Tracy Jr, RB NYG
Malik Nabers, WR NYG
Theo Johnson, TE NYG

I wanted to group the Giants’ rookie trio together because of the uncertainty surrounding this team. The good news is the G-Men have an excellent matchup against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay has given up 11 top-24 running back games (tied for third-most), 12 top-24 wide receiver games (tied for second-most) and six TE1 games (tied for third-most) so this is clearly a defense to target every week. Of course, the bad news, or potentially bad, is the Giants came off their bye week by benching long-time starter Daniel Jones, turning to third-stringer Tommy DeVito in a clear effort to tank the rest of the season. We have seen DeVito have limited success in the league, but it obviously feels risky to trust him, even in the best matchups.

Note: The scoring system used is always PPR with four points for passing touchdowns and all stats and info are provided by Fantasy Data.

Quarterbacks

Week 11 QB1s

Season-Long QB1s

Most QB1 Games This Season

Most QB1 Games Allowed

With the Jaguars and Falcons on bye this week, the matchup-based quarterback choices are a bit thin, but that will be the theme of the week at all positions. The Buccaneers are next in line, allowing eight QB1 games, but you’re on your own trusting DeVito in his season-debut. Along with the previously discussed Nix (vs. LV) and Daniels (vs. DAL), other quarterbacks with matchups to target include Russell Wilson (vs. CLE) and Justin Herbert (vs. BAL.)

Unfortunately, there are several key quarterbacks with tough matchups this week. The Steelers have still not allowed a QB1 game this season, slowing down superstar Lamar Jackson a week ago. Now, they face fan-favorite Jameis Winston coming off a 30+ point fantasy day. Don’t be tempted to go back to Winston this week.

Others quarterbacks with difficult matchups this week include Sam Darnold (vs. CHI), Anthony Richardson (vs. DET), Drake Maye (vs. MIA), Jordan Love (vs. SF), Matthew Stafford (vs. PHI) and Gardner Minshew (vs. DEN.)

Running Backs

Week 11 RB1s

Season-Long RB1s

Most RB1 Games This Season

Most RB1/2 Games Allowed

The Panthers are back in action after their bye, “leading” the league with 13 top-24 fantasy performances allowed to running backs. Carolina faces off with the Chiefs this week. This should be great news for workhorse back Kareem Hunt, but the return of starter Isiah Pacheco is looming, and could even come this week. If Pacheco remains sidelined, Hunt is an obvious starter. Other teams giving up at least one top-24 fantasy performance per week include the Cardinals (vs. Kenneth Walker), Las Vegas (vs. Javonte Williams) and Tampa Bay (vs. Tracy.)

Surprising star Chuba Hubbard is back off bye but now faces off with the top run defense in the league. The Chiefs have only given up three top-24 performances to opposing backfields. The Vikings match up with the Bears and have also given up just a trio of top-24 games. Bad news for D’Andre Swift this week.

Other backs with difficult matchups this week include Kyren Williams (vs. PHI), Jonathan Taylor (vs. DET), Tony Pollard (vs. HOU) and Derrick Henry (vs. LAC.)

Wide Receivers

Week 11 WR1s

Season-Long WR1s

Most WR1 Games This Season

Most WR1/2 Games Allowed

The Texans have been the worst team, by far, when it comes to allowing top-24 wide receiver performances. They’ve given up 14 through eleven weeks and now face veteran Calvin Ridley and the Titans. Ridley has been red hot since DeAndre Hopkins left town with two top-five finishes in the past four weeks. As previously discussed, the Ravens secondary has struggled all year, allowing a dozen top-24 games to receivers. Along with McConkey, Quentin Johnston is also in play in Week Twelve.

Other receivers with matchups to take advantage of: DJ Moore/Rome Odunze (vs. MIN) and Michael Pittman/Josh Downs (vs. DET.)

We now have seven teams who have given up a league-low five top-24 games to receivers. Among those are three of the four teams allowing less than 27 fantasy points to wideouts this season…the Bears (vs. Justin Jefferson/Jordan Addison), Titans (vs. Nico Collins/Tank Dell), Broncos (vs. Jakobi Meyers) and Dolphins (vs. Demario Douglas.)

Other matchups to shy away from in Week Twelve include the Giants (vs. Mike Evans) and Steelers (vs. Jerry Jeudy/Cedric Tillman.)

Tight Ends

Week 11 TE1s

Season-Long TE1s

Most TE1 Games This Season

Most TE1 Games Allowed

Along with wideouts, the Ravens have also struggled to stop tight ends, understandably. This could mean another big performance for the underrated Will Dissly and the Chargers. I’ve already discussed solid matchups for rookie tight ends Sanders and Johnson, but this week also bodes well for old man Travis Kelce against the Panthers.

There are some top tight ends with difficult matchups this week, headlined by Mark Andrews as the Ravens face the Chargers. Others to avoid, when possible, are Cade Otton (vs. NYG), Tucker Kraft (vs. SF), Dalton Schultz (vs. TEN) and Chigoziem Okonkwo (vs. HOU.)

Finally, here is the chart summarizing how teams have fared against each position. I’ve also included the schedule for this week for reference.

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.

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