We have entered the first of the worst two weeks of fantasy football – one that features a season-high six critical teams on bye.
No West Coast teams are out of action this week, but fantasy-relevant quarterbacks Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Kirk Cousins are unavailable. Finding replacements for them and for guys such as Ja’Marr Chase, James Cook, Bijan Robinson, Taysom Hill, and more are pivotal as you make a final playoff push.
Let’s be honest, do you really need to be told to start guys such as Brian Robinson Jr. against a dismantled, back-up-riddled Dallas team at home? Or to sit someone such as Ameer Abdullah who only came to relevance this week with injuries to Zamir White and Alexander Mattison? Just because they’re starting, doesn’t mean they’re Barry Sanders.
But you may need that extra oomph to start someone you’re on the fence with. You also may have taken a gamble in the draft, feel depleted at a position, and are looking to slide someone in this week slyly. And let’s be honest, this happens most weeks.
Last week, we saw Jets’ QB Aaron Rodgers, Steelers’ RB Jaylen Warren (we were one week early), Raiders’ WR Jakobi Meyers, Bills’ TE Dawson Knox and Chargers’ TE Will Dissly make the list.
Editor’s Note: These fantasy football Week 12 Sleepers are based on The Wolf’s Week 12 Rankings.
Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
@ Miami Dolphins
Drake Maye’s Week 12 fantasy outlook offers intriguing upside. The rookie has given Patriots fans some real optimism, showing flashes of QB1 potential by finishing as a top-12 quarterback in two of his five full NFL starts.
His rushing ability provides a solid floor, with at least 24 yards and an average of over five fantasy points on the ground in each of those games. Plus, he’s averaged over a touchdown pass per game and over 16 fantasy points per game in each of his starts.
This week, he faces a Miami defense vulnerable to the pass since Week 6, ranking 10th in passing yards allowed per game. The Dolphins also find themselves as a touchdown favorite on Sunday, meaning Maye could lead a pass-heavy gamescript. Signs are pointing towards a QB1 week for those who need a streamer.
Maye ranks in Tier 6 (QB 17) on The Wolf’s Week 12 Rankings.
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
@ New York Giants
It has been a bad week for New York football all around. So that means good things are to come to those playing against them.
Irving had his second-most carries in Week 10 against the 49ers before the team’s bye last week. In a Tampa Bay offense that has taken a hit since the injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the rookie has scored and nearly reached double-digit carries in all the games they have missed.
Irving only has one game this season with more than three catches, but I like him in PPR this week against the Giants. In the last seven games, New York has conceded at least 13 PPR points to running backs. Irving has scored at least 15 PPR points in four of his last five games, too.
Tampa Bay gets Evans (hamstring) back this week, but I don’t think that’s bad. I think New York’s defense will be on the field a lot with Tommy DeVito under center, and will pull away from the box because of Evans and tight end Cade Otton. Irving could see more than three looks in the passing game in Week 12.
Irving ranks in Tier 4 (RB 22) on The Wolf’s Week 12 Rankings.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
@ Carolina Panthers
DeAndre Hopkins’ fantasy upside is a mixed bag, but there’s room for optimism. His usage has taken a troubling downturn, with his route share dropping for three consecutive weeks and his first-read share plummeting from 28% in Week 9 to just 11.1% last week, per FantasyPros. Additionally, he’s coming off a troubling Week 11 performance, where he finished with only 29 yards on four targets.
These trends have derailed what seemed like a path to a high-volume role in a Chiefs’ offense that’s been dying for an Alpha WR.
This week, however, Hopkins faces a favorable matchup against the Panthers, who rank 12th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. Carolina’s defense appears tougher on paper than it truly is, as opponents rarely need to pass heavily against them. Get ready for a monster Hopkins game when you need him the most.
Hopkins ranks in Tier 4 (WR 23) on The Wolf’s Week 11 Rankings.
Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
vs Baltimore Ravens
Have you hopped on the trend of starting receivers against the Ravens? They still are allowing the most points to opposing receivers and that doesn’t look to be changing any time soon.
Johnston is riding a three-game touchdown streak and Baltimore has allowed receivers an average of 192 yards per game over its last five games.
Johnston averaged 25 yards – yes, 25 – per game as a rookie and is now reaching 100 yards or scoring in his second year.
Chargers/Ravens should see a ground game fest, but in recent weeks, we have seen Los Angeles use its run game to create options for its passing game, and it did not have to begin the season.
I’m taking Los Angeles to win at home, and Jim Harbaugh knows his brother’s team’s strengths and weaknesses well. Exposing the passing game is something he can’t ignore. Johnston and Ladd McConkey should see more than their average number of targets.
Johnston ranks in Tier 6 (WR 34) on The Wolf’s Week 12 Rankings.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
@ Los Angeles Rams
Dallas Goedert has struggled with relevance this season, but with news of DeVonta Smith already being inactive for Sunday night, he is in line to be the No. 2 receiving option.
I’m unsure of the Rams team we’ll see – whether Jekyll or Hyde – but they allow the eighth-most points against tight ends. Even if Philadelphia finds a rhythm on the ground, his elevated offensive role helps pair with this key stat.
His targets increased in his second game back from injury, an indicator of many positive things. He’s averaging more than 12 yards per catch in both games, which is again doable in Week 12.
Goedert is aiming for a fifth game in a row of double-digit fantasy points. He comes into the week with extra rest, having last played on Nov. 14.
Goedert ranks in Tier 4 (TE 11) on The Wolf’s Week 12 Rankings.
