Authors: Andrew Bennett, Heath Mckeown
Start: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be a strong week 12 fantasy start, especially given that they play the Cardinals who rank 21st in total defence, allowing 346 yards per game. The Cardinals passing defence is also ranked 21st, giving up approximately 218 yards per game. With this mediocre defence, it should be a good opportunity for JSN as he has constantly been involved in the Seahawks offense. Smith-Njigba is ranked 14th among wide receivers in PPR formats for week 12, showing his value as a fantasy option. JSN is averaging 67.8 receiving yards per game and is coming off a big week 11 performance, where he got 10 receptions and 110 yards. With the team leading 86 targets on the season, it is proven that Geno likes to find him. Although JSN only has 3 touchdowns on the season, he can rack up many receiving yards to balance his performance out, providing a good starter for fantasy owners. The Seahawks rank 2nd in passing offence, averaging 261 passing yards per game, which shows a throwing-heavy offense. Due to this, JSN is more likely to have opportunities to contribute, especially in a divisional matchup where the teams are fighting for playoff spots. With a struggling Cardinals defence against the pass, JSN will have opportunities to capitalize, making him a good week 12 fantasy start.
Sit: Rico Dowdle
Rico Dowdle should be on your bench in week 12 as the Cowboys are set to face the Commanders in a divisional matchup. While Washington’s defence has not been great this season, ranking in the middle of the pack in most categories, the Cowboys offense is not performing well right now making it hard to trust any of their players. With Cooper Rush starting at quarterback, Dallas has struggled to have good drives or establish a solid ground game, limiting Dowdle’s potential. Rico’s production has been lackluster, averaging 44.6 rush yards per game with 0 rushing touchdowns on the season. He also averages around 10 carries per game, which is not enough volume to produce meaningful fantasy points. Additionally, Dowdle is ranked 25th in fantasy ranking for running backs in PPR formats for week 12, again demonstrating his low ceiling compared to other running backs. His role in the passing game has given him a bit of a boost, but still not much because he averages approximately 19 receiving yards per game with 3 receiving touchdowns on the season through nine games. He is coming off two disappointing performances where in his last game against the Texans he had 10 carries for 28 rush yards and caught 2 of 5 targets for 6 yards, showing no sign of turning things around. Because of the Cowboy’s recent struggles, it is simply unlikely that Dowdle will have the opportunity to put up good fantasy points. Although the Commander's defence may not be elite, they should be able to stop this insufficient offense. Having Dowdle as a starter for week 12 is too risky with this disappointing Cowboys offense.
Start: Tyrone Tracy Jr
Tyrone Tracy Jr. should be a strong start this week as he comes off a bye week and is well-rested. Over his last six games, Tracy has averaged an impressive 14.87 points per game. He’ll face a Tampa Bay defence that ranks as the 5th worst against the run in the league, providing an excellent opportunity for him to continue his efficiency. Rookies often gain trust and show noticeable growth as the season progresses, and with the Giants releasing Daniel Jones and starting an inexperienced Tommy DeVito, the team is likely to lean heavily on the running game. Despite his consistent production, Tracy has only been started in 56% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues, making him a sneaky good option for Week 11.
Sit: Xavier Legette
Xavier Legette should stay on your bench for week 12 as the Panthers are set to face the Kansas City Chiefs, one of the league’s best defences. The Chiefs rank 5th in total defencFe, allowing 297.5 total yards per game, and are ranked 8th in scoring defence, allowing approximately 19 points per game. The strong Chiefs defence creates a tough matchup for Xavier Legette, especially with the Panthers offensive struggles. Carolina is ranked 31st in the league in passing offense, averaging 170.7 pass yards per game. Legette’s production this season has not been great. In 10 games played, he is averaging 28.4 receiving yards and just 2.9 receptions per game, providing minimal chances to make a fantasy impact. Another concern for Legette’s fantasy performance is Bryce Young. Bryce Young is averaging 117.14 yards through 7 games and was benched earlier in the season, showing the instability of Carolina’s offense. In PPR formats, Legette is expected to put up 8.66 points and is ranked as the WR50.
Against a solid defence like Kansas City’s, Legette is better to stay on the bench for week 12.\
Start: Dallas Goedert
Dallas Goedert has been a reliable option at tight end this season, averaging 12.62 points per game despite missing four games due to a hamstring injury. Since returning, he has looked solid, scoring over 10 points in both games. Impressively, he has produced consistent fantasy numbers with only one touchdown this season, showcasing his ability to rack up points through volume and yardage. Goedert's 20.6% on-field target share is pacing for the best mark of his career, indicating that he is a key part of the Eagles' offense. This week Goedert faces the Rams, who rank 7th worst in the league at defending tight ends, making this a highly favorable matchup. Goedert has scored at least 10 points in each of his last four games, proving his consistency and reliability. Despite these strong numbers, he is only started in 54% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues, leaving a major opportunity for savvy managers to take advantage. With his combination of volume, efficiency, and a great matchup, Goedert is a must-start for Week 11.
Sit: D’Andre Swift
D'Andre Swift faces a challenging matchup this week against the Minnesota Vikings, who boast the second-best run defence in the NFL allowing just 74.4 rushing yards per game. Swift has been dealing with a groin injury, which limited his participation in practice earlier this week. In the Bears' recent game, his carry share dipped below 60% to 58.3%, and excluding one significant run, he averaged just 2.46 yards per carry. With the Bears recently firing their offensive coordinator and new OC Shane Waldron calling plays, the backfield distribution was more evenly split. Given these factors, including the likelihood of the Bears relying more on the passing game if they fall behind, Swift may have limited opportunities to produce. Despite being started in 67% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues, it would be beneficial to sit Swift this week.
