With all 32 teams in action for Week 12, you're likely faced with even more start-sit decisions than usual. Considering the margin for error is slim to none at this point in the fantasy football regular season, consult our Week 12 fantasy sleeper list, which includes Kyren Williams, Rashid Shaheed, and Isaiah Likely, to boost your squad's chances of ending the week on a high note.
We always stress that any of our sleeper picks could disappoint in Week 12. We like to take some chances with our sleeper picks because recommending a bunch of "must-starts" simply isn't needed. You shouldn't start our sleeper picks over proven, early-round studs, but if your roster is already loaded with stars, then you don't need our advice anyway. If nothing else, our sleeper picks can help you find DFS values, as the prices of these players should be affordable.
It was a strong week for our skill position Week 11 sleeper picks, with Zach Charbonnet, Devin Singletary, Ty Chandler, Trevor Lawrence, Jordan Love, Rondale Moore, Jayden Reed, and Christian Watson coming through in a crucial week. It will be tough to replicate that level of success this week, but we're up for the challenge.
MORE: Watch NFL RedZone live with Sling (50% off first month)
Get ready to roll out this week's lineup of potential breakouts into your lineup.
WEEK 12 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Projections | Start-sit
Fantasy RB Sleepers Week 12
Khalil Herbert, Bears @ Vikings (Sloan Piva). Throw out the game tape from his Week 11 return from injury against the Lions (16 carries for 35 yards, two catches for six yards). Detroit has surrendered the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game (FPPG) to running backs this season. Minnesota has been good but not great against RBs, allowing double-digit PPR points to at least one RB in each of the past five games. The past four backs to log 16-plus touches against the Vikings averaged 15.5 PPR points per game against them (Isiah Pacheco, D'Onta Foreman, Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara). With Foreman nursing a nagging ankle injury, Herbert should see enough volume on Monday night to be a strong flex play.
Keaton Mitchell, Ravens at Chargers (Vinnie Iyer). The speedy rookie was held in check and not needed much vs. the Bengals but Los Angeles has had trouble with similar young speedsters, most recently Breece Hall, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jayden Reed. The Chargers also are down Joey Bosa (foot) on the outside to slow down Mitchell's turn-the-corner running.
Kyren Williams, Rams @ Cardinals (Matt Lutovsky). Williams might be too good to be listed as a “sleeper” considering he was the No. 4 half-PPR back before getting hurt in Week 6, but after De’Von Achane (knee) aggravated his knee injury and disappointed in his first game back, fantasy owners might be nervous about trusting Williams. As long as he’s out there -- and he's expected to be -- he should be in your lineup. Arizona is allowing the third-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to RBs, so even if Williams sees just 12-15 touches, he should produce starting-caliber numbers.
WEEK 12 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy QB Sleepers Week 12
Gardner Minshew, Colts vs. Buccaneers (Piva). The Bucs have been atrocious against the pass since Week 6, allowing 27.3 fantasy points per game to QBs during that span. Five different signal-callers have passed for 324-plus yards and two-plus TDs against Tampa Bay this season, and we wouldn't be surprised if Minshew makes it six. The way to beat this defense is through the air, not on the ground, as Tampa ranks top six in rushing yards, rush TDs, and yards per carry allowed this season.
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers at Colts (Iyer). Baker keeps getting it done in good matchups with Mike Evans and anybody else, and this qualifies against a beatable secondary on the road in what can be a sneaky shootout. The Colts still have secondary issues and will create some favorable coverage to exploit.
Derek Carr, Saints @ Falcons (Lutovsky). Carr is dealing with head and shoulder injuries, but as long as he’s starting, he’s a solid option against an Atlanta defense that’s allowed nine QB TDs in its past three games. Carr doesn’t have the scrambling ability of Josh Dobbs and Kyler Murray, but he can sling it to his talented WRs like Will Levis did against the Falcons in Week 8 (238 yards, four TDs).
WEEK 12 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy WR Sleepers Week 12
Brandin Cooks, Cowboys vs. Commanders (Piva). Cooks has logged 324 yards and three TDs over the past five weeks, good for over 70.4 PPR points. Now he faces a Washington squad that has surrendered the third-most FPPG points to wideouts this season and shipped out two of its best pass-rushers at the trade deadline. Brandin had a dud last week in Carolina, but we think he Cooks on Turkey Day.
Khalil Shakir, Bills at Eagles (Iyer). The Eagles still are terrible with their slot coverage, and this is a good shot for Shakir to make more big plays after looking great vs. the Jets. He is the smart pivot for Buffalo and fantasy owners over Gabe Davis because he plays better off Stefon Diggs and Dalton Kincaid.
Josh Downs, Colts vs. Buccaneers (Lutovsky). Downs has been dealing with a nagging knee injury, limiting his production (and ownership). He’s had an extra week to heal, and he has a great “get-well” game on tap against a Bucs’ defense allowing the fourth-most FPPG to WRs.
BONUS PICK: Rashid Shaheed, Saints @ Falcons (Lutovsky). With Michael Thomas (knee) out, Shaheed should see even more targets than the five per game he's currently getting. He's carried the "boom-or-bust" label all season, but he now has the chance to be a steady producer, at least in favorable matchups. Atlanta has allowed 17 passing touchdowns (tied for fifth most), so Shaheed could really "boom" this week.
WEEK 12 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Fantasy TE Sleepers Week 12
Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Dolphins (Piva). Conklin has quietly hauled in 15 of his past 16 targets for 154 yards over the past three weeks, and now he and the Jets get a much-needed change at QB. Tim Boyle won't be a miracle maker, but he could be better than Zach Wilson. Gang Green will be throwing early and often to try to stay with Tua and the Dolphins, and Garrett Wilson might have a tough time battling the red-hot Jalen Ramsey. If you're a Dallas Goedert or Mark Andrews owner, give Conk a look!
Juwan Johnson, Saints at Falcons (Iyer). The Falcons gave up a massive game to Trey McBride before the bye and have given up their share of tight end TDs all season. A fully healthy Johnson will be a bigger factor with no Michael Thomas (shoulder) available.
Isaiah Likely, Ravens @ Chargers (Lutovsky). Likely should see six-plus targets with Mark Andrews (fibula, ankle) out, and that should yield solid numbers against a Chargers’ defense allowing the sixth-most FPPG to TEs.
Fantasy Defense Sleepers Week 12
New York Giants vs. Patriots (Piva). Few (if any) Pro Bowlers will come from this defense, but that doesn't make it an unplayable D/ST in plus matchups. Since Week 5, the G-men have posted four games with 12-plus standard fantasy points. They just put up 23 points against the Commanders, and now they get a home game against either Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe? Like the annual post-Thanksgiving family poker tournament, count us in!
Tennessee Titans vs. Panthers (Iyer). Tennessee plays much better defense at home and should have a chance to get some sacks and big plays vs. Bryce Young. They can pressure him into key turnovers and also keep the scoring down for Carolina.
New England Patriots @ Giants (Lutovsky). Yes, we saw Tommy DeVito’s 246 yards and three TDs last week, but we also saw him take nine sacks. The Patriots haven’t been “the Patriots” this year, but they can still exploit an inexperienced, rookie QB after a bye.
