We posted 162.5 points with our DraftKings cash lineup last week, which pretty much always gets the job done. Fat Rob took our good week up a few notches on Sunday night, putting this column above 140 DK points in three of the past five weeks. Let's look to keep it going with our daily fantasy football picks for Week 12.
This week's strategy centers around a Seahawks stack and some high-usage, high-upside running backs. Our pass-catchers are a little more volatile, but with great matchups all around, we still like our chances of cashing.
WEEK 12 DFS: FanDuel GPP lineup | Values | DFS lineup builder
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QB Russell Wilson, SEA at TB ($6,700): Wilson's development and dwindling options at RB have greased the slopes for a pass-first offense in Seattle, with the Seahawks ranking 11th in pass-play percentage since Week 9. The bye week treated Wilson well, and over the past two weeks he ranks fourth in fantasy points per dropback.
RB Jay Ajayi, MIA vs. SF ($7,600): Ajayi now enters the price range he deserves, and we'll remember those sub-$5K days fondly. Still, his $1,300 savings on the RB ceiling is palatable against the most fantasy-friendly defense to opposing RBs in DraftKings scoring. Even a nightmare Week 11 for this offense still got Ajayi to 84 total yards and three catches.
RB Carlos Hyde, SF at MIA ($4,800): Is Hyde healthy? Check. Does he get a decent matchup? Check. Anything below $5K is a steal after Hyde confirmed his return to full-strength with 110 total yards on Sunday. The Rams finally ignited Todd Gurley against Miami last week, and Hyde profiles for another 20-plus touches.
WEEK 12 RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
WR Larry Fitzgerald, ARI at ATL ($7,000): Fitzgerald has hit at least six catches in every game since Week 5. Amid the Cardinals' offensive struggles, Fitz has remained a solid bet for 17 DK points and remains a good cash play against Atlanta's 30th-ranked pass D (presuming Desmond Trufant doesn't travel to the slot this week).
WR Brandin Cooks, NO vs. LA ($6,800): Cooks averages 95 yards and score in home games this season, continuing a career tendency for production in the Superdome. WR8 price for the Sunday slate is worth the shot against a middling defense in DK points allowed to opposing receivers.
WR Doug Baldwin, SEA vs. TB ($6,400): Baldwin doesn't provide the high target floor we typically look for in this cash lineup, but four or more catches in eight straight games isn't horrendous. Tampa's defense has escaped the top 10 in points allowed to opposing receivers, to 11th, after meetings with Jay Cutler and Alex Smith, but it's still not great.
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TE Travis Kelce, KC at DEN ($4,000): Yes Alex Smith is playing like trash, but it's still coincided with Kelce leading all tight ends in targets and yards over the past four weeks, per Pro Football Focus data.. If Smith can find him open in the end zone, bonus!
FLEX Jeremy Hill, CIN at BAL ($3,900): Giovani Bernard (knee) and A.J. Green are out, and Hill is under $4K. I expect usage to funnel toward Hill, and this outweighs a tough matchup with Baltimore given the sub-$4K bargain.
D/ST Titans at Bears ($2,800): We're getting a banged-up Jay Cutler or Matt Barkley for a full grand off the D/ST ceiling. Tennessee's defense makes for the ultimate streamer play, and these QB prospects get us on board for cash games.