Start: Rhamondre Stevenson — New England Patriots (at MIA)
Stevenson’s usage has been steady in recent weeks. He’s seen at least 20 carries in three out of the last four and caught all four of his targets in New England’s Week 11 matchup versus the Rams. He’ll remain a primary focus in the offense as the Patriots take on the Dolphins. Miami’s defense is better geared for the pass than the run. Stevenson will be utilized early and often as New England tries to keep Miami’s high-powered offense off of the field.
Sit: Javonte Williams — Denver Broncos (at LVR)
Williams had his best game in weeks last time out, notching 18.7 FP (PPR) in a dominant win over the Falcons. However, Williams’ production in Week 11 isn’t an indicator of success moving forward. Denver’s backfield remains a mystery. Williams was able to make the most out of his 13 opportunities (9 carries, 4 receptions), though Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Esteme remain in the mix. Some thought Esteme would take over the lead role by now, but HC Sean Payton seems committed to using all of his backs. As such, we’d refrain from slotting any Bronco RB into your starting lineup.
Start: Tyrone Tracy Jr. — New York Giants (vs TB)
New York’s Tyrone Tracy might be one of the top running backs in fantasy for the remainder of the season. The Giants have no choice but to give him the ball as often as possible. With Daniel Jones being benched, crowd favorite Tommy DeVito will take over under center. DeVito was turnover-prone during his stint as a starter last year. New York’s offensive game plan should be heavily catered toward running the ball and the quick-passing game. That sort of strategy benefits Tracy Jr. who has ran the ball well this year and is also a former receiver.
Sit: Tony Pollard — Tennessee Titans (at HOU)
That’s two straight disappointing outings for Tennessee’s leadback. Pollard started the season strong. He posted at least 14.7 FP (PPR) in six of Tennessee’s first eight games. However, his carries have dipped and his production has been dismal. Pollard carried the ball nine times in Week 10 and 11. He’s reportedly dealing with a foot injury that could be causing the decreased usage. The Titans get the Texans next week who rank 28th in fantasy points allowed to RBs this year. Houston’s defense will likely contain Pollard to another quiet day.
Start: Austin Ekeler — Washington Commanders (vs DAL)
Austin Ekeler has returned to fantasy relevancy. He’s put up over 17.3 FP (PPR) in three straight. In Week 11, QB Jayden Daniels targeted Ekeler nine times out of the backfield. Ekeler ended the game with 8 receptions for 89 yards — a stat line that resembles something he may have recorded at his peak with the Chargers. Daniels is nursing an injury that has limited his running ability. We’re going to see him checking it down more and more as a substitute for his scrambling. Ekeler will benefit in PPR leagues as a result.
Sit: Any Raider RB (vs DEN)
The Raiders face off against the Broncos this week with a compromised backfield. Alexander Mattison and Zamir White are both nursing injuries. As of now, it seems like Ameer Abdullah and rookie Dylan Laube could be in for a big workload. No matter who lines up at RB for Vegas, we’d avoid slotting them in your fantasy lineup. The Raider run game has been terrible all year long. And, the Broncos boast one of the league’s best defenses. This is going to be a long day for Vegas, and will likely involve QB Gardner Minshew throwing the ball 40-plus times.
Start: Aaron Jones — Minnesota Vikings (at CHI)
Jones is coming off arguably his worst game as a Viking. He carried the ball 15 times for 39 yards and recorded 1 reception for 4 yards. It was tough sledding against an underrated Titans defense. However, the Vikings are still using him as the lead back and he should get back on track in Week 12. Jones is playing against a familiar foe in the Chicago Bears. The Bears defense is talented but their play has slipped recently. Jones went for over 120 scrimmage yards in both games against Chicago last season when he was with the Packers.
Sit: Rico Dowdle — Dallas Cowboys (at WAS)
Dowdle has taken over the No. 1 role in Dallas’ backfield, but that hasn’t amounted to much success. Over the last two weeks, Dowdle has rushed for 81 yards on 22 carries while adding 5 receptions for 9 yards. He hasn’t scored a rushing touchdown all year (3 rec TDs). Dallas’ offense is severely limited without Dak Prescott. Even if Dowdle gets going early, opposing defenses can start keying in on the run and closing lanes. There are better RBs available with more upside than Dallas’ Dowdle in Week 12.
Start: J.K. Dobbins — Los Angeles Chargers (vs BAL)
It’s a revenge game for Dobbins. His tenure with the Baltimore Ravens was filled with promise, but ultimately derailed by injuries. The Ohio State product has been productive in his first year with the Chargers and has emerged as a strong fantasy asset. He’s scored five TDs over the last three weeks. This Ravens defense isn’t the same caliber that we’ve seen in years past. Dobbins will reach pay dirt against his former team.
Sit: Isiah Pacheco — Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR)
Pacheco is expected to make his return to the field in Week 12. Kansas City’s lead back has been out since Week 2 with an ankle injury. He’ll eventually regain his role as the No. 1 back in the Chiefs’ backfield, but the team is likely to ease him into playing. Kareem Hunt has been sufficient in Pacheco’s absence. They’ll prefer that Pacheco is healthy heading into the postseason. Expect Pacheco to get less than 10 opportunities in his first game back, and for Hunt to handle most of the red zone duties.
Start: Rachaad White — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NYG)
It took a couple of months, but Rachaad White is finally living up to the preseason hype. White ranked 4th among all RBs in PPR scoring last season — behind only Christian McCaffrey, Breece Hall, and Travis Etienne Jr. He got off to a slow start in 2024 as Tampa Bay began incorporating backups Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker into the offense. However, injuries at wideout have led to White regaining his usage in the passing game. He’s recorded 20 receptions over the last four games. White has also scored a TD in each of those contests. QB Baker Mayfield will continue to use him as a safety valve to keep the chains moving.
Sit: Jayden Reed — Green Bay Packers (vs SF)
Reed’s big play ability made him a viable fantasy option through the first few weeks of the season. However, a recent string of poor performances makes him an option to be benched in fantasy leagues. Reed has just two receptions in three of the last four games. He scored last week but had just 23 receiving yards and was targeted twice. The Packers are adamant about spreading the ball around. It doesn’t seem like any one WR will stand out above the rest. Reed is just a boom-or-bust play at this point.
Start: Courtland Sutton — Denver Broncos (at LVR)
Denver’s passing game has shown signs of life in recent weeks. Bo Nix is beginning to become more comfortable as his rookie season wears on. Broncos head coach Sean Payton has done a nice job of easing his first-year quarterback into the system. Courtland Sutton has found success as a result. Over the last four weeks, Sutton ranks fifth among WRs in fantasy points (PPR). The Raiders secondary is beat up, and Sutton seems to have found his rhythm.
Sit: Tank Dell — Houston Texans (vs TEN)
Tank Dell has been a disappointing draft pick for fantasy managers. He has just one 100-yard game all year and doesn’t seem to be a focal point in Houston’s offense when other wideouts are healthy. In Nico Collins’ return last week, Dell saw 7 targets and recorded 4 receptions for 54 yards. With Collins set to receive more playing time in his second game back, we’d keep Dell glued to your bench. Additionally, CJ Stroud hasn’t played well enough to support two fantasy-viable WRs. And, Collins is the clear No. 1 in this offense.
Start: Jaxon Smith-Njigba — Seattle Seahawks (vs ARI)
Back-to-back big games from Smith-Njigba who is quickly becoming a preferred target for Geno Smith. Smith-Njigba exploded for 7 receptions, 180 yards, and 2 TDs versus the Rams right before Seattle’s Bye week. He picked up where he left off coming out of the Bye, going for 10 receptions and 110 yards against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11. He’s getting open more and more, and converting on big plays down the field. The Cardinals don’t have anybody in the secondary to match up with this talented Seattle receiving corps.
Sit: Jaylen Waddle — Miami Dolphins (vs NE)
The Dolphins offense has greatly improved since Tua Tagovailoa returned. Since coming back in Week 8, Miami has averaged 27.7 PPG after failing to score over 15 points in any game that Tagovailoa missed. However, Jaylen Waddle’s production has not changed at all. He remains an afterthought in Miami’s passing attack. Last week against the Raiders, Waddle caught 2-of-3 targets for 37 yards. He hasn’t gone over 60 yards since Week 1 and has just 1 TD on the year. 2024 just hasn’t been Waddle’s year.
Start: Xavier Worthy — Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR)(
Patrick Mahomes and rookie WR Xavier Worthy are gaining more chemistry each week. In Week 11, Mahomes made it a point to get the ball to Kansas City’s first-round pick. The results were 4 receptions for 61 yards and a TD. Worthy nearly hauled in a deep pass from Mahomes that would have gone for a big gain, but failed to get both feet in. He’s getting open and Mahomes is finding him with accurate passes. It’s only a matter of time until Worthy breaks out and has a huge game. It could be this week versus the lowly Panthers.
Sit: Quentin Johnston — Los Angeles Chargers (vs BAL)
Johnston enters Week 12 with a favorable matchup. The Ravens allow the most fantasy points to opposing WRs in the league. Johnston has scored in three straight games and leads all Charger WRs with 6 TDs on the year. However, his production doesn’t seem sustainable. His touchdowns have come off of 22 receptions. He’s gone under 25 receiving yards in three of his last five games. Rookie Ladd McConkey has emerged as the top target in LA’s offense. TE Will Dissly is also becoming one of Justin Herbert’s favorites. Johnston will be kept at bay in this one.
Start: Josh Downs — Indianapolis Colts (vs DET)
Downs has been the most consistent option on the Colts this year. Since making his season debut in Week 3, Downs has gone over 12.0 FP (PPR) in seven of nine games. He received at least 9 targets in six of those contests. Last week, Downs recorded 5 receptions for 84 yards and a TD against a stingy Jets secondary. The Colts get the Lions this week who allow the fifth most fantasy points to opposing WRs. Downs will get plenty of looks as the Colts try to keep up with the Detroit’s potent offense.
Sit: Jakobi Meyers — Las Vegas Raiders (vs DEN)
Any receiver going up against the Broncos is in for a rough day. Especially when that receiver is attached to a mediocre quarterback. Jakobi Meyers is the top WR on Vegas’ depth chart, and will get the displeasure of having All-Pro CB Pat Surtain II shadowing him across the field. Even if the Broncos decide to utilize Surtain to defend Vegas’ best pass catcher (TE Brock Bowers), Denver’s No. 2 corner Riley Moss is no pushover. This Broncos defense is tough and will likely limit a decrepit Raider offense to a unproductive day.
