Well, Week 11 was one to forget. The Chiefs didn’t score like we all thought they would so Eli Manning wasn’t gunslinging. Michael Crabtree did very little, as did Isaiah Crowell, while Hunter Henry continued to disappoint. Fortunately, the Chargers defense made up for all of that thanks to Nathan Peterman who made it a mission to throw an interception for each one of Philip Rivers‘ kids last Sunday. It’s time for Week 12, though, so let’s take a look at the post-Thanksgiving DraftKings value plays for the Week 12 main Sunday slate.
Quarterback
Tyrod Taylor (BUF): $5,800 @ KC
So… the Nate Peterman experiment didn’t work out all that well. After being unceremoniously benched by head coach Sean McDermott, Tyrod Taylor was back playing quarterback for the Bills by halftime of their game against the Chargers. Taylor responded nicely with 19 points in relief of Peterman albeit in absolute garbage-time/comeback mode. Still counts.
I expect Taylor to come out firing after “reclaiming” his starting job, and he has the matchup to do it against the Chiefs who rank 23rd against opposing quarterbacks.
Running Backs
Devontae Booker (DEN): $3,700 @ OAK
Lost in the fact that the Broncos are an absolute dumpster fire is that Devontae Booker has seemingly emerged as the guy to own in the Broncos backfield. Booker led the Broncos backfield with 19 touches against the Bengals last week which included five catches on six targets and 14 carries for 44 yards. The rushing numbers aren’t all that impressive, but he makes for an appealing option in PPR formats. The Broncos are hoping Paxton Lynch can jump start the offense, although the Raiders defense may be bad enough to do that regardless of who’s under center for the Broncos. The Raiders rank 28th against running backs this season. For only $3,700, Booker should have no issue reaching value.
Carlos Hyde (SF): $5,500 @ SEA
Carlos Hyde is once again significantly under-priced, especially in the DraftKings PPR setting. Hyde has 31 targets in the last four games with C.J. Beathard under center. The expectation that the 49ers will be trailing in Seattle isn’t a hit to Hyde’s value as it is with many running backs, and the matchup with the overrated, injury-riddled Seattle defense has driven Hyde’s price down below $6,000 once again. Give him a look.
Wide Receivers
Dontrelle Inman (CHI): $3,500 v. PHI
Playing a Bears wide receiver isn’t all that appealing, but Dontrelle Inman is still worth more than that $3,500 price tag. Inman is averaging 6.5 targets and 11.05 points since his trade to Chicago two weeks ago, and has emerged as Mitch Trubisky‘s top target in the low-powered Bears passing attack. With the expectation that the Bears will be trailing big against Philly, Trubisky should be forced to throw more than usual. Look for Inman to continue being the No.1 target for Trubisky.
Emmanuel Sanders (DEN): $5,200 @ OAK
Sanders has had two games of 20+ points this season, and both came when he was priced under $5,500 (this will be Sanders’ fourth game this season priced under $5,500). We aren’t exactly sure what to expect from Paxton Lynch in his season debut, but it’s impossible to imagine him being a downgrade from Brock Osweiler or Trevor Siemian. Sanders will have plenty of opportunity to produce against the Raiders porous secondary who let both Brandin Cooks and Danny Amendola go for big games last week.
Tight End
Jared Cook (OAK): $4,600 v. DEN
The tight end value play roulette wheel continues into Week 12, and my spinner has come up on Ricky Seals-Jo — just kidding, it’s Jared Cook! Denver is ranked 31st against tight ends this season (yes, even worse than Cleveland) and Jared Cook seems to go off about every other week. He didn’t do much against the Patriots last week so maybe he gets it done in a better matchup against the Broncos. That’s all I’ve got.
Defense/Special Teams
New Orleans Saints D/ST: $2,500 @ LAR
The matchup is undoubtedly difficult going to Los Angeles to take on the high-powered Rams offense. However, the Saints have been just too good defensively this season to be priced this low. If you told me I was going to write either of those sentences this time last season, I would have said you were crazy. But here I am, writing those two sentences and they make sense.
Ready for this? The Saints D/ST has scored less than eight points only twice since Week 3, and one of those was last week against the Redskins. I’ll take any defense for $2,500 or less with a consistent ceiling as high as the Saints (they have gone for more than 16 points three times), and the Rams took a bit of a step back last week when they weren’t playing a defense as bad as the Giants or Texans. The Saints are worth taking a shot if you’re looking to go cheap at D/ST.
That’s going to do it for Week 12. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Joey Korman is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joey, check out his archive and follow him @leaveit2divac.
