Which under-the-radar players might be able to give your fantasy team a lift? Which chalky players might not be as safe as they seem? Our featured analysts name some potential sleepers and underachievers along with start/sit advice for Week 12.

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Fantasy Football Week 12 Start/Sit Advice

Q. Which player outside of the top 100 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is a good sleeper start and why do you think he has upside this week?

Khalil Shakir (WR – BUF)

“Everyone thought that Gabe Davis would be the WR2 in Buffalo, but I think that Khalil Shakir is sneaking into that role. In the blowout of the Jets, Shakir had 3 receptions for 115 yards, highlighted by an 81-yard highlight-reel touchdown. While this is not an every-week occurrence for any player, Shakir is part of a strong Buffalo offense led by Josh Allen and could have a repeat of last week against Philadelphia this week in a game that could be high scoring.”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)

“Khalil Shakir has been the WR20 over the past four weeks, averaging 10.5 half-point PPR fantasy points without a healthy Dawson Knox. Last week, he led the Buffalo Bills’ wide receivers in receiving yards (115) and fantasy points (19) while finishing second to Stefon Diggs in targets (four). More importantly, the Philadelphia Eagles have surrendered the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season (37.9). Furthermore, they have the second-highest targeted slot rate in the NFL (per Fantasy Points Data). Shakir has run 77.2% of his routes from the slot this year and should have another solid performance in Week 12.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)

“Khalil Shakir is a sneaky-good start against an Eagles defense conceding the most points to opposing wide receivers. While Shakir isn’t getting as many targets as you would like, he’s always a big play waiting to happen and could flourish in a Bills offense needing to score points this week.”
– Ben Wasley (The Fantasy First Down)

Royce Freeman (RB – LAR)

“Royce Freeman isn’t getting much attention from fantasy managers, but he is earning a proper share of the Rams’ RB carries. He has at least 12 carries in three of his last four games. Unfortunately, he only has one target over that span, so he’s a best fit for standard leagues. This upcoming matchup against the Cardinals is even, so the game script should stay in his favor throughout.”
– Matt De Lima (The Game Day)

Isaiah Likely (TE – BAL)

“With Mark Andrews out for the season, the Ravens have a capable next-man-up in Isaiah Likely. This week Likely gets to face the team giving up the third most points to tight ends (per Yahoo! Sports). Great matchup and fit in an offense that features its tight ends like no other, Isaiah Likely offers a great sleeper start option in week 12.”
– Neema Hodjat (Real GM)

“The Ravens lost one of their top weapons last week when starting TE Mark Andrews went down. It’s next man up time, and that man is Isaiah Likely. Likely is known for his receiving chops rather than his blocking ability. It might not be likely, but it’s certainly possible that Likely emerges as one of Lamar Jackson‘s top targets, especially against a Chargers defense that has struggled this season. It is, however, very likely that Mark Ringo continues to tell incredibly bad jokes this Thanksgiving!”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)

“Losing Mark Andrews really stinks, and I wish all of the fantasy managers out there the very best of luck trying to replace him. The most logical candidate is in-house, with Isaiah Likely hopefully ready to step up in Andrews’ absence. The Chargers defense as a whole stinks, but they are especially porous against tight ends, surrendering the third most points to the position this year. Tight ends have at least gathered 6 catches in every matchup against the Chargers dating back to Week 7. Likely has the opportunity to become a league winner down the stretch, and this week will be a good gauge as to how Likely fairs for the remainder of the season. ”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

“With Mark Andrews hurt, Isaiah Likely gets his chance to shine as the starting tight end for the Ravens. He has done well in this role when given the chance. He has big-game potential. Likely plays the Chargers, a team that is awful against the pass. The Chargers allow the most passing yards in all of football, giving up 291.8 passing yards per game. ”
– Jeff Paur (RTSports)

David Njoku (TE – CLE)

“David Njoku is a great sleeper this week and is going to smash with Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback for the Browns. When Deshaun Watson was lost for the season, many assumed it was the end for any of the offensive weapons on Cleveland, but if you look into the numbers, Njoku has been the one player that has been better with DTR than he was with Watson. In Week 11 we saw that scenario play out again as Njoku was easily the most productive Cleveland player for fantasy purposes and totaled 7 receptions on 15 targets.”
– Aaron St Denis (The League Winners)

Tutu Atwell (WR – LAR)

“Tutu Atwell will be a great sleeper in week 12. The potential absence of Kupp could force Atwell to stay on the field more. We saw last time that Atwell saw more work, and he was averaging over ten fantasy points per game. The Cardinals are a favorable matchup for the Rams receiver in week 12. Atwell could see over seven targets and has the upside to finish as a WR2 in week 12.”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)

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Q. Which player inside the top 40 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week?

Josh Jacobs (RB – LV)

“Josh Jacobs is the focus of the Las Vegas Raiders offense. Unfortunately, he is also the focus of opposing defenses. Last week, Miami held him to 39 yards on 14 carries, and Kansas City is likely to do the same with a rising defense. Jacobs has only eclipsed 100 yards rushing once this year, and although the team is playing better under Antonio Pierce, he will still struggle to find running room and could disappoint fantasy owners once again.”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)

A.J. Dillon (RB – GB)

“A.J. Dillon hasn’t had more than 70 yards rushing all year, and modest receiving totals are keeping him on the edge of fantasy relevance. With only one TD across 10 contests, Dillon is a solid floor player with limited upside. The Lions are allowing the fifth-fewest PPR points to RBs this season so it may be better to look elsewhere for more potential fantasy scoring.”
– Matt De Lima (The Game Day)

“Yes, Aaron Jones appears to be out for week 12. And yes, A.J. Dillon will likely receive the most carries out of the Packers’ backfield. But Dillon has been averaging a paltry 3.5 YPC this season, and he didn’t exactly impress earlier this year when Jones was sidelined. The Packers also figure to be chasing the Lions in this one – what a weird sentence to type! Don’t fall for it – Dillon amounts to nothing more than a low-end flex option this week.”
– Neema Hodjat (Real GM)

“A.J. Dillion will be a bust even with Aaron Jones likely not playing in this game. Dillion has just three games all season over ten fantasy points. He has been an ineffective runner with or without Jones on the field. His targets are up and down, especially with the Packers’ young receivers progressing. The Lions are a top-10 defense against fantasy running backs. Dillion was awful the last time he played the Lions, with just 11 yards. He probably shouldn’t be ranked inside the top 40 flex plays.”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)

Davante Adams (WR – LV)

“Davante Adams had seven receptions on 13 targets for 82 receiving yards and 17.7 half-point PPR fantasy points last week, his highest fantasy performance since Week 3. Unfortunately, his fantasy value goes downhill from here. This week, he faces a Kansas City Chiefs defense that sacked Jalen Hurts five times in the first half Monday night and held A.J. Brown to one reception and 1.3 fantasy points. If the Chiefs can slow down Hurts and shut down Brown, Aidan O’Connell and Adams have no chance. Hopefully, fantasy players have better options on their roster with no teams on a bye in Week 12.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)

“Davante Adams is finally getting more volume. He has 16 targets in his last two games. All he needed was a coaching change to get more involved in the offense. But even with that said, his numbers aren’t off the charts. He has less than double-digit fantasy points in two of four games and four of his last seven. I wouldn’t be surprised if Adams struggles some this week. The Chiefs managed to shut down A.J. Brown last week, who was playing the best of any receiver coming into that game. The Chiefs’ pass defense has done that much of the season, though. Kansas City allows the fifth-fewest fantasy points to receivers and is fourth overall against the pass.”
– Jeff Paur (RTSports)

Joe Mixon (RB – CIN)

“And the hits just keep on coming. Joe Burrow is the latest star to go down this season. The loss of Burrow decimates the Bengals’ offense and their title hopes. While Cincinnati may lean on the running game more, defenses know that and will adapt accordingly by stacking the line to shut Mixon down. I expect the Bengals to struggle to score the rest of the season, especially against a stingy defense like the Steelers. ”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)

Javonte Williams (RB – DEN)

“Williams has failed to truly get going this season and has managed to plod his way to mediocrity. Last week against Minnesota, he had his lowest number of carries in a month and found himself losing out to both Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin. The Broncos have struggled to get their run game going, and when they have decided to include the running backs in the passing game, it hasn’t been Williams that they have turned to. This week, they get a tough matchup with a stout Cleveland defense that will once again prove difficult to run on. Denver is going to be playing catch-up in this game, and once again, Williams will lose out on the valuable touches when it matters.”
– Aaron St Denis (The League Winners)

Chris Olave (WR – NO)

“Chris Olave hasn’t surpassed 100 yards since Week 3 and has struggled mightily with Derek Carr. This is despite facing a slew of positive passing matchups. The Falcons’ Week 12 opponents, the Falcons, profile as Olave’s toughest matchup yet. With Carr presumedly back under center, Olave is an avoid for me.”
– Ben Wasley (The Fantasy First Down)

Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – WAS)

“Brian Robinson is absolutely someone I would consider to potentially be a disappointment this week as Washington heads to Dallas on Thanksgiving. All logic says the Cowboys should win this game, and in a big way, as the Cowboys have scored the 4th most points in the league at home this year. The Cowboys are also surrendering the 6th fewest points to the running back position and have not allowed a RB score since losing to the Eagles back in Week 9. Robinson needs his offense to keep this close, otherwise, it could be a bad day at the office for him.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

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