Week 12 is here, and if your fantasy football roster looks anything like the Thanksgiving dessert table—half empty, vaguely chaotic, and relying on one uncle who definitely shouldn’t be carrying this much responsibility—you’re not alone. Bye weeks, injuries, and depth-chart plot twists are testing everyone’s patience.
To help you separate the sneaky starts from the “please don’t ruin my week” sits, we turn to the Featured Pros. Their expert picks for Week 12 Sleepers and Duds will help stabilize your lineup, calm your nerves, and maybe even prevent that annual holiday meltdown we pretend is “tradition.”
Let’s dig in.
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Fantasy Football Week 12 Start/Sit Advice
Sleepers
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?
Jalen Coker (WR – CAR)
“Jalen Coker is a strong sleeper start outside the top 100 this week thanks to his expanded role and elite matchup. He’s coming off his best game since returning from injury, posting 11.2 points on four catches for 52 yards. The 49ers have one of the worst pass rushes in the league and rank 25th in pass DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average), making this a favorable spot for Carolina’s passing attack. As a primary slot receiver, Coker benefits even more since San Francisco allows an NFL-high 19.1 points per game to slot receivers. If Xavier Legette sits, Coker’s target volume could spike, and he’s already shown chemistry with Bryce Young, averaging a 19% target share and 55 yards over the final five weeks of 2024. Expect Coker to have his best performance of the season in Week 12.”
– Ryan Linkletter (Blitz Sports Media)
“Jalen Coker at the San Francisco 49ers. With so much attention from the defense going to breakout rookie Tetairoa McMillan, Coker should have a lot of easy target upside this week from Bryce Young, who is coming off of an absolutely massive blowup game. Not to mention that the 49ers’ secondary has been pretty bad this season, as they’ve struggled quite a bit. Xavier Legette is a fine option here, too, I guess. I’m going with Jalen Coker because he has been more consistent in the past.”
– Aidan Weingartner (Fantasy In Frames)
Duds
Which player inside the top 40 in the FantasyPros Flex rankings is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week?
Travis Etienne Jr. (RB – JAC)
“The Committee has been activated. Travis Etienne’s workload just got cut in half by rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten, who proved in Week 11 that he’s here to stay. If you’re expecting the elite, high-volume days from Etienne, prepare to be disappointed.”
– Luke Renton (The Franchise Tag UK)
Quinshon Judkins (RB – CLE)
“Quinshon Judkins has seen his efficiency drop over the past several weeks, averaging just over three yards per carry. He’s only scored in one game since Week 5, that being the three-touchdown outburst versus Miami. The prospect of Shedeur Sanders starting at quarterback could wreck Judkins’ chances of scoring. The choice matchup doesn’t outweigh the potential of disaster for Judkins and the Browns in Week 12.”
– Pierre Camus (Fantasy Endgame)
“Quinshon Judkins is averaging 3.2 yards per carry over his last five games and has produced just eight receiving yards over that stretch. Judkins has gone three straight games without a touchdown. His matchup against the Raiders seems enticing, but the Raiders’ run defense is respectable, ranking 16th in DVOA. The Raiders have allowed the 14th-fewest fantasy points to running backs. The Browns-Raiders game has a Vegas total of 36.5 points. I’m just not that excited about Judkins this week.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
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