Daily Fantasy Football 2023 Week 12: Best Plays And Bargains On FanDuel and DraftKings
The best way to cash on weekly fantasy football sites is to load up on as many stars with good matchups as possible. Here, you'll find the best plays and top bargains at each position on FanDuel and DraftKings. And remember, scoring is IMPORTANT. Here are Fanduel’s and DraftKings’ scoring systems.
For each position I’ll provide the best big name, the best mid range value, and the best low-price bargain. At the end, I’ll also list a big name to avoid at each position.
Quarterback
Best Big Name
Dak Prescott, Cowboys ($8,500/$6,800): Prescott is in the midst of an epic heater, having thrown 2+ TD passes in four straight games, and throwing four touchdown passes twice in that span. He now gets a Thanksgiving spotlight vs. a Commanders defense that has traded its two best pass rushers, is ranked dead last in Pass DVOA, and just allowed Tommy DeVito to throw for three passing scores. This is easy.
Mid Range Value
Jared Goff, Lions ($7,800/$6,300): Goff delivers at home. He looked horrendous on Sunday, and still finished with 236 yards and two scores to salvage the fantasy outing. He’s home again, and facing a Packers defense that is lowkey friendly to opposing QBs, with his top options – Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta – healthy. I like Prescott more, but on a good day Goff can match Prescott’s output, and his floor in this one is pretty high.
Thrift Store
Derek Carr, Saints ($6,800/$5,800): Carr has a beautiful matchup this week, and he’s had a week off to heal up. Of course, make sure he’s active on game day, but if not, you can safely pivot to Jameis Winston for this game because the Atlanta Falcons are a team you have to beat through the air. Carr isn’t flashy, and he will be without Michael Thomas here, but he’s gone for 300+ yards four times this year. With only four INTs on the season, Carr’s done a nice job of putting up decent numbers and not hurting himself. At this price point, that’s what you’re looking for while the expensive skill guys run up the score.
Running Back
Best Big Name
Derrick Henry, Titans ($7,800/$6,400): Before we dump dirt on King Henry, let’s give him another shot here against the NFL’s worst run defense, the Carolina Panthers. It’s been gross lately, with Henry running into stacked boxes against defenses that aren’t respecting Will Levis, and the Titans’ weak defense putting the offense in unfriendly game scripts. That’ll flip this week because the Panthers can’t score. Expect Henry’s carry count to end in a number starting with a 2, and for him to have multiple scores.
Mid Range Value
Jaylen Warren, Steelers ($6,900/$5,400): Warren’s been on fire, and a bright spot in an offense that has been pitiful of late. They have now fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada, which should only open the door even further for Warren to thrive as the playcalling should be more dynamic and call for his versatile skills. He’s a high-end pass-catching back, which is always nice, but he’s been killing it on the ground too going for 100+ and a rushing TD in two straight games. After this one, he’ll be in a higher price range so use Warren this week and enjoy the bargain one last time.
Thrift Store
Keaton Mitchell, Ravens ($5,400/$,900): Mitchell didn’t score last week, and when the skill set is reliant on big plays and efficiency, those dud games can happen. I’m willing to run it back in a plus matchup though, because he still saw eight carries, and his snap count rose to 36%. He’s overtaken Justice Hill, and is the obvious change of pace option now to Gus Edwards. If the Ravens get close, it’s Lamar Jackson or Gus scoring the TD, but Mitchell is running behind a quality line and he can strike from distance. At this price the ceiling is way higher than his peers.
Wide Receivers
Best Big Name
Stefon Diggs, Bills ($8,700/$8,800): Diggs has plodded through two down games, and with a huge matchup vs. Philly, which is surprisingly amenable to big games against WR1s, he’s due for a return to form. The Eagles give up 94.2 yards per game to WR1s, and they’re facing arguably the top QB/WR combo in the NFL here. Big game incoming.
Mid Range Value
Adam Thielen, Panthers ($7,500/$7,300): The Titans are a beautiful matchup for opposing WR1s and slot receivers, and Thielen is both of those rolled into one. He’s had a resurgent season, thriving as the No. 1 target on an offense devoid of other quality choices, with his targets climbing into double-digits six times. He’ll be force fed again in this one, and after four consecutive scoreless outings, he’s due to find the painted area.
Thrift Store
Khalil Shakir, Bills ($5,700/$3,600): Shakir is surely a high-risk play, even at this low price, but the Eagles are favorable for slot receivers, and when Shakir hits he hits big. He has a 92-yard game, and a 115-yard game with a score on his game log this year, as well as six games with under 25 yards. Big swing if you choose to stomach this risk, but if he pops at this price tag, you’re probably finishing in the money.
Tight End
Best Big Name
Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($6,000/$5,300): The Eagles have the worst DVOA against TEs per FTN Fantasy, making Kincaid a really lovely option at a price a tick below the elite tier. Kincaid has been heavily targeted since Dawson Knox got hurt, drawing 5+ targets in all five of those games, surpassing 50 yards in all but one of them, and scoring twice. He’s breaking the rookie TE stereotype, and needs to be treated like the Top 5 TE that he is.
Mid Range Value
Evan Engram, Jaguars ($5,800/$4,200): Engram has been the steadiest Eddie of them all at TE this year, catching at least four passes in every game this year, racking up 40+ yards in seven games, but never putting forth a smash game as he has zero TDs on the year. He’s at a mid-range price because he’s always putting up mid-range performances. We saw last season though that Engram is capable of more at times, and this week’s matchup vs. Houston is an opportunity for ceiling. Houston allows 68.6 yards per game to the position, and, more importantly, has been scoring and throwing like crazy, forcing pass-happy game scripts.
Thrift Store
Isaiah Likely, Ravens ($5,000/$3,100): Likely has let fantasy managers down a bunch when they turn to him in Mark Andrews’ absence, but the Ravens lack a true WR1, and in this offense Lamar Jackson’s been as potent as ever through the air. It’s silly to just ascribe Andrews’ role to Likely, because Likely isn’t the player Andrews is. But with Andrews’ injury being long term, the Ravens have to be game planning ways to use Likely moving forward, so one big game could move his price point much higher very soon. I think the risk is very high using him this week, but the Chargers do offer a pliable defense, and the L.A. offense can turn this into a shootout if they’re clicking.
Quarterback to Avoid: Justin Herbert, Chargers ($8,200/$7,800)
Running Back to Avoid: Devin Singletary, Texans ($7,300/$6,000)
Wide Receiver to Avoid: Davante Adams, Raiders ($7,700/$7,800)
Tight End to Avoid: Jake Ferguson, Cowboys ($6,100/$3,900)