Fantasy Football week 12 WR preview: Projections, DFS plays, matchups to exploit and more
Everything you need to know about wide receiver for Fantasy Football in Week 12
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2 min read
I haven't gone through all the historical data, but just based on vibes I am prepared to call this the worst week of wide receiver projections I can recall. Only 19 wide receivers are projected to score more than 13 Fantasy points. It's even worse in three wide receiver leagues as only 31 receivers are projected to score double digits in full PPR this week. A big part of the reason is that 15 of the top 36 wide receivers based on preseason ADP are either hurt, suspended, or on bye this week. It also doesn't help that the Commanders are on bye, they have given up the second-most points to the position.
One reason to bring this up is to put your mind at ease when you are setting your lineups this week. The vast majority of managers in 12 teams leagues are going to be starting someone at wide receiver that they would rather not start. The second reason to bring it up is to set you free. If there is no one available with a good projection, feel free to aim high and go for the upside. Guys like Xavier Worthy, who hasn't done anything start worthy in a month, should be started in three receiver leagues. Even someone like Luther Burden, who has shown us the ability to make a Fantasy day with one play, or Ricky Pearsall, who gave us a goose egg in Week 11.
At the bottom of the wide receiver rankings projection just doesn't matter as much when it's this bad. Be willing to leave eight points on your bench for the chance to score 20.
Here is the rest of the Week 12 WR Preview:
Week 12 WR Preview
WR Preview
Numbers to Know
- 74.5% -- Ricky Pearsall played nearly three-quarters of the snaps in his first game back. He was open more than once as well.
- 31% -- Wan'Dale Robinson led the Giants with a 31% target share in Week 11. I am going tight back to him in Week 12, no matter who starts at quarterback.
- 37.5 -- The Raiders are giving up 37.5 PPR Fantasy points per game to receivers, the second most in the league. Maybe it's Jerry Jeudy week?
- 40.7% -- A.J. Brown led the league with a 40.7% target share in Week 11. It seems the Eagles are at least attempting to appease him.
- 38.8 -- Since he became a full time player in Week 6, Tez Johnson is averaging 38.8 receiving yards per game. He is a touchdown or bust flex.
- 33 -- Luther Burden has played 33 offensive snaps, a season high, in each of the Bears last two games. The breakout could be right around the corner.
- 185 -- Michael Wilson's 185 receiving yards was the most by a player in the NFL this week. He's a start if Marvin Harrison misses another week.
- 20% -- Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington both have a 20% target share since Meyers joined the Jaguars. They could both be WR3s this week unless Brian Thomas Jr. comes back.
WR Preview
Waiver Wire Targets
Week 12 Adds (WR Preview)
Wide receiver is a lot like running back this week in that the best waiver wire add is dependent on someone missing time. Marvin Harrison Jr. hasn't been ruled out for Week 12, but as of Tuesday we are not projecting him to play. That means are projecting Wilson as a top 20 wide receiver this week. As bad as wide receiver is in Week 12, Wilson may be a top 40 guy even if Harrison is back.
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Watson's 20 point outburst in Week 11 could be a sign of things to come. He has now scored 12 or more in two of his four games this season. The only risk is volume. He doesn't yet have a game with more than five targets and the Packers could go run heavy if Minnesota's offense continues to struggle.
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Jeudy has a target share over 30% since the bye and the Browns are facing a Raiders defense that gives up the second most points to opposing defenses. It doesn't feel good with the quality of quarterback play in Cleveland, but Jeudy is as good as anyone else ranked outside our consensus top 36.
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Stashes (WR Preview)
I am not backing off of Burden. Last week was the first week this season that he ran more routes than Olamide Zaccehaus. Burden is available in 76% of leagues. I still believe he could become a must-start Fantasy wide receiver by the playoffs.
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WR Preview
DFS Plays
Top DFS Play
Projections powered by
Sportsline
Higgins will be playing without Ja'Marr Chase this week. He may see 15 targets, he may see more. Of course, he's still priced as if Chase is playing. He'll be chalky, but I am not fading Joe Flacco's number one receiver in a game where the Bengals will be chasing the score.
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Contrarian DFS Play
Projections powered by
Sportsline
If Xavier Worthy and Patrick Mahomes actually connect on one of these deep balls Worthy could look like a brilliant tournament play. The opportunities have been there and I expect the Chiefs will have to take a few of those shots against the Colts.
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WR Preview
Heath's Projections
My full set of Week 12 Fantasy football projections for every position are now available on SportsLine. You'll find them here. Find out which of my favorite plays are projected to score higher than consensus rankings and which don't live up to their draft hype, at least in Week 12. Projected stats for all starting wide receivers are available, so be sure to check out the full set of projections at SportsLine.
