Week 12 WR Start’em, Sit’em: Wide Receiver Fantasy Football Strategy

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If you are in doubt about some players in a tough spot this week, or players that haven’t produced yet this season, you have come to the perfect spot. We dive into a few names to start in borderline matchups, and also talk about players to fade. You can also check out our rankings area to see where players on your team rank and their projections heading into Week 12. Be sure to check out the rest of our weekly fantasy football content.

Start Em

James Washington @ Cincinnati

JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson are both questionable for this week’s game, which could leave James Washington as one of the true starters. With these names out, look for him to have slightly bigger volume against a dreadful defense. The Bengals are allowing 8.8 yards per attempt, and are second to last against the pass. The fantasy points have just gravitated more towards the ground.

DeVante Parker @ Cleveland

For one, I am still shocked that DeVante Parker is not picked up in more leagues. He is coming off a season high 7-135-0 line with 20.5 PPR points, and has been over ten PPR points in every game since Week 4. He has done it in tough and weak matchups, where this is a middle of the road defense. The volume also continues to be there, with 42 targets since Week 7. On a heavy bye week for wide receivers and tons of injuries, I have put a focus on guys to fill in, and Parker is certainly one of them.

Zach Pascal @ Houston

Zach Pascal has been very up and down, and we will still need to monitor T.Y. Hilton’s status. It is more up in the air this week, and this is an early game. The Texans are allowing the fourth most passing yards per game, and have allowed the 6th most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. Pascal has still seen respectable volume, and I am fine with firing him up if the Colts are limited with receiving options again. Eric Ebron is also questionable.

DK Metcalf @ Philadelphia

DK Metcalf is coming off a ten target game, and has 33 over his last five games. The upside is starting to shine through. Tyler Lockett has a questionable tag on him, which could mean more looks his way, and Josh Gordon isn’t going to hinder his fantasy value. The Eagles are allowing the fourth most fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts, although the secondary looked better against New England, I would expect more from Seattle this week.

Hunter Renfrow @ New York Jets

In deeper PPR leagues, I don’t mind firing up Hunter Renfrow. The Jets are a strong run defense, but have struggled against the pass this season. They have allowed the third most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. He has scored double-digit fantasy points in PPR scoring in three of the last four games, and has 18 targets over the last three weeks. It is a good spot for Renfrow, and this has potential for both teams to fire through the air.

Sit Em

Terry McLaurin Vs. Detroit

My hope for Terry McLaurin with Dwayne Haskins under center is gone. The offensive line play is bad, and McLaurin not having Case Keenum back there has hurt his fantasy value. With Darius Slay also projected in shadow coverage, this just makes things even tougher. McLaurin hasn’t topped ten fantasy points since the Miami game, and his targets are not in the 7, 8, and 9 range like they were with Keenum.

Marquise Brown @ Los Angeles

Jalen Ramsey is projected to shadow Marquise Brown, and despite some on and off play by Ramsey this season, he is still a cornerback I do not like targeting. Brown hasn’t been a volume guy of late, and while he is always a threat for the home run ball, that is exactly what he needs to pay off this week. He has seen now more than four targets this season, and generally has just capitalized on strong matchups.

John Brown Vs. Denver

John Brown has shown some worth, but against a Denver secondary that is allowing just 210 passing yards per game, I don’t have much confidence in Josh Allen having a strong enough game. In deeper leagues, Brown is still a start, but if you have him in shallower leagues, I would look elsewhere. Denver has allowed the 5th fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts.

Randall Cobb @ New England

Coming off back-to-back 20 fantasy point games, Randall Cobb has caught some of your attention, at least in deeper leagues. The matchup for him this week is tough, going up against a New England secondary that has allowed one touchdown to opposing wideouts, and 4.5 yards per attempt. Overall it is going to be a tough matchup for the passing game, and I would shy away from the third option this week.