The A List at DFS Academy | NFL DFS Week 12

NFL Week 12 is upon us, and it brings a unique set of considerations in DFS. It will be the first of a two-week stretch where we have minimal teams on the main slate, as six teams are on bye. Next week, we get the Thanksgiving games, which will result in another small slate.

Because of the smaller slate, there are some clear gaps in the pricing among certain positions. The most expensive quarterback on DraftKings is only $7,000. There are only seven receivers priced above $7,000. With that, salary is less tight this week, which allows us to play more elite players than anticipated.

Now, let’s get into our Week 12 NFL DFS Cash picks.

Cash is in session.

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NFL DFS Week 12

Teacher’s Pet

Joe Mixon (DraftKings: $8,000 / FanDuel: $9,300)

Who would have guessed that Joe Mixon would have been in the running for RB1 this year? On a points-per-game basis, he has been the best fantasy running back in the league. This week, he matches up against the Tennessee Titans. They have struggled against the run in recent weeks, allowing the ninth-most points to the position. Additionally, Houston is favored by eight points, putting Mixon in a smash spot. 

Honor Roll

Bo Nix (DraftKings: $6,300 / FanDuel: $8,000)

After torching my Atlanta Falcons, Bo Nix is in another great spot against the Las Vegas Raiders. Nix has only had one game with fewer than 10 points this season, and it came against the Robert Saleh-led New York Jets. He’s been over 15 DraftKings points in six of his last seven games, which is exactly what we need for him to pay off his salary.

Brian Robinson (DraftKings: $5,600 / FanDuel: $7,900)

Someone at DraftKings seems to have forgotten to do their job this week. Brian Robinson is priced identically to Austin Ekeler on DraftKings in a week where they play the lackluster Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have allowed the second-most points to running backs since Week 8. Washington is favored by 10.5 points. There is so much to like here for Brian Robinson. He is still the lead running back in Washington, so I prefer him in Cash. Ekeler is intriguing in tournaments. And if you don’t want to pay Robinson’s salary on FanDuel, Kareem Hunt is cheaper and will be Kansas City’s lead running back for another week.

Courtland Sutton (DraftKings: $5,800 / FanDuel: $7,100)

While Bo Nix has been on this hot streak, he has fallen in love with Courtland Sutton. Sutton is averaging over nine targets per game in his last four starts. Additionally, Sean Payton seems to have something to prove this year, so he is willing to pour on points when they are ahead. Sutton is still simply too cheap for the volume he is getting and will continue to be until he is at least $6,000, especially in a week where so many stud players are on bye.

Check the Chalkboard

Christian McCaffrey (DraftKings: $8,500 / FanDuel: $9,500)

Even with Brandon Allen under center this week, it is hard to argue with Christian McCaffrey at this salary. He saw an increased workload last week, surpassing 20 touches. He is averaging 15 DraftKings points across his two starts, all while failing to score a touchdown. With other key running backs off the main slate, McCaffrey is locked and loaded for another solid week. 

Participation Grade

Hunter Henry (DraftKings: $4,000 / FanDuel: $5,200)

The New England Patriots tight end got rolling again last week after a down Week 10 performance. He has been targeted at least six times in four of his last five games, including three games with at least eight targets. He is somehow still one of the cheaper tight ends on the slate. Plus, playing him makes it possible to fit both Joe Mixon and Christian McCaffrey in your lineup. How much better can it get?

Back of the Classroom Studs

Jakobi Meyers (DraftKings: $5,100 / FanDuel: $6,400)

This week will be an interesting test for Jakobi Meyers. When teams play the Broncos, we often assess the impact of Pat Surtain in deciding who to play. But, when the Raiders and the Broncos played earlier this year, Meyers brought in nine targets for a solid outing. You may be wondering if Davante Adams drew the Surtain coverage. Fortunately for us, Adams did not play in that game, so Meyers did this on merit alone. This is one of those situations where the passing volume is likely able to overcome the matchup. The Raiders are likely to be behind and passing the ball, so Meyers can easily get there on volume alone this week. Plus, he perfectly fits in my lineup at his salary.

Kayshon Boutte (DraftKings: $3,500 / FanDuel: $5,200)

After a bumpy start to his NFL career, Kayshon Boutte has suddenly grasped a consistent role for the New England Patriots. During last week’s game, he was on the field for 73 of the 76 snaps. He has four consecutive weeks with exactly six targets. Now, he and Drake Maye get a decent matchup for opposing pass games. The Dolphins have allowed the 11th-most points to receivers over the past four weeks. At this price, Boutte has a great role and opportunity, making him an incredible punt play.

Denver Broncos (DraftKings: $3,200 / FanDuel: $5,100)

The Denver Broncos have been an incredible fantasy defense this year unless they are playing the Baltimore Ravens. They recorded multiple sacks in every game but one (against the Ravens). They scored at least three DraftKings points in every game but one (again, against the Ravens). And they have scored double-digit points in six games, including one against the Las Vegas Raiders (but not the Ravens). The Raiders’ offensive line has been awful, as has their quarterback’s decision-making. This is an easy spot in a week where paying up for defense is fairly realistic. 

Check out the NFL Week 12 episode of DFS Academy now!

Report Card

DraftKings

Scoring System

• A: Scored over three times their price
• B: Scored over two times their price
• C: Matched their price
• F: Scored lower than their price

Player	Price	Points	Grade
Christian McCaffrey	$8,300	14.60	C
Courtland Sutton	$5,900	14.80	B
De’Von Achane	$7,200	20.50	B
Jauan Jennings	$5,300	25.10	A
Russell Wilson	$5,900	7.30	C
Jonnu Smith	$3,800	31.10	A
Cedric Tillman	$5,300	7.70	C
Jakobi Meyers	$5,600	8.80	C
Cleveland Browns	$2,600	1.00	F
Overall	$49,900	130.90	B
Season Long	$544,300	1308.56	B

FanDuel

Scoring System

• A: Scored over two times their price
• B: Scored over one and a half times their price
• C: Matched their price
• F: Scored lower than their price

Player	Price	Points	Grade
Christian McCaffrey	$9,800	12.60	C
Courtland Sutton	$6,800	11.30	B
De’Von Achane	$8,700	18.50	A
Jauan Jennings	$6,200	20.10	A
Russell Wilson	$7,800	7.30	F
Jonnu Smith	$5,100	28.10	A
Cedric Tillman	$6,500	6.20	F
Jakobi Meyers	$6,200	6.80	C
Cleveland Browns	$4,100	1.00	F
Overall	$61,200	111.90	B
Season Long	$584,200	1040.16	B

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