Welcome to RotoBaller's daily fantasy football FanDuel lineup picks for Week 12 of the NFL season. In this article, I, Justin Bales, will be taking you, the reader, through the best FanDuel DFS plays of the week for this upcoming Sunday.
These FanDuel lineup recommendations are based on matchups, recent performances, overall upside/talent levels, and other factors such as Vegas odds, home field advantage, and more. Good luck with your FanDuel DFS lineups!
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FanDuel Quarterback - Week 12 DFS Picks
Derek Carr (vs CAR, $7,900)
Carr has had his ups and downs this season, but he’s a player with elite upside. He’s coming off a great game against a tough Texans defense, and he gets a much better matchup against the Panthers. Carolina has one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL, which plays into the strengths of the Raiders offense. This game also has one of the highest Vegas totals of the week, and the Raiders are -4.5 point favorites. Carr is a great option on this slate.
Carson Wentz (vs GB, $6,800)
Wentz has really been struggling recently, as he has only scored more than 13 fantasy points once in the last six weeks. He gets an elite matchup against the Packers, who are dealing with multiple injuries on defense. They have struggled quite a bit recently, and they are the underdogs in the game, as well. The Eagles should be able to find success on offense, and they are a high upside stacking option this week.
FanDuel Running Backs - Week 12 DFS Picks
Thomas Rawls (at TB, $7,000)
C.J. Prosise was recently injured, which means Thomas Rawls will step into the lead back role. Rawls averaged 153 yards per game in contests with 20 or more carries last season. He also comes with decent receiving ability, and he should be playing the majority of the Seahawks snaps this week. He gets a great matchup against the Bucs, who have struggled in all defensive categories this season. Rawls does come with a bit of risk, but he’s still a bit too cheap for his upside, and he is an elite tournament option.
Wendell Smallwood (vs GB, $5,700)
Smallwood’s value depends on the injuries to Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles. Sproles is dealing with a broken rib, but it has been reported that Mathews is more questionable than him. If they are both out, Smallwood will draw the start, and he’s a great option for his price tag. He displayed good hands out of the backfield last game, and he’s also a high upside runner. He gets a tough matchup against the Packers, but Smallwood can be used in all leagues if he’s starting.
FanDuel Wide Receivers - Week 12 DFS Picks
Mike Evans (vs SEA, $7,900)
Evans gets a tough matchup against the Seahawks this week, but he’s a value-based player. He has seen 10 or more targets in eight of his last nine games, and he’s a weekly touchdown threat. He has played well in a couple tough matchups earlier this season, and he’ll make a high upside option on this slate. The matchup has kept his price tag down a bit, and he can be used in tournaments this week.
Jordan Matthews (vs GB, $5,600)
Matthews has played well recently, but most importantly, he has seen at least 10 targets in four consecutive games. He comes with good upside, especially in a great matchup against the Packers. They have struggled to defend the pass recently, and he’s surprisingly cheap this week. He’s the third part of an Eagles stack, and Matthews can be used in all leagues for his price tag.
FanDuel Tight End - Week 12 DFS Picks
Gary Barnidge (vs NYG, $4,800)
Barnidge has struggled quite a bit this season, but he will see an increase in value with Josh McCown starting at quarterback this week. Barnidge gets a solid matchup against the Giants, who have struggled against the tight end this season. He also comes with a cheap price tag, which will allow you to get some of the more elite options on this slate. He should see around 10 targets this week, which is more than enough for him to hit value. He can be used in all leagues.
FanDuel Defense - Week 12 DFS Picks
Buffalo Bills D/ST (vs JAC, $4,800)
The Bills defense and special teams have played well this season, although they have tailed off a bit recently. They come with elite upside, and they get a great matchup against the Jaguars, who have been a turnover prone offense this season. The Bills are also -6.5 point favorites in a game set at 47 points. That’s a fairly high total, but the potential for a defensive touchdown outweighs the risk of Jacksonville scoring. The Bills are an elite option this week.