NFL DFS Lineup Sleepers for DraftKings, FanDuel - Week 12 Value Picks Include Anthony Richardson, Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley, and more

Week 11 of the NFL season is in the books, and now we shift our focus to Week 12 and what value plays we can find on the main slate in DFS competitions.

In this weekly piece, I will examine some undervalued sneaky targets. By selecting these players, you will have more flexibility in other positions to secure a high-end player elsewhere in your lineup. No matter what competition you are playing in DFS, finding a budget player with a safe floor and room for upside is the recipe for success.

I will include the DraftKings (DK) and FanDuel (FD) prices for each player in the main slate competition. However, when discussing which players are valued, I will focus primarily on their DraftKings prices. Even though both platforms have a few minor differences in scoring, a value is usually playable on any format given their relation to other highly priced players at their position.

Quarterback NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 12

Anthony Richardson, DET at IND | DK: $5.6K FD: $7.5K

After riding the pine during Weeks 9 and 10, the former first-round pick reclaimed his starting role in Week 11 and shined as he tallied three total scores en route to defeating the New York Jets. Richardson tallied 300+ scrimmage yards in this game, which was a season-high.

ANTHONY RICHARDSON FOR THE LEAD WITH 46 SECONDS LEFT 😱

(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/p6ESDo7BQI

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 17, 2024

While Richardson has shown flashes of fantasy dominance throughout his short career, he has also struggled immensely. This weekend, he has another difficult matchup against the Detroit Lions, who have allowed the seventh-fewest points to opposing quarterbacks.

However, given his standout showing last weekend, it is hard to pass up on elite upside at a relatively lower cost, albeit with a high risk.

Geno Smith, ARI at SEA | DK: $5.7K, FD: $7.4K

Geno Smith is coming off a big victory over the San Francisco 49ers and will head into another pivotal divisional matchup this weekend against the Arizona Cardinals. Against the 49ers, who have allowed the eighth-fewest points to opposing QBs this season, Smith scored 20.0 PPR points and should be set up for an even better showing against the Cardinals.

Through 11 games, Smith has averaged 21.8 PPR points and 278.1 yards per game this season with 13 total scores. In a game that carries one of the highest point totals (47.5) on the slate, Smith should be set up for another productive showing. 

Running Back NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 12

Javonte Williams, DEN at LV | DK: $5.2K, FD: $6.2K

Javonte Williams has been one of the more challenging RBs to project this season. The UNC product has had double-digit carries in six games while falling under that mark in the other five. In addition, rookie Audric Estime was heavily implied on taking over starting duties last weekend, but Williams enjoyed a big bounce-back showing as he tallied 18.7 PPR points.

The @Broncos LITERALLY carry Javonte Williams into the end zone 😂😂

📺: #ATLvsDEN on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/6TMoZdhiwl

— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2024

This weekend, he has a favorable matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, who have allowed the seventh-most PPR points among opposing RBs. While Williams does come with some risk, given his unstable opportunities, with a favorable matchup, he is worth a look, especially at this reasonable salary.

Tony Pollard, TEN at HOU | DK: $5.8K, FD: $6.5K

Pollard had a rough showing in Week 12, gaining just 15 yards on nine carries against a tough Minnesota defense. However, he should be better positioned to succeed against the Houston Texans.

While the Texans have also defended the run well, Pollard could see an increase in workload as No. 2 option Tyjae Spears (head) left last week’s game early and could be in danger of missing Sunday’s game, opening even more opportunities for Pollard.

Since Week 4, Pollard has averaged 13.3 PPR points per game and has seen at least three targets in all but one game and double-digit rushing attempts in all but two. Pollard will carry a safe floor with decent RB2 upside being priced as a flex option.

Brian Robinson Jr., DAL at WSH | DK: $5.6K, FD: $7.9K

Robinson is solely a value target on DraftKings, given his much higher price on FanDuel.

After returning from a hamstring injury on Thursday evening, Robinson enjoyed another strong showing against a tough Philadelphia run defense. He tallied 70+ yards and his seventh touchdown on the season.

The Alabama product has a much better matchup against the Dallas Cowboys this weekend. The Cowboys have allowed the fourth-most PPR points to opposing RBs. The Commanders may rely heavily on their run game, as they should be in the driver’s seat all afternoon, which could set up Robinson for a monster showing.

Wide Receiver NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 12

Rome Odunze, MIN at CHI | DK: $4.8K, FD: $5.4K

While the Bears offense has continued to struggle, the first-round rookie has shown consistent development and could be a sneaky value play this weekend. Last week against the Packers, Odunze led the team in receiving yards and saw 10 targets.

Over his past four games, Odunze has seen at least six targets in each contest and eclipsed double-digit PPR points in two. Facing the Minnesota Vikings, who have allowed the third-most PPR points to opposing wideouts, could set Odunze up for a strong showing.

Noah Brown, DAL at WSH | DK: $4.2K, FD: $5.4K

After posting a nice string of performances, Noah Brown took a step back last weekend as he brought in just one reception for four yards. Despite the poor output, Brown was continually deployed as the No. 2 option in the offense, which should continue to provide him with ample opportunities.

This weekend, he faces the Dallas Cowboys, who have allowed the 15th-most PPR points to opposing wideouts. The risk is there, but seeing Brown eclipse 50+ yards in three of his six games makes him a viable option in a favorable matchup.

Calvin Ridley, TEN at HOU | DK: $5.7K, FD: $6.3K

Over the past four weeks, Calvin Ridley has quietly been one of the most reliable fantasy wide receivers. During this span, Ridley has averaged 18.0 PPR points per game, 89.0 yards, and 9.5 targets per game.

What a catch by Calvin Ridley 😤 pic.twitter.com/39dbTFuhWc

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) November 17, 2024

In this stretch, he has scored at least 20.0 PPR points per game twice. This weekend, facing the Houston Texans, who have allowed the ninth-most PPR points to opposing wideouts, sets the 29-year-old up for continued success.

Tight End NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 12

Ja'Tavion Sanders, KC at CAR | DK: $3.4K, FD: $4.9K

The fourth-round rookie has slowly begun to emerge as a consistent option in the Carolina passing attack and could be set up well for a breakout performance against the Kansas City Chiefs, who have allowed the fourth-most PPR points to opposing TEs.

Over his past four contests, Sanders has seen at least five targets in two of the four games and eclipsed double-digit PPR points in two as well. In a great matchup, Sanders could be a high-upside option at a great value.

Zach Ertz, DAL at WSH | DK: $3.8K, FD: $5.3K

Ertz has been a popular value option all season and is once again priced at a very reasonable salary. Since Week 6, Ertz has averaged 10.8 PPR points per game with 6.2 targets and 44.7 yards per game.

shoutout the 14.5% of people that started Zach Ertz pic.twitter.com/3QuxKtVEKx

— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) November 15, 2024

This weekend, against a struggling Dallas defense, Ertz could continue to enjoy similar success and carry a safe floor, given the unreliable options in the Washington passing attack outside of Terry McLaurin.

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