NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 – Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

The main Sunday slate in DFS for Week 12 is going to be missing a lot of the elite receiving options considering the Chiefs and Chargers are on a bye and the Texans, Packers and Rams all play in prime time. With that being said, here are some players who will take the field who could help you cash in with your DFS lineup. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NFL Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

WIDE RECEIVER CASH TARGETS

Michael Thomas, NO vs. CAR
FanDuel = $9,200
DraftKings = $9,300

There may be no safer wide receiver in DFS right now than Thomas. He once again provided a meaty stat line last week, catching eight of 11 targets for 114 yards and a touchdown. He’s posted at least 100 receiving yards in four straight games and in six of his 10 contests, overall. His volume within the Saints’ offense has been insane with him getting 114 targets already. His role isn’t going to change anytime soon, making him an ideal cash play.

Julio Jones, ATL vs. TB
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $8,000

As good as Thomas has been, resisting paying up for Jones instead isn’t going to be easy. He’s put up some gaudy numbers in his own right, catching 59 of 91 targets for 882 yards and four touchdowns. If there is something to be concerned about, it’s that all four of his touchdowns came within the first three weeks. However, it doesn’t get much better than this matchup against the Bucs, who have allowed the second-most passing yards per game and the second-most passing touchdowns in the league.

WIDE RECEIVER GPP TARGETS

Calvin Ridley, ATL vs. TB
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $6,500

If you want to take advantage of the porous Buccaneers’ defense, but can’t squeeze Jones into your entry, Ridley is an excellent, more cost-effective option. He went off against the Panthers last week, catching all eight of his targets for 143 yards and a touchdown. There are more targets up for grabs with Mohamed Sanu no longer in town, leaving Ridley with significantly more upside than he had to start the season.

James Washington, PIT at CIN
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,000

The Steelers’ injury report is not pretty. Not only does is look like running back James Conner (shoulder) might have to sit this one out, but receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion) and Diontae Johnson (concussion) are unlikely to play, as well. If both Smith-Schuster and Johnson do indeed sit, Washington is likely going to be their top wideout. After already positing 13 catches, 208 yards and a touchdown over their last three games, don’t be surprised if Washington’s production exceeds his price point. UPDATE: Johnson will play, but Smith-Schuster will indeed sit, which still leaves Washington with added upside.

DeVante Parker, MIA at CLE
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,200

Speaking of teams running out of wide receivers, the Dolphins already entered this season lacking talent at the position. To make things worse, they lost Preston Williams (knee) two weeks ago. Across the two games since he went down, Parker has turned a whopping 20 targets into 12 catches for 204 yards.  What’s even more impressive is that he did that against the Colts and Bills, who have two of the better pass defenses in the league. The volume should one again be there for Parker this week, making him a worthwhile target.

TIGHT END CASH TARGETS

Zach Ertz, PHI vs. SEA
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $6,000

The Eagles thought they had some potent weapons on the outside for Carson Wentz this season with Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson in the fold. However, Jackson has missed most of the season due to injuries and Jeffery has battled his own injury woes at times. He was unable to play last week due to an ankle injury and his status for Week 12 is still very much in doubt. If he doesn’t play, Ertz could go off here in a big way. Last week, he posted nine catches for 94 yards against a tough Patriots’ defense. This week, he’ll face a Seahawks secondary that has allowed the fifth-most passing yards per game.

Jared Cook, NO vs. CAR
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,500

After having 10 passes thrown his way in Week 10, Cook’s received only two targets in Week 11 against the Bucs. He didn’t let them go to waste, catching both for a total of 33 yards and a touchdown. The Saints are throwing the ball more now with Drew Brees back from his thumb injury, which should afford Cook with more opportunities to be productive. Given the limited tight end options this week, Cook has the makings of one of the safest players to target.

TIGHT END GPP TARGETS

Jacob Hollister, SEA at PHI
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,300

Just when it looked like Will Dissly was going to be a significant factor at tight end for the Seahawks, he was lost for the season with a torn Achilles. Hollister has started to emerge as their primary weapon at the position now and is coming off of his best performance yet when he caught eight passes for 62 yards and at touchdown against the 49ers in Week 10. The Eagles have a stout run defense, but they are vulnerable to being beaten through the air, so Hollister is an intriguing option.

Ryan Griffin, NYJ vs. OAK
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $4,200

The Jets had high hopes for Chris Herndon entering the season, but injuries and a suspension have made him virtually a non-factor. We won’t see him again for the rest of the 2019 campaign, which has put Griffin squarely in the driver’s seat to start at tight end. He hasn’t let his opportunity go to waste, posting at least four catches and 50 yards in three of his last four games. He even torched the Redskins last week for 109 yards and a touchdown. His price is climbing, but he’s still someone to target if you don’t want to pay up for Ertz.

Author Bio:

Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat, and was a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Follow Mike on Twitter @rotomikebarner.