This article first appeared on RotoBaller.com
Hey there RotoBallers! In this article, I will be taking a look at some of my favorite Yahoo DFS lineups picks for the Week 12 slate.
These DFS picks are based on a multitude of factors including matchup, talent, recent performance, Vegas odds, and pricing on Yahoo.
Generally, I will try to outline a top option at each position along with a value option with a chance to at least hit value. Let’s get to it!
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Quarterback Picks for Yahoo DFS
Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills, $32
Smith let fantasy owners down against the Giants in Week 11 but most of his struggles can be attributed to brutally windy weather in New York which limited both teams’ passing attacks. Look for the veteran signal caller to bounce back against a Buffalo Bills team that is spiraling down the drain. Buffalo’s defense got off to a good start this season but they are coming off two consecutive pastings at the hands of the Saints and the Chargers. Smith has performed as an elite, top-tier fantasy quarterback this season but he is priced more as a mid to low-end QB1 in Week 12 on Yahoo. Considering he has been a top-six fantasy point scorer at quarterback four times this season, Smith is a solid quarterback option in Week 12.
Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals vs. CLE, $26
Dalton draws a dream matchup as he heads home to take on a leaky Cleveland Browns pass defense. While the Browns continue to struggle against passing attacks this season, they have been much improved against the run, which should serve to funnel extra passing attempts Dalton’s way. With the Bengals’ inability to establish the running game this season, that should play right into the hands of Bill Lazor and the Cincinnati offensive coaches when they draw up their game plan. As if you need more reason to trust Dalton, he has shredded Cleveland over their past five meetings, passing for 13 touchdowns and zero interceptions. There’s no reason to get cute here, Dalton is a fantastic daily play with a mid-range price tag.
Running Back Picks for Yahoo DFS
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints @ LAR, $28
Kamara just continues to perform like a true stud at the running back position. He and Mark Ingram have combined to give the Saints one of the best one-two punches in the NFL when it comes to running the football. While Ingram has been priced up to reflect his RB1 status, Yahoo has been a little slower to raise Kamara’s price tag. He salary went up just $2 from last week, despite him posting yet another strong RB1 outing. The Rams’ funnel defense should keep both Kamara and Ingram busy as Los Angeles ranks third in DVOA against the pass but just 20th against the run this season. Fire up Kamara with confidence this weekend.
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers @ NYJ, $22
McCaffrey and the Panthers will ease back into action following their bye as they take on a Jets team that is severely lacking in talent. At first glance, it appears McCaffrey has a tough matchup as the Jets rank 13th in run defense DVOA, but it is important to keep in mind how the Panthers utilize the rookie back. McCaffrey does most of his damage in the air, catching short and intermediate passes from quarterback Cam Newton. While the Jets have been decent against the run this season, their pass defense ranks just 23rd in DVOA against running backs as pass-catchers. McCaffrey has shown he has multiple-touchdown upside with Carolina and, at $22, he is far too cheap on Yahoo.
Wide Receiver Picks for Yahoo DFS
Brandin Cooks, New England Patriots vs. MIA, $27
In Week 11, Cooks finally had the big-time breakout game fantasy owners had been waiting for, catching six passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. While Cooks hasn’t had many huge weeks this season, he has remained towards the top of the league in receiving yardage. All that was missing was the touchdown-scoring. Look for him to find the end zone again in Week 12 as the Patriots get set to take on the Miami Dolphins at home. Miami has no one who can hang with Cooks on the outside. Cooks, and his 4.33 speed, is expected to run the majority of his routes at Miami cornerback Xavien Howard, who has a 35 grade over at Pro Football Focus. Howard runs a 4.58 40-yard dash and is about to become a burn victim this weekend.
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts vs. TEN, $25
Without All-Pro quarterback Andrew Luck, Hilton has been even more up-and-down than usual this season. That being said, his “up” weeks have been GPP-winners for daily leaguers. After a slow outing against the Steelers in his last game, look for Hilton to break out against a Tennessee pass defense that has really struggled this season. The Titans are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to enemy receivers and are fresh off of a three-touchdown pasting at the hands of Antonio Brown in Week 11. Hilton is tough to trust in cash games but you need to have some exposure to him in GPPs this weekend.
Tight End Picks for Yahoo DFS
Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks @ SF, $21
Graham just keeps on scoring touchdowns for the Seahawks. The veteran tight end has now caught at least one touchdown in five of his past six games and has seven in all over that span. The Seahawks have been completely unable to run the ball this season and Graham has been one of the team’s main beneficiaries of a newly-found pass-heavy attack, especially when they get down into the red zone. The San Francisco defense does rank second in DVOA against tight ends this season but they have shown some cracks lately, having allowed a touchdown to the position in four straight games. The tough matchup could help to keep Graham’s ownership numbers down despite his recent strong play.
Tyler Kroft, Cincinnati Bengals vs. CLE, $16
Kroft got a little dinged up last week as he injured his hand but he was able to play through the issue and has practiced on a limited basis this week. He has to be excited to get out onto the field against the Browns on Sunday after he roasted them for six catches, 68 yards, and two touchdowns in his previous game against them this season. The Cleveland defense has been really poor against the tight end this season, allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to the position and allowing a touchdown in three straight games.
Defense/Special Teams Pick for Yahoo DFS
Cincinnati Bengals vs. CLE, $17
The Cincinnati defense draws one of the top matchups on the slate as they will welcome the turnover-prone Browns to Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday. The Bengals are massive 9.5-point home favorites in a game with an extremely low 38-point over/under. Cleveland rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer leads the NFL with 14 interceptions and has chipped in four lost fumbles, despite being benched for just about the equivalent of two full games this season. The Bengals are one of the safer fantasy defenses on the slate.
