Fantasy Football Week 12 Rankings, Grades & Start/Sit Advice (2024)

Welcome to Week 12, friends. As always, we’re here to provide you with some fantasy football Quick Grades (or Start/Sit Grades, if you prefer) for the week.

We tapped into our consensus projections and rankings and Derek Brown’s weekly Primer to generate this week’s Quick Grades. See below for the results and accompanying notes.

• Week 12 Rankings with Fitz
• Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
• Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
• Fantasy Football Trade Tools

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Week 12 Quarterback Start/Sit Grades

Baker Mayfield (QB)

In two of Mayfield’s last three starts, he has finished lower than QB16 for the week. He’s played well, considering the weapons he’s had at his disposal. Since Week 8, among 36 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 33rd in yards per attempt, 17th in passer rating, 22nd in highly accurate throw rate and 24th in CPOE. Mayfield should post a solid QB2 stat line this week against a burnable Giants’ secondary. Since Week 6, New York has allowed the ninth-highest yards per attempt, the third-highest CPOE, and the 12th-highest EPA per dropback. Since Week 7, Tampa Bay has had the 11th-fastest neutral pace while ranking 13th in neutral passing rate. During the same stretch of games, New York has been fifth in neutral pace and 14th in neutral passing rate.

Tommy DeVito (QB)

Last year, in DeVito’s five full starts, he finished as a QB1 once while averaging 5.4 rushing attempts and 32.2 rushing yards per game. Among 48 qualifying starters last season, he ranked 37th in yards per attempt, 31st in CPOE, 29th in fantasy points per dropback, and 26th in highly accurate throw rate. It’s tough to consider him more than a bottom-dwelling QB2 this week despite a nice matchup through the air. Since Week 6, Tampa Bay has allowed the second-most passing yards per game, the fifth-highest yards per attempt, the most passing touchdowns, and the highest CPOE.

Anthony Richardson (QB)

Last week, Richardson made his triumphant return to the starting lineup as the QB4 in fantasy for the week. Among 28 qualifying quarterbacks last week, he ranked seventh in yards per attempt, 16th in catchable target rate, and fourth in fantasy points per dropback. This week he’ll need all of the rushing equity he can get his hands against a tougher pass defense. Since Week 6, Detroit has kept passers in check with the fourth-lowest CPOE, the seventh-lowest yards per attempt, and the second-fewest passing touchdowns allowed.

C.J. Stroud (QB)

Stroud is the QB25 in fantasy points per game this season and hasn’t finished as a QB1 since Week 4. Yes, you read that correctly. It hurt me as much to type it as it was for you to read it. I could write a novel regarding all of the reasons this has come to fruition, but we don’t have time for all of that. I’ll just say that missing his top wide receiver has hurt, along with operating behind an offensive line that has become Swiss cheese. In the five games Nico Collins has played at least 45% of the snaps, Stroud has had 7.58 yards per attempt, a 2.9% CPOE, 262 passing yards per game, and a 6:3 passing touchdown to interception ratio. These are all solid numbers that give me hope for Stroud this week with Collins in the starting lineup. As far as the offensive line, Houston has allowed the third-highest pressure rate this season, which should be less of a concern this week against a defense that has generated the tenth-lowest pressure rate. Since Week 7, Tennessee has allowed the fourth-most passing touchdowns, the second-highest CPOE, and the seventh-highest success rate per dropback. Stroud could be a QB1 this week.

Tua Tagovailoa (QB)

Since Tagovailoa’s return in Week 8, he has been QB22 in fantasy points per game. He has only finished as a QB1 once in that stretch (QB11). Since Week 8, among 36 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 16th in yards per attempt, seventh in passer rating, 14th in CPOE, and 19th in fantasy points per dropback. In this span, he has the second-lowest aDOT. Only Gardner Minshew has had a lower aDOT. Despite all of these factors, Tagovailoa could flirt with QB1 value again this week as New England’s pass defense has been in the dumpster. Since Week 6, the Patriots have allowed the 12th-highest yards per attempt, the sixth-most passing touchdowns, the seventh-highest passer rating, and the fifth-highest CPOE.

Drake Maye (QB)

Maye has finished as a QB1 in two of his five full NFL starts. He has rushed for at least 24 yards in five games. Among 40 qualifying quarterbacks, Maye ranks 29th in yards per attempt, 29th in yards per attempt, 17th in highly accurate throw rate, and 19th in fantasy points per dropback. Maye should at least return strong QB2 value this week with an outside shot of finishing as a QB1 if he can stack some rushing production. Since Week 6, Miami has allowed the tenth-most passing yards per game, the 13th-highest CPOE, and the tenth-highest success rate per dropback.

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Week 12 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades

Tyreek Hill (WR)

Everyone has choices to make in life. Some good and well, some not so good. We’ll file the New England Patriots coaching staff’s decision not to shadow Puka Nacua with Christian Gonzalez last week under not-so-good. In Week 5, Christian Gonzalez followed Tyreek Hill on 78% of his routes, limiting him to four receptions and 59 scoreless receiving yards. We’ll see if they let Gonzalez shadow him or allow Hill to destroy them this week. Since Tagovailoa’s return, Hill has had a 20% target share, a 38.4% air-yard share, 2.03 YPRR, and a 25.6% first-read share. He has four end-zone targets across his last four games. If you have Hill, you’re starting him weekly in nearly every instance.

Jaylen Waddle (WR)

Since Tagovailoa’s return, Waddle has only had a 13.1% target share, 1.30 YPRR, and a 14.4% first-read share. I don’t know why Miami refuses to throw Waddle the ball, but it’s not happening. Could that change this week if Gonzalez shadows Hill? Sure, it is a possibility. If Tagovailoa does feed Waddle, he should have plenty of success against a secondary that, since Week 6, has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game and the seventh-highest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

DeMario Douglas (WR)

In his four full games played with Maye, Douglas has had a 66.3% route share, a 20.1% target share, 2.11 YPRR, and a 24.2% first-read share. He has zero end-zone targets and only one red-zone target in those four games. His chances of scoring a touchdown are slim weekly. Douglas is a PPR flex play only. Since Week 6, Miami has allowed the 13th-most fantasy points per game to slot receivers.

Terry McLaurin (WR)

I’m willing to toss last week in the trash for McLaurin. He has been so good this season that one game shouldn’t deter us from playing him. McLaurin is the WR21 in fantasy points per game while ranking sixth in deep targets and 19th in red zone targets. Among 71 qualifying receivers, he is 13th in separation and 14th in route win rate. McLaurin has a 20.9% target share, 2.43 YPRR, and a 26.2% first-read share. McLaurin should have a strong bounceback game this week against a Dallas secondary that, since Week 6, has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game and the fifth-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

CeeDee Lamb (WR)

With Cooper Rush at quarterback over the last two games, Lamb has had a 24.7% target share, 1.50 YPRR, and a 36.8% first-read share. Last week, he had a bounceback game as the WR14 for the week. Lamb has two red zone targets and an end zone target in this sample. Lamb is a volume-infused WR2 moving forward who faces a Washington pass defense that, since Week 6, has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game and the ninth-fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Jalen Coker (WR)

In his last game before the bye, Coker saw a 32% target share and 36.4% first-read share, producing 1.64 YPRR. Only 62.5% of his target volume was deemed catchable. Bryce Young‘s level of quarterback play remains a concern, but if Coker is going to see this type of volume weekly, we need to stand up and take notice. The Chiefs have the third-highest two high rate in the NFL (60.1%). Against two high, Coker is second on the team with 1.73 YPRR and leads the team in FD/RR with 0.090. Coker should fight Ja’Tavion Sanders for the team lead in targets this week. Since Week 6, Kansas City has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game and the fourth-most receiving yards per game to slot receivers. Adam Thielen should return this week, but I think Coker holds onto the primary slot role while his perimeter snaps might tick up a tad.

Xavier Worthy (WR)

Last week, Worthy saw his role change again with a 15.2% target share, a 32.4% air-yard share, 2.44 YPRR, and a 22.2% first read share. His aDOT, which had rested between 17-23 yards in the previous two weeks, fell to 14.2. His role more closely resembled the one he was playing in Week 8 and the few games after Rashee Rice‘s injury. The Kansas City passing attack seems in flux as Andy Reid is moving players around to different roles to see how all the pieces fit. It wouldn’t shock me if Worthy moved back into the MVS role in Week 12 and was back to running clearouts for most of the game. Like Hopkins, Worthy is a volatile flex this week. Since Week 6, Carolina has allowed the 14th-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers while sitting at 18th in fantasy points per game given up to the position.

DeAndre Hopkins (WR)

Hopkins route share has now trended downward for three straight games, from 62% to 51.4% last week. His first-read share has also taken a nosedive from 28% in Week 9 to only 11.1% last week. These trends are nightmare fuel for a player who looked like he was trending toward a high-volume role in the Chiefs offense weekly. Last week, Hopkins had a 12.1% target share, 1.61 YPRR, and 29 receiving yards. He has become a volatile flex quickly. Since Week 6, Carolina has allowed the 14th-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers while sitting at 18th in fantasy points per game given up to the position.

Xavier Legette (WR)

Since Week 8, Legette has had a 19.1% target share, a 30.9% air-yard share, 1.47 YPRR, and a 22.1% first-read share. In that small stretch, Legette finished as a WR3 twice (WR33, WR28) in weekly scoring and saw two red zone targets. The Chiefs have the third-highest two high rate in the NFL (60.1%). Since Week 8, against two high, Legette’s target share has fallen to 17.1% and his YPRR has dropped to 1.32. Sit Legette this week. Since Week 6, Kansas City has allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Week 12 Running Back Start/Sit Grades

Javonte Williams (RB)

Last week, Williams remained the leader of the Denver backfield with 52% of the snaps, 13 touches, and 87 total yards. The blowout nature of last week’s game is diluting Williams’ role last week. In the first three-quarters of the game handled 64% of the snaps overall, 61% of the rushing play snaps, 66% of the passing down snaps, and 85% of the red zone snaps. The last time Williams matched up with the Raiders’ defense, he finished with 18 touches and 111 total yards. Since Week 7, his tackle-breaking metrics haven’t been great, with only a 6% missed tackle rate and 2.19 yards after contact per attempt, but the Raiders have a basement-level defense that Williams can succeed against. Since Week 6, the Raiders have allowed the seventh-highest missed tackle rate, the tenth-highest yards after contact per attempt, and the tenth-most rushing scores.

Audric Estime (RB)

Just when we all thought it was safe to play Estime, Payton pulled the rug out from under us. Last week, the talented rookie only played 23% of the snaps while handling nine touches and producing 25 total yards. Most of that work came late in the game. Estime is a hold if you have the bench space as Javonte Williams‘ backup, but he’s an easy-cut candidate if you don’t have the room.

Josh Jacobs (RB)

Jacobs is the RB15 in fantasy points per game, ranking 15th in snap share, 11th in weighted opportunities, and 18th in red zone touches. He has averaged 19.9 touches and 102.4 total yards. Among 53 qualifying backs, he ranks 21st in missed tackles forced per attempt and seventh in yards after contact per attempt. The Packers should lean on Jacobs again this week. Since Week 6, the 49ers’ run defense has been vulnerable, allowing the second-highest missed tackle rate, the 12th-highest yards after the contact per attempt, the 13th-highest rushing success rate, and the sixth-highest rushing success rate to gap runs (Jacobs 50.6% gap).

Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB)

Since Week 5, Tracy Jr. has been the RB22 in fantasy points per game, averaging 18.1 touches and 98.7 total yards per game. Since Week 5, among 57 qualifying backs, Tracy Jr. has ranked ninth in explosive run rate and yards after contact per attempt and 13th in missed tackles forced per attempt. Tracy Jr. should have another strong week against a Bucs run defense that, since Week 6, has allowed the 12th-highest explosive run rate and rushing yards per game, the sixth-highest yards after contact per attempt, and the 11th-highest yards per carry to zone runs (since Week 5 Tracy Jr. 51.6% zone).

David Montgomery (RB)

Montgomery is the RB12 in fantasy points per game, ranking 25th in weighted opportunities, ninth in red zone touches, and fourth in total touchdowns. He has averaged 15.8 touches and 80 total yards per game. Montgomery has finished outside the top 24 running backs in weekly scoring only once this season. Among 53 qualifying backs, Montgomery ranks 13th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 24th in yards after contact per attempt. He faces an Indy run defense that, since Week 8, has allowed the 11th-highest explosive run rate, the second-highest yards after contact per attempt, and the 14th-highest yards per carry to zone runs (Montgomery 65% zone).

Rhamondre Stevenson (RB)

Stevenson is the RB24 in fantasy points per game, ranking 12th in snap share, 16th in opportunity share, and fourth in red zone touches. Since Week 8, he has played at least 70% of the snaps weekly while averaging 20.8 touches and 71.3 total yards. Among 53 qualifying backs, he ranks 28th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 32nd in yards after contact per attempt. Stevenson will have to rely upon volume and touchdown equity this week because the efficiency won’t be there. Since Week 6, Miami has allowed the seventh-fewest rushing yards per game and the 13th-lowest explosive run rate while having the 12th-highest stuff rate.

Brian Robinson Jr.(RB)

Last week, Robinson Jr. played his highest snap rate since Week 4. He had 53% of the snaps with 17 touches and 72 total yards. Robinson Jr. only handled 36% of the passing down snaps last week as Austin Ekeler took the lead in that department. We could see Robinson Jr. eat into Ekeler’s workload more in that area this week, and his overall snap rate creep into the 60% range this week if he’s healthier. Robinson Jr. has averaged 15.9 touches and 76.6 total yards per game as the RB21 in fantasy points per game. He is 17th in red zone touches. Among 53 qualifying backs, he ranks 14th in explosive run rate and 23rd in missed tackles forced per attempt. Robinson Jr. should run wild this week. Since Week 6, Dallas has allowed the second-highest explosive run rate, the fourth-most rushing yards per game, and the third-highest gap rushing success rate (Robinson 55.6% gap).

Austin Ekeler (RB)

Last week, Ekeler played 52% of the snaps while playing 59% of the passing down snaps. Ekeler could see his snaps drop some this week if Washington is in positive game script more and with Brian Robinson Jr. healthier. In Weeks 1-2, Ekeler averaged 8.5 touches and 73.5 total yards, with Robinson Jr. playing his usual role. Among 53 qualifying backs, Ekeler ranks 45th in yards after contact per attempt and 47th in missed tackles forced per attempt. Ekeler is a strong flex play this week against a leaky Dallas run defense. Since Week 6, Dallas has allowed the second-highest explosive run rate, the fourth-most rushing yards per game, and the third-highest gap rushing success rate (Ekeler 56.9% gap).

Rico Dowdle (RB)

Dallas has been blown out in each of the last two games, which has led to Dowdle’s final snap counts lying to an extent. In the first three-quarters of the last two games, Dowdle has played 59% of the snaps, with 81% of the rushing play snaps and 56% of the red zone snaps. Since Week 10, he has averaged 13.5 touches and 45 total yards. Since Week 9, among 32 qualifying backs, Dowdle ranks ninth in explosive run rate and seventh in yards after contact per attempt. On a per-snap basis, he has played well, but Dallas’s quarterback play, the game scripts, and Mike McCarthy’s insistence upon remaining pass-heavy despite the putrid quarterback play have hurt Dowdle. If Dallas can keep this game competitive, Dowdle can walk away with a nice stat line this week. Since Week 6, Washington has allowed the fourth-highest missed tackle rate, the eighth-highest yards per carry to zone runs, and the seventh-highest success rate to zone runs (since Week 9, Dowdle 55.9% zone).

Week 12 Tight End Start/Sit Grades

Zach Ertz (TE)

Ertz is the TE12 in fantasy points per game, ranking sixth among tight ends in red zone targets. He has finished as a TE1 in 55% of his games this season. Ertz has an 18.1% target share, 1.54 YPRR, and an 18.2% first-read share. Among 43 qualifying tight ends, Ertz ranks third in separation and second in route win rate. It has been an impressive season for the veteran. He should flirt with TE1 value again this week against a Dallas defense that has allowed the highest yards per reception and the 13th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.

T.J. Hockenson (TE)

Since his Week 9 return, Hockenson has had one TE1 finish and two red zone targets. He has had a 57.1% route share, a 15.2% target share, 1.65 YPRR, and a 14.5% first-read share. Hockenson should flirt with low-end TE1 value in Week 12. Chicago has allowed the 12th-most receiving yards per game and the sixth-highest yards per reception to tight ends.

Cole Kmet (TE)

Since Week 8, Kmet has been squeezed out of the target pie with only a 6.3% target share, 0.62 YPRR, 17.3 receiving yards per game, and a 7.8% first-read share. Minnesota has allowed the 13th-fewest receiving yards per game and the 13th-lowest yards per reception to tight ends. Sit Kmet this week. He is getting close to being droppable in all redraft formats.

Tucker Kraft (TE)

Kraft is the TE10 in fantasy points per game while ranking sixth among tight ends in red zone targets. He has a 12.2% target share, 1.61 YPRR, and an 11.5% first-read share. This is a week to consider streaming a tight end over Kraft. The 49ers have held tight ends to the fourth-lowest receiving yards per game, the lowest yards per reception, and the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game.

Week 12 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades

Week 12 Kicker Start/Sit Grades