Moving onto Week 12 of the 2023 season, and we are going to give you some DraftKings bargain bin plays for the week. These are plays that are on the ultra-value/ GPP contrarian side. So generally avoid these plays in cash game lineups, but in GPPs- especially big fields go for it!
You can find all of our DFS content here, and be ready for the week.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson @DEN ($4,900)
Week 11 saw the Browns rookie quarterback put up almost identical numbers to 2-time Super Bowl Champion and MVP Patrick Mahomes…unfortunately for DRT, the Chiefs loss to Philadelphia on Monday Night Football was Mahomes’ worst passing performance in almost 2 calendar years, and even then the future Hall of Famer outscored DRT by over 10 fantasy points on DraftKings. Both quarterbacks completed 24 of their 43 passing attempts, with KC’s main man edging out DRT by 12 yards, putting up 177 to the rookie’s 165. It wasn’t the best night for the former UCLA man but his 2nd start in the NFL saw a vast improvement to his debut showling; with improvements in completion %, total passing yards and 2 fewer interceptions. DRT received the nod from Browns HC Kevin Stefanski and will start in Denver despite 38-year old veteran Joe Flacco signing to the team’s practise squad on Monday. The Bronco’s defense has improved exponentially since their 70-3 humiliation in Miami, but DRT’s rushing ability will always make him an alluring play in fantasy. On a week where there is little value to be had at the position, the Browns young signal caller could make his first real impact in the league at Mile High.
Desmond Ridder v NO ($4,800)
The quarterback carousel continues in Atlanta as Arthur Smith once again has named Desmond Ridder as the starter following a 3-week cameo appearance by Taylor Heinicke. Atlanta were sitting 4-3 when Heinicke took over back in week 8, and after 3 straight defeats, now find themselves 4-6. Remarkably the Falcons are still in contention to win the NFC South, sitting only 1 game behind New Orleans in what is arguably the poorest division in the conference, if not the entire league. Ridder went 3 straight games without a passing touchdown prior to his benching, so this is hardly a ringing endorsement for the sophomore, but as it stands, he is Atlanta’s best option under centre if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Falcons host divisional rivals New Orleans in a matchup that will see them leapfrog their opponents in the standings should they emerge victorious. The Saints boast one of the best rush defenses in the league so expect Ridder to be forced into passing situations often. Prior to their bye, the Saints did allow Vikings QB Joshua Dobbs to run for 44 yards and a score – there will be opportunities for Ridder both through the air and on the ground.
Jaylen Warren @CIN ($5,400)
Najee Harris has out-carried Jaylen Warren in each of the Steelers last 3 outings, totalling 44 rushing attempts to Warren’s 35. Despite a deficit in opportunities throughout each contest, the undrafted sophomore back has recorded more rushing yards in all of them – totalling 318 yards on the ground compared to Harris’ 186. As the season goes on, the Steelers’ coaching staff are beginning to see what has been as clear as day to fantasy managers all year – Jaylen Warren is the best running back on the Pittsburgh roster. Running at 6.2 yards per carry, Warren leads the league in rushing efficiency for backs with over 50 carries…and at nearly a full yard ahead of 2nd place Raheem Mostert, it’s not even close. Pittsburgh will travel to Ohio as a 1.5 point favourite against a Bengals team reeling from the loss of franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. With Jake Browning and Kenny Pickett under centre for these respective offenses, expect both teams to lean heavily on the run game in one of the lowest O/U on the slate. Warren should continue to see plenty of opportunity on the ground as well as his customary 4-6 looks in the passing game. He’s a great value at only $5400.
Ezekiel Elliot @NYG ($5,000)
Zeke continues to be a thorn in the side of all Rhamondre Stevenson managers with the former Cowboy seeing 39%, 40% and 41% of the running back opportunities for the 2-8 New England Patriots in their last 3 outings. Neither rusher is doing enough to distinguish themself as the clear leader of this backfield; both are running at exactly 3.8 yards per carry and with Stevenson just edges Zeke in rushing scores on the season at 3-2. New England’s passing offense ranks in the bottom 8, and with Bill Belichick not publicly committing to Mac Jones coming out of their week 11 bye, both rushers could see plenty of opportunities against a beatable Giants defense. Temper expectations for any player in this matchup; these are the 2 lowest scoring offenses in football coming into the week – but Elliot has a history of piling it on the G-Men and will be looking to once again come up big against his former divisional rivals.
Miles Sanders @TEN ($4,600)
Ok, hear me out on this one. Miles Sanders is a good running back. The former 2nd round pick is only one season removed from over 1200 yards and double digit touchdowns on the ground as a Philadelphia Eagle – that kind of talent doesn’t simply disappear. After missing the Panthers week 6 defeat in Miami due to a shoulder injury, Sanders saw his opportunities diminish upon his return as Chuba Hubbard was named the starter in his absence. Parity appears to have returned in Carolina as week 11 saw Sanders receive majority of the rushing work for the first time since the Panthers week 7 bye, out-handling Hubbard 11-10. The main issue facing any Carolina rusher is game-scripting – they fall behind and are forced into throwing the ball, limiting opportunities out of the backfield. Sanders and the Panthers now travel to Nashville to face a Titans team who have lost their last 3. The key to beating Tennessee is usually through the passing game…but with Bryce Young under centre, Frank Reich may lean a little more on his ball carriers. I’m not expecting miracles, but at $4400, I can’t resist rostering a player with the game-winning upside that Sanders possesses.
Josh Downs v TB ($4,800)
It has been a disappointing fortnight for Downs, the 3rd round rookie out of North Carolina has seen just 4 targets in his previous 2 outings, catching all 4 for a modest total of 50 receiving yards…a far cry from his lines 5 for 125 and 7 for 72 in weeks 7 and 8. The former Tar Heel has been limited for most of the season with a knee injury he sustained in OTAs but only recently has the designation impacted his performance on the field. Heading into week 12, the clear WR2 on the team has been completely removed from the injury report and appears 100% healthy. The rookie sits behind only Michael Pittman across all major receiving categories; a clear second on the team in targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns. The Colts now host a Tampa Bay team that is giving up a league worst 198.9 receiving yards to opposing wideouts. Back to full strength and going up against one of the worst pass defenses in the league, I am expecting Downs to feast in this post-Thanksgiving clash.
Demario Douglas @NYG ($4,400)
One of my favourite rookie stories of the season is the emergence of Demario ‘Pop’ Douglas in this New England passing game. Pop, a 6th round pick out of Liberty University in Virginia (No, I didn’t know where it was either) has established himself as the true alpha receiver in this offense after the unfortunate loss of Kendrick Bourne to injury. With 23 targets in his last 3 outings, Douglas has become the clear favourite weapon of his struggling quarterback Mac Jones as well as back-up Bailey Zappe, who almost connected with Douglas late on for a big gain against the Colts in week 10. Pop and the Patriots (great band name btw) fresh off their bye now travel to the Big Apple to take on a Giants defense ranked 28th against opposing wideouts. Douglas is the only real threat in this Pats passing game and should see plenty of looks regardless who is throwing him the ball – he’s an outstanding bargain at $4400.
Khalil Shakir @PHI ($3,600)
Dart Throw Alert! The Bills speedster is coming off a career game against the Jets after posting his first 100-yard effort in the NFL, as Buffalo ran out comfortable winners over their divisional rivals. The sophomore 5th round pick was tied 3rd on the team in targets, some way behind fellow rookie Dalton Kincaid and superstar wideout Stefon Diggs, but the home tilt against Gang Green was Shakir’s 5th consecutive week with multiple targets after starting the season with only 1 in each of the Bills first 5 games. The former Boise State Bronco’s pricing has remained under $4000 all year, with his $3600 tag this week just $100 shy of his top end mark back in week 2. No team has given up more fantasy points to opposing wide receivers than the Eagles, and in the highest O/U on the slate, there will be plenty to go around on both sides. If you’re looking for a budget buy-in to this game, Shakir is a solid choice.
Pat Freiermuth @CIN ($2,900)
Let’s start by saying that this is a horrible slate for value at the tight end position. I was tempted to leave this tab blank given the very slim pickings but then I spotted old faithful Pat Freiermuth, and felt compelled to make him my solitary bargain pick of the week. It’s been a tough season for the 3rd year Steeler – not only has he had to endure a stint on the IR due to a hamstring injury, he also still has to break from the huddle knowing Kenny Pickett will be the man throwing the ball somewhere in his general direction. Freiermuth hauled in his only target for 7 yards last week in Pittsburgh’s loss in Cleveland but better days should lie ahead, in particular this Sunday against another divisional opponent – the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals rank bottom 3 against the position in both yards and points allowed, if you can’t pay up for Kelce, Kincaid ro McBride – Freiermuth may be your only hope.
Kansas City Chiefs @LV ($3,100)
The Chiefs have recorded at least 5 sacks, multiple INTs or a defensive touchdown in each of their last 5 outings. Opponents in that time have included Miami, Philadelphia, the Chargers and a resurgent Broncos offense under Sean Payton…this KC defensive unit is legit. This weekend sees the 2nd seeds in the AFC travel to Vegas for a divisional matchup against the Raiders and their rookie QB Aidan O’Connell. In O’Connell’s 5 starts on the year he has tossed a pick in all but 1 and has yet to put up a multi-touchdown effort. The Chiefs are exceptional value at only $3100.
Houston Texans v JAX ($2,600)
The Texans are as cheap as they come this week at home to a Jags offense that bounced back with a statement win over another member of the AFC South; the Tennessee Titans. The 34-14 win at home in week 11 was the first game of the year where Trevor Lawrence put up multiple touchdowns without throwing a pick…quite remarkable for the signal caller on a team sitting 7-3 and comfortably in the playoff picture. The Jags have eclipsed the 30 point mark in 4 of their 10 outings this season but have also failed to reach double figures twice…most recently 2 weeks ago against the 49ers. In a divisional matchup, anything can happen – if you’re struggling with your budget and are looking for a hopeful punt at DST – the $2600 Texans may provide a lifeline for your roster builds.
Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Image Credit: Marc Lebryk – USA TODAY Sports
