- The Week 12 IDP Waiver Wire | Best Free Agent Targets
- Week 12 Positional CheatChart to Spot the Best Fantasy Producers
Welcome to the Week 12 Positional CheatChart. In this article, I provide an easy-to-use positional matchups table and highlight potentially exploitable matchups. If you’re curious about the process you can find a full introduction HERE where I lay out the methodology.
How to Use the Week 12 Positional CheatChart
First, find YOUR PLAYER’S TEAM in the first column. Next, follow that line to THEIR POSITION’S column. That percentage is how much better or worse you can expect them to do compared to what they typically score.
Example: Let’s say you’re deciding between Quentin Johnston (WR-LAC) and Tony Pollard (RB-TEN). For Johnston, find LAC in the first column. Follow the Week 12 Positional CheatChart row over to the WR column, and you’ll see his positional matchup is 23%. That’s a very positive matchup. Next, for Pollard, find TEN in the first column. Follow that row over to the RB column, and you’ll see his positional matchup is -20%, which is a very negative matchup. Given both players are averaging about 12.5 points per game, I’d lean Johnston.
Offensive Players to Target | Week 12 Positional CheatChart
Passing the Torch
Tommy Devito may be on waivers in your dynasty league and if you need a temporary starter you could do worse. In games he started in 2023 he averaged 14.9 points a game. He has a great matchup against Tampa Bay this week where implied game script has them playing from behind. Admittedly, this is a risky play but he can be started in 2QB/superflex leagues.
The “Harbaughwl”
Surprisingly in the game being dubbing (by me and nobody else) the Harbaughwl, you can look to the Chargers wide receivers for fantasy relevance. While the Chargers are still thought of as a run-heavy team they are middle of the pack in pass rate and top-12 when in neutral game scripts. Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey should be considered WR2/3s with upside. Josh Palmer can also be used as a deeper flex play given the 51-point over/under.
Running Wild
While the Buccaneers running back splits have been frustrating either can be played in Week 12. Both Bucky Irving and Rachaad White had big games before their Week 11 bye and going into Week 12 could be the same. While Irving has been leading in carries by an average of 3 per game White is leading in targets, boasting an impressive 24% target share over the last six weeks. Game script likely favors Irving but both should have solid floors in what is a great positional matchup.
Ready to Serve
Hunter Henry continues to be fantasy relevant thanks to his generous 20% target share over the last six weeks. He gets Miami this week who is one of the better matchups for tight end. The implied game script this week has the Patriots playing from behind by quite a bit, so there should be plenty of targets heading his way.
Offensive Players to Avoid | Week 12 Positional CheatChart
Cleveland Slow Down
Jameis Winston is coming off a big game against the Saints, scoring 26.6 points. That is unlikely to keep up into Week 12 when he faces the Steelers who have allowed a third fewer fantasy points to opposing QBs. The game has a 36-point over/under and he’s taken 11 sacks in the 3 games he’s started. Avoid if possible.
Bucking the Broncos
Week 11 was excellent for Denver wide receivers, Courtland Sutton, Devaughn Vele, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, and Marvin Mims all scored double-digit PPR points against Atlanta. While Courtland Sutton is a locked-in starter thanks to his 8.5 average targets per game the others should remain on your bench for Week 12. The Raiders are a tough matchup for opposing WRs, the over/under on the game is a meager 41 points, and the Broncos are expected to lead based on the implied game script. It’s a perfect storm for underperformance.
Sit ‘Em If You Got ‘Em
Jonathan Brooks is expected to make his long-awaited debut in Week 12. While you might be excited to start him, he’s going against the toughest matchup in the league for running backs to start his career. Chuba Hubbard has outperformed ADP this season he now faces additional competition in a tough matchup. I’d recommend keeping Brooks in your taxi squad for one more week if you can squeak by without him.
Changing Cade-nce
Over the last six weeks, Cade Otten is the TE2 behind only Brock Bowers. He’s a must-start at this point, but temper expectations in Week 12. He goes against the Giants this week who have allowed opposing tight ends less than half of their average fantasy points. Consider his lower-than-typical ceiling when setting the rest of your lineup.
IDP | Week 12 Positional CheatChart
IDP Targets | Week 12 Positional CheatChart
You Get a Sack, You Get a Sack
I’m combining both DL and LB this week as the situation is so juicy. It also helps that the Steelers have several dual eligible LB/DL players. As previously mentioned Jameis Winston has taken 11 sacks in the last 3 games. Now Browns tackle Dawand Jones is out for the season with a broken leg.
T.J. Watt and Patrick Queen are every week starters, and this is likely to be a big one. Cameron Heyward is a must-start this week as well. Heyward has five sacks on the season so far. Nick Herbig (dual eligible) returned from injury in week 11 and played 82% of snaps. He didn’t do much for fantasy but being on the field that often will pay off eventually.
And finally, rookie Payton Wilson has been steadily improving as the season progresses, he could be started this week but look for him on waivers as he’s worth stashing on your bench. The Steelers have several linebackers expected to move on after this season, and if he has a big game in Week 12 you might miss your opportunity to pick him up for free.
Command, Hut!
For streaming defensive backs look to Washington this week as they face off against a Cooper Rush lead Cowboys. Jeremy Chinn and Mike Sainristil are both excellent options for this week, and can be held going into Week 13 where they face the Titans who are also a plus matchup.
For additional IDP waiver adds I’d recommend checking out Jon Glosser’s IDP Fantasy PLAYERS YOU NEED to Add for Week 12.
Team Trends | Week 12 Positional CheatChart
Notable Rush Funnel Teams: The Panthers, Giants, Steelers, and Commanders are pushing opponents to the run game as of late.
Pass Funnel Teams: The Browns, Texans, Chargers, and Rams are the biggest pass funnels in the league.
IDP Targets: The Bears, Browns, Cowboys, and Texans are all excellent matchups for opposing defensive linemen. Likewise the Giants and Titans are a top notch target for linebackers. The Bengals are the top matchup for opposing defensive backs while the Buccaneers, Browns, and Texans are all good targets as well.
Final Word | Week 12 Positional CheatChart
As the playoff pictures of your leagues unfold, take the time to look at your roster and identify the areas you are currently weak at. Those are the positions to prioritize when it comes to streamers in these last few weeks. As we inch closer to playoffs, I’ll include more mentions of playoff matchups. That way you can snag them early and not worry about it going into Week 14.
If you’re looking toward next season already and need to catch up, our Nerds Writing Staff recently published their Two Round 1QB Rookie Mock for the 2025 NFL Draft class:
