Fridays are for Five Lists of Five here at DKNetwork, and for Week 12, we want that partridge in a pear tree kinda win on Sunday, you know? What with the twelve days of Christmas just around the corner. The duration of which will be decidedly different for Daniel Jones, freshly released from the New York Giants per his own request. And that’s not even the most breaking fantasy news of the weekend. We’re waiting to hear statuses on CeeDee Lamb, Ladd McConkey, Malik Nabers and more.
A reminder of the premise behind this specific series of lists: All I want is for you to be better than your friends. You’re going to be surrounded by them on Sunday, probably. How sweet would it be if you could be sure you’ve checked every box possible that might guarantee you a resounding victory this week? Some kick-your-feet-up insights? I’ve got some.
Again—I know my audience. The smoke-break audience. The quick-scan-of-the-phone-on-the-way-to-the-fridge audience. The give-me-as-much-info-as-possible-as-fast-as-possible audience. I’m a man of the people.
And so, once more: Five Lists of Five. Think of these as byte-sized, two-minutes-to-yourself lists to scan during your weekend as you foam at the mouth for any competitive fantasy edge. As much relevant analysis as I can fit into, like, 250 words per player.
Keeping it rolling this week with my top five fantasy football must-starts and smash spots.
Also available from this week’s Fantasy Fridays Five Lists of Five:
- Top five fantasy football players most likely to score a touchdown in NFL Week 12
- Top five fantasy football stash players for NFL Week 12
- Top five wide receivers due for fantasy football breakout games in NFL Week 12
- Top five fantasy football streamers for NFL Week 12
Smash ‘Em
Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
I know he missed Thursday’s practice with that shoulder injury he sustained on Sunday night against the Bengals, but I’m not totally convinced that wasn’t just rest.
According to Pro Football Focus, McConkey is tied with Malik Nabers for the highest offensive grade among rookies through eleven weeks of the 2024 season.
His 69.4% catch percentage is a testament to he and Justin Herbert’s growing rapport, which was on display no more prevalently than Week 11 with Justin Herbert. McConkey made multiple contested catches for first downs, and two of them were along the sidelines and over defenders.
The Ravens are ninth-worst in the league in passing DVOA with a figure of 12.7%; however, they’re fourth in the league in rushing DVOA. The Harbaugh Bowl is indeed going to be one in which we see a lot of rainbows and ropes from Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert, if it follows the favored game script.
McConkey will be at the heart of this passing attack, and could see double-digit targets. Will Dissly, too, might benefit from the positive game script.
Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. New York Giants)
Poor, poor Giants. The Daniel Jones era is over, Malik Nabers missed practice Friday, and people are more excited about the memes that might come from Tommy DeVito at quarterback than they are about this team’s potential. And now they get the Tampa Bay Bucs off a BYE.
Bucky Irving has really been the emergent story for the Bucs this year, but Rachaad White has been remarkably prolific since coming back from injury before the BYE. During Weeks 6-10, White logged twenty receptions for 194 yards. Those are indeed high-end WR3 numbers from someone out of the backfield.
I expect White to retain goal line duties and passing-down work for the Bucs this week. He’ll put up 15+ FPTs.
Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. New York Giants)
Call this a feel play, but Baker’s got to be absolutely stoked to have his alpha receiver back. And Mike Evans needs to average 95 yards per game to eclipse 1,000 yards for eleventh-straight season. I don’t think it’ll be a neat-and-tidy cross of the threshold, but I bet he does it. And I bet a lot more than 95 yards come in this game.
He’ll find the end zone once, maybe twice in this one. A veteran wideout with unbelievable red zone savvy coming off an injury with legacy incentive to play well week-in-and-week-out? Against this Giants team?
Smash.
Austin Ekeler, RB, Washington Commanders (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
I think it’s going to be Brian Robinson who gets the majority of the goal line work, as I noted in my Top five fantasy football players most likely to score a touchdown in NFL Week 12 article. However, Ekeler isn’t that far behind Robinson in red zone carries. Robinson has 19 on the season, and Ekeler has 15.
Now, Robinson’s missed time with multiple lower-body injuries, so Ekeler has had the opportunity to take goal line snaps when spelling Robinson’s role. Again, I don’t see that happening for the majority of snaps in the red area on Sunday against the Cowboys.
Last week, Ekeler only logged two carries for seven yards, but caught eight receptions for 89 yards. Let’s split the difference: I project him for around seven carries for 30ish yards, and five receptions for 50 yards. That’s a FLEX play on a week with six BYEs.
Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Detroit Lions)
We were all wondering whether or not Downs could sustain WR1 performances with Anthony Richardson at quarterback. And, for at least one week against the Jets, he sure did (5-84-1). He caught all five of his targets for a 100% reception rate.
If this game isn’t a shootout, then the world’s tilted the wrong way. The Lions might hang five touchdowns on the Colts before the Colts’ offense really gets going, but when it does, it’ll be through Downs, who leads the team in opportunities (76 targets; 32.9% target rate).
Alec Pierce might also have a decent game as well, so don’t be surprised if you see his name on these lists once again.
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