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Week 12 Wide Receiver Preview: Emeka Egbuka Poised To Bounce Back
Top Fantasy WRs for Week 12
Let's break down the key usage notes and matchups that are driving our Week 12 WR Rankings.
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1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
SEA WR1
JSN continued his run going 9-105-0 last week plus he had an 11 yard rush. With a poor offensive outing for the Seahawks, this showcases JSN’s rising floor every week. He remains our WR1 overall for the rest of the season and should be started this week, even if the Seahawks could stop throwing the ball early on against the Titans.
2. Puka Nacua, LAR
Puka Nacua
LAR WR2
Our own Jared Smola recently wrote about Puka’s declining route rate. It’s notable, and perhaps provides some new downside to his fantasy outlook. Still, Nacua’s fed targets at a high rate when on the field (32% targets per route run). He remains an elite WR1.
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET
Amon-Ra St. Brown
DET WR3
St. Brown managed just 2 catches on a rough passing night in Philly. But his 12 targets marked his second-largest total of the season. Back home (and inside) this week against a generous Giants D, St. Brown carries as much upside as any fantasy WR.
4. CeeDee Lamb, DAL
CeeDee Lamb
DAL WR4
Lamb is averaging 6.0 receptions, 83.8 yards, and 0.5 TDs per game across four weeks since his return from injury. He delivered a 7-110 line against these Eagles back in Week 1, and would have posted even bigger numbers if not for a couple of bad late-game drops.
5. Rashee Rice, KC
Rashee Rice
KC WR5
Defending WRs has been the weak spot for Indianapolis' defense. The Colts have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to wideouts. Rice, who leads the Chiefs with a 26% target share, will be the main benefactor of that matchup. Rice is averaging a career-high 19.3 PPR points per game. He's scored 4 TDs in 4 games. Meanwhile, Indy has allowed 10 WR TDs in 10 games. Rice has an excellent shot at finding the end zone again and remains a top-5 play.
6. Davante Adams, LAR
Davante Adams
LAR WR6
Adams hits the weekend with TDs in four straight, a span that includes seven total scores. He’ll remain one of the better TD bets at WR with the Rams implied for 28 points.
7. Tee Higgins, CIN
Tee Higgins
CIN WR7
Higgins projects for a heavy Week 12 workload, given the absence of Ja’Marr Chase (suspension). Higgins would also get a boost if Joe Burrow (toe) returns. Regardless, get the WR locked into fantasy lineups.
8. Nico Collins, HOU
Nico Collins
HOU WR8
Played on Thursday Night
9. Emeka Egbuka, TB
Emeka Egbuka
TB WR9
Egbuka enters the weekend with 9+ targets in four straight. Even if Chris Godwin returns, the rookie should retain WR1-level volume against the Rams. We project the Bucs – who are installed as 6.5-point road underdogs – for a pass-heavy approach.
10. Tetairoa McMillan, CAR
Tetairoa McMillan
CAR WR10
McMillan is coming off a big 8-130-2 breakout game vs. the Panthers. He gets a plus matchup on Monday night vs. the 49ers' 21st-ranked WR defense. San Francisco has particularly struggled defending the slot, ranking dead last in adjusted fantasy points allowed. That's intriguing for McMillan, who has started to move into the slot a bit more. He's run 25% of his routes from the inside over the last two weeks.
11. DeVonta Smith, PHI
DeVonta Smith
PHI WR11
Smith drew a disappointing five targets in Monday night’s loss to Detroit, compared with 11 for A.J. Brown. That approach clearly didn’t work, as Brown managed just a 7-49 receiving line and Jalen Hurts threw for only 135 yards. Smith drew 7+ targets in each of the previous three games, though, averaging 6.3 catches, 112.0 yards, and 0.7 TDs over that span.
12. Stefon Diggs, NE
Stefon Diggs
NE WR12
Diggs said this week that he’s been playing through a broken finger for a couple of weeks. Still, he’s finished as a top-20 WR in back to back games. He’s a must-start in a dream matchup with Cincinnati.
13. George Pickens, DAL
George Pickens
DAL WR13
Pickens managed just four targets in his Week 1 meeting with the Eagles, a game that found CeeDee Lamb dominating Dallas looks. But Pickens has finished just one other game short of six targets, and he has garnered 9+ in each of the past three contests -- 8.75 per contest across the four weeks since Lamb’s return from injury. The matchup presents some downside risk, but Pickens also brings upside -- especially if he can match up with Adoree’ Jackson in coverage a decent amount instead of being tracked by Quinyon Mitchell all game.
14. Justin Jefferson, MIN
Justin Jefferson
MIN WR14
Jefferson ranks fifth among WRs in expected PPR points per game over the last three weeks ... but just 26th in actual points. QB J.J. McCarthy continues to sink Jefferson's production, although the strong volume (30 targets over the last three games) at least gives him a path to rebound. The Vikings are in a tough spot on the road in Green Bay this weekend. But the Packers have struggled defending outside WRs, ranking 28th in adjusted fantasy points allowed.
15. Zay Flowers, BAL
Zay Flowers
BAL WR15
Flowers has been negatively impacted by Lamar Jackson's quiet stretch, but Week 12 offers a nice opportunity for Flowers to rebound. Flowers has a monster 94% route rate and 29% target share, and gets a Jets defense that has struggled against the pass since the trade deadline departures. Baltimore is projected to score the second-most points (29) this week. View Flowers as a mid-range WR2 who is in a good spot to end his TD slump.
16. Jameson Williams, DET
Jameson Williams
DET WR16
Williams has scored in three straight games and four of his past five. His two outings since HC Dan Campbell took over playcalling have finished with receiving lines of 6-119-1 and 4-88-1. The latter came despite a windy night in Philly that produced Jared Goff’s season-low completion rate. Williams is an easy weekly start at this point, and a soft matchup with the Giants only helps further.
17. Wan'Dale Robinson, NYG
Wan'Dale Robinson
NYG WR17
Robinson has quietly garnered 9+ targets in three straight games and four of his past five. That’s been quiet, of course, because he also hasn’t scored a TD since Week 6 and has averaged just 48 yards per game over the past three weeks. He’s an attractive PPR play in a game that figures to find the Giants trailing quickly but less attractive in formats that downplay reception scoring.
18. Chris Olave, NO
Chris Olave
NO WR18
The Saints part ways with Brandin Cooks, which only increases Chris Olave's value to the WR corps. Olave is tied for 12th in the league with a 93% route rate and ranks ninth with a 28% target share. Without Cooks, Olave looks like a good bet to see another 10-plus targets against an Atlanta defense that has been slipping. The Falcons have allowed 535 receiving yards and a league-high 6 TDs to WRs in their last three games. Olave remains a strong WR2 who could lead the position in targets this week.
19. A.J. Brown, PHI
A.J. Brown
PHI WR19
Brown *should* be a high-end play against a Dallas defense that has been the most generous to WRs by a wide margin (according to our adjusted fantasy points allowed). We can’t push him beyond mid-WR2 range, though, with just four double-digit PPR scores among his nine outings this season. Three of those have come among his past four appearances, at least.
20. Michael Pittman Jr., IND
Michael Pittman Jr.
IND WR20
Pittman leads the Colts with an 88% route rate and 23% target share. Pittman's worst game of the year came before the Colts' Week 10 bye, but before that, he had produced back-to-back games with 20-plus PPR points. He's scored 6 TDs -- which ties his career-high -- but faces a Kansas City defense that has only allowed 6 TDs to WRs this season. Still, Pittman is the Colts' unquestioned No. 1 WR and is tied for 12th among all WRs with 54 grabs. He's a strong WR2 in Week 12.
21. Rome Odunze, CHI
Rome Odunze
CHI WR21
Odunze has two top-10 PPR WR performances over the last five weeks. Unfortunately, his other three finishes have not been among the top-50 at the position. This type of high ceiling and low floor can be match-up dependent. The Steelers stonewalled Ja’Marr Chase last week but gave up 100+ yards to Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, and Ladd McConkey in the two games before that. It could be an upside spot for Odunze, making him worth the risk.
22. Michael Wilson, ARI
Michael Wilson
ARI WR22
Wilson stunned the fantasy community with a 15-catch Week 11. You’re not expecting anything close to that for Week 12, but he’ll remain in a solid spot for volume with Marvin Harrison Jr. out. Current projections have the third-year WR for 7.4 targets in a neutral matchup against the Jags.
23. D.K. Metcalf, PIT
D.K. Metcalf
PIT WR23
Metcalf went 5-49-0 last week, continuing a cold streak with no TDs since Week 8. He has combined for less than 100 yards receiving in the past three games. Whether Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph start for the Steelers, Metcalf is still a big play option only. The Bears defense does give up long receptions with a 59.5% catch rate on passes over 10 yards, second worst in the league. It’s tough to trot Metcalf out in a starting lineup, but he can be a flex play in hopes for a bounce back this week.
24. Brian Thomas Jr., JAC
Brian Thomas Jr.
JAC WR24
Thomas has a chance to return from an ankle injury after putting in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday. If active, he’ll be in the WR2 mix against a banged up Arizona secondary.
25. Jauan Jennings, SF
Jauan Jennings
SF WR25
Ricky Pearsall's return means more target competition for Jennings, who turned six looks into a 4-54-0 line last week. He figures to settle in as a WR3 going forward, albeit with plenty of upside in this high-scoring 49ers offense. San Francisco is implied for a big 28.25 points on Monday night vs. Carolina. The Panthers has been surprisingly tough on WRs this year, though, ranking fourth in adjusted fantasy points allowed.
26. Romeo Doubs, GB
Romeo Doubs
GB WR26
Doubs has totaled just five catches for 58 scoreless yards over the last two weeks. But he's seen 12 targets across those two games and has drawn 20+% of Packers targets in five of his last seven games. Doubs remains the best bet in Green Bay's WR corps, even if Christian Watson is gaining on him. Next up is a Vikings defense that ranks third in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs, but there's nothing particularly scary about the secondary.
27. Alec Pierce, IND
Alec Pierce
IND WR27
Pierce has quietly made himself a lot of money this season. He ranks 2nd in Indy's WR corps in route rate (87%) and target share (20%) and leads the NFL, averaging 20.9 yards per catch. Pierce has scored 14-plus PPR points in three of his last four games, but will be hard-pressed to hit that mark in Week 12 playing against a Kansas City defense that surrenders the seventh-fewest fantasy points to WRs. Pierce enters Week 12 as a top-40 WR in PPR scoring, so he carries solid WR3 value.
28. Khalil Shakir, BUF
Khalil Shakir
BUF WR28
Played on Thursday Night
29. Christian Watson, GB
Christian Watson
GB WR29
Watson delivered a strong fantasy outing last week thanks to a pair of scores. He's been a big-play threat throughout his career, so the ceiling here is attractive. Just note that Watson saw only five targets last week, after drawing four in each of his first three games of the season. That level of volume leaves him with a low floor. The schematic matchup vs. the Vikings also adds risk to Watson this week. Minnesota leads the league in percentage of snaps in two-high coverage this season. Watson's targets per route and yards per route are significantly lower vs. two-high than single-high.
30. Jordan Addison, MIN
Jordan Addison
MIN WR30
Addison has turned in WR48, WR40, and WR30 PPR finishes with QB J.J. McCarthy the past three weeks. And the WR30 finish came with a TD. He gets a Packers defense on Sunday that ranks 28th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to outside WRs. But McCarthy figures to struggle in this spot. Minnesota is implied for only 17.25 points.
31. Jakobi Meyers, JAC
Jakobi Meyers
JAC WR31
Meyers has posted lines of 3-41 and 5-64 in two games with the Jags. His upside would take a hit if Brian Thomas returns for this one. But he also draws a Cardinals pass D that’s fifth-worst in passing success rate allowed.
32. Tre Tucker, LVR
Tre Tucker
LVR WR32
Tucker was on the field for nearly the whole game against the Cowboys and came through with a 4-47-1 stat line. His big play ability makes Tucker worth a flex play in deeper leagues. He currently sits as the only WR on the Raiders with a TD this season.
33. Xavier Worthy, KC
Xavier Worthy
KC WR33
Despite playing plenty of snaps, Worthy has not posted a top-40 finish in any week since Rashee Rice debuted in Week 7. Worthy has only topped 50 yards once since Week 2 and has only 1 carry in Kansas City's last 3 contests. It's becoming increasingly difficult to trust Worthy in lineups. This week's matchup is fine, but Worthy's lack of production makes him a low-end WR3/flex option, at best.
34. Kayshon Boutte, NE
Kayshon Boutte
NE WR34
Boutte missed two games with a hamstring injury, but he’s on track to return vs. Cincy. He’s on the WR3/4 borderline in a positive scoring matchup with the Bengals.
35. Darnell Mooney, ATL
Darnell Mooney
ATL WR35
It's been a miserable season for Mooney, who has topped 50 receiving yards only once, back in Week 7. He's averaged just 19.3 yards in the four games since then. But the good news is that Mooney has 15 targets in his last two, including 3 from Cousins last week. Drake London is out, so Mooney will fill in as Atlanta's No. 1 WR. He's a sneaky bet to see 8-10 targets, but his lack of production limits Mooney to WR3/4 territory.
36. Parker Washington, JAC
Parker Washington
JAC WR36
Washington's hit a rough patch of late, managing only 5 grabs for 53 yards over his past two. He's seen just a 15% target share over that stretch, and volume could be suppressed again if Brian Thomas returns. The Arizona matchup at least supplies some WR3/Flex upside.
37. Ricky Pearsall, SF
Ricky Pearsall
SF WR37
The good news is that Pearsall was a full-time player in his return last week. The bad news? He caught just one of two targets and didn't look 100% recovered from that knee injury. Pearsall will be a risky fantasy start until we see him look and produce like his old self. He gets a Panthers defense on Monday night that surprisingly ranks fourth in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs.
38. Andrei Iosivas, CIN
Andrei Iosivas
CIN WR38
Iosivas will soak up snaps in place of Ja’Marr Chase (suspension). He’s likely to catch passes from Joe Burrow, too, after the QB put in a full practice on Wednesday/Thursday. Treat Iosivas as a deep-league spot-starter against an underperforming Pats secondary.
39. D.J. Moore, CHI
D.J. Moore
CHI WR39
Moore went 1-18-0 last week with the Bears passing game barely getting going. He hasn’t hit 50 yards receiving in seven of his last nine games. The Steelers pass defense has been volatile, but there isn’t enough evidence to suggest that Moore can consistently produce, even with him being on the field for most of the game.
40. Luther Burden III, CHI
Luther Burden III
CHI WR40
Burden went 3-27-0 and finally is playing over Olamide Zaccheaus. With the way HC Ben Johnson utilizes his slot WRs, a Burden breakout could be coming down the line. His 61.1% route rate is an improvement, but doesn’t make Burden startable yet except in deep leagues. He should be stashed on your bench though if still sitting on the waiver wire.
41. Rashid Shaheed, SEA
Rashid Shaheed
SEA WR41
Shaheed only went 2-27-0 last week, but his route rate is climbing now heading into his third game with the new team. He will need a deep catch or two to pay off and that can’t be relied upon in a game where the Seahawks could get up early. It is worth benching Shaheed this week and seeing if his usage continues going up.
42. Josh Downs, IND
Josh Downs
IND WR42
While Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce have thrived with Daniel Jones under center, Downs is having a down year. After averaging 13.1 PPR points per game in 2024, Downs had dipped to 9.5 PPR points this season. He's also averaging a career-low 8.8 yards per catch as Pittman and Pierce make plays downfield. This week, Downs should be viewed as a modest WR4/flex play against a stout Chiefs' defense.
43. Jerry Jeudy, CLE
Jerry Jeudy
CLE WR43
Jeudy has only hit 50 receiving yards in one game since Joe Flacco was benched and now gets his third QB this season in Shedeur Sanders. The Sanders mystery box might give Jeudy some upside, but he is only averaging 3.1 catches per game. He should be benched this week.
44. Cooper Kupp, SEA
Cooper Kupp
SEA WR44
Kupp continues being trotted out onto the field, playing 81% of snaps last week. That only translated into a 3-23-0 stat line when the Seahawks were throwing the ball a ton. He did run more routes than Rashid Shaheed and had 7 targets, but the lack of production this season makes Kupp a must-bench in any match-up moving forward.
45. Chimere Dike, TEN
Chimere Dike
TEN WR45
Dike left the game last week with a chest injury, but he is in line to play this week. With Calvin Ridley out for the rest of the season, Dike could have a big play or two, but the ball will be spread around enough to make Dike a must bench. The lack of Titans’ offensive power also makes it unlikely that any Titans WR scores TD.
46. Greg Dortch, ARI
Greg Dortch
ARI WR46
Dortch turned heads with a 6-66-1 line in Week 11. The matchup isn’t great this week, as the Jags should get back slot CB Jourdan Lewis. Still, Dortch is in play as a deep-league PPR Flex.
47. Chris Godwin, TB
Chris Godwin
TB WR47
Godwin was upgraded to a full practice participant on Thursday and “could” play Sunday, per ace beat writer Rich Stroud. If active, the veteran will be a deep-league Flex given his health concerns. Godwin also tallied two lines of 3-26 on 14 total targets in Week 4-5.
48. Jalen Coker, CAR
Jalen Coker
CAR WR48
Coker is coming off a season-best 4-52-0 receiving line. But he's yet to top four targets in any of his five games. That keeps Coker off the season-long radar. But he's an intriguing play in one-game daily contests as Carolina's primary slot receiver. The 49ers rank dead last in adjusted fantasy points allowed to slot receivers.
49. Jayden Higgins, HOU
Jayden Higgins
HOU WR49
Played on Thursday Night
50. Isaiah Hodgins, NYG
Isaiah Hodgins
NYG WR50
Hodgins went from seeing zero playing time all season to posting a 5-57 receiving line last week. That’s not enough to make him a reasonable option this week, especially after Hodgins totaled just 2 receptions for the 2024 season. He’d take a further hit if Darius Slayton’s ready to play.
51. Joshua Palmer, BUF
Joshua Palmer
BUF WR51
Played on Thursday Night
52. Van Jefferson, TEN
Van Jefferson
TEN WR52
Jefferson stepped into the void when Calvin Ridley, Chimere Dike, and Elic Ayomanor all went down with injuries. If the latter two play this week, Jefferson goes back to a reserve role on a poor offense. He isn’t likely to score enough fantasy points to be relevant this week.
53. Elic Ayomanor, TEN
Ayomanor left the game last week with a hamstring injury, and could still miss this week. With Calvin Ridley out for the season, Ayomanor could get a few more looks, but the ball will be spread around enough to ensure no Titans’ WR pays off for fantasy without a TD.
54. Adonai Mitchell, NYJ
Adonai Mitchell
NYJ WR54
Mitchell's debut went reasonably well. He ranked third on New York's WR corps in routes (21) and led the team with 6 targets. Four of those targets were catchable, but Mitchell only came down with 1 reception for 10 yards. New York's passing volume should be better with Tyrod Taylor under center, so Mitchell has some WR4/5 appeal in deeper leagues with lineups hit hard by injuries or the byes.
55. Mack Hollins, NE
Mack Hollins
NE WR55
Hollins has reached 60 yards in back-to-back games, but note that he’ll have to deal with the return of Kayshon Boutte in Week 12. The good news? He draws a Bengals defense that’s last in points and yards allowed. New England is implied for a hefty 28.5 points.
56. DeAndre Hopkins, BAL
DeAndre Hopkins
BAL WR56
Hopkins played a season-high 71% of Baltimore's snaps last week and had a respectable 16% target share. Rashod Bateman isn't expected to play this week, which sets Hopkins up for another run as the Ravens' No. 2 WR. It's a solid spot for the veteran, who faces a Jets' defense that has allowed the 12th-most fantasy points per game since trading away CB Sauce Gardner. View Hopkins as a TD-dependent WR4/flex option in a good spot this week.
57. Matthew Golden, GB
Matthew Golden
GB WR57
Golden returned from his shoulder injury last week and ranked fourth among Packers WRs with a 37% route rate. We'll see if the playing time climbs in his second game back, but Golden can not be trusted in Week 12 fantasy lineups.
58. Marquise Brown, KC
Marquise Brown
KC WR58
Brown has been under a 50% snap share in every game since Rashee Rice returned to the lineup. He's received 4 targets in three of the four games that Rice has played. Brown had a zero in Week 8, but has scored 8-9 PPR points in the other three games. This week's matchup, so Brown fits the bill as a deep-league flex option with modest upside.
59. John Metchie, NYJ
John Metchie
NYJ WR59
Metchie had a strong showing in his first real opportunity to contribute for the Jets. He ran the second-most routes (24) and led the team with 3 grabs, 45 yards, and his first TD. Tyrod Taylor should improve New York's overall passing offense and Metchie's chances of making an impact. The Ravens' defense has settled down over the past month, so this isn't a matchup to force Metchie into fantasy lineups. He should be viewed as a middling WR5/flex play, at best.
60. Sterling Shepard, TB
Sterling Shepard
TB WR60
Shepard should benefit from what we expect to be a pass-leaning Bucs offense. After all, they enter the weekend as 6.5-point road underdogs against an elite Rams offense. Just one problem: The Bucs are expected to get Chris Godwin back from injury. That’ll likely cut into Shepard’s target share and route rate, making him more of a WR4/5 candidate than a legit WR3/Flex.
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