Somehow 11 weeks have passed in the 2024 NFL regular season, and we’re turkey-trotting our way to Thanksgiving. The Sporting News can’t wait to get you ready for another loaded slate with our DFS sleepers and value plays, highlighting the top bargains on DraftKings, FanDuel, and SuperDraft.
The No. 1 key to success in daily fantasy: identifying value. You won’t win any DFS jackpots if you don’t get the most bang for your buck during lineup construction. Finding a balance between proven weekly studs and high-value sleepers is crucial, just like lining your Turkey Day buffet with solid sides as well as the classic favorites.
For years, this column has shined a light on the undervalued gems each week on DraftKings, FanDuel, and now SuperDraft. Anyone can spot the elite DFS stars, but it’s the sleepers and value plays that separate lineups from the crowd and start making you some real money.
MORE NFL WEEK 12: Best bets and top props | Odds, lines, totals
By finding solid production at discount DFS prices, we afford ourselves more proven weekly studs at other roster positions. That way, a larger percentage of our lineup is contributing, and we establish lineup variance by separating our entries from the rest of the DFS pack.
Throughout the season, we highlight our biggest hits from the previous week to prove the effectiveness of our strategies. Let’s take a look at our list of successes from last week, with each player’s Week 11 salaries as well as their final DraftKings points production.
| POS | PLAYER | GAME | SALARY | POINTS |
| QB | Bo Nix | Broncos vs. Falcons | $6,200 | 31.8 |
| QB | Sam Darnold | Vikings at Titans | $6,100 | 24.6 |
| QB | Tua Tagovailoa | Dolphins vs. Raiders | $6,000 | 23.5 |
| RB | David Montgomery | Lions vs. Jaguars | $6,500 | 24.5 |
| WR | Jameson Williams | Lions vs. Jaguars | $5,800 | 25.6 |
| WR | Jauan Jennings | 49ers vs. Seahawks | $5,300 | 25.1 |
| WR | Courtland Sutton | Broncos vs. Falcons | $5,900 | 14.8 |
| TE | Jonnu Smith | Dolphins vs. Raiders | $3,800 | 31.1 |
That’s a monster week. Seven players at 23.5 or greater!? A QB and a tight end with 31-plus points!? Hubba, hubba. If you slid any of these affordable players into your lineup, you were probably feeling pretty good by Sunday evening.
Let’s carry over the momentum and unveil our Week 12 DFS sleepers and value picks on DraftKings, FanDuel, and SuperDraft. We’ll highlight the most affordable high-value options at each position, as well as their listed cost or scoring boost on each DFS site.
One week until Thanksgiving — let’s make some pie money!
Sean Payton has found his next Drew Brees, and his name is Bo Nix. Lucky for me, I bet him to win Rookie of the Year when he was still +1400. He’s +300 now, trailing only Jayden Daniels. After this week, he might take over as the betting favorite.
Since Week 5, Nix has averaged 22.2 DK points per game. He has 13 passing TDs, two rushing TDs, and zero interceptions in that span. Now he’s facing a down-and-out Raiders team that has surrendered the 8th-most DK points to QBs this season. Let’s go, Bo!
WEEK 12 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
Baker had his first real dud of the season last time out against the 49ers, but in his defense, Tampa Bay ran the ball a lot and used him as a game manager against the stud San Fran D.
Mayfield can get back to doing his thing against the Giants, who have allowed 20-plus first downs in three of the past four weeks and have just four takeaways since Week 4. Go cook, Baker.
Other QBs whose Week 12 values exceed their price tags:
WEEK 12 WAIVER WIRE ADVICE
Full waiver wire list | FAAB guide | Top players to target
If he’s ready to go, Pacheco is ready to pop off. The dude only knows one speed, and Carolina only knows how to get rocked. The Panthers have surrendered 133.9 rushing yards per game and 16 total touchdowns to running backs this season, both easily the most in the NFL. Go eat, Little Poppy!
MORE: How to play DFS | Fantasy buy-lows, sell-highs
BRob got eased back in a bit last week, his first since Week 8 due to a hamstring injury. Still, he turned 17 touches into 72 yards and a TD against a pretty good Philly run D.
Robinson should be able to smash the downtrodden Cowboys like mashed potatoes this week, especially at home where he has averaged 78.8 yards per game. Dallas let Joe Mixon rack up 153 yards and three TDs on Monday night, so expect a fantasy feast for BRob and Austin Ekeler.
Other strong Week 12 RB values (bold prices indicate volatilty):
MORE: Learn about the SuperDraft Jackpot
Two good things happened with the Colts last weekend: (1) they moved the ball with Anthony Richardson and won a close game 28-27 against a good Jets defense, and (2) Josh Downs proved that he’s QB-proof.
We previously thought Downs might only be a value with Joe Flacco under center, but now that he caught 5-of-5 Week 11 targets for 84 yards and a TD, we realize he’s good no matter who’s chucking it to him. Like candied yams on Turkey Day, we’re still totally down with Downs.
Ridley has been a fantastic second-half sleeper since DeAndre Hopkins left Nashville for the greener pastures of Kansas City. The Titans wideout has put up 18.5 DK points per game over the past four weeks, and now he draws a Texans defense that has been giving up some big plays over the past few weeks. Fire up the talented Mr. Ridley.
Other strong Week 12 DFS values
MORE NFL FANTASY WEEK 12
Sleepers | Busts | Stock watch | Trade advice
We’re going right back to the well with Smith, who has established a fantastic rapport with Tua Tagovailoa. We listed him as a featured sleeper last week, and he exploded for 31.1 DK points against Vegas. The Pats are a better TE defense than the Raiders, but they’re still beatable. These prices are far too cheap.
More Week 12 TEs worth a look:
The Broncos should be among the top-3 most expensive D/STs this week, yet they’re just the 7th-most expensive. Denver just blasted a good Falcons team by a score of 38-6, racking up 13 DK points via an interception, four sacks, and the six points allowed. Las Vegas has yielded the 2nd-most D/ST points on the season. This is a no-brainer, like honey glaze on your holiday ham.
Other decent D/ST plays for Week 12:
