Week 12 Rankings for Fantasy Football: Tee Higgins and Travis Kelce Rise
Dwain McFarland highlights the biggest risers and fallers in his Week 12 fantasy football rankings
It is time to set our fantasy lineups for Week 12, and with that in mind, let's follow the data to analyze some of the biggest risers and fallers in the ranks to help you make those start-sit decisions.
Risers In My Week 12 Rankings for Fantasy Football
See below for the biggest risers in my Week 12 fantasy football rankings, sorted positionally.
Brock Purdy climbs to QB8 for fantasy football in Week 12.
Purdy returned to the lineup in Week 11 to deliver 19.3 fantasy points against the Cardinals. He has averaged 18.6 per contest in three games—in line with his 18.1 in 2024. In those three games, Purdy has averaged 262 yards and a sizzling 2.3 TDs through the air.
The 49ers are seven-point favorites with a 27.5-point team total per oddsmakers. Freedman's NFL Betting Game Model likes San Francisco more: 8.8-point favorites with a 29.2 team total. That is the second-highest team total in the game model for Week 12. Â
Projection Model (using my PPR projections):
- Xfinity Best (ceiling): 22.3
- Median: 17.7
- Floor: 14.1
Purdy is a mid-range QB1 against the Panthers.
QB Rapid Fire: Week 12 Rankings Upgrades & Pending News
- Matthew Stafford | Rams: No other team scores more of their points via touchdowns than the Rams at 78%. And 77% of their scores have come through the air. No QB is averaging more TDs per game than Stafford at 2.7 per contest. Stafford has averaged 20.5 points per contest. The Buccaneers offer the No. 7 fantasy boost to opposing QBs at 2.6 points per game. Stafford projects as the No. 5 signal caller with 19.5 points, and his Xfinity Best ceiling is 23.7. Stafford is my QB6 on the slate, the top non-running QB.
 - Jared Goff | Lions: Goff and the Lions boast the No. 1 team total in Freedman's model at 32.2 points against the Giants. New York has incentivized the sixth-highest fantasy boost to opposing signal callers at 3.1 points per game. Goff is my QB7 in Week 11 and offers an Xfinity Best ceiling of 22.3 points.
TreVeyon Henderson has the best RB fantasy matchup in Week 12.
The Bengals have authored a blockbuster matchup for opposing RB rooms. Their adversaries have enjoyed a salivating 10.4-point-per-game boost. That is almost double the No. 2 fantasy boost matchup provided by the Giants at 5.9.
For the last two games, Henderson has enjoyed a full-time workload with an 87% snap share with Rhamondre Stevenson sidelined. Over that span, the rookie has bombarded the fantasy boxscore with 28 and 32.3 fantasy points.
Stevenson returned to practice last week despite not playing, leaving the door open for his return in Week 12. If Stevenson returns, it is impossible to say how the coaching staff will handle the split. We are guessing.
Right now, I have the attempts projected at 53% to Henderson and 37% to Stevenson. Admittedly, that could be completely wrong, but I am leaning into Henderson's recent performance and historical data indicating that rookie Round 2 NFL Draft picks at the RB position fare well later in the season.
The projections below assume Stevenson returns to the lineup.
- Xfinity Best (ceiling): 22.6
- Median: 14.0
- Floor: 10.3
Henderson is a borderline RB1 if Stevenson returns. If Stevenson is out, he is a top-five option.
RB Rapid Fire: Week 12 Rankings Upgrades & Pending News Â
- Derrick Henry | Ravens: The Ravens have returned to their roots over the last four games with a -9% dropback rate over expected (DBOE). They rank last in 11 personnel utilization, opting for smash-mouth heavy personnel groupings. Baltimore is a 13.5-point favorite over the Jets and carries the No. 2 team total in Freedman's model at 29.3 points. Over the last four contests, the Jets have boosted opposing ground games by 9.7 fantasy points per game—the second most. That is a lethal combination of positives for a back averaging 19.5 rushing attempts over the last four games. We could witness vintage Henry in Week 12. He is my RB6 and carries a 24.6 Xfinity Best ceiling.
 - Emanuel Wilson | Packers: Josh Jacobs is considered day-to-day with a knee contusion and reportedly has a chance to play in Week 12. Call me skeptical after he was unable to return in Week 11 after the injury occurred on the second drive of the game. This feels like gamesmanship from Matt LaFleur. If Jacobs can't go, Wilson is in line for a considerable workload. He has operated as the clear RB2 for over a month and hogged 94% of the snaps after Jacobs exited against the Giants. The Packers are 6.5-point favorites over the Vikings. Wilson is a mid-range RB2 with a lofty Xfinity Best ceiling of 22.5 points if Jacobs can't go.Â
 - Woody Marks | Texans: Marks has distanced himself from Nick Chubb over the last two games with a 72% snap share and 78% rush share. Marks has been incredibly inefficient, averaging only 3.5 yards per carry. That ranks 30th out of 37 RBs with at least 80 attempts this season. He will have a chance to shine in Week 12 in a solid matchup against the Bills, who have boosted opposing ground games by 9.2 points over the last four games. Teams have averaged 25.3 fantasy points on the ground against Buffalo over that span. If Marks holds onto his new role, it's hard to imagine him bombing in such a favorable matchup despite the Texans' offensive line woes. Marks is a low-end RB2 with upside.Â
 - Kenneth Walker III | Seahawks: Walker has edged ahead of Zach Charbonnet over the three games since Seattle's bye week. Over that span, he leads in snaps (48% to 40%), attempts (42% to 34%), route participation rate (43% to 34%), and targets (8% to 4%). Walker has even gained an edge inside the five-yard line, handling 67% of the carries from in close. The Seahawks are 13.5-point favorites with a 27-point team total, and the Titans have sanctioned the No. 5 fantasy boost to opposing backfields at 3.2 points per game. Walker is a low-end RB2 in Week 11 with an 11.1 median projection and 18.0 Xfinity Best ceiling.
 - David Montgomery | Lions: Montgomery has handled 41% of the rushing attempts in two games with Dan Campbell at the offensive controls. While that isn't a great number, the Lions are still a lethal offense, and the matchup against the Giants is tasty. New York has green-lighted the No. 2 boost to opposing RB rooms at 5.9 points per game. The Lions are 11.5-point favorites with the top team total (32.2) in Freedman's model. Montgomery is a borderline RB2 and offers a sneaky 19.5-point Xfinity Best ceiling in Week 12.
 - Sean Tucker | Buccaneers: Bucky Irving returned to practice in a limited fashion last week, but we don't have a definitive timeline on his return. Tucker has expanded his role over the last three games with rushing attempt shares of 41%, 43%, and 59%. He has taken over the early-down work and is the more explosive option versus Rachaad White. White retained the passing-down duties, limiting Tucker to a 25% route participation rate in Week 11. Tucker is a high-end RB3 option if Irving is out against the Rams.Â
 - Kenneth Gainwell | Steelers: The Steelers are optimistic that an ankle injury won't keep Jaylen Warren out of the lineup in Week 12. However, should they be wrong, Gainwell would be positioned to leap into fantasy starting lineups. In two games without Warren this year, Gainwell has deposited RB3 and RB5 finishes into the fantasy bank, scoring 31.4 and 29.5 points. Gainwell is a prolific receiving back. His 24% targets per route run (TPRR) ranks third behind Christian McCaffrey and De'Von Achane. Gainwell is a mid-range RB3 but would climb to mid-range RB2 territory if Warren is out.Â
Tee Higgins is a top-10 WR with Ja'Marr Chase suspended.
Chase won't play in Week 12 due to the spitting incident with Jalen Ramsey, leaving Higgins as the primary passing game weapon for Joe Flacco against the Patriots. In five games with Flacco, Higgins has averaged 18.1 points per game on an 18% target share. Higgins is the WR7 in fantasy over that span.
Christian Gonzalez has shadowed opposing WR1s often for the Patriots this year. Of corners to play at least 50% of their team's coverage snaps, Gonzalez ranks as the No. 5 toughest matchup. Opposing passers have an NFL passer rating of 59.1. Only 44% of targets against Gonzalez have been completed, and he has yet to give up a receiving touchdown.
Still, Gonzalez won't follow Higgins every play, and New England plays zone coverage 67% of the time. In those cases, depending on the route and coverage assignments, Higgins should often be the first read in a pass-first offense. Higgins has averaged 54.4 yards this season, and oddsmakers have his line at 63.5-67.5 yards. I have him projected for 66.7 yards.
- Xfinity Best (ceiling): 23.2
- Median: 15.8
- Floor: 11.7
Higgins would be a top-five play if not facing Gonzalez, but he should still see a big enough volume bump to warrant a rank inside the top 10.
WR Rapid Fire: Week 12 Rankings Upgrades & Pending News
- Tetairoa McMillan | Panthers: The Panthers are 8.75-point dogs with a 20.5 team total against the 49ers in Freedman's model. The markets don't expect Bryce Young to keep on keepin' on after a blowup outing against the Falcons in Week 11. On a positive note, the 49ers' defense is a shell of itself due to so many injuries. They have complied with opposing WR demands, providing the No. 5 fantasy boost at 4.3 points per game. More good news: McMillan's historical Utilization Score (78) comparisons have averaged 15.4 points, well above his 13.8 per game. He was due for a breakout game last week, but there is still room for more improvement. McMillan is a high-end WR2 with a 21.3-point Xfinity Best ceiling.Â
 - Jameson Williams | Lions: Williams has drastically improved since the first week of the season, when he was just a deep threat. With Sam LaPorta out and Campbell calling plays, we could see a big finish from the former first-round NFL draft pick. In two games with Campbell, he has averaged 21.8 points, and the Lions own the No. 1 team total in Freedman's model. The Giants have sanctioned the No. 4 fantasy boost to WR units at 4.8 points per game. Williams is a high-end WR2 with a 20.1 Xfinity Best ceiling.Â
 - Stefon Diggs | Patriots: Diggs recorded a season-high 89% route participation rate in Week 11 against the Jets. That led to his second-best Utilization Score (88) and fantasy outing (19.5) of the season. Despite a part-time role, he leads the Patriots with a 24% target share. He ranks 10th in TPRR (25%) in the NFL out of all WRs with at least 250 routes. The Bengals have endorsed a 13-point fantasy boost to opposing passing attacks over the last four games. Diggs is a mid-range WR2 who offers a high-end WR1 ceiling if he plays a full-time role again in Week 12.
 - Michael Wilson | Cardinals: Wilson took over the WR1 duties for Marvin Harrison Jr. in Week 11 and erupted for 33.5 fantasy points. With Harrison out again in Week 12, Wilson will get the opportunity to provide an encore performance. The Jaguars have been solid against WRs with a -2.3-point fantasy boost. However, Jacoby Brissett has roasted every defense that has stood before him this year, including the Packers and Seahawks. Wilson has a career TPRR of 15% and 1.20 YPRR, so a long-term continuation of his big game last weekend isn't likely. But could he stay hot for another week with Brissett? Certainly. Wilson is a low-end WR2 option with four teams on bye. Â
 - Christian Watson | Packers: Watson has averaged 11.9 points with a 60 Utilization Score over the past four games since returning from his 2024 late-season ACL injury. Over the last two games, he has reached an 80%-plus route share and recorded a season-high target share of 23% last weekend. In Week 11, he notched an 81 Utilization Score with 20.6 fantasy points. Watson is a mid-range WR3 against the Vikings.
 - Darnell Mooney | Falcons: With Drake London out, Mooney steps into the WR1 role in Week 12 with Kirk Cousins as the starting QB. The veteran WR has been active with 33% and 25% target shares over the last two games despite not having strong fantasy outings. In 2024, Mooney played 15 games with Cousins and averaged 12.5 points. Mooney is a mid-range WR3 against the Saints.
 - Andrei Iosivas | Bengals: Iosivas could also benefit from the absence of Ja'Marr Chase. If Gonzalez clamps Higgins, Iosivas could shine from the slot. Iosivas is a high-end WR4 option against New England.
 - Adonai Mitchell | Jets: The Jets WR rotation is unpredictable at this point, but Mitchell offers the strongest target-earning profile and playmaking ability. Mitchell was in consideration for this week's SICKO start. He is a boom-bust WR5.Â
TE Rapid Fire: Week 12 Rankings Upgrades & Pending News
- Travis Kelce | Chiefs: Kelce is heating up. Over the last four games, he has been the No. 2 option behind Rashee Rice, averaging seven targets and 49 air yards per game. He leads the team over that span with 0.5 endzone targets per contest. The Chiefs boast the fourth-best team total (28.5) in Freedman's game model and draw an above-average matchup for tight ends. The Colts provide the No. 7 fantasy boost to the TE position at 2.6 points per outing. Kelce is my TE4 in Week 12.Â
 - Kyle Pitts | Falcons: With London out and lackluster receiving depth, Pitts could see a significant bump in targets. Pitts is a mid-range TE1 against the Saints. Â
Fallers In My Week 12 Rankings For Fantasy Football
- Joe Flacco | QB | Bengals: Flacco has been a borderline QB1 in most weeks since joining Cincinnati. He gets a plus matchup this week against the Patriots, who have empowered the No. 5 fantasy boost to signal callers at 3.5 points. However, the loss of an elite WR in Ja'Marr Chase is concerning for Flacco's outlook. Flacco slips to mid-range QB2 status in Week 12.
 - Rachaad White | RB | Buccaneers: White has lost control of the Buccaneers backfield for the second time. Last year, Bucky Irving stripped White of that role, and now Tucker has taken over the early-down work. White is still the No. 1 snap share back when Irving is out, thanks to his role on pass downs. But his rush share has fallen to 39% over the last three games, and Tucker has also taken more of the carries inside the five-yard line. The Rams are the most challenging matchup in fantasy football for RBs with a -5.4 fantasy boost. White is a mid-range RB3.
 - Jordan Addison | WR | Vikings: Addison has averaged 8.3 points with a 58 Utilization Score in three games with J.J. McCarthy back under center. The Vikings carry the fourth-lowest team total on the slate at 17.5 points, and the Packers have subdued opposing aerial attacks to a -8.8 fantasy boost over the last four games. Addison is a boom-bust WR3.
Sicko Starts From My Week 12 Fantasy Football Rankings
I want to throw in a few names for all my fellow fantasy managers who are in a SICKO league. If you are in a 12-team league with three starting WRs and two flexes, these are for you! Or you are in a more typical setup, but need a name to help get you through injuries; these are for you!
We are looking for players with a rostership under 50% who aren't in many starting lineups.
Let's go, you sickos.
- Week 1: Daniel Jones (hit), Jerome Ford (miss), Rashod Bateman (miss), Hunter Henry (hit)
- Week 2: Trevor Lawrence (hit), Tyrone Tracy Jr. (miss), Kayshon Boutte (hit), Juwan Johnson (hit)
- Week 3: Tyrod Taylor (hit), Tyler Allgeier (miss), Wan'Dale Robinson (miss), Cole Kmet (hit)
- Week 4: Jaxson Dart (hit), TreVeyon Henderson (hit), Troy Franklin (hit), Cade Otton (miss)
- Week 5: Jaxson Dart (hit), Rhamondre Stevenson (hit), Malik Washington (miss), Mason Taylor (hit)
- Week 6: Trevor Lawrence (hit), Kimani Vidal (hit), Isiah Bond (miss), Mason Taylor (miss)
- Week 7: C.J. Stroud (miss), Kendre Miller (injury), Tez Johson (hit), Oronde Gadsden II (hit)
- Week 8: Joe Flacco (hit), Kyle Monangai (miss), Troy Franklin (hit), Colston Loveland (miss)
- Week 9: J.J. McCarthy (hit), Brashard Smith (miss), Chimere Dike (miss), Colston Loveland (hit)
- Week 10: J.J. McCarthy (miss), Devin Singletary (miss), Darius Slayton (hit), Luke Musgrave (miss)
- Week 11: Aaron Rodgers (inj), Emanuel Wilson (hit), Tez Johnson (miss), Theo Johnson (miss)
Jacoby Brissett | QB | Cardinals
Brissett is rostered in 49% of Yahoo leagues and is in 32% of starting lineups.
Brissett has averaged 21.1 fantasy points in his five starts—the QB4. Over that span, he has passed for 314 yards and two TDs per game. Last weekend, he set the NFL record for the most completions in a game at 47. The man is as hot as it gets.
- Xfinity Best (ceiling): 24.1
- Median: 18.6
- Floor: 14.7
Brissett is a low-end QB1 against and offers high-end QB1 upside versus the Jaguars.
Brian Robinson Jr. | RB | 49ers
Robinson is rostered in 26% of leagues but starts in only 3% of lineups.
Robinson's role has expanded over the last two games. He has a 37% rushing attempt share, helping give Christian McCaffrey a rest. That has led to eight rushing attempts and four targets per game.
San Francisco is an 8.8-point favorite over the Panthers in Freedman's NFL Betting Game Model. They carry the third-highest team total.
Carolina has boosted opposing rushing attacks by 8.3 fantasy points per contest over the last four games. That is the fifth-best mark.
Similar to Emanuel Wilson last week, Robinson is a premier fantasy handcuff. He could deliver an RB3 performance in a great matchup, given his recent surge in Utilization. If CMC were to go down, Robinson would be the No. 1 waiver wire pickup in Week 13.
- Xfinity Best (ceiling): 9.7
- Median: 5.4
- Floor: 3.8
Robinson is a mid-range RB4 with RB3 upside.
Luther Burden III | WR | Bears
Burden is rostered in 9% of Yahoo leagues and is in only 2% of starting lineups.
Burden took over the WR3 role from Olamide Zaccheaus in Week 11 for the Bears. He set season highs in route participation (61%) and targets (18%).
The second-round NFL Draft pick could be on the rise, and he gets a favorable matchup against the Steelers this weekend. The Bears carry a healthy team total of 25.75 in Freedman's model, and Pittsburgh has provided the No. 9 fantasy boost to the WR position at 3.1 points.Â
- Xfinity Best (ceiling): 13.5
- Median: 8.3
- Floor: 6.0
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Burden is a mid-range WR4 who could quickly climb into WR3 territory with a strong performance in Week 12.Â
Dalton Schultz | TE | Texans
Schultz is rostered in 48% of Yahoo leagues and starts in 26% of lineups.
Schultz has averaged 11.9 points over the last four games with a 20% target share. He is the No. 2 target behind Nico Collins.
There aren't any sexy breakout names this week, but Schultz being rostered in under 50% of leagues is a layup for anyone dealing with bye week or injury challenges.
- Xfinity Best (ceiling): 14.2
- Median: 9.6
- Floor: 7.2
Schultz is a borderline TE1 despite a tough matchup against a Bills team that has held TEs to a -5.1-point fantasy boost.
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