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RotoBaller staff's fantasy football sleepers, avoids, and start 'em sit 'em picks for Week 12 of 2025. Expert lineup advice from Adam Koffler, Frank Ammirante and Thunder Dan Palyo.
Unfortunately, four more teams are out of action on byes right before the fantasy football playoffs, and managers must dive deeper in the rankings to find one-week streamers and players in plus-matchups to stay in the postseason race. Part of that effort is also knowing which players and matchups to avoid. If you're seeking assistance on your start-sit calls, you have come to the right place!
It's time for the next edition of our RotoBaller staff start-or-sit calls. Three of the industry's best analysts are here to break down potential sleepers and busts ahead of the full slate of Week 12 NFL action.
These fantasy football sleepers, avoids, and busts are from top RotoBaller contributors Adam Koffler, Frank Ammirante, and "Thunder Dan" Palyo.
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Week 12 Fantasy Football Start 'Em Picks
Michael Wilson, Cardinals vs. Jaguars (Frank Ammirante)
Michael Wilson was an intriguing start against the 49ers last week, but he absolutely obliterated expectations, catching 15-of-18 targets for 185 yards. What if this is the next Jauan Jennings? Recall that Jennings came out of nowhere for a massive game vs the Rams last season after years of being a fringe role-player. Jennings went on to be a rock-solid contributor for the entire year. With Marvin Harrison Jr. out once again, Wilson should be peppered by Jacoby Brissett for the second week in a row in what's become a pass-heavy offense. The Jaguars have a stout run defense, which should force Brissett to the air.
35-yard pickup from Jacoby Brissett to Michael Wilson!
SFvsAZ on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/eFtO17j8UV
— NFL (@NFL) November 16, 2025
Kyle Pitts Sr., Falcons at Saints (Adam Koffler)
Drake London is unlikely to play, so it’s time to fire up the Falcons’ WR1 in Week 12. Yup, that’s Pitts, not Darnell Mooney. Mooney has really struggled this season as he recovers from a shoulder injury. Meanwhile, Pitts has quietly put together a solid season, despite scoring just one touchdown to date. When London missed the team’s Week 8 game vs. Miami, Pitts had a team-high nine targets. The matchup vs. New Orleans this weekend is a good one, so fire up Pitts with confidence, even in the flex spot, should you need him.
Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals vs. Jaguars (Thunder Dan)
Brissett's fantasy output as a starter is no fluke. It's a product of being in an offense without a consistent run game and having to also play from behind nearly every week. We should expect more of the same this week as the Jags are a pass-funnel defense that ranks just 20th against the pass. We know that Brissett will play through garbage time and can still put up big stats late, even when the Cardinals are trailing. He has more fantasy upside than people want to give him credit for, and I won't be surprised if he finishes inside the top-10 again this week.
Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks at Titans (Frank Ammirante)
Kenneth Walker has piled up 66+ rushing yards in three of his last four games, finding the end zone against a tough Rams run defense last week. This led head coach Mike Macdonald to publicly state that Walker deserved more touches. We've seen Walker share the workload with Zach Charbonnet despite being the more explosive back. This could be a spike week against the Titans, as the Seahawks are double-digit favorites, so they should be able to control the game on the ground.
Kenneth Walker scores and cuts it to a one-score game 👀
SEAvsLAR on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/1w9alTFUuO
— NFL (@NFL) November 16, 2025
Michael Pittman Jr., Colts at Chiefs (Adam Koffler)
Death. Taxes. Michael Pittman Jr. getting heavily targeted coming out of the bye. He’s averaging 12 targets per game in his last three games immediately following a bye. Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll happen again this season, but he’s coming off a game where he saw just two targets. The Chiefs present a tough matchup, but this game has a big total and should remain competitive throughout. Expect the Colts to throw the football, and expect MPJ to be a big part of the game plan on Sunday.
Darnell Mooney, Falcons at Saints (Thunder Dan)
The last time that Drake London and Michael Penix Jr. were both out, it didn't work out like we hoped, as Kirk Cousins only targeted him four times, leading to one catch for 11 yards. With Mooney set to be the WR1 this week in another good spot (New Orleans ranks 24th against the pass) this week, I think the odds of him putting up a very usable number for fantasy purposes are still pretty good. Let's not forget that last season in games that Cousins started, Mooney averaged 4.2 receptions per game (on 6.9 targets) for 66.7 yards. The two clearly have some chemistry, and the odds of Mooney having a better outcome this time around are pretty good.
Week 12 Fantasy Football Busts and Sits
Jordan Addison, Vikings at Packers (Frank Ammirante)
Jordan Addison has been a complete non-factor with J.J. McCarthy under center, combining for only seven catches for 103 yards and a touchdown in three games. This has become a dysfunctional passing game, as McCarthy looks like one of the worst starting quarterbacks in football right now. To compensate for this weakness, the Vikings have gone towards a more run-heavy offense. It's hard to see much improvement against the Packers. The Vikings have one of the lowest implied totals on the slate this week.
Jaylen Warren, Steelers at Bears (Adam Koffler)
It looks like Warren avoided a major injury and has a good chance to play in Week 12 vs. the Bears. But that doesn’t mean you need to start him in your fantasy lineup. Every time Warren has missed game action, Gainwell has filled in admirably. There’s even been talk this week of both backs having a more even split moving forward. The backfield split was pretty even in Week 6 (13 vs. 12) after Gainwell put up 134 total yards and two scores in Week 4. I’m expecting something similar this week, with a slight lean to Gainwell in PPR formats, given his role in the passing game. Gainwell’s emergence plus Warren’s less-than-100% ankle has me staying away this weekend
Quinshon Judkins, Browns at Raiders (Thunder Dan)
No one is doubting this kid's talent, but his situation is rapidly declining in Cleveland as the Browns' offensive line has really regressed, and now Shadeur Sanders gets a start at quarterback. Cleveland has the 29th-ranked run offense in the NFL, and the Raiders have been pretty respectable this season when it comes to stopping the run. Expect Las Vegas to load the box on early downs to stop Judkins and force the Browns to throw the football with an unproven rookie (and perhaps already turnover-prone) quarterback.
DJ Moore, Bears vs. Steelers (Frank Ammirante)
DJ Moore has become a complete non-factor in the Bears' offense, combining for only one catch for 18 yards in his last two games. With rookie Luther Burden III starting to get more playing time, it may not be long before he overtakes Moore as well. There's simply no way that you can trust the veteran wideout here, given what he's done this week. It's a tough spot against an improving Steelers defense. I'm expecting an unfavorable game environment and a low-scoring game.
Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars at Cardinals (Adam Koffler)
I know, I know, how do you sit a guy coming off a two-touchdown game? Well, the Bhayshul Tuten takeover is happening right in front of our eyes. Last week, before exiting the game with an ankle injury scare, Tuten out-touched Etienne 15 to 12. He also scored a touchdown of his own and looked explosive all game. Etienne is also dealing with a shoulder injury coming out of Week 11 that has him in a non-contact jersey this week. If Tuten is cleared to play, I’d recommend sitting Etienne this week as he’s losing his footing as the RB1 in Jacksonville.
Tony Pollard, Titans vs. Seahawks (Thunder Dan)
It's a nightmare matchup for Pollard this week as the 30th-ranked run game of the Titans has to go up against the 2nd-ranked run defense of Seattle. With the Titans being 13-point underdogs, the game script sets up much better for Tyjae Spears this week as the passing-down back if Tennessee is going to be trailing throughout. Pollard has already seen his rushing share drop under 60% in four straight games, and Spears should continue to eat into his touches. He hasn't run for 60 yards or a touchdown in five straight games; leave him on the bench for yet another tough matchup this week.
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