NFL DFS Value Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel - Week 12 DFS Cash Games

November 22, 2020

Brian Entrekin analyzes optimal DFS cash game value plays for Week 12 of the NFL season. These players are worth considering on FanDuel and DraftKings daily fantasy sports cash games.

We have made it to Week 12 of the NFL season, and we have some serious COVID issues to monitor. The Ravens/Steelers game was moved from Thanksgiving night to Sunday, and that game is still unlikely to play as there are more positive cases, including Lamar Jackson. The Broncos, Falcons, and other teams have positive cases, and facilities are shut down. Monitoring the news will be very important this week as it may be a much shorter slate than we are hoping for on Sunday.

There is a ton of value when looking at the Week 12 slate from a cash game perspective. The big-name quarterbacks are on the slate, and most of the time, they are worth paying up for in cash games. Keep an eye on Kyler Murray's injury as that could be a blow to most cash game players. Dalvin Cook is extremely expensive at running back but has one of the best matchups a back could hope for versus the Panthers Defense. If you cannot pay up for Cook, then there are some strong mid-price ranges before taking some values from the article. Wide receiver is a position to get the Keenan Allen and Devante Adam locks or take the value as there is a ton of it this week at WR. On paper, this slate is a fun one with a ton of big names, but keep an eye on the news as COVID cases are running rampant, and regular injury news could change the value as well on Sunday.

This article will take a look at some of the value plays for each week of the NFL. However, when you look at value plays for GPP, you are swinging for the fences somewhat. Here I will be focusing on cash games and the necessity for slightly more safety as you are just looking to finish in the top half or so of the competition. Therefore, we are looking for cheaper players who should see a decent workload, pass attempts, targets, or carriers. Let's take a look at the cash value plays for Week 12 of the 2020 NFL season.

Week 12 Quarterback Cash Game Value Plays

Derek Carr, LAV at ATL | DK: $5,700, FD: $7,100

Carr is not always the most reliable playing, but he has brought a decent floor weekly. He has 15 or more fantasy points in seven of 10 games this season and is coming off a big game versus the Chiefs this past Sunday night. This Sunday, he will be playing in Atlanta as a three-point favorite with a 28.5 point implied team total. Carr will face-off versus an Atlanta defense ranked 32 in the NFL versus the pass, and over the last four weeks, they are ranked 26. They allow over two passing touchdowns per game over the last nine games and over 20 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Carr and the Raiders should be scoring early and often in HOTLANTA this weekend.

Daniel Jones, NYG at CIN | DK: $5,500, FD: $7,200

Danny Dimes has been slowly putting together a solid run over his last five games. He has at least one touchdown in five straight, has 15 or more fantasy points in four of five games, and uses his legs and arms to be productive. Having a decent running ability with a cash game quarterback is always a major plus. He is coming off a bye week and will be facing a Bengals Defense that ranks 23 in the NFL versus the pass over the last four games. The Bengals are allowing nearly 260 passing yards and three passing touchdowns over the last four games. I will not be shocked if Jones puts up another 20+ points on Sunday in a smash spot versus the Bengals.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, MIA at NYJ | DK:$5,500, FD: $7,400 

This is just one to monitor over the weekend. Tua hurt his thumb in practice, and if he can not go, then Fitz is a solid value versus a Jets Defense that ranks 29 on the season and 32 over the last four weeks versus the quarterback. They allow almost 350 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, rushing upside, and almost 30 points per game to quarterbacks. If Fitz plays, they will let him throw like usual, whereas Tua is treated with kid's gloves, so he is more of a GPP play.

Week 12 Running Back Cash Game Value Plays

Wayne Gallman, NYG at CIN | DK: $5,000, FD: $5,700

Gallman has stepped up in a big way over the last four weeks as a starter for the Giants. He has at least 11 touches over the last four games, at least one touchdown, and double-digit points in each game. This week he goes up against a Bengals defense that allows over 120 yards rushing and over 20 fantasy points per game to opposing backs over the last four games. With the Giants being six-point favorites (yes, this is not a typo) and a 24.5 point implied team total, expect Gallman to get used early and often on Sunday.

Kalen Ballage, LAC at BUF | DK: $5,800, FD: $5,500

Ballage has been a cash game gem over the last three weeks as the Chargers featured back. He has 15 or more carries in all three games and five or more catches in two straight games. He will be going up against a Bills Defense which ranks 21 versus the run over the last four games, allowing over 100 yards per game and well over 20 fantasy points per game. Keep an eye on the Austin Ekeler news as he could be returning this week. If he does not play, then Ballage in a game where the Chargers have a 24 point implied team total is in play for cash.

Giovani Bernard, CIN vs NYG | DK: $5,700, FD: $6,100

Gio is banged up this week, but all signs point to Bernard playing versus the Giants. With no Joe Burrow the rest of the season, one would imagine the Bengals will rely heavily on the running game or, at worst, some dump-off passes. Gio has 11 or more touches in each of the last four games and scoring nearly double-digit points in each game. He will be facing the Giants Defense that ranks 23 versus running backs over the last four games, and more importantly, they are allowing over six receptions to backs in those four games. In a PPR format like DK, he brings a strong floor into Sunday's game.

Myles Gaskin/Salvon Ahmed: Gaskins may be activated for the game versus the Jets, and that opens up value if he is not Ahmed and his workload is a great cash game value as well. Just one of many injury designations to monitor.

Week 12 Wide Receiver Cash Game Value Plays

Denzel Mims, NYJ vs MIA | DK: $3,500, FD: $5,600

Mims has jumped onto the scene for the Jets since he was activated in Week 7. Over those four games, seven or more targets in three of four games with 40 or more yards per game. Even more impressively, he has 43% of the Jets air yards, nearly 26% of the team's target share, and 40% of the red-zone targets. He'll be going up against a Dolphins Defense ranked 24 versus receivers over the last four games, and as seven-point underdogs, he should see plenty of targets. Something else to monitor is the fact Sam Darnold may be back under center on Sunday.

Antonio Browns, TB vs KC | DK: $5,700, FD: $6,500

Some may consider AB more of a GPP play with three hands plus a Gronk in the Tampa Bay receiving cookie jar, but he does have a cash value. He is the cheapest of the three wide receivers in Tampa, yet still getting a nice share of the targets. Over the last two games, AB has at least eight targets and seven or more catches in each game. He has accounted for 27% of the team's air-yards and nearly 25% of the target share. The Bucs will be facing off versus a good Chiefs Defense, but they are only 3.5 point underdogs with an implied team total over 26. The volume should be there once again for AB and brings him into the cash game conversation.

Sterling Shepard, NYG at CIN | DK: $5,400, FD: $5,100

I am always writing Shepard up as a cash value as he is always underpriced and gets a strong share of the targets. He has six or more targets in four straight games and in five of his six games played this season. He has double-digit fantasy production in all five of the games with at least six targets. This week he will be facing a Bengals defense that ranks 29 in the NFL versus wide receivers over the last four games. They allow two receiving touchdowns and nearly 50 fantasy points per game to opposing receivers over the last four games. Shepard is in a great spot and should rack up another double-digit fantasy game for your cash lineups.

There is a ton of value at WR for cash. If you have other questions, just let me know.

Week 12 Tight End Cash Game Value Plays

Trey Burton, IND vs TEN | DK: $3,200, FD: $5,400

You either pay up for Travis Kelce or Darren Waller or punt the position at a position in such flux. This week Burton fits the punt mold. He has three or more targets in every game this season, even gets some goal-line work. Burton also has a 13% target share and 16% red-zone share in a spread-out Colts passing game. He will be going up against a Titans Defense who ranks 24 in the NFL versus tight ends, allowing well over double-digit fantasy points to opposing tight ends per game. If you don't like Burton, then Irv Smith Jr. is also a punt option this week in cash.

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