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Who should I start for Week 12? Fantasy Football outlooks for Mike Evans, Nico Collins, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Sterling Shepard, Jalen Coker.
Every year in fantasy football, there are a variety of wide receivers that fit into certain tiers. Elite WR1s, borderline WR2s, players you should never start, and players who make it difficult to determine whether they should be started each week. Add in injuries, quarterback play, and matchups, and it can be very difficult to choose.
There are a lot of moving parts that go into making good start/sit decisions, and RotoBaller can help give you the best information you can find to determine which players you should set in your lineups and which should be left on the bench. Nothing can be predicated with absolute certainty, but there are ways to make smart choices.
So let's break down the situations of five wideouts and whether they should be started in Week 12.
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Should I Start Mike Evans for Fantasy Football?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) plans to play in Week 12, so you should start him if he plays. Be sure to keep an eye on his injury status for the rest of the week, though. There's always the chance he becomes a surprise inactive. It may go down to the wire, so remain vigilant.
Sources: #Bucs WR Mike Evans, who has been out since Week 7 with a hamstring injury, is back at practice and is planning to play on Sunday vs the #Giants.
A huge boost for Baker Mayfield. pic.twitter.com/xbG8jMfcKd
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 20, 2024
However, he returned to practice recently for the first time since injuring (or re-injuring) his hamstring in Week 7, and he plans to play in Week 12 against the New York Giants. You should start him no matter the matchup, but the Giants' soft pass defense should help him have a big game if he plays without restrictions.
Should I Start Nico Collins for Fantasy Football?
Yes. Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins had a massive touchdown called back due to penalty and was missed on what was likely to be a touchdown due to an overthrow by quarterback C.J. Stroud in Week 11 against the Dallas Cowboys. It doesn't matter, though, as he's one of the most dominant receivers in the league when healthy.
As someone who gave out Nico Collins anytime TD on #FFHappyHour today... this was disappointing. pic.twitter.com/BgKngZBPJU
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) November 19, 2024
Missing out on a 77-yard touchdown and another one, albeit of much shorter yardage, stung for fantasy managers, but his usage is elite, his production is elite, and he's been targeted at a high rate this season. It appears that he was playing with restrictions in Week 11, as he played just 47% of the snaps.
However, this could have been part of the plan. The Texans want to keep their star wideout healthy, and it was an easily winnable game against a team that didn't have its starting quarterback and had a terrible run defense. RB Joe Mixon carried the load this game. That won't always be the case. Collins should not be benched at any point this season.
Should I Start Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for Fantasy Football?
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has flown under the radar this season, as most fantasy managers have paid little attention to the team that produced very little passing in its first few weeks. However, he now has five touchdowns in his last six games, despite low target and reception volume.
It’s time to give Nick Westbrook-Ikhine the multi-year contract he deserves #TitanUppic.twitter.com/vteu4ku9Ig
— Russell Vannozzi (@RussellV_MSP) November 17, 2024
His score in Week 11 came on a horrifically busted coverage by the opposing Minnesota Vikings defense, and looked to be a fluke play. But the vertical passing offense of head coach Brian Callahan appears to have improved markedly in recent weeks. While he should be rostered in deeper leagues, he'll face a much tougher Houston Texans pass defense in Week 12 and should not be started outside of those deep leagues.
He'll need to get more targets consistently to be a trustworthy starter.
Should I Start Sterling Shepard for Fantasy Football?
No. The return of Evans should kill whatever fantasy value Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard had left. Even without Evans in Week 11, Shepard caught one of his mere two targets for seven yards and rushed once for three yards. He's simply not played well enough to justify a decent role in this offense.
Old friend Sterling Shepard returns to MetLife this Sunday. With the injuries to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, Shep has been playing significant snaps.
Another former Giants Ben Bredeson also returns. Ben having a nice season at left guard.
On a coaching note, Thomas McGaughey…
— The Giant Insider Podcast and Newspaper (@GiantInsider) November 20, 2024
Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen likely knows that the best game plan he can design revolves around concentrating the work in his productive players. Tight end Cade Otton, Evans, and running backs Rachaad White and Bucky Irving should dominate the targets in the passing game. Shepard can be safely dropped.
Should I Start Jalen Coker for Fantasy Football?
The rookie undrafted free agent was targeted eight times in Week 10, before the team's bye in Week 11, but hauled in just three of those passes for 41 yards. He's outplayed his draft capital to this point, but the looming return of WR Adam Thielen (hamstring) will likely cut into Coker's volume moving forward.
Jalen Coker leads all Rookie WRs in YPRR when lined up Wide vs Man coverage. He is 3rd in TPRR. https://t.co/Dqe5ivz1Tx pic.twitter.com/gjPJJIGSXV
— Fusue (@DevyEusuf) November 21, 2024
His efficiency metrics have been encouraging, but Thielen's presence and the overall poor play of both of the Panthers quarterbacks should give fantasy managers plenty of caution. He should remain on benches this week. We'll need to see how productive he can be with the WR corps at full health.
He probably shouldn't be dropped, though. There's still a chance be becomes startable at some point this year.
Popular Week 12 Searches - Start/Sit Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 12 searches and comparisons from our Who To Start tool for Mike Evans, Nico Collins, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Sterling Shepard, Jalen Coker compared to others. You can also use the free Who Should I Start tool to run your own start/sit comparisons, up to four players at once:
Nick Westbrookikhine or Ricky Pearsall
Nick Westbrookikhine or Rashod Bateman
Mike Evans or George Pickens
Mike Evans or Terry McLaurin
DeAndre Hopkins or Mike Evans
Jauan Jennings or Nico Collins
Ladd McConkey or Nico Collins
Mike Evans or Jauan Jennings
Nick Westbrookikhine or Rashod Bateman
DK Metcalf or Mike Evans
Mike Evans or Jaxon Smithnjigba
Noah Brown or Nick Westbrookikhine
Ricky Pearsall or Nick Westbrookikhine
Wandale Robinson or Nick Westbrookikhine
Will Dissly or Nick Westbrookikhine
CeeDee Lamb or Mike Evans
Jauan Jennings or Mike Evans
Malik Nabers or Nico Collins
Mike Evans or Zay Flowers
Nick Westbrookikhine or Mike Williams
Nico Collins or Aj Brown
Nico Collins or Cooper Kupp
Nico Collins or Deandre Hopkins
Calvin Ridley or Mike Evans
Christian Watson or Jalen Coker
DeMario Douglas or Nick Westbrookikhine
Garrett Wilson or Nico Collins
Jakobi Meyers or Nick Westbrookikhine
Jalen Coker or Adam Thielen
Jalen Coker or Ricky Pearsall
Jalen Tolbert or Nick Westbrookikhine
Jonathan Taylor or Mike Evans
Mike Evans or Dk Metcalf
Mike Evans or Jonathan Taylor
Mike Evans or Kareem Hunt
Mike Evans or Malik Nabers
Mike Evans or Nico Collins
Nick Westbrookikhine or Christian Watson
Nick Westbrookikhine or Jalen McMillan
Nico Collins or George Pickens
Noah Brown or Nick Westbrookikhine
Quentin Johnston or Nick Westbrookikhine
Terry Mclaurin or Nico Collins
Wandale Robinson or Nick Westbrookikhine
Zay Flowers or Nico Collins
Alec Pierce or Nick Westbrookikhine
Brandon Aiyuk or Mike Evans
Cam Akers or Jalen Coker
Christian Watson or Jalen Coker
Cooper Kupp or Nico Collins
Darius Slayton or Nick Westbrookikhine
David Montgomery or Mike Evans
Deebo Samuelsr or Jalen Coker
Devaughn Vele or Nick Westbrookikhine
DJ Moore or Nico Collins
Drake London or Mike Evans
Garrett Wilson or Mike Evans
George Pickens or Mike Evans
Jahmyr Gibbs or Nico Collins
Jalen Coker or Jaylen Wright
Jalen Coker or Nick Westbrook
Jalen Coker or Nick Westbrookikhine
Jalen Mcmillan or Nick Westbrookikhine
Jauan Jennings or Nico Collins
Jaylen Waddle or Sterling Shepard
Jk Dobbins or Mike Evans
Josh Downs or Mike Evans
Joshua Palmer or Nick Westbrookikhine
Kareem Hunt or Mike Evans
Ladd Mcconkey or Jalen Coker
Malik Nabers or Mike Evans
Marquez Valdesscantling or Nick Westbrookikhine
Mike Evans or Cooper Kupp
Mike Evans or Deebo Samuelsr
Mike Evans or Jauan Jennings
Mike Evans or Josh Downs
Mike Evans or Marvin Harrisonjr
Mike Evans or Rhamondre Stevenson
Mike Evans or Trey McBride
Mike Williams or Nick Westbrookikhine
Nick Westbrookikhine or Adam Thielen
Nick Westbrookikhine or Demarcus Robinson
Nick Westbrookikhine or Elijah Moore
Nick Westbrookikhine or Jalen Tolbert
Nick Westbrookikhine or Xavier Legette
Nick Westbrookikhine or Zay Flowers
Nico Collins or Cooper Kupp
Nico Collins or Dk Metcalf
Nico Collins or Josh Jacobs
Nico Collins or Kenneth Walkeriii
Ricky Pearsall or Nick Westbrookikhine
Tee Higgins or Mike Evans
Terry Mclaurin or Mike Evans
Tucker Kraft or Jalen Coker
Tyreek Hill or Mike Evans
Will Dissly or Nick Westbrookikhine
Adam Thielen or Jalen Coker
Adam Thielen or Nick Westbrookikhine
Aj Brown or Nico Collins
Alec Pierce or Nick Westbrookikhine
Alec Pierce or Sterling Shepard
Austin Ekeler or Nico Collins
Brian Robinsonjr or Nico Collins
Brock Bowers or Mike Evans
Brock Wright or Sterling Shepard
Cam Akers or Nick Westbrookikhine
Cedric Tillman or Jalen Coker
Cedric Tillman or Nick Westbrookikhine
Cedric Tillman or Nico Collins
Ceedee Lamb or Mike Evans
Ceedee Lamb or Nico Collins
Chris Olave or Nico Collins
Christian Watson or Nick Westbrookikhine
Christian Watson or Sterling Shepard
Chuba Hubbard or Mike Evans
Courtland Sutton or Nico Collins
Dandre Swift or Mike Evans
Darius Slayton or Nick Westbrookikhine
Deebo Samuelsr or Mike Evans
Demarcus Robinson or Nick Westbrookikhine
Devaughn Vele or Nick Westbrookikhine
Devaughn Vele or Sterling Shepard
DeVonta Smith or Mike Evans
Devonta Smith or Nick Westbrookikhine
Devonta Smith or Nico Collins
Dj Moore or Nick Westbrookikhine
Elijah Moore or Nick Westbrookikhine
Hunter Henry or Nick Westbrookikhine
Hunter Henry or Sterling Shepard
Jalen Coker or Alec Pierce
Jalen Coker or Christian Watson
Jalen Coker or Courtland Sutton
Jalen Coker or Elijah Moore
Jalen Coker or Jonathon Brooks
Jalen Coker or Joshua Palmer
Jalen Coker or Luke Schoonmaker
Jalen Coker or Malik Washington
Jalen Coker or Michael Wilson
Jalen Coker or Romeo Doubs
Jalen Mcmillan or Nick Westbrookikhine
Jalen Mcmillan or Sterling Shepard
Jalen Tolbert or Jalen Coker
Jameson Williams or Mike Evans
Jauan Jennings or Mike Evans
Jauan Jennings or Nico Collins
Jayden Reed or Mike Evans
Jaylen Waddle or Nick Westbrookikhine
Jaylen Waddle or Nico Collins
Jerry Jeudy or Jalen Coker
Josh Downs or Mike Evans
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