Somehow, 11 weeks have flown by in the 2024 NFL regular season, and we’re turkey-trotting our way to Thanksgiving. The Sporting News is here to prepare you for another loaded slate with our DFS sleepers and value plays, showcasing the top bargains on DraftKings, FanDuel, and SuperDraft.
The secret to success in daily fantasy football lies in identifying value. You won’t hit the DFS jackpot if you don’t maximize your budget during lineup construction. Striking a balance between reliable weekly stars and high-value sleepers is essential, much like ensuring your Thanksgiving feast has both classic dishes and delicious sides.
For years, this column has spotlighted undervalued gems on DraftKings, FanDuel, and now SuperDraft. While anyone can identify elite DFS stars, it’s the sleepers and value plays that truly differentiate your lineups and can lead to substantial winnings. By pinpointing solid production at discounted prices, we can afford to roster more proven studs at other positions, enhancing our overall lineup performance and creating variance that sets our entries apart from the competition.
As we approach Thanksgiving, let’s carry over the momentum and unveil our Week 12 DFS sleepers and value picks across DraftKings, FanDuel, and SuperDraft. We’ll highlight the most affordable high-value options at each position, along with their respective costs or scoring boosts on each DFS platform.
Throughout the season, we’ve showcased our biggest hits from the previous week to validate our strategies. Let’s take a moment to review our successes from last week, including each player’s Week 11 salaries and 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 |
What a monster week! Seven players scored 23.5 points or more, including a quarterback and a tight end who both exceeded 31 points! If you slid any of these affordable players into your lineup, you were likely feeling pretty good by Sunday evening.
Now, let’s dive into the best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 12, starting with quarterbacks.
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 12: Quarterback
Bo Nix, Broncos at Raiders (DK: $6,300 | FD: $8,000 | SD: 1.15x)
Sean Payton has found his next Drew Brees, and his name is Bo Nix. Lucky for me, I bet on him to win Rookie of the Year when he was still at +1400. Now, he’s at +300, trailing only Jayden Daniels. After this week, he might just become the betting favorite.
Since Week 5, Nix has averaged an impressive 22.2 DK points per game, with 13 passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, and zero interceptions. This week, he faces a struggling Raiders team that has allowed the 8th-most DK points to quarterbacks this season. Let’s go, Bo!
Baker Mayfield, Bucs at Giants (DK: $6,100 | FD: $7,900 | SD: 1.2x)
Baker had his first real dud of the season against the 49ers, but in his defense, Tampa Bay leaned heavily on the run and used him as a game manager. This week, he can return to form against the Giants, who have allowed over 20 first downs in three of the last four weeks and have only four takeaways since Week 4. Go cook, Baker!
Other QBs whose Week 12 values exceed their price tags:
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals at Seahawks (DK: $6,100 | FD: $7,800 | SD: 1.15x)
- Geno Smith, Seahawks vs. Cardinals (DK: $5,700 | FD: $7,400 | SD: 1.25x)
- Sam Darnold, Vikings at Bears (DK: $5,900 | FD: $7,100 | SD: 1.2x)
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 12: Running back
Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs at Panthers (DK: $6,200 | FD: $8,200 | SD: N/A)
If he’s ready to go, Pacheco is primed to explode. The Panthers have surrendered 133.9 rushing yards per game and 16 total touchdowns to running backs this season, both the worst in the NFL. Go eat, Little Poppy!
Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders vs. Cowboys (DK: $5,600 | FD: $7,900 | SD: 1.5x)
BRob returned last week after a hamstring injury and turned 17 touches into 72 yards and a touchdown against a solid Eagles run defense. This week, he should be able to dominate the struggling Cowboys, especially at home where he averages 78.8 yards per game. Expect a fantasy feast!
Other strong Week 12 RB values:
- Tyrone Tracy, Giants vs. Bucs (DK: $6,000 | FD: $6,700 | SD: 1.35x)
- David Montgomery (still a value!), Lions at Colts (DK: $6,700 | FD: $8,400 | SD: 1.2x)
- Austin Ekeler, Commanders vs. Cowboys (DK: $5,600 | FD: $6,600 | SD: 1.5x)
- Rachaad White and Bucky Irving, Bucs at Giants (DK: $5,500/$5,400 | FD: $6,900/$6,800 | SD: 1.5x/1.55x)
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 12: Wide receiver
Josh Downs, Colts vs. Lions (DK: $6,200 | FD: $6,900 | SD: 1.2x)
Last weekend, two great things happened for the Colts: they moved the ball effectively and won a close game against a tough Jets defense. Josh Downs proved he’s quarterback-proof, catching all five of his targets for 84 yards and a touchdown. Like candied yams on Turkey Day, we’re all in on Downs.
Calvin Ridley, Titans vs. Texans (DK: $5,700 | FD: $6,300 | SD: 1.3x)
Ridley has emerged as a second-half sleeper since DeAndre Hopkins left for Kansas City. He’s averaging 18.5 DK points per game over the last four weeks and faces a Texans defense that has been vulnerable to big plays. Fire up the talented Mr. Ridley!
Other strong Week 12 DFS values:
- Jayden Reed, Packers vs. 49ers (DK: $5,900 | FD: $7,300 | SD: 1.25x)
- Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals at Seahawks (DK: $6,100 | FD: $7,200 | SD: 1.25x)
- DJ Moore, Bears vs. Vikings (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,000 | SD: 1.3x)
- Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants vs. Bucs (DK: $5,200 | FD: $5,700 | SD: 1.35x)
- Jauan Jennings, 49ers at Packers (DK: $5,600 | FD: $6,700 | SD: 1.3x)
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 12: Tight end
Jonnu Smith, Dolphins vs. Patriots (DK: $4,100 | FD: $5,600 | SD: 1.45x)
We’re going back to Smith, who has built a fantastic rapport with Tua Tagovailoa. After exploding for 31.1 DK points against the Raiders, he remains a solid value. The Patriots are a tougher defense, but they’re still beatable. These prices are too low!
More Week 12 TEs worth a look:
- Hunter Henry, Patriots at Dolphins (DK: $4,000 | FD: $5,200 | SD: 1.45x)
- Zach Ertz, Commanders vs. Cowboys (DK: $3,800 | FD: $5,300 | SD: 1.5x)
- T.J. Hockenson, Vikings at Bears (DK: $4,200 | FD: $6,000 | SD: 1.4x)
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 12: D/ST
Denver Broncos at Raiders (DK: $3,200 | FD: $5,100)
The Broncos should be among the top-3 most expensive D/STs this week, yet they’re currently just the 7th-most expensive. After demolishing the Falcons 38-6, they racked up 13 DK points. Las Vegas has allowed the 2nd-most D/ST points this season. This is a no-brainer, like honey glaze on your holiday ham!
Other decent D/ST plays for Week 12:
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Giants (DK: $3,300 | FD: $4,400)
- Washington Commanders vs. Cowboys (DK: $3,500 | FD: $5,000)
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, let’s make some pie money and enjoy the thrill of the game!
