Drake Maye is in the midst of the type of breakout season that has Patriots fans swooning and MVP voters at attention. The league’s leader in passing yards, Maye overcomes a run-centric game plan by pushing the ball downfield and completing those passes at an unbelievable clip. His average depth of targets ranks 7th at 8.6 yards, and he is completing those passes at a nearly 53% clip, the third-highest rate in the league. Maye also gets in the action as a ball-carrier, where his 6.4 carries per game ranks 5th among quarterbacks and offers a nice ceiling when combined with his passing prowess. His impressive sophomore season, combined with a matchup against a Bengals defense that can’t stop a nosebleed, has Maye ranked as our #1 overall quarterback for the 1st time this season. –Eric Romoff
Baker Mayfield has been performing admirably in the midst of a season riddled with injuries to his supporting cast. It feels like every week the Buccaneers are plucking someone new off a practice squad, and Baker somehow doesn’t miss a beat. Mayfield is passing to set a new career high in pass attempts this season, as he has each year as the Buccaneers’ signal-caller, and he currently ranks sixth with nearly 2600 air yards through ten games. His supporting cast isn’t doing him any favors as they have the eighth-most drops in the league, but despite those miscues, Baker ranks fourth in Production Premium this season. I am the most bullish among QBList rankers on Baker this week, ranking him as QB8 in a tough matchup against the Rams that should see plenty of scoring. –Eric Romoff
Jared Goff has, at times this season, looked a lot like the player who got shipped out of Los Angeles a few years back. While his production floor is certainly higher in this offense than it was under McVay, pressure remains Goff’s Achilles heel. Goff goes from being the leader in true completion percentage to above-average when under pressure, and his catchable pass rate dips below the midpoint when facing pressure. While his matchup this week against the Giants looks favorable on paper, the lone bright spot of their defense is their ability to generate pressure. This one sets up as more of a run-heavy script with the Lions leading comfortably, and that has Goff all the way down at QB11 for me this week, the lowest among the QBL Rankings Squad. –Eric Romoff
For Week 12’s running back stories to follow, Josh Jacobs and possibly Jaylen Warren could miss this week due to injuries. On the flip side, we are hopeful players like Bucky Irving and Trey Benson can return to their teams this week.
Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty should be one you look to avoid this week if you can. He faces the Browns defense that allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. The rookie running back has struggled to get much going in this Raiders offense, with under 60 rushing yards in four straight games. If Jeanty isn’t able to score a touchdown, which is a tall task since the Browns have only allowed four rushing touchdowns, it could be a tough day for the rookie. –Steve Pintado
If you assume that Sean Tucker is the new running back in Tampa, you’ll be very disappointed, even if Bucky Iriving doesn’t return. They will face off against the Rams in Week 12. The Rams allow the third-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs this season. Tucker only played 44% of the offensive snaps, while White played 60%. The Rams have kept opposing running backs under 60 rushing yards in each of the last 4 games. If it happens to be Tucker and White again, I’d look elsewhere if you can. –Steve Pintado
It may be the first time in weeks that you could trust the Seattle backfield in Week 12. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet continue to split time, but they have a great matchup. They play the Titans, who allow the 5th most fantasy points per game to running backs. They have allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns. Seattle will look to bounce back with a big win this week after losing to the Rams last week. That happens with the run game and using both backs, and both could finish with 12-plus fantasy points against a poor Titans run defense. –Steve Pintado
If you’re looking to pick up players like Emanuel Wilson and Kenneth Gainwell this week, let’s take a look at their outlook. Wilson could be a solid RB2/3 value this week if Jacobs is going to miss time. Wilson has 5 games where he has 10 or more carries, and in those games, he has at least 10 fantasy points. The Vikings have an average run defense, so Wilson could help provide some floor play for a fantasy manager looking to make it to the playoffs. The two times Kenny G saw extended playing time, He put up 25-plus fantasy points. If Warren misses, then Gainwell has RB2 value in this game against the Bears, especially in PPR. We saw him have 8 targets, and some of those came with backup Mason Rudolph, who could also start in Week 12. If it’s not Gainwell, then Warren is still a great play against the Bears’ average run defense. –Steve Pintado
Nico Collins‘ resurgence continued against the Titans, as he got back into the end zone and had his second straight game over 22 fantasy points. The short play action touchdown was set up by multiple chunk plays off play action and Davis Mills peppering Collins with targets. Stroud has already been declared out, so rejoice if you roster Collins. You get (at least) one more game with Mills under center. Even in a tough matchup against Buffalo, Collins is a WR1 with Mills laser-focused on getting him the ball. Collins’ 25 targets in Mills’ two starts are the most he’s seen this season. –Jay Felicio
Khalil Shakir had his worst game of the season in Week 11 after battling a late-week injury. He didn’t practice on Wednesday, but that was reportedly for personal reasons. Shakir should be back to practice later in the week, but he shapes up as a shaky start as a low upside WR3 in facing a Texans defense allowing the third fewest points to wide receivers. He’s the only Bills pass catcher I’d remotely consider starting. –Jay Felicio