Start ’Em, Sit ’Em Wide Receivers Fantasy Football Week 12: Puka Nacua to the Rescue

With Cooper Kupp banged up, the Rams’ rookie should see plenty of targets.

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.

Fabs’ Top 10 Wide Receivers

1. Tyreek Hill at Jets (Fri.)
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Packers (Thur.)
3. CeeDee Lamb vs. Commanders (Thur.)
4. A.J. Brown vs. Bills
5. Stefon Diggs at Eagles
6. Keenan Allen vs. Ravens
7. Brandon Aiyuk at Seahawks (Thur.)
8. Puka Nacua at Cardinals
9. Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Buccaneers
10. Tank Dell vs. Jaguars

Week 12 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Week 12 Start ’Em: Wide Receivers

Start of the Week

Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports

Puka Nacua at Cardinals (4:05p.m. ET, Fox): Nacua rebounded in a big way last week, scoring 18.7 fantasy points after being held to single digits in three of his previous four contests. With Cooper Kupp banged up, the rookie should see a high target share when the Rams face the Cardinals. Their defense has given up 10 touchdowns to wide receivers, so look for Nacua to post another nice total.

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Start ’Em

Tank Dell vs. Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Dell has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy managers, scoring 18-plus points five times in his last eight games. That includes a 28.9-pointer in last week’s win over the Cardinals. While he could lose some luster if Noah Brown returns, the rookie is still a nice option against the Jags. Their defense has allowed the fourth-most points to the perimeter this season.

Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Pittman Jr. has been a reliable option for fantasy fans, scoring at least 14 points in five straight games. He’s a virtual must start against the Buccaneers, who have allowed the fourth-most points to wide receivers in the last four weeks. Overall, a total of 10 wideouts have scored at least 16 points against them, including seven with 20-plus points.

Zay Flowers at Chargers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Flowers has scored eight or fewer points in three of his last four games, but he did get robbed of a touchdown by a bad holding call last week. Regardless, I like him in a plus matchup against the Chargers. Their defense has allowed the second-most points per game to wide receivers, including 12 touchdown catches, so Flowers should blossom again.

Demario Douglas at Giants (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Douglas has become the top wide receiver in New England, scoring 10-plus points in three of his last four games. In that time, he’s seen a combined 23 targets. He’ll be in a good spot to produce this week, as Douglas faces a plus matchup against the Giants. Over the last four weeks, only the Eagles and Patriots have allowed more points to wideouts.

More Starts

Adam Thielen at Titans (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Gabe Davis at Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
Jordan Addison vs. Bears (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Christian Kirk at Texans ($5,700)
Gabe Davis at Eagles ($5,300)
Demario Douglas at Giants ($4,400)

Week 12 Sit ’Em: Wide Receivers

Sit of the Week

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Amari Cooper at Broncos (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Cooper’s fantasy value has taken a tumble, as he’s scored in single digits in both of Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s starts this season. That includes last week, when he was held to just four catches and 7.4 points. I’d beware the veteran this week, too, as Cooper faces a Denver defense that’s allowed the fewest fantasy points to wideouts since Week 8.

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Sit ’Em

George Pickens at Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Pickens has seen his totals tumble in the last four weeks, scoring a combined 26.3 fantasy points on just 20 targets. That has much to do with the return of Diontae Johnson, not to mention an offense that is leaning on the run more often. This week’s opponent, the Bengals, have also allowed the fifth-lowest catch percentage (58.8%) to enemy wideouts in 2023.

Jakobi Meyers vs. Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Meyers has seen his totals drop after a hot start, scoring fewer than nine points in three of his last four games. In that time, he’s seen a combined 13 targets as the Raiders have funneled more chances toward Davante Adams. I’d fade Meyers this week, as he faces a Chiefs defense that’s allowed the second-fewest points to wideouts since Week 8.

Drake London vs. Saints (1 p.m. ET, Fox): London has seen his fantasy totals drop in four straight weeks, culminating in a 6.6-point stinker in Week 10. This week he faces a tough matchup against the Saints, who have surrendered just three touchdowns and the third-fewest points to perimeter receivers. At best, the streaky London will be a risk-reward flex starter in this NFC South battle.

Jerry Jeudy vs. Browns (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Jeudy put up 10.8 fantasy points in last week’s win over the Vikings, and he’s now scored double-digit points in three of his last four games. His numbers haven’t been great overall though, and a matchup vs. the Browns makes him a fade. Their defense has allowed the second-fewest points to wideouts, and no team has allowed a lower catch rate (51.7%).

More Sits

Garrett Wilson vs. Dolphins (Fri. 3 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Terry McLaurin at Cowboys (Thur. 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
Marquise Brown vs. Rams (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Ja’Marr Chase vs. Steelers ($8,300)
Davante Adams vs. Chiefs ($7,800)
Amari Cooper at Jets ($5,900)