This article is part of our FantasyDraft NFL series.
Each week, RotoWire provides picks and values for FantasyDraft lineups. Users have a salary cap of $100,000 to select a lineup comprised of one quarterback, two running backs, two receivers, one tight end, two flex spots and one defense. The scoring is standard point-per-reception.
To roster some top-tier players in tournaments, you need some lower-priced sleeper options with upside. That's what we aim to bring you in this column.
Here are our fantasy football value picks for Week 12 on FantasyDraft.
QUARTERBACK
Kirk Cousins, $10,600 vs. NYG
Cousins has been up and down all season, most recently being "down" against the Panthers after an excellent showing vs. the Saints in Week 10. Cousins is essentially Jekyll and Hyde; he's a different quarterback on the road than he is at home. On the road this season, Cousins has thrown for 1,155 yards, five touchdowns and eight interceptions and is averaging just 12.4 fantasy points per game. At home, he has thrown for 1,330 yards, 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions and is averaging 21.9 fantasy points per game. In Week 12 he's home against the Giants, who have given up the most passing yards in the NFL this season and the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Brian Hoyer, $10,000 vs. NO
By now, we have all heard about the Saints' passing defense. They have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and have given up a ton of passing touchdowns (28) this season. The odd part is Hoyer's price on FantasyDraft. He is the bare minimum for quarterbacks, which makes him a top tier play given his matchup. For just 10 percent of your cap space, you can get a player who has the potential for 20 or more fantasy points, putting you on pace for a high-scoring week. Be sure to consider him in your lineups.
RUNNING BACK
Shaun Draughn, $7,400 vs. ARI
Draughn has been the feature back for the Niners since Carlos Hyde (foot) was injured, and he will continue to be as long as Hyde is out. Draughn has at least 13.6 fantasy points in both games as a starter, and his value is safe because of his 12 catches in two games. He has faced two good rush defenses in the Falcons and Seahawks, and his matchup gets slightly better with the Cardinals, who have given up three rushing touchdowns in the last two weeks. With Draughn's price and volume, he makes for a solid play on FantasyDraft. He would be a good pairing with one of the "chalky" backs in Rawls and Allen.
Tevin Coleman, $8,400 vs. MIN
Coleman is a tournament option for Week 12, as he will see the bulk of the work for the Falcons in the backfield with Devonta Freeman (concussion) out. Coleman has averaged just 3.9 yards per carry this season, and the Vikings boast one of the better defenses in the NFL. That being said, with Coleman's price and expected volume, he's worth a look in tournaments as a pivot away from Rawls/Allen/Draughn at similar price points if you wanted to stray from the public.
Other value running backs to consider: Thomas Rawls, Javorius Allen
WIDE RECEIVER
Stevie Johnson, $8,800 vs. JAC
Johnson is the No.1 target for Philip Rivers with Keenan Allen out for the season and Malcom Floyd doubtful to play with a shoulder injury. Johnson has caught seven passes in each of the last two games and has seen 18 targets in the last two games. He faces the Jaguars in Week 12, who have allowed huge games to opposing receivers this season. Houston registered a 17/224/2, Buffalo caught 16/198/2, and the Jets had a 16/190/2 line against the Jaguars' secondary this season. Johnson does not have huge upside, but his safety in cash games is worth considering if you want to save at wide receiver.
Cecil Shorts III, $7,000 vs. NO
A lot of players will be targeting the Texans' passing offense against the Saints, but most will look no further than Hoyer and DeAndre Hopkins. This makes Shorts an excellent tournament play at $7,000. He has an excellent matchup against a Saints secondary that will focus on Hopkins but has still allowed over 3,000 yards and 28 passing touchdowns this season. Short has seen 12 targets in the last two games and will see one-on-one coverage in a good matchup. He could catch five or more passes and return good value at just $7K on FantasyDraft.
TIGHT END
Julius Thomas, $6,700 vs. SD
Thomas has been an afterthought in Jacksonville this season, but he has an excellent matchup in Week 12 against the Chargers. San Diego hasn't been mentioned much among the top matchups for opposing tight ends, but recent numbers have proven otherwise. The Chargers have allowed 10 catches for 152 yards in the last two games, and in the last four contests they have given up three touchdown passes. The only game this season in which opposing tight ends didn't reach seven or more fantasy points was against the Vikings, who don't use tight ends on offense. While seven isn't an excellent score, it is a solid floor for a player like Thomas, who has two games of more than 13 fantasy points. If you want to save at tight end, Thomas is a solid play in a good matchup on FantasyDraft.
DEFENSE
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $4,900 vs. IND
The Bucs have quietly been one of the top fantasy defenses in the last two months. Tampa had at least eight fantasy points in five of the last six games. They have at least 10 in four of the last six contests, showing worthwhile upside. The Buccaneers have forced a fumble in every game this season, have forced seven interceptions in the last four games and have notched 14 sacks in the last six games. In Week 12, they face the Colts and Matt Hasselbeck, who turned the ball over twice in Week 11.
