Mike Evans is back. The last time we saw Evans was in Week 7 when he ripped up his hamstring while scoring a TD vs. the Steelers. But our long, national nightmare is finally over. He was back at practice yesterday and is expected to play vs. the Giants this week. He’s going to be highly motivated to keep his 1,000-yard streak going. Fire him up where you can.

Isiah Pacheco is set to return. In addition to Evans, we also got good news on Pacheco. He returned to practice yesterday and now gets a juicy matchup vs. Carolina. That said, it’s worth proceeding with a little caution here depending on your options. Andy Reid is already hinting at a split with Kareem Hunt, who has been very good in his absence.

Don’t fall for it, Peter. This is where I’d normally write a blurb about Jonathon Brooks potentially returning, but we’ve entered “fool me twice, shame on me” territory with this one. We’ll save the real Brooks update for Sunday AM …

What else is in today’s newsletter?

1. Dwain’s Week 12 Rankings: Risers, Fallers, and Sicko Starts

2. Watercooler: Rest-of-Season Rankings Updates
   

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Week 12 Rankings: Risers, Fallers, and Sicko Starts

• by Dwain McFarland

It is time to set our fantasy lineups for the weekend, and with that in mind, let's follow the data to analyze some of the biggest Week 12 fantasy football rankings risers and fallers to help you make those critical start-sit decisions.

Note: As you read through this piece, you'll notice the Utilization Score being used as a pillar of analysis. For more information on how to use the score and why it's more predictive than fantasy points per game, read here.

Rankings Risers

Brian Robinson Jr. | RB | Commanders

Robinson returned to action and delivered 14.2 fantasy points against a tough Eagles defense. Over his last two games, the third-year back has dominated rushing attempts with 64% and 67% of the totes.

Robinson's Utilization Score falls into a similar range as David Montgomery's. With Austin Ekeler soaking up most of the pass-down work, Robinson's route participation rate (35%) suffers, making him a game-script-dependent back.

However, the game script and matchup are highly favorable this weekend against the Cowboys. The Commanders boast the second-highest team total (28.3) and are 11-point favorites. Dallas has coughed up the fourth-largest fantasy boost to the RB position at 4.6 points per game. Like Detroit, Washington LOVES to pound the rock from in close, ranking sixth in rush rate inside the 5-yard line (74%).

Robinson UPGRADES to borderline RB1 territory and offers multi-TD upside.

Ladd McConkey | WR | Chargers

McConkey has averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game with a 7.2 Utilization Score over the last four games. During that stretch, he led the Chargers in target share (24%), and 42% of his targets came via play action.

Nerd Note: Play action is a cheat code for pass catchers in fantasy football. Over the last four seasons, wide receivers have enjoyed a 26% boost in fantasy points per route on routes with play-action versus those without. For tight ends, who primarily operate in the area where defenders are most impacted (linebackers and safeties), the boost is even more prominent at 80%! The Chargers rank third in play-action pass rate at 33% in 2024.

The Ravens have green-lighted the largest fantasy boost to the WR position at 8.9 points per game. Baltimore has allowed 305 yards and 2 TDs per contest through the air.

McConkey UPGRADES to midrange WR2 status and should be in most starting lineups.

Rankings Faller

Tank Dell | WR | Texans

Despite playing multiple games without Nico Collins and/or Stefon Diggs, Dell has underperformed for most of the season. The second-year WR averaged only 11.8 points per game with a 6.6 Utilization Score from Week 6 to Week 10.

Now Collins is back, and Houston has a tough matchup against the Titans. Tennessee has been the second-hardest matchup, holding opposing WR units 3.9 points per game under their average.

Dell DOWNGRADES to midrange WR3 territory but would be a WR4 on a full slate.

Sicko Start

Drake Maye | QB | Patriots

Maye is in only 8% of lineups and available in 85% of leagues.

In his five complete games, Maye has averaged 238 yards and 1.8 TDs per game through the air. He has tacked on 41 yards per contest on the ground. That has been good for 19.6 points per game, delivering QB8, QB7, QB12, QB15 and QB12 finishes.

Maye is the QB15 in the Fantasy Life Projections—precisely in line with my QB15 rank this weekend.

RELATED CONTENT

• John Laghezza and Gene Clemons team up to tackle the most pressing start/sit dilemmas for Week 12.

• Buy, Sell, or Hold? The feast is over in Cleveland.

The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness, and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds:

📊 Rest-of-Season rankings update. Waz has you covered.

👀 Will the Italian Stallion bring out the best in Malik Nabers? Smash matchups, TE streamers, and more.

🤣 Adam Schefter broke a story from where?! That’s dedication.

🤔 Looking to sell in your dynasty league? Let Matthew Berry help.

📈 The Anthony Richardson bounceback. Cool piece here.

📣 Drew Lock weighs in on Tommy DeVito. Awkward.

⚔️ Week 12 kicks off with a big divisional matchup … projections for Steelers/Browns.

💰️ The best prop bets for tonight’s game. We’ve got you covered.

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