Week 12 DFS Cheapskate Plays is here to spotlight a few budget-friendly players who can help you stretch your salary cap without sinking your lineup.
We’re not chasing the “studs”. If I don’t mention the slate’s most expensive QB, it’s not because I think he’s a bad play; it’s because you don’t need me to tell you they will score the most points. The real purpose here is to dig for value, the affordable (cheap) options that make it possible to fit those high-priced studs into your build.
Of course, these picks come with more risk, and they don’t have the same floor as the proven stars. But when they hit, the payoff is huge. DFS is ultimately a game of points per dollar: a $4K player scoring 20 points (5x value) actually outperforms an $8K player scoring 24 points (only 3x). That’s why we hunt for these gems. They give you a better return on investment, even if they whiff more often.
Player prices are referenced from DraftKings, but the concept applies across all major DFS platforms.
Week 12 Cheapskate Quarterback
http://gty.im/2245872815
Tyler Shough $4,400, NO vs Falcons
Tyler Shough’s breakout moment came most recently in Week 10, where he completed 19-of-27 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns in a 17-7 win over the Carolina Panthers, while setting a rookie passing record for the New Orleans Saints in the process. He even displayed poise on third downs, going 7-for-10 for 201 yards and both TDs. At the same time, his 61.4% completion rate this season and 7.1 yards per attempt suggest he’s throwing with more efficiency and aggressiveness than early reports.
Now picture this: Shough heads into the Falcons matchup fresh off a bye week, physically rested and mentally sharp after the Week 10 win. The Falcons’ defense has been shaky in pass coverage and downfield situations, which opens the door for a rookie with big-play capability. Shough already demonstrated he can connect deep (a 62-yard TD in that Week 10 game) and pick apart third-down situations. Combine that with an improving pass-catcher room, and you’ve got a rookie quarterback on an upswing.
Week 12 Cheapskate Running Backs
http://gty.im/2246269541
Emanuel Wilson $5,300, GB vs Vikings
Emanuel Wilson has a real shot at a Week 12 top 10 RB outing against the Minnesota Vikings. He’s quietly built a strong résumé of efficiency, rushing for 502 yards and 4 touchdowns on just 103 carries in 2024. His 4.87 yards per attempt metric ranked eighth among all backs with 100+ attempts. Fast-forward to 2025: he currently has 53 carries for 220 yards (4.2 YPC) and 1 rushing TD. The matchup this week sets up nicely. Minnesota’s defense has allowed 222 rushing attempts, 1,034 rushing yards, and 4.7 yards per carry through 10 games, with 8 rushing TDs allowed.
The key fantasy lever: the health and availability of Josh Jacobs. He is dealing with a knee contusion and is officially “day-to-day” ahead of this matchup. If Jacobs misses time or is limited, Wilson’s volume would spike significantly.
Put it together: Wilson’s under-the-radar efficiency, Minnesota’s run-defensive vulnerability, and Jacobs’ possible absence equal a scenario where Wilson could hit workhorse touches, rack up yards, and score. That’s exactly the kind of formula that gets a running back into the weekly top 10.
Week 12 Cheapskate Wide Receivers
http://gty.im/2246611880
John Metchie III $3,300, NYJ at Ravens
John Metchie III has the blueprint to flex into a solid WR2 in Week 12 against the Baltimore Ravens thanks to opportunity, role elevation, and a matchup that could amplify his upside. He enters the matchup with the New York Jets in a situation where injuries have cleared the path: with Garrett Wilson sidelined and the Jets actively shaking up their receiver room, Metchie is being talked about as the potential WR1 in this offense (this week).
His NFL production has been modest. He logged a career-best 74 receiving yards in a single game on Nov. 10, 2024 (5 catches, 74 yards, 1 score) while with the Houston Texans. That game stands out as his ceiling so far, but the shift in his role now with the Jets suggests he has more frequent chances to hit it.
In Week 12, he benefits from being thrust into a clearer target-share role and from a Ravens secondary that is more vulnerable than the run-defense headlines suggest. If the Jets’ quarterback gives him 6-8 targets and he converts a couple into chunk gains or a red zone score, Metchie projects into WR2 territory. For fantasy lineups, he carries the kind of “ride the breakout wave” appeal.
Week 12 Cheapskate Tight End
http://gty.im/2247057455
AJ Barner $3,300, SEA at Titans
AJ Barner is quietly climbing the pecking order for the Seattle Seahawks’ offense. This matchup offers everything he needs to convert that momentum into fantasy production. He’s already surpassed his rookie year totals with 31 receptions for 306 receiving yards.
What makes Barner especially intriguing is that he’s not just catching passes; he’s becoming a Tush Push threat. He’s already shown he can find the end zone multiple times this year, with four receiving touchdowns so far. If he can get into the action on the ground and vulture a 1-yard touchdown, he will have a huge game.
Now factor in the matchup: the Titans’ defense ranks 30th in pass yards allowed per game (≈ 195.4) this season. That kind of vulnerability against pass catchers creates a favorable environment for Barner to exploit. If you’re shopping for cheap tight ends for Week 12, Barner is one to seriously consider.
Week 12 Cheapskate Defense
New Orleans Saints $2,500, NO vs Falcons
The New Orleans Saints DST could be a week-winning DFS play in Week 12 against the Atlanta Falcons.
First, the offense they’ll face is in full regression mode. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins has fallen off the age cliff, throwing just one touchdown in his last 6 starts. That kind of inefficient offense is exactly the scenario a strong DST wants.
Next, Atlanta’s offensive weaponry is significantly depleted. Top receiver Drake London has been ruled out with a PCL knee injury ahead of Week 12. With London out, the Falcons’ passing game becomes less potent and more predictable.
And let’s not forget the Saints’ recent head-to-head success against the Falcons’ backfield ace Bijan Robinson. In four career meetings, Robinson has rushed for 263 yards on 54 carries (but has still scored 5 touchdowns). Thus, the Saints have been able to limit his big plays in the past.
Combine a faltering QB, a receiver corps missing its top target, and a backfield you can scheme against, and you’ve got the blueprint for a DST explosion. For DFS purposes, the Saints’ defense checks all of the boxes.
For help filling out the rest of your lineup, check out the FSAN Rankings Page.
Check out Dan Mader and Chase Thornton‘s Week 12 Sit & Start & DFS Cocktail Hour video on the FSAN YouTube Channel on this week’s Operation Domination.