It was a pretty straightforward week for cash games in Week 12 as there was plenty of value that opened up at the running back position due to injuries. Rachaad White and Jeff Wilson Jr. were locks in cash games in NFL DFS on DraftKings last week, so using both of them, along with Garrett Wilson at $4,300 should have allowed you to spend up for a couple of expensive players.
My cash-game lineup ended up being Patrick Mahomes, White, both Wilsons, Tee Higgins, Keenan Allen, Foster Moreau, Kenneth Walker, and the Chiefs defense. Surprisingly, Wilson (the running back of the Dolphins) would have the lowest score in my cash lineup at 12.2 points, but I still ended with 164.40 points.
More injury news could occur later in the week, so keep an eye out for any notable players being ruled out as there could be value that opens up again in Week 13. With no definitive news out yet, here are my favorite cash plays for the Week 13 main slate on DraftKings.
Quarterbacks
Justin Herbert @ LV ($7,200)
Herbert has looked healthier recently after dealing with a rib injury this season and he produced a season-high 28.8 points in Week 12 against the Cardinals. The strong-armed quarterback has now scored 20-plus points on DraftKings for the first time since Week 1 and Week 2 of this season, so he appears to be back to being a trustworthy option in NFL DFS. The third-year quarterback now gets to face the Raiders in Week 13, who have surrendered the second-most points per game to QBs.
Joe Burrow vs. KC ($6,900)
We’re being treated to Burrow against Patrick Mahomes this week with the Bengals set to face the Chiefs. While some may assume the Chiefs are a formidable defense, they’ve allowed the 10th most points per game to QBs thus far. Burrow ranks fifth in PER rating among QBs (0.49), and that’s with missing Ja’Marr Chase for much of the season. With Chase and Joe Mixon potentially back on Sunday, Burrow is certainly a viable cash-game option at the quarterback position.
Trevor Lawrence @ DET ($5,900)
Not enough people are talking about how good Lawrence has looked in recent weeks. The second-year quarterback has combined for 815 yards, 6 touchdowns, and zero interceptions in his last three starts. Lawrence posted a season-high 28.9 points in Week 12 against the Ravens and he now gets an extremely favorable matchup versus the Lions this week. There isn’t a defense that has given up more points per game to QBs this season, making Lawrence a fantastic salary-relief option on DraftKings.
Running Backs
Austin Ekeler @ LV ($8,500)
We likely will have enough value this week where we’ll be able to spend up for at least one running back. Ekeler is certainly someone to consider as he boasts an impressive 21.1% target share in an offense of the Chargers that has a healthy version of Herbert again. The floor is high for Ekeler as the dual-threat back has notched 18-plus points on DraftKings in all but three games this season. It also helps he’s going up against a Raiders defense that is giving up the second-most receptions, the most receiving yards, and the third-most yards per reception to RBs. Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb are also guys to consider if you aren’t able to afford Ekeler.
Josh Jacobs vs. LAC ($7,900)
Jacobs had a career game in Week 12 as he finished with 303 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in Week 12 en route to scoring 51.3 points on DraftKings. The talented running back is dealing with a calf injury and re-aggravated the injury in the overtime win over the Seahawks last week, so pay attention to his status for Week 13. But if Jacobs suits up, he’ll get an opportunity to face a Chargers squad that is giving up 5.6 yards per attempt (most in the NFL) and the fifth-most points per game to RBs this season. Meanwhile, if Jacobs is ruled out, then whoever starts could become a nice value in cash games.
Aaron Jones @ CHI ($6,900)
The Packers are a mess, but Jones is still a talented back in the NFL. While he’s not getting consistent production on the ground, he’s used enough in the passing game to warrant him being a solid cash-game option this week. Jones has registered 18-plus points in four out of his last six games and he gets a favorable matchup in Week 13 against the Bears. Chicago’s defense is allowing the sixth-most points per game and if Aaron Rodgers is playing hurt, Jones could see more dump-offs from the veteran quarterback.
Related: Week 13 Fantasy Football Must Starts
Wide Receivers
Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. JAC ($7,100)
It appears St. Brown is healthy again as he’s dominated targets for the Lions in recent weeks, combining for 48 targets in the last 5 games. St. Brown recorded 30.9 points in Week 12 versus the Bills, giving him 25-plus points for the second time in three weeks. We want guys that are going to have a high floor in targets at the wide receiver position in cash games and Brown owns a 24.1% target share in an offense that has been involved in plenty of come-from-behind games or close games. Guys like Tyreek Hill and Justin Jefferson are undoubtedly viable if you can afford them.
Garrett Wilson @ MIN ($5,300)
The change from Zach Wilson to Mike White at quarterback worked wonders for the skill position players of the Jets in Week 12. The rookie wideout seemed to benefit the most as he caught 5 of his 8 targets for 95 yards and 2 touchdowns. The only games where Wilson has scored this season have been in games where the second-year quarterback hasn’t been active. White will be starting again in Week 13 versus the Vikings, a defense that has given up the fourth-most points per game and the sixth-most yards per reception to WRs thus far.
Zay Jones @ DET ($4,900)
As a result of Lawrence looking the best he has all season in the last three weeks, Jones exploded for 11 receptions on 14 targets for 145 yards in Week 12. The veteran wideout has popped up on the injury report this week, but if he suits up on Sunday, he’s a nice option for under $5,000 on DraftKings. Jones has now garnered 10-plus targets in three of his last five games and in each of his last two. The Lions are allowing the third-most points per game to WRs. If Jones is unable to go, then Marvin Jones Jr. could become a fantastic value in Week 13.
Tight Ends
David Njoku @ HOU ($3,900)
Njoku was someone I liked for cash games in Week 12 and he ended up scoring 13.9 points against the Buccaneers. The former first-round pick is dealing with a knee ailment that’s limited him in practice for two straight weeks, so make sure to keep tabs on his status for Sunday’s contest against the Texans. But if he is active again, he should have a nice floor of targets versus a Texans defense that is giving up the 14th most points per game to TEs this season.
Tyler Conklin ($3,100)
Could we have a Conklin revenge game brewing in Week 13? Those are words I never thought I’d type in my life, but Conklin will have an opportunity to showcase his talent on Sunday against his former team in the Vikings. Conklin has been a solid security blanket for whoever has started at quarterback for the Jets this season as he’s had six games of six-plus targets. While he’s seen his targets go down in recent weeks, Conklin could see more opportunities again with White under center.
D/ST
New York Jets @ MIN ($2,600)
Amid all of the praise White and the offense of the Jets have gotten in the past week, the defense of the Jets has been much-improved this season. We’ll be treated to Jefferson against Sauce Gardner on Sunday as New York’s defense is facing Kirk Cousins with the ninth-best pressure rate in the NFL. The defense of the Jets has scored seven-plus points in eight straight games, so they give us a solid floor at an affordable salary.
Miami Dolphins @ SF ($2,500)
Mike McDaniel will face the 49ers for the first time since leaving as San Francisco’s offensive coordinator to become Miami’s head coach. The defense of the Dolphins just posted a season-high 18 points in Week 12 versus the Texans, giving them six-plus points in four of their last five contests. The Tennessee Titans are another defense to consider at $2,200 if you need all of the savings you can get.