DraftKings Values for Week 12: Defense/Special Teams
Our favorite strategy with the D/ST (Defense/Special Teams) position is to identify a cheap option that draws a (non-Herbert) rookie quarterback or a backup forced into action. Alternatively, we’ll often choose a low to moderately priced defense that lines up against a turnover-prone offense, or one facing a myriad of offensive line or skill position injuries.
Unfortunately, such options are somewhat limited in Week 12, as DraftKings more or less nails D/ST pricing, an area in which they’ve really stepped up their game in 2020. We’re left with a decision: pay up for one of three possibilities, or scrape the barrel’s bottom for an upside opportunity in the form of the New York Jets or Denver Broncos (don’t laugh)!
Premium Tier ($4,000 and up): As much as we love the Miami Dolphins (MIA at NYJ, $4,200) as a season-long streaming option this week, we’re not excited about the prospect of paying a premium for them with other solid, less expensive options on the table. The only other option in this price range was the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will now (hopefully) play the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday night.
Mid-Tier Values ($3,500 to $3,900): The Los Angeles Rams (LAR vs. SF, $3,700) host a beleaguered San Francisco 49ers offense and will be out for revenge after a lackluster performance in a Week 6 loss to their division rival. The Rams have since forced two or more turnovers in each of four games since, including two contests with four or more sacks.
Value Tier ($3,000 to $3,400): The Cleveland Browns (CLE at JAX, $3,100) just posted a 20 point day against a struggling Philadelphia Eagles offense. For an encore, they travel to Jacksonville to take on third-string veteran backup quarterback Mike Glennon and an offense that’s missing its best wide receiver (D.J. Chark) and its field stretcher (Chris Conley).
Best Buy: We’ll opt for the Browns, per above. If a stud-filled lineup doesn’t allow the Browns to fit into the budget, consider one of our two Bargain Bin recommendations below.
Bargain Bin: The New York Jets (NYJ vs. MIA, $2,100) face Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins, who are recovering from a rough week against a Broncos defense that ranks 25th in turnovers forced and 21st in the league in points allowed, inclusive of Week 11. Tagovailoa has been sacked 10 times in his four starts, despite a general gameplan focusing on quick delivery of the football with very few opportunities for downfield strikes.
Meanwhile, that same Denver Broncos (DEN vs. NO, $2,200) defense now welcomes Taysom Hill and the New Orleans Saints to Denver. Hill detractors should be leaping all over the chance to capitalize on the backup quarterback of a dome team in his second NFL start under center, on the road, in chilly, high altitude conditions.