DraftKings Week 12 Cash Game Picks and Strategy

Nov 27, 2020

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Below you'll find my Week 12 DraftKings cash game picks and strategy. By offering a general approach to the week, along with a player pool to consider, you should walk away feeling well-equipped no matter your bankroll strategy or game selection process.

In general, my cash game strategy revolves around the running back position. My main focus is to roster three running backs with workhorse-type roles that simultaneously allow me to build a high-floor lineup at the other positions. Certain weeks, we'll be able to jam in multiple high-priced running backs because of the value that presents itself at quarterback, wide receiver and tight end.

Other weeks we may have to dip into the mid-range at running back because value hasn't emerged at the other positions. Because quarterback is a position with a narrower range of outcomes, it often makes sense to pay down for a signal-caller. As always it will depend on the makeup of the entire lineup, but I'll usually favor spending down at quarterback.

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I'm not opposed to paying up at wide receiver or tight end if the constraints of the week dictate that it's the most prudent lineup construction. However, with the propensity to allot the most salary to the running back position, I usually attempt to roster the most targets per dollar at wide receiver. It often results in rostering mid-tier wide receivers and tight ends. Given the volatility and variance week-to-week in pass-catchers, it makes sense to not use a ton of salary there as a general rule of thumb. Defense/special teams usually comes down to the cheapest defense with a respectable matchup and a relatively high sack rate, as pressure is what creates the plays defenses need to score fantasy points.

UPDATE (11/29/20 9:10am)

Things have changed drastically on this slate since the write up was submitted, however many of the plays still stand, but a few have been added and the construction changes a bit now as well. Below are more players/constructions to consider

Nyheim Hines and Brian Hill vault to the top of cheap running back considerations with Jonathan Taylor and Todd Gurley out of the lineup. I would put them just under Dalvin Cook in terms of point-per-dollar.
Beacause salary savings has opened up at RB, we can now consider pay up quarterbacks above Josh Allen. Patrick Mahomes specifically was left off the initial cash game write up because I thought it would be hard to find the salary to get up to Mahomes. Additionally, John Brown has been rueld out which dings Josh Allen a bit.
I wasn't sold on paying down at QB until Ryan Fitzpatrick became available. His style of chucking and running has served us well this season before his benching, Tua looks doubtful and he's now squarely in play as a pay down option.
Paying up for tight end is now a realistic possibility because of the value at running back as well. Travis Kelce and Darren Waller can be squeezed into lineups. At tight end in general, I would disregard ALL players written up outside of Kelce, Waller, and Hurst if he is active. While adding Rudolph in place of Irv Smith at punt value. Those are the four I would consider today for cash.
With the Broncos not starting a quarterback, the Saints defense is in play, but not necessarily a lock. My worry is that there won't be a ton of dropbacks and they'll run somewhat of a run-heavy/wildcat type scheme and the Saints cruise to a win, but don't have the opportunity to rack of sacks and picks.

Quarterback

Josh Allen ($7,600) is pretty decisively my favorite play on the slate for cash game quarterback. One of the main reasons for the Allen love is his stranglehold on the red zone rushing. He leads the Bills in red zone rushes inside the 20, 10, and 5-yard line. Often times when we fail on a quarterback it's not because the offense as a whole underperforms, it's because the running games scoop the touchdowns. There is a really slim chance that Allen gets his touchdown upside sniped by the Bills' backfield. The Bills have a monster 29-point team total and are five-point favorites against the Chargers. The Chargers rank 26th in aFPA to quarterbacks, so I can see Allen having his way on offense. I also think the Chargers will be able to score on the Bills, creating a high-scoring matchup that requires Allen to push the pace.