We are just past the midway point of the 2022 fantasy football season. With bye weeks upon us and injuries still rearing their ugly heads, decisions continue to be difficult. Let’s take a look at our WR start/sit Week 12 plays, which include Michael Pittman Jr. and Tyler Lockett. Be sure to also check out our full Week 12 wide receiver rankings.
Week 12 Fantasy Football WR Start ’ems
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (vs. PIT)
After fading Michael Pittman last week, he comes highly recommended in Week 12. We still haven’t gotten a true ceiling game from Pittman since Week 6, but Pittman’s 75 receiving yards last week marked his third-highest total of the season.
In a low-scoring game where Matt Ryan attempted just 32 passes, Pittman commanded seven targets, catching six of them.
Pittman’s role in the offense remains elite. He ran a route on every Ryan dropback, affirming his status as the team’s clear WR1. He really just needs that premier matchup. Well, this may be it.
MORE: Week 12 Fantasy RB Start/Sit Advice
The Steelers are as good as it gets for opposing passing games. They allow the most receiving yards and most PPR fantasy points per game to wide receivers. A whopping 71.4% of their total receiving yards allowed go toward wide receivers. After taking his lowers for weeks, it might finally be time to go higher on Pittman’s receiving yards on Underdog Fantasy.
Pittman could be poised for his best game of the season on Monday night. He hasn’t scored since Week 1, but I’ve got a feeling he ends that streak this week against the defense that leads the NFL in wide receiver touchdowns allowed per game. Start him.
Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks (vs. LV)
I went with Tyler Lockett here as opposed to DK Metcalf because, in my experience, particularly in the PFN Discord Channel, I’ve noticed Lockett appears more in start/sit questions than Metcalf. The latter seems to be more entrenched as a clear starter in fantasy managers’ minds.
Lockett deserves the same status as an every-week starter. But if you had any doubts, fire up your Seahawks this week.
Lockett is averaging 14.4 ppg on the season. He is a mid-WR2. Even in leagues with shallow starting lineups, mid-WR2s are weekly starters.
MORE: Fantasy Trade Analyzer Heading Into Week 12
Geno Smiths’ WR2 has had a nose for the end zone recently. He’s scored in three straight and has five touchdowns in his last five games.
The Raiders allow the ninth-most passing yards per game. They’ve surrendered 17 touchdowns through the air. They’ve been a pass-defense to attack all season, and this week is no different.
Lockett has seen the 10th-most downfield targets among wide receivers. The Raiders allow a 46.6% deep ball completion rate. Look for the Seahawks to just light the Raiders up through the air. Start Lockett. Start Metcalf. Start Geno. Start all your Seahawks this week.
Week 12 Fantasy Football WR Sit ’ems
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (at PHI)
Imagine benching a player who has five touchdowns on his last eight receptions. I know. I know. Hear me out.
Christian Watson has clearly broken out. He belongs on fantasy rosters and should be a WR3 down the stretch. I just feel like his touchdown spree has placed unrealistic expectations in the minds of fantasy managers.
Watson has clearly played better recently. However, he still has just four receptions in each of his last two games. Against the Titans last Thursday night, Watson’s six targets trailed Allen Lazard’s 11. I fear a game where Watson posts a line like he did last week, just without the touchdowns. 4-48 is not going to get it done.
MORE: Week 12 Rest-of-Season Rankings
This week, that’s very much in play. The Eagles allow the 10th-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. They allow 0.6 touchdowns per game to wide receivers, the fifth-fewest in the league.
Watson has been making a lot of money on deep balls recently. Well, the Eagles are elite at defending the deep ball, allowing just a 29.8% completion rate on downfield throws. Only the Cardinals have a lower completion percentage allowed on such passes.
Watson will likely see a lot of James Bradberry this week. He leads all cornerbacks in catch rate allowed at a paltry 39%. There’s always a chance Aaron Rodgers works his magic and finds Watson in the end zone, but matchup-wise, this is a tough one for the rookie. On a week with no byes, fantasy managers can likely afford to sit him.
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears (at NYJ)
Perhaps Darnell Mooney isn’t a serious consideration for many fantasy managers to start. But he has been a useful receiver as of late.
Since Week 4, Mooney is averaging 11.9 ppg. He’s been serviceable, especially during bye weeks. He has an elite 28% target share and is running a route on nearly every Justin Fields dropback. This is just a bad spot against the Jets.
The Jets are coming off a terrible loss to a divisional rival. They are going to be extra motivated to get a home win. That’s bad news for the Bears, as the Jets allow the fifth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. They also allow the third-fewest receiving yards per game to the position.
This game has a sub-40 point total. Justin Fields is dealing with a left shoulder injury that may keep him out of this game. The last thing Mooney needs is Trevor Sieman. Regardless, this is a low-volume passing attack. Mooney should only be started in favorable matchups. This is not one of them. Sit him.