Thanksgiving is here. For some, that means family. For others, that means fantasy football with a side of family. If you’re as much into DFS tournaments as I am, here are my optimal Week 12 DFS picks for Thanksgiving NFL action. The lineup is based on FanDuel pricing and falls within their $60,000 salary cap.
Top NFL DFS picks for Thanksgiving Day | FanDuel QB and RBs
All three Thanksgiving games have fascinating fantasy implications. Which players should we target at quarterback and running back?
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys ($8,200)
You’ll be hearing this from me a lot in this column. Dallas was embarrassed in Week 9 before bouncing back in Week 10. They were embarrassed again on Sunday and now face a very beatable Raiders defense that’s yielded 17+ points to every opponent this season — and 73 points in their last two games.
As great as Ezekiel Elliott is, I’m concerned about over-usage, especially on a short week. Dak Prescott is the No. 1 Cowboy to start in DFS on Thursday.
David Montgomery, RB, Chicago Bears ($7,500)
Winning a DFS tournament requires some calculated risks. David Montgomery’s injury-plagued season has included some fantasy disappointments and some big successes. The shorthanded Bears will need him in a favorable matchup against the Lions. The question is whether he’s turned loose. I’m betting he will be.
D’Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions ($8,000)
Apparently, D’Andre Swift can thrive in any offense because what he’s done in Detroit has been nothing short of miraculous. He has conquered several tough run defenses and is the Lions’ offensive centerpiece. Fire him up in DFS, thanks to a terrific floor and elite ceiling.
Top NFL DFS picks for Thanksgiving Day | FanDuel WRs
Wideouts can dominate the fantasy landscape. Which players should we target at wide receiver on Thanksgiving?
Darnell Mooney, WR, Chicago Bears ($6,800)
We saw what Darnell Mooney could do on Sunday. Was it a fluke? I don’t think so. While another 20+ points might seem farfetched, he’s clear-and-away Chicago’s No. 1 receiver with Allen Robinson sidelined. Mooney could be a steal at this price.
Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys ($6,500)
Michael Gallup could be a No. 1 receiver on some NFL teams. Instead, he’s toiled the last two seasons as the No. 3 in a loaded Dallas receiving corps. On Thursday, he’ll start in a plus matchup in what I expect will be a huge bounce-back game for the talented Cowboys. Gallup has decent WR1 potential this week.
Bryan Edwards, WR, Las Vegas Raiders ($5,300)
In Bryan Edwards’ last four games, he’s had 13+ fantasy points twice and 0 fantasy points in the other two contests. Last week, in fact, he didn’t even get a target.
That’s almost unheard of and certainly shouldn’t be viewed as the new norm. Among all of the ultra-cheap DFS bargains, Edwards might have the most upside.
Top NFL DFS picks for Thanksgiving Day | FanDuel TE, Flex, and D/ST
How should we round out this DFS lineup with $17,700 remaining? Here’s who earns the final three roster spots.
Dalton Schultz, TE, Dallas Cowboys ($6,000)
As a locked-in TE1 on a team that should score 30+ points, the odds of Dalton Schultz scoring are good. Thus, the odds of him eclipsing 12 fantasy points are great.
Darren Waller, TE, Las Vegas Raiders ($7,300)
Normally, I wouldn’t start two tight ends in a DFS lineup. But Schultz and Darren Waller each have 18+ point potential. In particular, Waller has proven to be the Raiders’ top offensive weapon.
Dallas Cowboys, D/ST ($4,000)
Yes, I’m expecting the Raiders to put up some points. But I’m also expecting Dallas to earn enough sacks and turnovers to produce top-10 numbers. Given the available options under the salary cap, the Cowboys’ defense makes the most sense.