Should You Start Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, or Christian Watson in Fantasy Football Week 12?

We are officially through the first 11 weeks of the 2023 NFL season, and we still don’t have a definitive answer as to who the top fantasy option is at the WR position for the Green Bay Packers.

Need proof? The leading receiver from Sunday’s win against the Los Angeles Chargers was WR Dontayvion Wicks, who is currently in concussion protocol and highly unlikely to play against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day.

This begs the question… Who is the best fantasy football play from the likes of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Christian Watson heading into the team’s Week 12 matchup against the Lions?

Romeo Doubs’ Week 12 Fantasy Outlook

Through the Packers’ first 10 games of the season, Doubs currently ranks the highest as the WR33 in PPR formats with 38 receptions for 396 yards and seven scores. Doubs got off to a fast start through the first month of the season, seeing 33 targets in just four games.

However, since Watson has returned to the lineup after missing the first three games of the year with a hamstring injury, Doubs has seen just 32 targets over the last six games — an average of just five looks per game.

Despite Green Bay’s offense struggling to consistently score points throughout the 2023 season, Doubs has managed to lead the team with seven touchdowns. In fact, he has found paydirt in four of the team’s last five games.

Doubs’ lack of a dominating target share has kept his fantasy floor lower than most might hope from Green Bay’s highest-scoring fantasy WR through the first 11 games. Yet, his rapport with QB Jordan Love and consistent work inside the opponent’s 20-yard line — currently tied for sixth in the league with 14 targets in the red zone — has made Doubs a reliable fantasy option in 2023.

Christian Watson’s Week 12 Fantasy Outlook

The player many fantasy enthusiasts had high expectations for from the Packers heading into the season has barely been able to stay on fantasy rosters with his lack of production in seven games.

Watson’s 16 receptions for 257 yards and two scores have been a major disappointment for fantasy managers who invested a middle-round pick in the second-year pass catcher. He entered the season with a hamstring injury that cost him three games and simply hasn’t been able to get on the same page as Love throughout the season.

MORE: Fantasy Football Cut List Week 12 — Christian Watson, Quentin Johnston, and Mark Andrews Can Be Dropped

Watson hasn’t caught more than three passes in any game this season and has topped 40 yards receiving just once in seven games.

Despite his recent struggles, Watson continues to see the field — playing over 70% of the offensive snaps in six straight games. But he simply hasn’t been a reliable fantasy option due to his lack of production in 2023.

Jayden Reed’s Week 12 Fantasy Outlook

Oddly enough, the receiver from Michigan State has done nothing but impress for the majority of his rookie campaign. Reed has managed to register 10+ fantasy points in PPR formats in four out of his last five games by contributing as a pass catcher and a runner.

Reed actually led the team in rushing yards last week, which could give his fantasy floor a small bump up if Green Bay continues to manufacture touches for Reed while Aaron Jones is dealing with a knee injury.

Should You Start Doubs, Reed, or Watson This Week?

All three receivers managed to take the field against the Lions back in Week 4, but it was Watson’s first game back from the hamstring injury, which led to him seeing a significantly reduced snap count.

While Reed and Watson present an intriguing bit of upside for completely different reasons, Doubs feels like the safest bet to see plenty of work against a Detroit defense that is clicking on all cylinders heading into Thanksgiving. If I had to start a Packers WR in Week 12, I’m rolling with Doubs.

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