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Fantasy Football Week 12 Rankings: Top 50 Players for Flex and PPR Formats

Fantasy Football
November 22, 2016

Fantasy football players have plenty to juggle heading into Week 12, not the least of which is the ever-important flex decision.

However, a rash of injuries across the league and the three Thanksgiving games that will force earlier lineup decisions muddle things after Week 11. A number of surefire starters and candidates to fill the flex role will be out or playing at less than 100 percent.

Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said wide receiver A.J. Green won’t play in Week 12 with a hamstring injury, while running back Giovani Bernard is done for the season with a torn ACL, per Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Elsewhere, the Indianapolis Colts announced quarterback Andrew Luck is in concussion protocol, which directly impacts the value of the team’s receivers. Chicago Bears coach John Fox said tight end Zach Miller broke a bone in his foot, per the team. The Philadelphia Eagles announced running backs Ryan Mathews (knee) and Darren Sproles (ribs) suffered injuries on Sunday.

At least fantasy owners can take solace knowing Ian Rapoport of NFL Network noted the Buffalo Bills weren’t too concerned about running back LeSean McCoy’s dislocated thumb. It wasn’t all good news from him, though, as Rapoport reported Seattle Seahawks running back C.J. Prosise is out until at least the playoffs with a scapula fracture.

With injuries and a quick Thursday turnaround looming, here is a look at the top 50 flex options for standard and point-per-reception leagues. Running backs, wide receivers and tight ends were considered flex options.

                               

Players to Watch

Best Player: Le’Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts

Le’Veon Bell has 579 rushing yards, 415 receiving yards and three total touchdowns in just seven games this season, and he is primed to add to those totals with a dominant showing on Thanksgiving against the Indianapolis Colts.

He is also one of the most dangerous players in the league in PPR formats considering he already has 53 catches. Pro Football Focus underscored just how impressive Bell has been as a receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers:

Next up is a showdown with a Colts team that gives up the 10th-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs (as of Monday), per ESPN.com.

What’s more, Luck is injured on the other side. That means the Steelers will jump out to a quick lead and ride the rushing attack of Bell against an overmatched defense. Those additional opportunities for Bell will lead to the most individual fantasy points in the league in Week 12.

                                   

Safest Bet: David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson may not be the household name that Bell or Ezekiel Elliott are, but he has been the league’s most consistent back in 2016.

He has 863 rushing yards, 510 receiving yards and 12 total touchdowns and has reached 100 total yards in every single contest. NFL on ESPN highlighted the impressive company Johnson is keeping after his red-hot start this year:

Ian Kenyon of Nerdy Football said, “If David Johnson played on a team with a capable O-line and QB, he’d be a top-three MVP candidate.”

Johnson and his seemingly automatic 100-yard performances will face an Atlanta Falcons squad in Week 12 that has given up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs (as of Monday), per ESPN.com.

The Cardinals playmaker’s 100-yard streak won’t stop against a vulnerable Atlanta defense. Feel free to rely on another head-turning performance from Johnson.

                                        

PPR Sleeper: Tevin Coleman, RB, Atlanta Falcons vs. Arizona Cardinals

Falcons running back Tevin Coleman is a sleeper for his game against the Cardinals because of his injury status and the fact he shares a backfield and opportunities with Devonta Freeman.

According to JuliaKate E. Culpepper of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Coleman participated in Monday’s practice and said, “I’m feeling 100 percent.”

That is welcome news for fantasy owners who haven’t enjoyed his presence in their lineups since he suffered a hamstring injury on Oct. 23 against the San Diego Chargers. While some may hesitate to throw him right back into the starting flex spot because of that extended time off and Freeman, Coleman will put up solid numbers in PPR formats.

He is a dangerous receiving threat with 19 catches for 330 yards and a touchdown in just seven games this year. He also has six total touchdowns on the campaign thanks to five on the ground.

The Cardinals will score plenty of points with the aforementioned Johnson, which will force Atlanta to turn to the aerial attack in comeback mode. That is where Coleman will rack up his points in PPR leagues, especially when Arizona devotes multiple defenders toward Julio Jones.

Coleman will exploit those open lanes in the middle of the field and help fantasy owners win their Week 12 games in the process.

Read more Fantasy Football news on NerdyFootball.com

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