Vanek's Views: DraftKings NFL DFS Picks for Week 12

by Jordan Vanek (vanekjordan) Last Updated 2025-11-20 17:48:48 Premium Content Part of the product NFL DFS

Using his experience as a former scout and staff member at Central Florida under Josh Heupel, Jordan Vanek takes an in-depth look at the upcoming NFL DFS main slate on DraftKings for Week 12. Formerly of The 33rd Team and 4for4 Fantasy Football, Jordan’s deep dive into the best stacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends is a must-read before you start building your lineups.

Last weekend reminded us how fast things can swing in the NFL — the 49ers defense looks like it’s in real trouble going forward, the Rams might genuinely be the best bet to take over the NFC, and Sean Tucker single-handedly buried every Rachaad White lineup I had. This week, the goal is simple: avoid the backup-RB landmines, stay ahead of the recent trends, and identify the spots that can actually separate you in DFS.

We don’t have nearly as many weather concerns this time around, but it’s still crucial to stay dialed into our NFL DFS projections, especially with all the injury news expected to roll in late. Our projections team will be updating everything right up until lock. Overall, this slate sets up with several clear angles to attack — a handful of games that might not stay competitive, a few elite matchups to build around, and one cheap quarterback I’m keeping a very close eye on.

NFL DFS DraftKings Picks: Top Stacks, RBs, WRs, & TEs for Week 12

Game Stacks

Drake Maye ($6,900, QB, New England Patriots)

Stefon Diggs ($6,500, WR, New England Patriots)

Hunter Henry ($3,900, TE, New England Patriots)

Chase Brown ($6,200, RB, Cincinnati Bengals)

Tee Higgins ($7,100, WR, Cincinnati Bengals)

Over the last 6 weeks, the Bengals have allowed three different offenses to throw 4 passing touchdowns, and that makes the Patriots passing attack far more interesting than people think. TreVeyon Henderson is still a strong play, but if Joe Burrow returns, this game has real shootout potential, and New England could easily be pushed into a negative script.

The biggest reason to like the Patriots passing game: Cincinnati just lost their No. 1 corner, Cam Taylor-Britt. Per Sports Info Solutions, on 162 dropbacks with him off the field, opposing QBs have completed 70.7% of their passes for 8.5 YPA and a 7.3% TD rate. They’re vulnerable in every area of the field, and New England’s run game has been strong enough to force more single-high looks — exactly where Stefon Diggs and Hunter Henry thrive.

Henry is my favorite play from the Patriots. The Bengals have given up a league-high 14 touchdowns to tight ends, and this is the best matchup he’s had all year. Diggs has the clear ceiling, and if Drake Maye is throwing the ball 30–35 times, Diggs is the one who can break the slate.

If Joe Burrow returns, I want to play both of Cincinnati’s best remaining weapons with Ja’Marr Chase suspended. New England just lost DT Milton Williams, which hurts the run defense, so the Bengals should be able to stay balanced and efficient. I’m not looking to one-off Tee Higgins or Chase Brown — I’m only playing them as part of full game stacks. The Patriots have struggled lately against WRs, allowing big games to Drake London, Emeka Egbuka, and Tez Johnson. Without Chase, Higgins is in line for massive volume if Burrow is active. But overall, the Patriots, I am fine playing without Bengals players, and the Bengals, I wouldn’t play without some Patriots.

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