The Denver Broncos are on bye in Week 12. That means it’s the perfect time to trade for Broncos players in fantasy football. Denver plays the Washington Commanders, the Las Vegas Raiders, the Green Bay Packers, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Kansas City Chiefs to close out the fantasy season. Let’s break down what it means for the Broncos’ skill position players — and some secret sleepers based on recent usage.
RJ Harvey
Although the Broncos totaled 21 carries for 59 yards, Harvey paced the backfield in touches. He totaled 11 of a possible 21 carries and had three receptions as well. Jaleel McLaughlin scored a touchdown, but only totaled seven touches as opposed to 14 for Harvey. Tyler Badie totaled one touch as well, so he isn’t fantasy relevant.
Don’t be fooled by McLaughlin’s touchdown; this is Harvey’s backfield. The latter gets the juicy Raiders and Packers in two of the first three matchups following the bye.
Troy Franklin
Franklin’s targets in the past five games: 45
Courtland Sutton’s targets in the past five games: 34
It’s time to crown Franklin the No. 1 WR for the Broncos in fantasy. Franklin is No. 32 in PFSN’s WR Impact Score, while Sutton is No. 30. But that’s not the perception.
Franklin’s receptions and yards in the past five games: 22 receptions for 259 yards (51.8 yards per game)
Sutton’s receptions and yards in the past five games: 18 receptions for 267 yards (53.4 yards per game)
Buy low on Franklin during the bye, while casuals think Sutton is the unquestioned No. 1 WR for the Broncos. Franklin is WR15 in points per game since Week 7 — the last five games — among wide receivers that have played at least four games in that span. Sutton, meanwhile, is WR36 in the same stretch.
Secret Sleepers: Add These Players in Week 12
Jacoby Brissett
Brissett has attempted 35-plus passes in four of his last five starts, and the Jaguars’ defense allows the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. In fact, Jacksonville has allowed multi-touchdown games to quarterbacks in four of its past five games as well. Brissett, meanwhile, has at least 19 fantasy points in every start this season, scoring 20-plus in three of them. He is the Justin Herbert bye-week replacement.
Emmanuel Wilson
Wilson totaled 11 touches for 49 yards and a touchdown in Week 12, with Josh Jacobs injured. Week 12, though, is all about the matchup. Jacobs isn’t expected to play, and the Minnesota Vikings’ defense has allowed a touchdown to a running back in four straight games. Wilson is a locked-in RB2 with 15 touches in his range of outcomes. In addition, Minnesota has allowed at least 110 rushing yards in three of its past five games. Fade up Wilson.
Kareem Hunt
As of this writing, it’s unclear if Isiah Pacheco will play in Week 12. If he doesn’t, Hunt is a flex play, with RB2 upside. Hunt paced the backfield in Week 11, with 14 touches for 62 yards and a touchdown. The Indianapolis Colts’ defense, meanwhile, has allowed a running back to score a touchdown in three straight games for a total of five touchdowns. Indianapolis has allowed 105-plus rushing yards in two of its past three games as well.
Alec Pierce
The Chiefs allow the fifth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers, but Pierce should be rostered. Since returning from injury in Week 6, Pierce has 39 targets in five games. Full stop. That’s enough opportunity for a bench spot. Pierce has scored 14.8 fantasy points or more in three of five games in that span.
Michael Wilson
Marvin Harrison Jr. should be back in Week 12, but we’re not ignoring a wide receiver who just totaled 18 targets in a game. Brissett has attempted 35-plus passes in four of his last five starts, so there’s enough to go around. Wilson is a flex this week, and Jacksonivlle allows the 12th-most fantasy points to wide receivers.
Dalton Schultz
The Buffalo Bills allow the second-fewest fantasy points to tight ends, but Schultz is coming off at least eight targets in four of his last five games. In those games, Schultz has totaled at least 11.1 fantasy points. C.J. Stroud is expected to return in Week 12, which should lead to increased efficiency on offense as well. Schultz is the Oronde Gadsden II bye-week replacement.
