FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast: 6 Must-Start Players for Week 12 | The Primer (Ep. 1857)

Release Date: November 20, 2025
Hosts: Seth Wolcock & Derek Brown (“Debro”)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the six must-start sleeper picks for Week 12 of the fantasy football season, focusing on players who offer hidden value amid mounting injuries and depleted rosters. Seth and Debro explore favorable matchups, rookie breakouts, and expert-level stats and projections to help listeners make critical start/sit decisions at the business end of fantasy season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Fantasy Football “Dig Deep” Primer [01:34]

• Lineups are stretched thin: With increasing injuries and waivers drying up, finding sneaky starts is more important than ever.
• Tone: The hosts take a humorous approach to “digging all the way to China” in search of hidden gems.

2. Must-Start Sleeper Picks for Week 12

A. Sam Darnold vs. the Tennessee Titans [03:05]

• Analysis: Despite recent struggles (leads NFL in interceptions since Week 7), Darnold faces a Titans defense that boosts opposing QBs.
  • Tennessee over the last month: 10th most passing yards allowed per game, 4th highest YPA, 6th highest success rate per dropback.
• Bold claim: “Sam Darnold…he’s borderline QB1 worthy. Definitely a start. If you’re debating whether to play him or Caleb Williams, I would lean in the direction of Sam Darnold.” — Debro [03:20]
• Additional Context: Seattle (Darnold’s team) expected to be in scoring position often with Tennessee’s leaky D and improved run defense.
• Fantasy Impact: Higher passing volume may force Darnold into a productive streaming role.

B. Luther Burden, WR, Chicago Bears — Rookie Breakout Spot [05:34]

• Role Expansion: Out-snapped Llama Days Akias, now the primary slot receiver (61% route share, 23.8% first-read share last week).
• Stat Nuggets: Leads team with 3.3 yards/route vs. single-high, facing a Steelers D allowing the 7th most PPR points per target to slots since Week 7.
• Debro’s take: “Luther Burden is a strong flex play this week.” [06:26]
• Seth’s numbers: Top-10 yards per route run, top-5 target separation, and 4th in QB rating per target among all NFL WRs. [06:35]
• Wideout Dilemma: Debro would start Burden over DJ Moore due to strong slot matchup (“That’s going to be—they, I know they’re not close in ECR, and I think that’s wrong.”) [07:30]

C. Andre Yoshivas, WR, Cincinnati Bengals — Deep Sleeper [08:20]

• Why: T. Higgins projected to be shadowed by Christian Gonzalez, Jamar Chase out. Targets must go somewhere.
• Red Zone Factor: “Over his last five games, he has four red zone targets. So he’s getting targeted…where it counts.” — Debro [10:35]
• Patriots WRs v. NE: NE is giving up top-3 receiving TDs to WRs this season.
• Debro’s angle: Chasing touchdown equity makes Yoshivas a viable deep FLEX play.

D. Kayshon Boutte / Mack Hollins, WR, New England Patriots — Field-Stretcher Roulette [10:45]

• Situation: If Boutte is out, slot in Hollins (“they’re playing basically the same freaking role”). [11:06]
• Matchup: DJ Turner to shadow Stefon Diggs, opening downfield looks on the perimeter for NE’s speedsters against CIN allowing 7th-highest deep ball completion rate since Week 6.
• QB Synergy: “Drake May and [Boutte] have a really great connection…and it’s also crazy to see that he has that good of a connection with a guy whose aDOT is 17.1 yards.” — Seth [12:27]
• Fantasy Angle: Whichever player draws these routes is a “strong flex” with “monster ceiling.”

E. Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers — Monday Night Bounce-back [13:11]

• Down Week Followed by Opportunity: Last week only 7.7% target share. This week, faces a Panthers D running single-high at 11th highest rate.
  • Pearsall as the single-high beater: 23.6% target share, 3.87 yards/route, 31.9% first-read share vs. single-high.
• Debro’s warning: “You read the primer last week. You knew not to play him…But I think this is a bounce-back spot.” [13:11]
• Carolina WR Trend: Three straight opposing WRs with 90+ yards. Panthers D bad, no pass rush.
• Gameflow: 49ers expected to need to throw to keep pace. (“…the 49ers are going to be pushed in this game.”) [15:03]

F. A.J. Barner, TE, Seattle Seahawks — Sneaky Tight End Play [16:16]

• Increased Usage: Since Week 10, almost 18% target share; now more involved especially against 2-high coverage (Titans run it at the 3rd highest rate).
• Production: 33% target/route rate vs. 2-high, 2.2 yards/route last two weeks.
• Matchup: Tenn is mid-pack vs. TEs (17th in last 5 weeks), but volume and a possible passing TD elevate Barner into streamer territory.
• Stat Spotlight: “AJ Barner quietly has the sixth most total touchdowns for the tight end position with five of them.” — Seth [17:51]
• Debro’s logic: “If you throw a touchdown on top of any one of those [modest lines], you’re talking about strong—if not maybe like top 5–6 tight end for the week.” [19:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On “batting average” for sleeper picks:
  “If we’re hitting .500 and helping people out with some decisions and win some matchups this week, man…that’s what it’s about.” — Debro [01:13]

• On rookie WRs:
  “This is the time of year where I love to invest in rookies, right? They finally start popping off, they can overtake those veterans on the depth chart.” — Seth [05:17]

• On deep shots:
  “These limbs can look shaky but be pretty freaking sturdy and provide fantasy points, man.” — Debro [09:53]

• About defense and scheme:
  “You gotta have talent to be able to do stuff. Scheme is only going to carry you so far, dude.” — Debro [15:29]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:34] — Explaining the “dig deep” philosophy for Week 12.
• [03:05] — Sam Darnold vs. Titans start/sit discussion.
• [05:34] — Luther Burden (Bears) as a breakout FLEX play.
• [08:20] — Andre Yoshivas sleeper/TD equity talk.
• [10:45] — Kayshon Boutte/Mack Hollins perimeter target angle.
• [13:11] — Ricky Pearsall bounce-back case for Monday Night Football.
• [16:16] — A.J. Barner as the tight end streamer play of the week.

Tone, Style, and Final Thoughts

The hosts combine analytics, matchup data, and insider perspectives with a playful, supportive dynamic. Even deep dart throws come with statistical backing and transparent reasoning, demonstrating their balance of evidence and instinct.

“If I don’t feel good about it, I’m not recommending players to people. I’m just not.” — Debro [16:52]

This episode is essential for fantasy managers needing off-the-radar starts to survive the critical bye weeks and injury crunches heading into playoff season.

For further deep-dive analysis, access the written Primer at FantasyPros.com and tune in weekly for new sleeper picks and actionable insights.