Early Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em Picks for Week 12 ft. Quinshon Judkins, Saquon Barkley, J.J. McCarthy, Stefon Diggs

The NFL calendar is about to turn over to its third month, signalling the nearing end of the fantasy football regular season. However, much can still change for most teams if they neglect their roster, even if they're in a great spot. As such, managers need to dig deep to keep their routines alive. One such routine should be checking ahead for Week 12 as Week 11 wraps up.

Sportskeeda has you covered. Here's an early look at players who make sense as set-and-forget players this week and others who should be benched.

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Fantasy Football Week 12 Start 'Em picks

Jalen Hurts at Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles - NFL 2025 - Source: Getty

Lots of players land somewhere between must start and must sit, but there are still plenty of them who should not be benched this week. As is routine at this point, almost every skill position player facing the Cincinnati Bengals defense is an automatic must-start.

This week, the New England Patriots face the struggling defense. As such, players like Stefon Diggs and TreVeyon Henderson are must-start options. Drake Maye makes sense as well. Joe Flacco is likely to keep things competitive, so the passing game should remain relevant for all four quarters.

Additionally, the Dallas Cowboys defense finds itself in a similar spot as a fantasy football gold mine for opposing skill players. The Philadelphia Eagles face the unit in Week 12, so Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and DeVonta Smith all make sense. A.J. Brown's usage has been spotty enough to place him just outside of the group of must-start players.

Must Starts

• Jalen Hurts
• DeVonta Smith
• Harold Fannin Jr.
• Colston Loveland
• Quinshon Judkins
• Saquon Barkley
• Bijan Robinson
• TreVeyon Henderson
• Stefon Diggs
• Davante Adams
• Kyren Williams
• Tee Higgins
• David Montgomery
• Jahmyr Gibbs
• Drake Maye

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Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit 'Em picks

James Cook at Buffalo Bills v Miami Dolphins - NFL 2025 - Source: Getty

James Cook might be the biggest name worth benching this week. Cook and the Buffalo Bills face the Houston Texans, who have been a team that has ruined fantasy football production all season long.

Cook is also coming off his worst rushing game of the season and might not be 100% as he missed a practice ahead of Week 10 due to an ankle injury, per the Bills' official injury report. He might be in good enough shape to show up, but still not feeling quite like himself.

J.J. McCarthy will travel to meet the Green Bay Packers in Week 12 in what might be his toughest matchup of the season. McCarthy has struggled to impress in his NFL career, and Week 12 is likely to be another example of it in fantasy football.

Alvin Kamara will face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12 in a season that could go down as his last as the unquestioned franchise running back. Kamara has scored just one touchdown this season and currently has the lowest yards per carry average of his career.

Must Sits

• Alvin Kamara
• James Cook
• Cam Ward
• Ashton Jeanty
• Blake Corum
• J.J. McCarthy
• Brock Purdy
• Breece Hall