4 Must Start WRs in Fantasy Football Week 12 (2024)
Looking for must start wide receivers ahead of Week 11 of your fantasy football season? We’ve identified four must start wide receivers who are primed for big performances. Whether it’s a favorable matchup or an opportunity for targets, these must start wide receivers will give your roster the edge it needs to dominate your league. Don’t miss out on these key players for your Week 12 fantasy football victory and beyond.
Must Start Wide Receivers in Fantasy Football Week 12
Each week there are wide receivers that emerge as difference makers for your fantasy football team. Choosing the correct players at this volatile position on a weekly basis is a necessary skill on the path to a fantasy football championship. These wide receivers highlighted below have a combination of positive matchups and game scripts, opportunities for targets, and the skill to help you win your Week 12 matchup. Continue reading to check out my four must start wide receivers for the week.
Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After missing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last three games due to injury, Mike Evans returns to face the New York Giants in Week 12. This will be the veteran’s first game this season without fellow wide receiver Chris Godwin. Evans has three 20+ point PPR performances in his six full games this year and he’s expected to be shadowed by cornerback Deonte Banks, who’s allowed 2+ receiving TDs in multiple games.
Overall, the Giants have been average against wide receivers in total fantasy points allowed but are a top-five matchup for the position using our scheduled adjusted consistency score tool (D-PAC). Get Evans back into your lineups and fire him up with confidence as a WR1 and the top target in this Buccaneers offense. The 11th-year pro is a must start wide receiver in Week 12.
Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers WR Quentin Johnston has touchdowns in three straight games and is coming off his season-high in targets (8). The former first-round pick has an 18.1% target share and is averaging 15.1 PPR points per game in the three weeks since returning from injury.
Johnston and the Chargers take on the Baltimore Ravens this week, a team that allows the most fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position. DraftKings has this over/under set at 51 points currently, the highest of any Week 12 matchup. The Chargers are underdogs and will need to throw the ball to keep up with Lamar Jackson and an explosive Ravens offense.
The Chargers passing offense has taken off recently with QB Justin Herbert passing for over 250 yards in four of his past five games. With a solid matchup and an offense that’s performing well, I like Johnston as a WR2/WR3 candidate this week. Given all of the byes around the league, Johnston is a high-upside player I’m looking to start in Week 12.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts
Michael Pittman Jr. has been a disappointment so far in the 2024 fantasy football season but could be a solid play this week. Pittman Jr. saw his second-highest number of targets (8) and receptions (5) of the season last week. With QB Anthony Richardson back in the starting role, the veteran receiver saw a 26.7% target share and had his best fantasy output since Week 6 as he looks to be healthier after navigating a back injury over prior weeks.
The Indianapolis Colts host the Detroit Lions, an indoor game that features the second-highest over/under of the week. The Colts are heavy underdogs and take on a Lions defense that’s missing several key defenders including Aidan Hutchinson and Alex Anzalone.
Look for Pittman Jr. to be a key cog in an offense that needs to pass to keep up with a Lions team that leads the league in scoring. The USC product ranks as a top 30 WR for me this week, well above his consensus rank on FantasyPros. Pittman Jr. is a must start wide receiver in Week 12 with a plus matchup and solid target volume.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has been on a hot streak finishing with touchdowns in five of his past six games. The University of Indiana alum tied his season high with six targets last week and went over 100 yards for the first time all season. The veteran wideout has taken on a larger role in the Titans’ offense following the trade of DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Titans take on the Houston Texans in Week 12 and are heavy underdogs on the road. Quarterback Will Levis is coming off his best passing performance of the year with 295 yards and will look to continue that trend against a Texans team that put up 34 points last week in WR Nico Collins‘ return from injury.
Westbrook-Ikhine has been a key red zone target for the Titans with five of the team’s eight receiving touchdowns since Week 5. The Florida native is a WR3/WR4 option with touchdown-upside in Week 12 and a great starting option off the waiver wire for those needy at the wide receiver position.
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