Week 12 Fantasy Football Start or Sit: Is Cam Newton Back in the Elite Tier of Fantasy Quarterbacks?

The start-or-sit dilemma is virtually synonymous with managing a fantasy football team.

Having the foresight to start the wide receiver who erupts for 100 yards and a touchdown in a cakewalk matchup while sitting a receiver against a shutdown cornerback feels so good.

And that's why hundreds of fantasy articles each week are dedicated to start-or-sit scenarios. But answering the question of, "Should I start Player X?" is hard. Context matters.

Mostly, when it comes to answering the question of, "Who do I start?," the real answer is, "Well, who else is available?"

That's why for this version of a start-or-sit column, I'm going to be listing out all relevant fantasy football players each week and bucketing them into tiers.

No player is ever a must-sit. I mean, sure, your tight end might have a terrible matchup and be playing in a game with a low over/under, but what if the only option left is second-stringers who see no run?

However, we also know that, yes, there are players you should want to sit if you have any other viable options. That's my overall goal with this start-or-sit column.

And to take some of the guesswork out of it, I'll be leveraging thousands of slate simulations that are based on numberFire's player projections with dynamic measures for variance, such as quarterback rushing, running back receiving, and receiver target depth.

The results will boil down to three tiers: players we should be confident about starting, players we can consider starting whenever we don't have better alternatives but who aren't must-plays, and players we should try to bench whenever we do have better alternatives (i.e. players listed above them on the list).

These players are listed in order of frequency of hitting the stated threshold (i.e. QB12, RB24, WR24, and TE12 performances and higher on the list means more startable).

The groupings reflect a 12-team, single-quarterback league with the following hypothetical in mind: if I had other viable options on my bench or the waiver wire, should I start this player this week?

Players not listed should be presumed sit-worthy in a shallow or standard-sized league, and all fantasy points references and rankings reflect half-PPR scoring.

Quarterbacks

Start With Confidence: These players are at least 50% likely to finish the week as a top-12 quarterback, according to the slate simulations.

- Josh Allen at NO (68%)
- Lamar Jackson vs. CLE (66%)
- Justin Herbert at DEN (58%)
- Dak Prescott vs. LV (57%)
- Jalen Hurts at NYG (56%)
- Tom Brady at IND (55%)

It's a small subset of sure things at quarterback. We're without Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray due to byes, but a certain six separate from the rest of the pack.

Consider If Needed: This tier has odds between 40% and 49% to post a top-12 week.

- Aaron Rodgers vs. LA (47%)
- Matthew Stafford at GB (46%)
- Russell Wilson at WSH (45%)
- Cam Newton at MIA (45%)
- Tyrod Taylor vs. NYJ (44%)
- Derek Carr at DAL (42%)
- Jimmy Garoppolo vs. MIN (41%)
- Mac Jones vs. TEN (41%)
- Taylor Heinicke vs. SEA (40%)
- Kirk Cousins at SF (40%)
- Daniel Jones vs. PHI (40%)

Starting Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford in a game against one another doesn't take that much convincing, but their Tier 2 status speaks to a wide range of options and to fairly low median projections for those two compared to other passers in promising games. It's a deep week at quarterback.

Cam Newton has put forth league-average passing efficiency in his time with the Carolina Panthers and gets a plus matchup against the Miami Dolphins, who rank 23rd in adjusted pass defense, according to numberFire's opponent-adjusted metrics. Newton ran 10 times for 46 yards and a score last week, as well. His rushing prowess is back, and the passing efficiency should be there for him in Week 12.

Tyrod Taylor has a similar profile to Newton currently with muted passing volume but some rushing and a goal-line rushing role. The simulations view him as a viable streamer -- if needed -- against the lowly New York Jets, who rank 32nd in adjusted pass defense.

Bench If Possible: These quarterbacks are under 40% likely (18th or worse) to net a top-12 result and likely aren't in the one-quarterback-league conversation.

- Joe Burrow vs. PIT (38%)
- Trevor Lawrence vs. ATL (38%)
- Matt Ryan at JAC (36%)
- Tua Tagovailoa vs. CAR (35%)
- Zach Wilson at HOU (35%)
- Teddy Bridgewater vs. LAC (32%)
- Andy Dalton at DET (32%)
- Ryan Tannehill at NE (31%)
- Carson Wentz vs. TB (31%)
- Baker Mayfield at BAL (27%)
- Ben Roethlisberger at CIN (23%)
- Trevor Siemian vs. BUF (14%)

Running Back

Start With Confidence: These running backs are at least 60% likely to finish the week inside the top 24, according to the slate simulations. You're starting them.

- Christian McCaffrey at MIA (86%)
- Jonathan Taylor vs. TB (82%)
- D'Andre Swift vs. CHI (77%)
- Najee Harris at CIN (76%)
- Dalvin Cook at SF (75%)
- Ezekiel Elliott vs. LV (73%)
- Joe Mixon vs. PIT (72%)
- Austin Ekeler at DEN (72%)
- A.J. Dillon vs. LA (69%)
- David Montgomery at DET (68%)
- Nick Chubb at BAL (65%)
- Saquon Barkley vs. PHI (65%)
- James Robinson vs. ATL (63%)

Consider If Needed - This tier is sitting between 40% and 59% for an RB2 week, and you're probably starting some of them even if they're shy of that top tier.

- Myles Gaskin vs. CAR (59%)
- Darrell Henderson at GB (59%)
- Leonard Fournette at IND (58%)
- Antonio Gibson vs. SEA (57%)
- Miles Sanders at NYG (54%)
- Josh Jacobs at DAL (53%)
- David Johnson vs. NYJ (47%)
- Melvin Gordon vs. LAC (46%)
- Tony Pollard vs. LV (45%)
- Ty Johnson at HOU (44%)
- Rex Burkhead vs. NYJ (44%)
- Rhamondre Stevenson vs. TEN (43%)
- Javonte Williams vs. LAC (43%)
- Devonta Freeman vs. CLE (41%)
- Mike Davis at JAC (40%)

Myles Gaskin has had a great role since Malcolm Brown's injury. Over the past four games, Gaskin has averaged 17.3 carries and 4.0 targets per game while playing on 66.8% of the Dolphins' snaps and seeing 78.6% of their red zone carries. It's hard to bench that even if the results have been just okay (11.0 half-PPR points per game).

Miles Sanders is back on the fantasy football radar. Jordan Howard is likely to miss this week, and that should lead to an increased role for Sanders. Last week, in Sanders' return, he played on 45.5% of the snaps and handled 16 carries plus a target (which was a downfield target, no less). Sanders also had 2 of 4 red zone carries. If the snap rate creeps up toward 60%, then he's likely to put up an RB2-level game against the New York Giants, who rank in the bottom tier in numerous defensive metrics against running backs.

David Johnson is also in contention for a low-end play (the opportunity is likely better than the talent at this point, but the simulations like him). Johnson has out-snapped Rex Burkhead in consecutive games and has a better claim to the receiving workload available within this offense. The sims find both to be viable plays against the Jets after the Houston Texans waived Phillip Lindsay.

Bench If Possible: These backs are under 40% likely to net a top-24 result.

- Cordarrelle Patterson at JAC (37%)
- Alvin Kamara vs. BUF (37%)*
- Damien Harris vs. TEN (36%)
- Jeff Wilson vs. MIN (35%)
- Tevin Coleman at HOU (33%)
- D'Onta Foreman at NE (32%)
- Alex Collins at WSH (32%)
- Kenyan Drake at DAL (29%)
- Mark Ingram vs. BUF (28%)*
- J.D. McKissic vs. SEA (27%)
- Sony Michel at GB (24%)
- Elijah Mitchell vs. MIN (22%)*
- Jeremy McNichols at NE (22%)
- Devin Singletary at NO (22%)

* Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram have partial projections. Neither practiced on Tuesday, and their status is in question. Tony Jones Jr. would be a plug-and-play RB2 option if both miss.

Wide Receiver

Start With Confidence: You're starting these guys in a 12-team league.

- Cooper Kupp at GB (81%)
- Deebo Samuel vs. MIN (81%)
- Davante Adams vs. LA (78%)
- Justin Jefferson at SF (69%)
- Chris Godwin at IND (68%)
- Ja'Marr Chase vs. PIT (65%)
- Stefon Diggs at NO (62%)
- Keenan Allen at DEN (59%)
- D.K. Metcalf at WSH (54%)
- Diontae Johnson at CIN (52%)
- Tyler Lockett at WSH (50%)

Consider If Needed: These players are more matchup dependent for this week than the tier above but are likely where we are looking for a lot of our WR2, WR3, and FLEX plays this week.

- Brandin Cooks vs. NYJ (48%)
- Adam Thielen at SF (47%)
- DJ Moore at MIA (47%)
- Jerry Jeudy vs. LAC (46%)
- Terry McLaurin vs. SEA (46%)
- DeVonta Smith at NYG (45%)
- Tee Higgins vs. PIT (45%)
- Chase Claypool at CIN (43%)
- Michael Pittman Jr. vs. TB (43%)
- Michael Gallup vs. LV (42%)
- Marvin Jones vs. ATL (42%)
- Hunter Renfrow at DAL (42%)
- Mike Williams at DEN (41%)
- Darnell Mooney at DET (38%)
- Jaylen Waddle vs. CAR (38%)
- Brandon Aiyuk vs. MIN (36%)
- Kenny Golladay vs. PHI (34%)
- Sterling Shepard vs. PHI (34%)
- Rashod Bateman vs. CLE (33%)
- Courtland Sutton vs. LAC (33%)
- Jakobi Meyers vs. TEN (32%)
- Corey Davis at HOU (32%)
- Elijah Moore at HOU (31%)

There's a huge tier of receivers to consider this week and for good reason.

DJ Moore had a 25.9% target share (7 targets) and a 38.1% air yards share last week with Newton starting. Cam actually fixated his targets on Moore, McCaffrey, and Robby Anderson. That concentrated workload bodes well for Moore to get back into fantasy relevance, starting this week against the Dolphins.

Michael Gallup sets up well on Thanksgiving Day whether or not CeeDee Lamb suits up. Gallup has a 20.0% target share in the two games since he's been back, and that includes a 32.9% air yards share with 2.0 downfield targets per game. He's either the team's WR1 or WR2 behind Lamb.

Darnell Mooney was force-fed last week on passes from Andy Dalton (11 of 23; 47.8%), and since Week 6, Mooney leads the position in target market share (34.2%). He's a strong start candidate this week with such a phenomenal workload.

Brandon Aiyuk's role has gotten quite good in recent weeks. In three games with George Kittle back and healthy, Aiyuk is tied with Kittle for a team-best 24.7% target share while also pacing the team in downfield targets and maintaining a yards-per-route-run rate of 2.35 yards.

Bench If Possible: These players finished as a WR2 or better under 30% of the time.

- Odell Beckham at GB (28%)
- Laviska Shenault vs. ATL (27%)
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. LA (27%)
- Russell Gage at JAC (26%)
- Kadarius Toney vs. PHI (25%)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. CHI (24%)
- Emmanuel Sanders at NO (24%)
- Van Jefferson at GB (24%)
- Nick Westbrook-Ikhine at NE (22%)
- Jamison Crowder at HOU (21%)
- Nelson Agholor vs. TEN (21%)
- Tyler Boyd vs. PIT (21%)
- A.J. Brown at NE (21%)*
- Bryan Edwards at DAL (21%)
- Cole Beasley at NO (20%)
- T.Y. Hilton vs. TB (19%)
- Marquise Brown vs. CLE (19%)*
- Randall Cobb vs. LA (17%)
- CeeDee Lamb vs. LV (16%)*

* A.J. Brown, Marquise Brown, and CeeDee Lamb are listed with partial projections in the simulations. If they start, there aren't many receivers you're starting over them, so fire them up as if they were low-Tier 1 plays.

Tight End

Start With Confidence: These guys are the Big Six this week.

- Darren Waller at DAL (78%)
- Mark Andrews vs. CLE (73%)
- George Kittle vs. MIN (69%)
- Kyle Pitts at JAC (69%)
- Dalton Schultz vs. LV (56%)
- Dallas Goedert at NYG (55%)

Consider If Needed: You'll likely be starting these options if you don't have a top-tier tight end.

- Mike Gesicki vs. CAR (49%)
- T.J. Hockenson vs. CHI (47%)
- Rob Gronkowski at IND (46%)
- Pat Freiermuth at CIN (45%)
- Dan Arnold vs. ATL (44%)
- Noah Fant vs. LAC (40%)
- Cole Kmet at DET (39%)
- Austin Hooper at BAL (37%)
- Dawson Knox at NO (36%)
- Tyler Higbee at GB (36%)
- Jared Cook at DEN (36%)
- Tyler Conklin at SF (35%)

Rob Gronkowski has a solid-but-uninspiring target share of 15.5% in his four games with at least half of the snaps, but that does also come with a ton of leverage: 1.0 downfield targets per game and 1.5 red zone targets per game. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers boast the second-best implied team total of any team playing this weekend at 27.25 points, so touchdown chances should be there for Gronk.

In two games without Eric Ebron (who is expected to miss extended time), Pat Freiermuth has a 21.3% target share and a 33.3% red zone target share within the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense. His target-per-route rate (27.1%) would be the same as George Kittle's over the full season.

Even with a zero-target game in Week 11, Dan Arnold, since he became a full-time player with the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5, ranks 12th in target market share among tight ends (17.5%) and 10th in targets per game (6.2). Excluding last week, his rates are 19.8% and 7.4, respectively. Don't forget about him in a great matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, who rank 25th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to tight ends.

Bench If Possible: These tight ends aren't in the starting conversation in 12-team leagues unless you're desperate.

- Hunter Henry vs. TEN (27%)
- Evan Engram vs. PHI (26%)
- Gerald Everett at WSH (22%)
- Jonnu Smith vs. TEN (19%)
- David Njoku at BAL (18%)
- C.J. Uzomah vs. PIT (18%)
- Anthony Firkser at NE (15%)