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Week 12 Flex Rankings: Fading Hollywood

Say goodbye to Hollywood. Say goodbye my baby. – “Say Goodbye to Hollywood”, Billy Joel

Sayin’ goodbye, sayin’ goodbye to Hollywood. “Say Goodbye Hollywood”, Eminem

You should have never trusted Hollywood. – “Lost in Hollywood”, System of a Down


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I am going to assume that none of the songs listed above were written about Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. After all, Brown was born in 1997, and these songs were all recorded in or before 2005. But fantasy managers who have relied on Brown this season can certainly empathize with the sentiments penned by these lyricists. Brown enjoyed a decent start to the 2020 season. He was the WR32 through Week 5, which was a solid enough return considering his sixth-round ADP. However, it has gone downhill in a hurry for the second-year wideout. Since returning from a Week 7 bye, Brown has six catches for 55 yards. In four games. Total. Brown now sits outside the top 50 fantasy wide receivers on the season. I have him even lower than that in my Week 12 Flex rankings.

The Ravens have an upcoming matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, COVID-19 permitting. The NFL has already moved the game from Thursday to Sunday. Even if the game is played, fantasy managers would be hard-pressed to trust Brown. His best weekly finish since Week 5 is WR45. He did score last time he faced the Steelers, but it was his only catch of the game, and went for three yards. Brown should line up against Joe Haden on roughly half of his snaps. The veteran ranks 40th out of 125 cornerbacks in Pro Football Focus’ coverage metric. Ironically, Haden is the lowest-ranked of Pittsburgh’s top three corners. That means that if Brown lines up against Steven Nelson or Cameron Sutton, his matchup becomes worse. All in all, this is not the week to expect a bounceback performance from Brown. I would not recommend him as a Flex in 12-team leagues.

Ravens Running Backs in Limbo

Staying in Baltimore, running backs J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday night. (What good fortune the team had that neither player tested positive before Sunday’s game, he said sarcastically.) Baltimore quickly ruled out the pair of running backs. However, the NFL has since moved the game to Sunday. That may open a window for either or both to play depending on the events of the next 72 hours. For now, I am projecting as if neither Dobbins nor Ingram will play. I have Gus Edwards ranked as a Week 12 Flex, while Justice Hill is little more than a flier in deep leagues. If Dobbins does somehow play on Sunday, he would be a mid-range RB2 and knock Edwards out of Flex consideration. Dobbins is quickly becoming the only Ravens running worth playing in most matchups. Ingram looks like a shell of his former self.

Burrow’s Injury Buries Bengals Value

WR12, WR13, WR29. Those were the fantasy values of CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper, and Michael Gallup in the five games Dak Prescott started this season. Their ranks since are WR47, WR35, and WR93, respectively. To be fair to the Cowboys skill players, they may improve on their recent performances now that Andy Dalton looks to be back in the fold for the remainder of the year. But there is virtually no chance for them to return to the levels they had attained with Prescott at the helm. Do you see where I am going with this? Hint- it isn’t good for the tandem of Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, and A.J. Green.

WR17, WR27, WR69. These are the year to date fantasy values of Boyd, Higgins, and Green. The season-ending injury to Joe Burrow is likely to have a similar effect on Cincinnati’s receivers as Prescott’s did in Dallas. It may be a death knell for the fantasy values of the Bengals wide receivers. Burrow averaged just over 40 pass attempts per game in his rookie season. If Ryan Finley has to throw the ball 40 times in a game, something has gone terribly wrong. A whopping 21 percent of Finley’s 119 career dropbacks have resulted in a sack, scramble, or interception. Of the 53 quarterbacks who attempted at least 50 passes last season, Finley’s 61.9 on-target percentage was second-lowest. His insertion into the lineup is going to hurt the rest of Cincinnati’s skill players, particularly their trio of wide receivers. The only question is to what degree.

On the bright side, Boyd has one of the most favorable matchups on the entire slate. Darnay Holmes is New York’s primary slot cornerback. Holmes has allowed a massive 80.5 percent catch rate. To his credit, he has kept the play in front of him. The 33 receptions he has allowed have only gone for 321 yards, and he has yet to allow a touchdown. But Boyd should be Finley’s primary read often in this game. I can see a very similar line to last week’s 9-85-0 effort. Still, it will be tough to trust him as more than a WR3. Higgins could be a serviceable Flex depending on your other options, while managers can probably drop Green in most leagues. If your league still allows trades for whatever reason, I would try to move any Bengal receiver who has a good game on Sunday, including Boyd.

Giovani Bernard will likely suffer as well with Finley leading the charge. Bernard has skated by on volume and receiving output as opposed to efficiency in Joe Mixon’s absence. Bernard has just 147 rushing yards and one touchdown in four games since Mixon went down, but has added 129 yards and two scores through the air. Cincinnati placed Mixon on injured reserve this week, so it should be the Gio show going forward. It is reasonable to surmise that Mixon sits out the rest of the year. I cannot imagine the Bengals rushing him back for meaningless games against Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Bernard in the RB13 on a point per game basis over the last month, but he too will have a lower floor and ceiling while being saddled with Finley. He is a low-end RB2 for me this week.

Mining in San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers are hoping to have several of their offensive weapons as they return from their bye. As of now though, it is unclear whether the likes of Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, Jeff Wilson, or Deebo Samuel will suit up. Brandon Aiyuk is still on the COVID-19 list, though I expect he will be cleared in time for Sunday’s divisional game against the Los Angeles Rams. I currently have none of the 49ers ranked as starters per my Week 12 Flex rankings. That may change depending on which players end up available and which sit, but it is likely to be a mess either way. If Mostert is active, he is the player I would have the most confidence in, but ideally, this will be a “wait and see” week for those who are heavily invested in the 49ers skill players.

Week 12 Flex Rankings

RnkPLAYER (TEAM)MATCHUPPOS
1Dalvin Cook (MIN)vs. CARRB1
2Davante Adams (GB)vs. CHIWR1
3James Robinson (JAC)vs. CLERB2
4Aaron Jones (GB)vs. CHIRB3
5Derrick Henry (TEN)at INDRB4
6Josh Jacobs (LV)at ATLRB5
7Tyreek Hill (KC)at TBWR2
8Calvin Ridley (ATL)vs. LVWR3
9Travis Kelce (KC)at TBTE1
10Alvin Kamara (NO)at DENRB6
11Ezekiel Elliott (DAL)vs. WASRB7
12Nick Chubb (CLE)at JACRB8
13Miles Sanders (PHI)vs. SEARB9
14DeAndre Hopkins (ARI)at NEWR4
15Tyler Lockett (SEA)at PHIWR5
16Keenan Allen (LAC)at BUFWR6
17Mike Davis (CAR)at MINRB10
18Stefon Diggs (BUF)vs. LACWR7
19Terry McLaurin (WAS)at DALWR8
20Justin Jefferson (MIN)vs. CARWR9
21A.J. Brown (TEN)at INDWR10
22Will Fuller (HOU)at DETWR11
23Darren Waller (LV)at ATLTE2
24Cooper Kupp (LAR)vs. SFWR12
25Michael Thomas (NO)at DENWR13
26DK Metcalf (SEA)at PHIWR14
27Kareem Hunt (CLE)at JACRB11
28D.J. Moore (CAR)at MINWR15
29Chris Carson (SEA)at PHIRB12
30DeVante Parker (MIA)at NYJWR16
31Antonio Gibson (WAS)at DALRB13
32Ronald Jones II (TB)vs. KCRB14
33Kenyan Drake (ARI)at NERB15
34Robert Woods (LAR)vs. SFWR17
35Duke Johnson (HOU)at DETRB16
36Brandin Cooks (HOU)vs. NEWR18
37Chris Godwin (TB)vs. KCWR19
38Robby Anderson (CAR)at MINWR20
39Amari Cooper (DAL)vs. WASWR21
40Melvin Gordon (DEN)vs. NORB17
41David Montgomery (CHI)at GBRB18
42Allen Robinson (CHI)at GBWR22
43Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC)at TBRB19
44Giovani Bernard (CIN)vs. NYGRB20
45Nyheim Hines (IND)vs. TENRB21
46Gus Edwards (BAL)at PITRB22
47Mike Evans (TB)vs. KCWR23
48Marvin Jones (DET)vs. HOUWR24
49Jakobi Meyers (NE)vs. ARIWR25
50Diontae Johnson (PIT)vs. BALWR26
51CeeDee Lamb (DAL)vs. WASWR27
52Darius Slayton (NYG)at CINWR28
53Wayne Gallman (NYG)at CINRB23
54Brian Hill (ATL)vs. LVRB24
55Chase Claypool (PIT)vs. BALWR29
56Antonio Brown (TB)vs. KCWR30
57Julio Jones (ATL)vs. LVWR31
58Tyler Boyd (CIN)vs. NYGWR32
59Jordan Wilkins (IND)vs. TENRB25
60Zack Moss (BUF)vs. LACRB26
61Adrian Peterson (DET)vs. HOURB27
62Curtis Samuel (CAR)at MINWR33
63Jarvis Landry (CLE)at JACWR34
64Austin Ekeler (LAC)at BUFRB28
65Sterling Shepard (NYG)at CINWR35
66Travis Fulgham (PHI)vs. SEAWR36
67Christian Kirk (ARI)at NEWR37
68J.D. McKissic (WAS)at DALRB29
69Raheem Mostert (SF)at LARRB30
70Jamison Crowder (NYJ)at MIAWR38
71Tee Higgins (CIN)vs. NYGWR39
72Damien Harris (NE)vs. ARIRB31
73T.J. Hockenson (DET)vs. HOUTE3
74Cole Beasley (BUF)vs. LACWR40
75Corey Davis (TEN)at INDWR41
76Denzel Mims (NYJ)at MIAWR42
77Benny Snell (PIT)vs. BALRB32
78Mike Williams (LAC)at BUFWR43
79Leonard Fournette (TB)vs. KCRB33
80JuJu Smith-Schuster (PIT)vs. BALWR44
81Michael Pittman (IND)vs. TENWR45
82Samaje Perine (CIN)at WASRB34
83Deebo Samuel (SF)at LARWR46
84Leviska Shenault (JAC)vs. CLEWR47
85Dallas Goedert (PHI)vs. SEATE4
86Russell Gage (ATL)vs. LVWR48
87Frank Gore (NYJ)at MIARB35
88Rashard Higgins (CLE)at JACWR49
89Keelan Cole (JAC)vs. CLEWR50
90Nelson Agholor (LV)vs. TBWR51
91Latavius Murray (NO)at DENRB36
92Hunter Henry (LAC)at BUFTE5
93Breshad Perriman (NYJ)at MIAWR52
94Darrell Henderson (LAR)vs. SFRB37
95Phillip Lindsay (DEN)vs. NORB38
96James White (NE)vs. ARIRB39
97Jalen Reagor (PHI)vs. SEAWR53
98Kerryon Johnson (DET)vs. HOURB40
99T.Y. Hilton (IND)vs. TENWR54
100Evan Engram (NYG)at CINTE6
101Hayden Hurst (ATL)vs. LVTE7
102Josh Reynolds (LAR)vs. SFWR55
103Damiere Byrd (NE)vs. ARIWR56
104Mike Gesicki (MIA)vs. NYJTE8
105Austin Hooper (CLE)at JACTE9
106Chase Edmonds (ARI)at NERB41
107Michael Gallup (DAL)vs. WASWR57
108Kyle Rudolph (MIN)vs. CARTE10
109Devin Singletary (BUF)vs. LACRB42
110Jamaal Williams (GB)vs. CHIRB43
111Rob Gronkowski (TB)vs. KCTE11
112Sammy Watkins (KC)at TBWR58
113Matt Breida (MIA)vs. NYJRB44
114Hunter Renfrow (LV)at ATLWR59
115Jonnu Smith (TEN)at INDTE12
116Jerick McKinnon (SF)at LARRB45
117A.J. Green (CIN)vs. NYGWR60
118Jakeem Grant (MIA)vs. NYJWR61
119Ty Johnson (NYJ)at MIARB46
120Eric Ebron (PIT)vs. BALTE13
121Marquise Brown (BAL)at PITWR62
122Dalton Schultz (DAL)vs. WASTE14
123Carlos Hyde (SEA)at PHIRB47
124Emmanuel Sanders (NO)at DENWR63
125Jerry Jeudy (DEN)vs. NOWR64
126Richie James (SF)at LARWR65
127Henry Ruggs (LV)at ATLWR66
128Gabriel Davis (BUF)vs. LACWR67
129Tony Pollard (DAL)vs. WASRB48
130Demarcus Robinson (KC)at TBWR68
131Ito Smith (ATL)vs. LVRB49
132Allen Lazard (GB)vs. CHIWR69
133Tim Patrick (DEN)vs. NOWR70
134Zach Pascal (IND)vs. TENWR71
135Kendrick Bourne (SF)at LARWR72
136N'Keal Harry (NE)vs. ARIWR73
137Robert Tonyan (GB)vs. CHITE15
138Darnell Mooney (CHI)at GBWR74
139Jordan Reed (SF)at LARTE16
140Malcolm Brown (LAR)vs. SFRB50
141Noah Fant (DEN)vs. NOTE17
142Anthony Miller (CHI)at GBWR75
143Marquez Valdes-Scantling (GB)vs. CHIWR76
144Jordan Akins (HOU)at DETTE18
145Cordarrelle Patterson (CHI)at GBWR77
146Olabisi Johnson (MIN)vs. CARWR78
147Willie Snead (BAL)at PHIWR79
148Justice Hill (BAL)at PITRB51
149Marvin Hall (DET)vs. HOUWR80
150Golden Tate (NYG)at CINWR81
151Jimmy Graham (CHI)at GBTE19
152Logan Thomas (WAS)at DALTE20
153Gerald Everett (LAR)vs. SFTE21
154Andy Isabella (ARI)at SEAWR82
155Tyler Eifert (JAC)vs. CLETE22
156KhaDarel Hodge (CLE)at JACWR83
157Chad Beebe (MIN)vs. CARWR84
158Trey Burton (IND)vs. TENTE23
159David Moore (SEA)at PHIWR85
160Collin Johnson (JAC)vs. CLEWR86
161Devontae Booker (LV)at ATLRB52
162Cam Akers (LAR)vs. SFRB53
163Mecole Hardman (KC)at TBWR87
164K.J. Hamler (DEN)vs. NOWR88
165Jared Cook (NO)at DENTE24
166Anthony McFarland (PIT)vs. BALRB54
167Le'Veon Bell (KC)at TBRB55
168Tyler Higbee (LAR)vs. SFTE25
169Sony Michel (NE)vs. ARIRB56
170Alexander Mattison (MIN)vs. CARRB57
171Kalen Ballage (LAC)at BUFRB58
172Greg Ward (PHI)vs. SEAWR89
173Anthony Firkser (TEN)at INDTE26
174Steven Sims (WAS)at DALWR90
175Patrick Laird (MIA)at NYJRB59
176Mo Alie-Cox (IND)vs. TENTE27
177Will Dissly (SEA)at PHITE28
178Dez Bryant (BAL)at PITWR91
179Boston Scott (PHI)vs. SEARB60
180Jacob Hollister (SEA)at PHITE29
181Auden Tate (CIN)vs. NYGWR92
182Joshua Kelley (LAC)at BUFRB61
183Richard Rodgers (PHI)at CLETE30
184Darren Fells (HOU)at DETTE31
185Chris Herndon (NYJ)vs. MIATE32
186Drew Sample (CIN)vs. NYGTE33
187Cam Sims (WAS)at DALWR93
188Dan Arnold (ARI)at SEATE34
189Dawson Knox (BUF)vs. LACTE35
190Jalen Guyton (LAC)vs. NYJWR94
191Marcus Johnson (IND)vs. TENWR95
192Malcolm Perry (MIA)at NYJRB62
193Quintez Cephus DET)at CARWR96
194Tre'Quan Smith (NO)vs. ATLWR97
195Mack Hollins (MIA)at NYJWR98
196James Washington (PIT)vs. BALWR99
197Rodney Smith (CAR)at MINRB63
198Harrison Bryant (CLE)at JACTE36
199Cameron Brate (TB)vs. KCTE37
200Jeff Wilson (SF)at LARRB64

If you found Mick’s Week 12 Flex Rankings helpful, you’ll also want to check out our Week 12 FAAB Guide for more help in optimizing your rosters.


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