TL;DR
- Woody Marks is now the Texans' primary running back, earning a strong flex start against the Bills.
- Tyrell Shavers had a breakout game but faces a tough Texans defense, making him a risky start.
- Dalton Schultz is a solid TE1 option, ranking TE5 since Week 7, despite the Texans' tight end defense.
Before the Week 12 matchup pitting the Houston Texans against the Buffalo Bills, fantasy football managers have three compelling players to consider for their starting lineups.
Woody Marks, a running back for The Texans in Houston, has now assumed control of the team's backfield, surpassing Nick Chubb, while tight end Dalton Schultz has gradually increased his involvement in the Texans' offensive strategy as the season has advanced.
In Week 11, second-year wide receiver Tyrell Shavers emerged unexpectedly for The Bills, delivering the finest performance of his nascent career and immediately capturing the attention of fantasy football enthusiasts.
But should any of these players be in your lineup in Week 12?
Let's find out.
Woody Marks' start or sit recommendations
The rookie running back has gradually earned a more significant role this season, and it now seems he's fully surpassed Chubb on the depth chart.
Marks recorded an impressive 19 touches during the Week 11 game, whereas Chubb, who was initially the Texans' starting running back, only managed three. This marked the second consecutive week that Marks served as Houston's primary ball carrier.
As Marks appears to be taking over as the primary running back, he's now a strong consideration for a starting role in future games.
Since Week 4, when Marks' usage started to increase, he has been ranks as RB26 overall in fantasy points per game for running backs, positioning him as a weekly flex choice.
Marks also draws a juicy matchup this week against a Bills defense ceding the second-most fantasy points per game to the position.
That only further cements Marks as a strong flex option for Week 12.
Verdict: Start
Advice on whether to start or sit Tyrell Shavers
In Week 11, Shavers recorded four catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. This receiving yardage surpassed his total from the preceding nine contests combined.
Shavers saw an increased role because of the benching of Keon Coleman, who is expected to be inactive yet again in Week 12.
That said, this is a tough matchup against a Texans defense giving up the third-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
Adding to that, Shavers remains a total wild card because he only has one good game under his belt in his entire career.
While Shavers warrants consideration as a speculative addition this week, further performance is necessary before he can be reliably included in lineups, particularly given a challenging matchup like this.
Verdict: Sit
Advice on whether to start or sit Dalton Schultz
Schultz got off to a slow start this season but has ranked as TE5 overall since Week 7, which makes him a borderline TE1 and every-week starting option at this point.
If you're concerned about starting him with Davis Mills at quarterback, Schultz has been the TE5 in overall fantasy points for the past three weeks while Mills filled in for C.J. Stroud, who left the Week 9 game with a concussion and has been sidelined since.
The Texans have been stingy against opposing tight ends, with Houston giving up the seventh-fewest fantasy points per contest.
Despite a limited selection of tight ends in fantasy football, we'll still start Schultz this week.
Verdict: Start
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