The wide receiver position is where things could begin to get crazy. Unlike the running back position where there is a clear leader in each backfield, some teams could have three or four viable candidates each week. Of course there are other teams that barely have any useful options at the position but you can go in multiple directions here. Do you spend up and take the true number one receiver? Or do you go for reliability in volume or touchdown and big play upside?
Ideally you would look for a balance of each of those characteristics but how you chose to construct your roster at the other positions will play a role in what direction you ultimately go in. Looking for values, and you will see that some are available, is key here. This is in addition to the standard practices of reviewing past performance, looking at game script, and digging into the opposing defense among other things. With respect to the opposing defense and one on one matchups against opposing cornerbacks, this is something that will come into clearer focus as the season progresses.
For those who have yet to subscribe, what are you waiting for? Until then you will get one free pick to whet your appetite. When I find a good thing I like to stick with it, because well, why not? I like chocolate ice cream so why should I switch to vanilla if the price is right and it’s working. Tyreek Hill’s ($6,900 DK, $8,200 FD) success continued last week against the after his game was moved to Monday night. Despite that success Hill’s price remained essentially unchanged, so why not keep a good thing going? In what was a quiet week against New England he still managed four receptions for 64 yards along with his fourth touchdown of the season. Hill now has a touchdown in each week of the season along with 19 receptions for 286 yards. We have yet to see a breakout game from Hill but it’s also hard to argue with his solid floor. While we haven’t seen it yet this season Hill’s upside is clear but at this point it’s not factored in to his price.
Subscribers can now expect to get six more picks as we take a closer look at some more wide receivers at varying price points who deserve our attention this week along with a few from whom we should keep our distance. And not all will break the back either which will leave plenty of room for help at other positions. So, keep on going and take a look at what we have to offer.
Thanks to COVID-19 JuJu Smith-Schuster ($6,700 DK, $7,300 FD) and the Steelers got an early bye week to get healthy. Later in the season this might come back to be a detriment to Pittsburgh but for now that is not our concern. We could say the start to the season has been slow for Smith-Schuster based on what we have become accustomed to from him but it’s hard to find many faults in his early season performance. Smith-Schuster has been efficient turning his 19 targets into 17 receptions for 160 yards and three touchdowns while we still wait for that explosive performance. As far as pricing goes there aren’t many elite receiving options available this week so it’s hard to pass up Smith-Schuster’s upside for the price along with his solid floor.
Through the first four weeks of the season Robby Anderson ($5,900 DK, $6,200 FD) has been the most successful receiver for Carolina and he is in prime position to continue that success against Atlanta in a favorable match-up this week. Anderson is developing a clear chemistry with Teddy Bridgewater and it also helps that he is reunited with his college coach in Matt Rhule. Anderson has eclipsed 100 yards twice already this season and last week he came close with eight receptions for 99 yards. Overall Anderson has been targeted 34 times and he turned that into 28 receptions for 377 yards and a touchdown. The more comfortable Bridgewater looks under center, he only has four touchdowns so far this season, it will only benefit Anderson as he looks to find his way into the end zone.
I feel dirty and strange even doing this. Suggesting a Jets’ offensive player, let alone a wide receiver seems absurd. But based on the price and what we have seen so far this season it feels like no-brainer. Knowing how things with the Jets go though, it likely will backfire but let’s take a look at Jamison Crowder ($5,800 DK, $6,300 FD) anyway. For starters, Joe Flacco has to throw to someone. Crowder has eclipsed 100 yards in each game he has played so far this season (seven receptions for 115 yards and seven receptions for 104 yards) while being targeted 23 times and scoring a touchdown with no reason why that shouldn’t continue this week. The fact that he is truly the only healthy receiver the Jets have with any kind of a track record also helps with his expected volume.
After a slow start to the season following an off-season foot injury Deebo Samuel ($5,300 DK, $6,100 FD) appears to be healthy and ready to take on a more impactful role this week. In his season debut last week Samuel caught all three of his targets for 35 yards and things should get even better for him on Sunday in a favorable match-up against Miami. We know that the San Francisco passing game does flow through George Kittle but Samuel is right there behind him and this will likely be the cheapest we see him all season.
There is nothing wrong with chasing that big play, after all that is what we spent a lot of our time above doing, as it’s all about that upside. And that big play is exactly what we need from Marquise Brown ($6,300 DK, $6,100 FD) to return the necessary value on his price but that hasn’t happened yet this season. So far this year Brown was targeted 26 times but he has caught just 16 passes for 242 yards and he is still looking for his first touchdown. Yes, Brown can beat the Cincinnati secondary but we also could have said that about the Washington secondary last week and that didn’t happen. In season long leagues you aren’t going to move on from Brown but DFS provides the opportunity to look elsewhere for more secure production. The main issue is that Brown has yet to prove that he can provide much of a floor.
Don’t be blinded by the name and the price. Just don’t do it. Look away as there is a reason why T.Y. Hilton ($4,900 DK, $5,700 FD) is priced the way he is. While on paper it does appear to be a good match-up against Cleveland it’s not the first favorable match-up Hilton has had this season. Spoiler alert those match-ups didn’t go over too well for Hilton as after catching three passes for 29 yards last week he is at just 13 receptions for 162 yards through the first four weeks of the season. Quite simply things are not going well for Hilton this year and there are no signs of him turning things around.
