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 you find a trend that both works and makes sense there is no reason to stray. In this case we are talking about targeting the Atlanta secondary and this week’s beneficiary is Adam Thielen ($7,300 DK, $7,400 FD). While it is possible that we see a bump from the Falcons after firing Dan Quinn opposing receivers have feasted so far this season and Thielen hasn’t done so bad on his own either. The short and intermediate routes that Minnesota has been running as of late don’t appear to be holding Thielen back as he was targeted 13 times last week which he turned into nine receptions for 80 yards and two touchdowns. On the season Thielen has 29 receptions for 364 yards and six touchdowns and this week I would expect the Vikings to lean on their star receiver with Dalvin Cook sidelined.
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.
The Jets are terrible. But regardless of how bad they look, Jamison Crowder ($6,100 DK, $6,600 FD) continues to come through. Crowder’s price did come up some this week but after his third straight 100-plus yard game should we really be surprised? In each of his three games so far this season Crowder has either seven or eight receptions while picking up between 104 and 116 yards per game. We know that New York is going to be trailing and they have to throw the ball to someone, so once again we say why not Crowder? Now the question is just going to be how Adam Gase still has a job?
Where did that come from Brandin Cooks ($5,000 DK, $5,700 FD)? Cooks has talent and a track record but he has also moved around a lot throughout his career, so his success shouldn’t be all that surprising despite his inconsistency. I know that sounds contradictory but he isn’t exactly a risk-free proposition. It is possible that Cooks had his best game of the season last week with eight receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown but there is no reason why he can’t continue to put up solid performances. If you look at Cooks’ per game point average so far this season, it will be disappointing but last week had to catch your attention. In his four prior games Cooks had just 10 receptions but five of them came in one game for 95 yards against the Ravens. It is a good match-up for Cooks against the Titans this week and it has to be a good sign that Deshaun Watson came out targeting Cooks in his first game without Bill O’Brien.
Following their unexpected bye week we shouldn’t forget about Tim Patrick ($4,500 DK, $5,400 FD) as the Broncos come off a two-and-a-half-week layoff. In facing the Patriots this week Denver should be in a situation where they will be passing quite frequently and that should serve to benefit Patrick as he is an emerging threat in the Broncos’ offense. In his last game Patrick caught six passes for 113 yards and a touchdown as he built upon his four receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown effort in the week prior. The targets are there and the price is right as Patrick looks to find the end zone for the third straight week.
We live in a society that rewards recency bias so a player coming off their bye week could result in low ownership because we don’t have last week’s performance fresh in our mind. After targeting Patrick above now let’s dig into Marquez Valdes-Scantling ($4,600 DK, $5,600 FD) who finds himself in a favorable situation this week. With Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady facing off we should find ourselves in a shootout which will only serve be benefit the receiver. With Davante Adams sidelined two weeks ago and Allen Lazard on Injured Reserve things were set up for Valdes-Scantling to capitalize against the Falcons but instead he struggled as Atlanta focused on him. Despite his eight targets, Valdes-Scantling caught just four passes for 45 yards. Adams will be back this week and Valdes-Scantling should rebound.
I don’t want to be a killjoy but chasing a player’s best week isn’t always the prudent course of action. It was impossible for Chase Claypool ($5,200 DK, $5,500 FD) not to catch your attention last week as it’s not often we see a receiver catch seven passes for 110 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for a fourth touchdown. The concern though is that this is going to be Claypool’s best week. While his price certainly has increased from last week it’s still reasonable and almost a trap. Pittsburgh has a slew of talented receiving options but Claypool also benefited from Diontae Johnson’s injury departure last week. Another factor is that after last week’s sudden emergence coupled with the reasonable price, Claypool’s ownership percentage will be high. Of course though there is always the concern the rookie’s success will continue, but I’m going to keep my distance.
When a receiver has a touchdown each week it’s hard to find fault with it but Mike Evans ($6,900 DK, $7,600 FD) has become dependent upon reaching the end zone. Through the first five weeks of the season Evans has six touchdowns but in only two of those games would he have had value without a touchdown. Evans has two 100-plus yard games but in his other three games he has combined for just 45 yards. At some point I would expect that based on law of averages Evans will have a game in which he doesn’t reach the end zone as he continues to deal with an ankle injury and the rest of the Tampa Bay receivers round into shape.
