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. You are here reading this article so I don’t have to convince you of the benefits of DFS compared to seasonal leagues but those who drafted Michael Thomas ($7,400 DK, $8,500 FD) in the first round have a living, breathing reminder of that. After catching three passes for 17 yards in Week One, Thomas missed the remainder of the season until last week due to both injury and suspension. In his return Thomas caught five of his six targets for 51 yards. He is still waiting to catch his first touchdown pass of the season but the good news is that he was on the field for 55% of New Orleans’ snaps last week even in a blowout. As of Thursday, Thomas was still practicing on a limited basis but in a home matchup against San Francisco I like the wide receiver to catch his first touchdown of the season as he shows what he is capable of.
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.
If we like Jared Goff for this week then it would only make sense to target one of his receivers. Robert Woods ($6,600 DK, $7,200 FD) is $300 cheaper on Draft Kings than Cooper Kupp and unlike his counterpart he isn’t carrying a questionable tag into this week. Coming off the Rams’ bye week Kupp still has been limited with his oblique injury so why not go with the healthy receiver in a favorable match-up against Seattle? With 37 receptions for 436 yards and six touchdowns it’s not like Woods is a slouch either as he is a receiver we can trust. The fact that Woods is also featured as a ball carrier at times with 108 yards and two touchdowns helps to give him some additional value.
It’s become clear that it doesn’t mean anything to Terry McLaurin ($6,800 DK, $7,000 FD) who the quarterback is for Washington this season. We are now on to option number three with Alex Smith and this might be the best scenario for McLaurin. Last week the second-year receiver caught seven of his eight targets for 115 yards and his third touchdown of the season. With 60 receptions on the season McLaurin certainly has been busy with a minimum of seven targets each week and just one game of less than 61 yards. McLaurin is up to 692 yards on the season and the only thing holding him back so far this season is the lack of touchdowns but that can change very quickly. Having the reliable Smith under center should help that cause as he showed the ability to throw the ball downfield last week once he entered the game.
Let’s just keep on going with Jerry Jeudy ($5,600 DK, $5,800 FD) as he is coming off a career best performance last week in Atlanta. We were on the rookie receiver last week and as this is what he is capable of so let’s keep it going as the price increase was minimal. Last week Jeudy was targeted 14 times as he caught seven passes for 125 yards and a touchdown in what was his second straight career high week in receiving yards. While he is limited in practice with a shoulder injury, let’s operate under the impression that he will suit up without issues as he continues to work towards fulfilling his pre-season expectations. We know that the talent is there and now both the workload and production matches and chemistry with his quarterback doesn’t hurt either.
Entering the week it looks like San Francisco will still be without Deebo Samuel and Kendrick Bourne once again at the wide receiver position while George Kittle is also sidelined. While Brandon Aiyuk will return this week the 49ers are still lacking for receiving options. Last week the clear beneficiary of that was Richie James ($4,000 DK, $5,400 FD) as he caught nine of his 13 targets for 184 yards and a touchdown. To say that it came out of nowhere would be an understatement as that entails the entirety of James’ production so far this season. This does feel a lot like chasing last week’s production but it’s hard to argue with the price and we also can’t put the genie back in the bottle after what we saw James do against Green Bay last Thursday. The targets will be there again this week, so why not the production?
The Rams allow the fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and while we have concerns about Russell Wilson in this match-up the same should follow suit for Tyler Lockett ($6,500 DK, $7,400 FD). Lockett did have 200 receiving yards against the Cardinals in Week 7, in his other three most recent games he has a combined 133 yards. DK Metcalf has emerged as the more explosive and predictable target for Seattle but I’m not sure if there is enough room for Lockett as well this week.
Kenny Golladay ($5,900 DK, $7,000 FD) is talented and the price is right but that doesn’t mean he should be in your lineup. For starters he isn’t healthy as Golladay hasn’t caught a pass since Week 7 while dealing with a hip injury. As of Thursday he had yet to return to practice but with a questionable tag it is still very possible he takes the field this week against Washington. That doesn’t mean he should be in your DFS lineup though as Washington has done surprisingly well in defending opposing wide receivers from a fantasy perspective so far this season and we can’t take the risk that Golladay will be used as more of a decoy than anything else.
