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. The general rule of thumb is to fade wide receivers against Darius Slay but last week D.K. Metcalf ($8,200 DK, $8,500 FD) appeared to be immune to that. Even with the Seattle passing offense not being the explosive machine we have come to expect, Metcalf still gets his. Last week that meant Metcalf caught 10 of 13 targets for 177 yards to bring him over the 1,000-yard mark (1,039) with five games still remaining in the season. With nine touchdown receptions Metcalf has no trouble finding the end zone or generating big plays. The crazy thing is that included in Metcalf’s success are three games in which he had just a combined 97 yards. Facing the Giants this week is match-up neutral and we simply can’t ignore Metcalf’s success this season with five games of greater than 100 yards this year and three more games over 90 yards.
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.
I don’t care who plays quarterback for the Chicago Bears. Well let me clarify that as it doesn’t seem to matter for Allen Robinson ($6.700 DK, $6,900 FD). The other good thing about Robinson and his production is that even with the Bears struggle and fall behind early he still returns positive DFS value. That was the case last week as Robinson was targeted 13 times which led to eight receptions for 74 yards and two touchdowns. It is clear who the number receiver is in Chicago’s offense as Robinson has caught 71 passes on 108 targets for 829 yards. Last week’s touchdowns were a good sign as that brought his total for the season up to just five. For the most part Robinson has been consistent this season and it’s hard not to like the match-up against a weak defense in Detroit this week.
Currently all signs point to Ryan Fitzpatrick being under center for one more week in Miami and that is the desired outcome from a DFS perspective. The veteran quarterback has been more apt to look downfield and that includes targeting his clear number one receiver in Devante Parker ($6,400 DK, $6,800 FD). Last week Parker had his best game of the season against the Jets (yes we know it was the Jets) as Fitzpatrick targeted him 14 times for eight receptions and 119 yards. With 52 receptions for 642 yards and four touchdowns it has been an underwhelming season for Parker but last week showed what he is capable of. While it’s not the Jets facing the Bengals should bring success to Parker as well.
It’s beginning to be a trend in Los Angeles with Cooper Kupp struggling and Robert Woods($5,900 DK, $7,100 FD) picking up the slack. Woods is coming off two strong games in a row with a combined 19 receptions for 210 yards and the success is not coming out of nowhere. On the year Woods has 61 receptions for 679 yards and seven touchdowns which he takes into a favorable match-up against the Cardinals. Last season Woods torched Arizona across two games with 239 receiving yards so it’s hard to argue with the track record. We know that Jared Goff is going to look Woods’ way early and often on Sunday and you are getting a number one receiver at the price of a number two without concern for targets (87 so far this season).
Each week at least one player benefits from facing the Jets and with Nelson Agholor likely sidelined with an ankle injury that brings us to Hunter Renfrow ($4,300 DK, $5,400 FD). Last week Renfrow had one of his better games of the season against a weak Atlanta defense catching seven of his nine targets for 73 yards. That came on the heels of three straight weeks with two receptions each but in that time he was only targeted seven times. With just two touchdowns Renfrow isn’t exactly a big play threat but he is efficient with 38 receptions on 50 targets. Renfrow is on our radar this week based on both match-up and opponent.
In three games Christian Kirk ($5,200 DK, $5,800 FD) has 287 yards with just 209 yards in his other seven games. That is not ideal from a DFS perspective and things get even worse when we consider Kyler Murray’s struggles last week as he is dealing with a shoulder injury along with a tough opponent this week in the Rams. The price won’t break the budget but you are best served looking elsewhere.
For as quickly as Travis Fulgham ($5,200 DK, $6,300 FD) emerged on the scene, he is gone. I mean there is plenty of blame to go around in Philadelphia with their offense. Doug Pederson is not innocent here but Carson Wentz quite simply needs to play better. That has trickled down to Fulgham as in his past three games he has just four receptions for 32 yards. At this point you are better off to just forget his name.
