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 just four games this week things are a bit different but the general thought process remains the same.
For those who have yet to subscribe, what are you waiting for? Until then you will get one free pick to whet your appetite. It took long enough. Those who spent an early first round draft choice on Michael Thomas ($6,700 DK, $7,200 FD) have their share of anger, frustration, and just about every other negative emotion towards the wide receiver and it is for good reason. Thomas appeared in just seven regular season games this season and just kept you hanging on until it was too late while failing to score a touchdown. Last week he turned things around with five catches for 73 yards and a touchdown as he was targeted seven times. New Orleans’ offense appeared to be operating closer to full strength, albeit at a lesser intensity, last week and Drew Brees will have to lean on Thomas once again this week against a Tampa Bay team that did struggle against opposing receivers in the regular season.
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. This includes a rookie who took an opportunity and ran with it last week. This is just the beginning though. For a one-time fee of $99 per year we have all sports covered here including NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, PGA, NASCAR, and League of Legends. We know how profitable these picks can be so you can even try it out for one month for free.
Earlier we alluded Baker Mayfield being an attractive option at quarterback as Cleveland will have to take to the air in order to keep up with Kansas City. With this being the case why not pair Mayfield with his top receiver in Jarvis Landry ($5,600 DK, $6,900 FD)? Landry reached the end zone for the fourth time in his last six games last week in Pittsburgh as he caught five passes for 92 yards on eight targets. It seemed to be a pretty standard performance for him and with 77 receptions on year he is going to be the focus of the Browns’ passing game.
We know how good the Rams defense is but we can certainly say the same about Davante Adams($8,600 DK, $9,000 FD) who has clearly been the top receiver in the league this season. With 114 receptions in 14 games he was busy this year but it wasn’t just as a possession threat as he gained 1,374 yards for just under 100 yards per game. If Green Bay needed him to do more than catch just six passes for 46 yards in the last game of the season then that mark certainly would have been eclipsed. With a week off following their bye, Adams is well rested and more importantly with 18 touchdowns there are no issues with him finding the end zone.
Previously we highlighted some value and what might be considered soft pricing at the running back position but that only means we get to spend up at wide receiver. In a short slate you really need to get every position right and in that case it means taking the obvious stance here and spending some cash. Instead of trying to figure out who the complementary receiver will be in Kansas City I’m just going straight to the top and Tyreek Hill ($8,000 DK, $8,800 FD) against a Browns team that struggles against opposing receivers. Last week Hill had a quiet game catching just four passes for 65 yards but with 1,276 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season I wouldn’t hold that against him.
Should you be looking for a more budget friendly option then Cole Beasley ($4,900 DK, $5,900 FD) should be on your radar. The slot receiver doesn’t offer much in the way of upside but he is dependable and Josh Allen has kept him quite busy so far this season. Last week Beasley caught seven passes for 57 yards which brought him up to 89 receptions and 1,024 yards on the season. With just five touchdowns you likely won’t get a huge day from Beasley but at this price he will offer a solid return on your investment.
As it is Lamar Jackson’s skill set seems to be as more of a runner these days and now there is snow forecasted for this weekend in Buffalo. Jackson has already come out and said he has played in the snow before and I would expect the focus for the Ravens to be on the ground game. The Bills do defend opposing receivers well and Marquise Brown ($5,200 DK, $6,500 FD) has been inconsistent this year. Brown relies on big plays but he was a reliable option last week catching seven passes for 109 yards. He did finish the year strong from a touchdown perspective but this isn’t a passing situation I want to put my faith in tonight.
I am operating under the impression that Jared Goff will be under center this week for the Rams and once again he will be limited. The same goes for Cooper Kupp ($5,300 DK, $6,100 FD) who is limited this week with a knee injury. Kupp did catch four passes for 78 yards against the Seahawks in the Wild Card round but I wouldn’t expect even a repeat of that this against Green Bay this week as the Los Angeles offense will likely lean heavily on the running game.
