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. Talk about taking advantage of your situation. For as down as we are on Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons offense there is still DFS production to be found. There is no questioning Calvin Ridley’s ($8,200 DK, $8,400 FD) talent and production levels but an injured Julio Jones only makes things look better for him. Last week that was certainly the case as Ridley turned his 12 targets into eight receptions for 124 yards and his eighth touchdown of the season. Even as Atlanta struggles this season Ridley eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the season last week (1,029) on 67 catches. With Jones likely to be sidelined his understudy is poised to capitalize once again in a match-up against Tampa Bay that will require a lot of work through the air on Atlanta’s side. Ridley has proved he is more than capable of taking advantage and there won’t be any doubt when it comes to his role in the offense.
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.
It hasn’t exactly been the smoothest of rookie campaigns for Brandon Aiyuk ($6,300 DK, $6,900 FD) but a lot of it is due to no fault of his own. But more importantly if you take a look at Aiyuk’s last five weeks things become a lot more attractive for the rookie. Over that stretch Aiyuk has 495 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 36 receptions as he continues to take on a larger role in San Francisco’s offense. That was quite apparent last week after Deebo Samuel’s departure with a hamstring injury as Aiyuk was targeted a staggering 16 times catching 10 passes for 119 yards. In what will be a favorable match-up against Dallas we can expect Aiyuk to continue his recent success but more importantly he is underpriced as the number one receiver that he has become.
It was a messy offensive afternoon last week for Washington but I wouldn’t hold that against Terry McLaurin ($6,600 DK, $6,900 FD) who has been immune to just about everything so far this season. The problem though is that it was the second straight week in which McLaurin managed just two receptions. Two weeks ago we could blame that on a tough Pittsburgh defense and last week the excuse is Alex Smith’s injury. While we are looking to target McLaurin it also can’t be ignored that he only has three touchdowns so far this season but with 73 receptions for 1,001 yards he certainly has been busy. We know that he is the clear number one receiving option in Washington and this week he gets to take advantage of a Seattle team that is allowing the most points to opposing wide receivers so far this season.
With Will Fuller sidelined the natural thought process is that it would lead to more work for Brandin Cooks ($6,000 DK, $6,600 FD) but of course he was sidelined this past week with both foot and neck injuries. Cooks was a limited participant in practice on Thursday so things do look better for his status this week as he looks to capitalize on an increased role. The good news is that it’s not like Cooks hasn’t had a role in Houston’s offense so far this season so there are no concerns about DeShaun Watson’s comfort level with him. For the most part Cooks has really just been a steady option so far this year with 57 receptions for 784 yards and three touchdowns but I would expect to see his usage and performance take to a step up this week against the Colts.
Each week we give you five wide receivers to target, and at most you can start only four. Depending on your lineup construction (I mean I think my suggestions at the other positions are pretty good too) you might have to stray from this article to fill out your roster. What we do here is point you in the right direction and offer you options. Personally, I never feel comfortable starting two wide receivers from the same team. However if you can’t afford Ridley this week and still want to take advantage of both the match-up against Tampa Bay (yes it is possible to like a receiver but not the quarterback in Ryan) then let’s take a look at Russell Gage ($4,700 DK, $5,700 FD). With Jones sidelined, there is a divergence between Gage’s role and price. He has been successful at times so far this season and as a preview of what you can expect he caught five of his seven targets for 82 yards last season. For the price it’s hard to argue with a repeat of that performance and we must note that Ryan didn’t exactly turn in a banner day last week. Although in fairness to him, Ridley’s touchdown reception came from Gage and not his quarterback. With 54 receptions for 604 yards we also know that Gage is a capable performer.
It is unclear who will be under center for Jacksonville this week but either way things are not looking great for D.J. Chark ($5,000 DK, $5,800 FD). Chark is coming off his second straight week of just two receptions as clearly there has been an inability for him to connect with Mike Glennon. We can’t attribute the lack of production, a combined 55 yards, to a lack of trying as Chark has been targeted a startling 16 times. Things likely won’t get any easier for Chark this week who has 12 receptions for 152 yards as he faces a tough Baltimore defense.
Despite the success of Seattle’s passing offense, Tyler Lockett ($6,700 DK, $7,400 FD) has failed to catch a touchdown pass in the past three weeks. On an overall basis it’s hard to argue with his production this season (81 receptions for 886 yards and eight touchdowns) but things aren’t trending in the right direction with 14 catches for just 138 yards in his last three games. Seattle will likely have a tougher time than expected this week against a surprisingly tough Washington secondary who also benefits from the defensive line’s ability to generate pressure on the opposing quarterback.
