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. Through the first three weeks of the season when you look at the Kansas City wide receivers, it’s Tyreek Hill ($6,900 DK, $8,000 FD) and everyone else. Hill has a touchdown in each game so far this season and in the last two he has eclipsed 100 total yards. Last week’s game script didn’t support much in the way of downfield passing for the Chiefs as the game was in hand pretty early on but Hill was still targeted six times which he turned into five receptions for 77 yards. So far this season the Chiefs have also given Hill a carry or two per game which has been a nice addition to his value. This week Hill takes on a New England team that was struggled against wide receivers through the first three games of the season and there is no reason why Hill can’t make it a fourth straight week with a touchdown and a third straight week over 100 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.
After taking a look at Kenny Golladay ($6,000 DK, $7,300 FD) in his return from a hamstring injury last week, we want more this week. Golladay is the number one receiver for a solid passing offense in Detroit that has a dependable quarterback in Matthew Stafford with whom he has proven chemistry with. After missing the first two weeks of the season we are getting Golladay at a solid price and his hamstring appears to be good so there are no issues there. Golladay led or tied for the lead on Detroit in every receiving category last week as he was targeted seven times and caught six passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. This week things should look even better for Golladay as it will likely be a high scoring affair with the Saints on Sunday.
Another receiver who previously was dealing with a hamstring injury was Will Fuller ($5,900 DK, $6,100 FD). For as long as he is healthy it’s become apparent that Fuller is the preferred target of Deshaun Watson as well as Houston’s number one receiver. Two weeks ago we shouldn’t hold it against Fuller as he didn’t register a reception as he was dealing with both a hamstring injury and a tough Baltimore defense. Things didn’t get much easier last week against a tough Pittsburgh team but the difference was that Fuller was healthy as he led Houston with five targets. Fuller turned that into four receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown and this week things look even better as Houston faces a Minnesota team with a weak passing defense.
In case you haven’t noticed, we like a theme here. That brings us to Devante Parker ($5,700 DK, $6,500 FD) as he is working back to health from a hamstring injury. After playing last Thursday, Parker had a few extra days to get healthy and that is a good sign after things looked good against the Jaguars catching five passes for 69 yards. For the season Parker has 14 receptions for 169 yards and a touchdown but more importantly he has chemistry with Ryan Fitzpatrick who hasn’t been shy about throwing downfield. Facing a Seahawks team that is the worst in the league against opposing wide receivers should lead to a big day for Parker.
It may be boring but back to the well we go with Mike Evans ($6,400 DK, $7,400 FD). We could say it was a quiet performance for Evans last week as he caught two passes for two yards but that is leaving out one important detail as both receptions were for touchdowns. As with the other receivers we have previously talked about, Evans is healthy. We saw him catch seven passes for 104 yards and a touchdown two weeks ago and after the two touchdowns last week Tampa Bay really didn’t need to rely on the passing game. While the Chargers have been tough on opposing receivers so far this season, Evans might be the only game in town this week with Chris Godwin and Scotty Millerboth battling injuries with uncertain statuses for Sunday. Evans is healthy and is developing chemistry with Tom Brady so this is a situation worth targeting as the price is right.
On paper and based on his price Terry McLaurin ($5,800 DK, $6,600 FD) looks like a solid option this week. But you had to think that wasn’t our angle here, right? Through the first three weeks of the season McLaurin has been a consistently productive option with 16 receptions for 269 yards and a touchdown but that will likely come to an end this week. To say it’s a tough match-up against Baltimore would be an understatement and McLaurin also showed up on the injury list for the first time on Thursday as he was limited in practice with a thigh injury. There are just better ways to spend your salary cap and roster space than McLaurin this week.
Another receiver who is nursing an injury and is in a less than ideal situation is Julian Edelman ($5,700 DK, $6,400 FD). He did play last week while dealing with a knee injury but Edelman only caught two passes for 23 yards against the Raiders. Edelman has yet to catch a touchdown this season and has been slow to develop chemistry with Cam Newton as the Patriots’ emphasis hasn’t consistently been on the passing game so far this season. It is going to be a tough match-up for Edelman against the Chiefs and then coupled with the fact that he has yet to stand out thus far in 2020 and is nursing an injury, it makes him a less than appealing option for this week.