DFS NFL Wide Receiver Picks for Week 7

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. If the Atlanta offense is going get on track and continue their success from last week, which isn’t a surprise based on their talent, then Julio Jones ($7,100 DK, FD) should very much be on your radar. Don’t let the questionable tag fool you or keep you away as Jones did practice on Thursday with a hamstring injury that is just something we have to learn to live with. If Jones is going to catch eight passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns like he did last week then sign me up. This week Jones and the Falcons have a good match-up against Detroit and we know what he is capable of. 

Let’s stay in the same game but just travel across the field as we expect there to be a lot of points scored between Detroit and Atlanta on Sunday. With Marvin Jones essentially turning into a non-factor as of late, Kenny Golladay ($6,700 DK, FD) is clearly the receiver to target for the Lions. Last week was the first of Golladay’s three games this season in which he didn’t score a touchdown but he had his best receiving day with four receptions for 105 yards. Detroit jumped ahead early on against Jacksonville so there wasn’t an emphasis on the passing game but Golladay showed off his big play and explosive ability. So far this season he has 14 receptions for 224 yards and he is in prime position to build on that in a high scoring affair with the Falcons. 

Despite their strong defensive showing to start the season, opposing fantasy receivers have done well against the Steelers so far this season. Granted that is because their team is playing from behind but does that even matter to DFS players? Despite dealing with a bone bruise on his knee A.J. Brown($6,300 DK, FD) didn’t appear to have any issues or limitations based on his performance. A week after catching seven of his nine targets for 82 yards and a touchdown Brown followed that up with five receptions for 56 yards and two touchdowns. It is clear that Brown is the number one receiver in Tennessee and he has a knack for scoring touchdowns, so what more could you want?

Sometimes it really doesn’t matter how bad your team is or who the quarterback is. Terry McLaurin ($5,800 DK, FD) is our latest example of that and to be fair Kyle Allen has at least proven to be a serviceable option. Searching for a receiver tied to Allen and on Washington generally isn’t going to be our first choice but based on the price and performance, McLaurin deserves a closer look. Yes he managed just three catches for 26 yards two weeks ago but that did come against a tough Rams defense while he was dealing with a thigh injury. Last week things looked a lot better for McLaurin as he caught seven passes for 74 yards. Even more telling was the fact that McLaurin was targeted 12 times as there is no denying the role he plays in Washington’s offense. This week McLaurin gets to face Dallas and it was abundantly clear on Monday night how bad their team looks so another strong performance should be on the horizon.

Were it not for his pre-season foot injury, we would have seen Deebo Samuel ($5,000 DK, FD) ranked higher on the wide receiver boards and be more costly. Instead we need to capitalize on the situation as it’s hard to argue that Samuel isn’t in midseason form after last week. Facing the Rams isn’t an easy match-up but Samuel caught all six of his targets for 66 yards and a touchdown. After a slow start to the season in his first two games, Samuel took a much-needed next step last week allowing us to trust him as he showed the explosiveness we have come to expect. 

It’s admittedly hard to argue with what we saw from Amari Cooper ($6,900 DK, FD) last week as he caught seven passes for 79 yards and a touchdown but that is exactly what we will do. There wasn’t much that looked good from a Dallas perspective other than Cooper but it’s hard to trust the Cowboys moving forward. Aside from one dud performance two weeks ago we haven’t seen Cooper with less than nine targets or 81 yards in game so far this season despite the fact that Dallas does spread the ball around to a multitude of options. My thought process here is that Cooper is the most expensive option on a team that appears to be in disarray and our salary cap space is best spent elsewhere.

If someone jumped into the salary list for this week without really paying attention so far this season then JuJu Smith-Schuster ($5,500 DK, FD) would certainly look like a bargain. Upon closer inspection though that couldn’t be further from the case as in reality he has struggled ever since Antonio Brown left town. Smith-Schuster is healthy but Ben Roethlisberger is just looking elsewhere and he is averaging a mere 39 yards per game so far this season. Over the past two weeks he has just six receptions for 34 yards and I would ignore the name recognition and look elsewhere as well.