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. I would like to see Stefon Diggs ($7,400 DK, $7,600 FD) find his way into the end zone more than his three touchdowns so far this season but do we really have a right to complain? At the halfway point of his season Diggs has assimilated right into Buffalo’s offense and he is on pace for 108 receptions and 1,390 yards. Even when Diggs has a down game from a yardage perspective this season he is still busy when it comes to receptions and it is clear that he is Josh Allen’s top weapon. This week the matchup can’t get any better for Diggs as he faces a Seattle team that has allowed the most points to opposing wide receivers so far this year.
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.
In just two of eight games so far this season Allen Robinson ($6,900 DK, $6,900 FD) has less than 70 receiving yards and you can’t argue with that consistency. Despite concussion concerns entering last week Robinson caught 6 passes for 87 yards and his third touchdown of the season. Robinson has been targeted 77 times so far this season as he is the number one option for Chicago. Currently he is on pace for 100 receptions and 1,262 yards and you have to like his upcoming match-up with the Titans who are in the top-five of points allowed to opposing wide receivers. What really stands out for me though is the predictability that Robinson’s targets bring him coupled with the fact that he is clearly Nick Foles’ number one target.
We were done with Marvin Jones ($5,100 DK, $6,100 FD) but let this serve as a reminder that when it comes to DFS, things can always change. Well as long as we receive credible information to dictate the change is. In the case of Jones he took advantage of a weak Atlanta team two weeks ago as he caught five of his six targets for 80 yards. Last week with Kenny Golladay hobbled we once again saw Jones take on a leading role in Detroit’s offense. Against a tough Indianapolis defense Jones was only able to turn his seven targets into three receptions for 39 yards but two of those catches were for touchdowns. This week Golladay will likely be sidelined which means Jones will be targeted at the same level as the last two weeks and facing Minnesota should also benefit him.
In the six games that Mike Williams ($5,100 DK, $6,200 FD) has played so far this season the results have been up and down. It is clearly not good from a DFS perspective as you would like to know what you are going to get from each player on a weekly basis but taking down a GPP is all about ceiling and potential. But the three weeks where Williams has combined for eight receptions for 35 yards this season is what had kept his price down at a very manageable level given his role and potential. At this point in the season we can believe in the Chargers’ offense and putting our trust in Justin Herbert under center is a very reasonable proposition and he has shown a clear ability to work the ball down field. Even if we include Williams’ one reception for four yards against Jacksonville, then he has 16 receptions for 208 yards and three touchdowns over his last three games. This is a measured risk and a dart throw I can live with.
Earlier in the week we touted Drew Lock has an option as it has become standard operating procedure to target Atlanta in most situations. One of the benefits to that strategy is the fact that you can get Lock’s most explosive receiver at a reasonable price. Jerry Jeudy ($4,700 DK, $5,700 FD) has had an inconsistent start to his professional career but quarterback play has also played a role in that. Overall Jeudy has 23 receptions for 359 yards and a touchdown but last week was his best game from a target (10) and yardage (73) perspective. The fact that Tim Patrick was sidelined did work in Jeudy’s favor and his status for this week is still to be determined. Last week was a nice bounce back performance for Jeudy who did start the season off strong with a minimum of 55 receiving yards in each of his first four games. As we look towards the second half of the season Jeudy is going to be the receiving option Denver would want to spend the most time cultivating as he is their most explosive pass catcher. This could be the week we really see him take a step forward as he looks to build on last Sunday’s performance.
We know that A.J. Brown ($6,600 DK, $7,600 FD) has been dealing with a knee injury all season so the fact that he didn’t practice on Thursday shouldn’t come as a complete surprise. Brown was limited by the injury last week though and only managed four receptions for 24 yards against the Bengals while Corey Davis took on the leading receiver’s role. In fairness to Brown he did catch a touchdown pass last week for the fourth straight game. Despite the questionable tag, Brown is likely to take the field this week but it’s very possible he will be dealing with some effects of the knee injury. Couple that with the fact that Chicago is a tough defense and this is a situation I am likely avoiding this week.
One reception for 26 yards on seven targets is not a pathway to success or an example of efficiency. While DJ Chark ($5,200 DK, $6,400 FD) did lead Jacksonville in targets that is clearly not enough there wasn’t much in sync for the Jaguars. With Jake Luton making his first career start this week I’m not sure things will get any better for the Jaguars and with 26 receptions for 291 yards on the season Chark’s potential is limited at best.
