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So you missed the playoffs in your season-long league. Boo frickin’ hoo. If there’s no crying in baseball, there’s certainly no crying in football. If you missed out, then welcome to the Dark Side, baby. It’s a new season each and every week. Here’s a look at the wide receiver slate as I see it. As always, data first, recommendations after.
| Pts | Opp Pa | Opp Ov | Opp Pa | ||||||||||||||||||
| Player | Team | H/A | Opp | Tar | Tar% | Tar/G | Rec | Rec/G | Catch% | ReYd | ReTD | YPC | Allow | Def Rk | Def Rk | Yds/G | O/U | $Line | $FD | $DK | $FA |
| Mike Evans | TB | H | NO | 138 | 31.2% | 11.5 | 76 | 6.3 | 55.1% | 1,058 | 10 | 13.9 | 30.6 | 26 | 25 | 302 | 51.5 | -145 | $8900 | $8900 | $6400 |
| Antonio Brown | PIT | A | BUF | 127 | 27.8% | 11.5 | 88 | 8.0 | 69.3% | 1,052 | 11 | 12.0 | 26.7 | 21 | 21 | 251.4 | 47 | 110 | $8800 | $8700 | $6600 |
| Odell Beckham | NYG | H | DAL | 125 | 27.7% | 10.4 | 75 | 6.3 | 60.0% | 1,015 | 8 | 13.5 | 29.2 | 27 | 26 | 301.4 | 47.5 | 155 | $8500 | $8000 | $6500 |
| Julio Jones | ATL | A | LA | 113 | 27.7% | 9.4 | 72 | 6.0 | 63.7% | 1,253 | 5 | 17.4 | 31.7 | 16 | 15 | 252 | 45 | 220 | $8300 | $8500 | $6350 |
| Dez Bryant | DAL | A | NYG | 71 | 19.9% | 7.9 | 37 | 4.1 | 52.1% | 634 | 6 | 17.1 | 27.8 | 7 | 7 | 289.5 | 47.5 | 155 | $7800 | $6900 | $5500 |
| T.Y. Hilton | IND | H | HOU | 114 | 26.4% | 9.5 | 69 | 5.8 | 60.5% | 1,088 | 5 | 15.8 | 24 | 14 | 13 | 227.4 | 46.5 | -245 | $7600 | $7500 | $5000 |
| Amari Cooper | OAK | A | KC | 104 | 23.0% | 8.7 | 68 | 5.7 | 65.4% | 981 | 4 | 14.4 | 33 | 12 | 11 | 286.9 | 46 | -155 | $7400 | $7300 | $4850 |
| Brandon Marshall | NYJ | A | SF | 108 | 26.2% | 9.0 | 53 | 4.4 | 49.1% | 711 | 3 | 13.4 | 33.7 | 28 | 29 | 269.4 | 44 | -145 | $7200 | $7000 | $4900 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | HOU | A | IND | 113 | 26.2% | 9.4 | 58 | 4.8 | 51.3% | 665 | 4 | 11.5 | 29.4 | 29 | 30 | 298.2 | 46.5 | -245 | $7100 | $5800 | $4900 |
| Jordy Nelson | GB | H | SEA | 118 | 24.5% | 9.8 | 69 | 5.8 | 58.5% | 872 | 10 | 12.6 | 26.7 | 6 | 5 | 252 | 46.5 | 125 | $7100 | $6800 | $5400 |
| Doug Baldwin | SEA | A | GB | 78 | 21.3% | 6.5 | 61 | 5.1 | 78.2% | 767 | 5 | 12.6 | 30.3 | 22 | 18 | 277.4 | 46.5 | 125 | $7000 | $6800 | $5000 |
| Demaryius Thomas | DEN | A | TEN | 103 | 25.9% | 8.6 | 66 | 5.5 | 64.1% | 799 | 5 | 12.1 | 33.6 | 24 | 24 | 270.3 | 43.5 | -120 | $6900 | $6000 | $4800 |
| Kenny Britt | LA | H | ATL | 87 | 21.6% | 7.3 | 56 | 4.7 | 64.4% | 855 | 5 | 15.3 | 31 | 23 | 28 | 306.4 | 45 | 220 | $6900 | $5200 | $4700 |
| Tyrell Williams | SD | A | CAR | 89 | 21.3% | 7.4 | 53 | 4.4 | 59.6% | 837 | 6 | 15.8 | 32.1 | 18 | 14 | 301.9 | 48.5 | -125 | $6800 | $6100 | $4400 |
| Larry Fitzgerald | ARI | A | MIA | 121 | 24.5% | 11.0 | 88 | 8.0 | 72.7% | 880 | 5 | 10.0 | 30.3 | 13 | 17 | 264.8 | 43.5 | -115 | $6800 | $7100 | $5000 |
| Kelvin Benjamin | CAR | H | SD | 86 | 22.3% | 7.8 | 48 | 4.4 | 55.8% | 736 | 5 | 15.3 | 28.6 | 8 | 9 | 295.6 | 48.5 | -125 | $6800 | $6200 | $4700 |
| Terrelle Pryor | CLE | H | CIN | 113 | 26.0% | 9.4 | 62 | 5.2 | 54.9% | 855 | 4 | 13.8 | 24.6 | 17 | 20 | 273.8 | 43 | 200 | $6700 | $5900 | $4800 |
| DeVante Parker | MIA | H | ARI | 68 | 18.8% | 6.2 | 44 | 4.0 | 64.7% | 583 | 3 | 13.3 | 28.1 | 3 | 3 | 217.5 | 43.5 | -115 | $6700 | $5300 | $4450 |
| Stefon Diggs | MIN | A | JAC | 96 | 22.6% | 9.6 | 75 | 7.5 | 78.1% | 806 | 2 | 10.7 | 25.2 | 10 | 10 | 213.5 | 39 | 155 | $6600 | $6500 | $4700 |
| Michael Thomas | NO | A | TB | 89 | 18.1% | 7.4 | 69 | 5.8 | 77.5% | 831 | 7 | 12.0 | 28.4 | 9 | 12 | 272.6 | 51.5 | -145 | $6600 | $6700 | $4950 |
| Julian Edelman | NE | H | BAL | 111 | 26.8% | 10.1 | 72 | 6.5 | 64.9% | 718 | 2 | 10.0 | 30.6 | 5 | 2 | 242.5 | 45.5 | -320 | $6600 | $6800 | $5150 |
| Allen Robinson | JAC | H | MIN | 116 | 24.2% | 9.7 | 56 | 4.7 | 48.3% | 622 | 6 | 11.1 | 20.6 | 2 | 6 | 218.1 | 39 | 155 | $6600 | $5000 | $4600 |
| Tyreek Hill | KC | H | OAK | 62 | 14.8% | 5.2 | 50 | 4.2 | 80.6% | 481 | 5 | 9.6 | 29.8 | 19 | 22 | 288.9 | 46 | -155 | $6400 | $4600 | $4600 |
| Donte Moncrief | IND | H | HOU | 49 | 11.3% | 7.0 | 28 | 4.0 | 57.1% | 277 | 6 | 9.9 | 24 | 14 | 13 | 227.4 | 46.5 | -245 | $6400 | $6300 | $4650 |
| Davante Adams | GB | H | SEA | 93 | 19.3% | 7.8 | 59 | 4.9 | 63.4% | 793 | 8 | 13.4 | 26.7 | 6 | 5 | 252 | 46.5 | 125 | $6400 | $5500 | $4600 |
| Jamison Crowder | WAS | A | PHI | 84 | 18.1% | 7.0 | 58 | 4.8 | 69.0% | 767 | 7 | 13.2 | 30.4 | 4 | 4 | 266.7 | 46.5 | -105 | $6400 | $5600 | $4600 |
| Golden Tate | DET | H | CHI | 95 | 22.5% | 7.9 | 65 | 5.4 | 68.4% | 762 | 3 | 11.7 | 30.1 | 15 | 16 | 240.4 | 43.5 | -330 | $6300 | $6600 | $5150 |
| Brandin Cooks | NO | A | TB | 84 | 17.1% | 7.0 | 58 | 4.8 | 69.0% | 809 | 6 | 13.9 | 28.4 | 9 | 12 | 272.6 | 51.5 | -145 | $6300 | $6400 | $4900 |
| Cole Beasley | DAL | A | NYG | 77 | 21.6% | 6.4 | 60 | 5.0 | 77.9% | 670 | 5 | 11.2 | 27.8 | 7 | 7 | 289.5 | 47.5 | 155 | $6300 | $5200 | $4200 |
| Mike Wallace | BAL | A | NE | 92 | 18.7% | 7.7 | 57 | 4.8 | 62.0% | 851 | 4 | 14.9 | 26.3 | 25 | 19 | 265.1 | 45.5 | -320 | $6200 | $4900 | $4400 |
| Steve Smith | BAL | A | NE | 76 | 15.5% | 7.6 | 54 | 5.4 | 71.1% | 589 | 3 | 10.9 | 26.3 | 25 | 19 | 265.1 | 45.5 | -320 | $6200 | $5500 | $4300 |
| Michael Crabtree | OAK | A | KC | 112 | 24.7% | 9.3 | 67 | 5.6 | 59.8% | 785 | 7 | 11.7 | 33 | 12 | 11 | 286.9 | 46 | -155 | $6200 | $6000 | $4800 |
| Malcolm Mitchell | NE | H | BAL | 37 | 8.9% | 3.4 | 24 | 2.2 | 64.9% | 317 | 3 | 13.2 | 30.6 | 5 | 2 | 242.5 | 45.5 | -320 | $6200 | $4200 | $4550 |
| Rishard Matthews | TEN | H | DEN | 73 | 19.5% | 6.1 | 48 | 4.0 | 65.8% | 669 | 7 | 13.9 | 19.1 | 1 | 1 | 210.2 | 43.5 | -120 | $6200 | $5100 | $4750 |
| Willie Snead | NO | A | TB | 76 | 15.5% | 6.9 | 53 | 4.8 | 69.7% | 631 | 4 | 11.9 | 28.4 | 9 | 12 | 272.6 | 51.5 | -145 | $6100 | $5200 | $4300 |
| Jarvis Landry | MIA | H | ARI | 103 | 28.5% | 8.6 | 75 | 6.3 | 72.8% | 820 | 2 | 10.9 | 28.1 | 3 | 3 | 217.5 | 43.5 | -115 | $6100 | $5600 | $4700 |
| Sammy Watkins | BUF | H | PIT | 23 | 6.8% | 5.8 | 12 | 3.0 | 52.2% | 181 | 0 | 15.1 | 25.4 | 11 | 8 | 279.6 | 47 | 110 | $6000 | $5300 | $4600 |
| Adam Thielen | MIN | A | JAC | 70 | 16.5% | 5.8 | 52 | 4.3 | 74.3% | 657 | 3 | 12.6 | 25.2 | 10 | 10 | 213.5 | 39 | 155 | $6000 | $4700 | $4250 |
| Randall Cobb | GB | H | SEA | 80 | 16.6% | 7.3 | 57 | 5.2 | 71.3% | 577 | 4 | 10.1 | 26.7 | 6 | 5 | 252 | 46.5 | 125 | $6000 | $5000 | $4700 |
| Emmanuel Sanders | DEN | A | TEN | 114 | 28.6% | 9.5 | 64 | 5.3 | 56.1% | 858 | 4 | 13.4 | 33.6 | 24 | 24 | 270.3 | 43.5 | -120 | $5900 | $5700 | $4800 |
| Jordan Matthews | PHI | H | WAS | 90 | 20.0% | 8.2 | 57 | 5.2 | 63.3% | 686 | 3 | 12.0 | 29.9 | 20 | 23 | 278.5 | 46.5 | -105 | $5900 | $5400 | $4600 |
| Marvin Jones | DET | H | CHI | 77 | 18.3% | 7.0 | 42 | 3.8 | 54.5% | 730 | 4 | 17.4 | 30.1 | 15 | 16 | 240.4 | 43.5 | -330 | $5900 | $4900 | $4600 |
| Brandon LaFell | CIN | A | CLE | 71 | 16.7% | 5.9 | 41 | 3.4 | 57.7% | 552 | 5 | 13.5 | 31.8 | 31 | 32 | 259.4 | 43 | 200 | $5800 | $5000 | $4700 |
| Jeremy Maclin | KC | H | OAK | 56 | 13.4% | 7.0 | 30 | 3.8 | 53.6% | 376 | 2 | 12.5 | 29.8 | 19 | 22 | 288.9 | 46 | -155 | $5800 | $5300 | $4800 |
| DeSean Jackson | WAS | A | PHI | 74 | 15.9% | 6.7 | 39 | 3.5 | 52.7% | 644 | 3 | 16.5 | 30.4 | 4 | 4 | 266.7 | 46.5 | -105 | $5800 | $5200 | $4250 |
| Tyler Boyd | CIN | A | CLE | 65 | 15.3% | 5.4 | 42 | 3.5 | 64.6% | 477 | 1 | 11.4 | 31.8 | 31 | 32 | 259.4 | 43 | 200 | $5700 | $4900 | $4600 |
| Chris Hogan | NE | H | BAL | 40 | 9.6% | 4.0 | 27 | 2.7 | 67.5% | 484 | 3 | 17.9 | 30.6 | 5 | 2 | 242.5 | 45.5 | -320 | $5700 | $4100 | $4200 |
| Corey Coleman | CLE | H | CIN | 44 | 10.1% | 7.3 | 20 | 3.3 | 45.5% | 308 | 3 | 15.4 | 24.6 | 17 | 20 | 273.8 | 43 | 200 | $5600 | $4400 | $4100 |
| Mohamed Sanu | ATL | A | LA | 70 | 17.2% | 5.8 | 49 | 4.1 | 70.0% | 521 | 3 | 10.6 | 31.7 | 16 | 15 | 252 | 45 | 220 | $5600 | $4200 | $4250 |
| Sterling Shepard | NYG | H | DAL | 80 | 17.7% | 6.7 | 48 | 4.0 | 60.0% | 497 | 6 | 10.4 | 29.2 | 27 | 26 | 301.4 | 47.5 | 155 | $5500 | $4600 | $4300 |
| Dontrelle Inman | SD | A | CAR | 67 | 16.0% | 5.6 | 40 | 3.3 | 59.7% | 576 | 3 | 14.4 | 32.1 | 18 | 14 | 301.9 | 48.5 | -125 | $5500 | $4800 | $4200 |
| Cameron Meredith | CHI | A | DET | 58 | 14.0% | 5.8 | 38 | 3.8 | 65.5% | 516 | 2 | 13.6 | 26.3 | 30 | 31 | 279.9 | 43.5 | -330 | $5400 | $4000 | $4150 |
| Marquess Wilson | CHI | A | DET | 16 | 3.9% | 5.3 | 9 | 3.0 | 56.3% | 160 | 1 | 17.8 | 26.3 | 30 | 31 | 279.9 | 43.5 | -330 | $5400 | $3800 | $4000 |
| Will Fuller | HOU | A | IND | 67 | 15.6% | 6.7 | 35 | 3.5 | 52.2% | 503 | 2 | 14.4 | 29.4 | 29 | 30 | 298.2 | 46.5 | -245 | $5400 | $0 | $4400 |
| Taylor Gabriel | ATL | A | LA | 34 | 8.3% | 3.4 | 26 | 2.6 | 76.5% | 422 | 4 | 16.2 | 31.7 | 16 | 15 | 252 | 45 | 220 | $5400 | $4300 | $4100 |
| Pierre Garcon | WAS | A | PHI | 85 | 18.3% | 7.1 | 59 | 4.9 | 69.4% | 714 | 2 | 12.1 | 30.4 | 4 | 4 | 266.7 | 46.5 | -105 | $5400 | $4200 | $4350 |
| Marqise Lee | JAC | H | MIN | 78 | 16.3% | 6.5 | 49 | 4.1 | 62.8% | 615 | 2 | 12.6 | 20.6 | 2 | 6 | 218.1 | 39 | 155 | $5400 | $3700 | $4100 |
| Kenny Stills | MIA | H | ARI | 56 | 15.5% | 4.7 | 28 | 2.3 | 50.0% | 501 | 5 | 17.9 | 28.1 | 3 | 3 | 217.5 | 43.5 | -115 | $5300 | $3700 | $4000 |
| Tajae Sharpe | TEN | H | DEN | 68 | 18.2% | 5.7 | 36 | 3.0 | 52.9% | 464 | 2 | 12.9 | 19.1 | 1 | 1 | 210.2 | 43.5 | -120 | $5300 | $3400 | $3950 |
| Anquan Boldin | DET | H | CHI | 72 | 17.1% | 6.0 | 52 | 4.3 | 72.2% | 432 | 6 | 8.3 | 30.1 | 15 | 16 | 240.4 | 43.5 | -330 | $5200 | $4500 | $4200 |
| John Brown | ARI | A | MIA | 61 | 12.4% | 6.1 | 31 | 3.1 | 50.8% | 399 | 1 | 12.9 | 30.3 | 13 | 17 | 264.8 | 43.5 | -115 | $5200 | $3800 | $4000 |
| Jeremy Kerley | SF | H | NYJ | 83 | 22.5% | 6.9 | 43 | 3.6 | 51.8% | 466 | 3 | 10.8 | 28.8 | 32 | 27 | 288.5 | 44 | -145 | $5100 | $3400 | $3900 |
| Tyler Lockett | SEA | A | GB | 43 | 11.8% | 3.6 | 23 | 1.9 | 53.5% | 325 | 0 | 14.1 | 30.3 | 22 | 18 | 277.4 | 46.5 | 125 | $5100 | $3700 | $3900 |
| Travis Benjamin | SD | A | CAR | 65 | 15.6% | 5.9 | 42 | 3.8 | 64.6% | 546 | 3 | 13.0 | 32.1 | 18 | 14 | 301.9 | 48.5 | -125 | $5100 | $4100 | $3900 |
| Eli Rogers | PIT | A | BUF | 46 | 10.1% | 5.8 | 30 | 3.8 | 65.2% | 354 | 2 | 11.8 | 26.7 | 21 | 21 | 251.4 | 47 | 110 | $5000 | $3800 | $4000 |
| Robert Woods | BUF | H | PIT | 60 | 17.7% | 6.7 | 42 | 4.7 | 70.0% | 493 | 1 | 11.7 | 25.4 | 11 | 8 | 279.6 | 47 | 110 | $5000 | $3900 | $3800 |
| Tavon Austin | LA | H | ATL | 79 | 19.7% | 7.2 | 44 | 4.0 | 55.7% | 401 | 3 | 9.1 | 31 | 23 | 28 | 306.4 | 45 | 220 | $4900 | $3900 | $4400 |
| Dorial Green-Beckham | PHI | H | WAS | 64 | 14.2% | 5.3 | 33 | 2.8 | 51.6% | 359 | 2 | 10.9 | 29.9 | 20 | 23 | 278.5 | 46.5 | -105 | $4900 | $3600 | $4000 |
| J.J. Nelson | ARI | A | MIA | 42 | 8.5% | 3.8 | 21 | 1.9 | 50.0% | 315 | 3 | 15.0 | 30.3 | 13 | 17 | 264.8 | 43.5 | -115 | $4900 | $3600 | $3900 |
| Seth Roberts | OAK | A | KC | 59 | 13.0% | 4.9 | 31 | 2.6 | 52.5% | 332 | 5 | 10.7 | 33 | 12 | 11 | 286.9 | 46 | -155 | $4900 | $3000 | $3700 |
| Quincy Enunwa | NYJ | A | SF | 76 | 18.5% | 6.3 | 44 | 3.7 | 57.9% | 653 | 4 | 14.8 | 33.7 | 28 | 29 | 269.4 | 44 | -145 | $4800 | $4900 | $4800 |
| Adam Humphries | TB | H | NO | 63 | 14.2% | 5.7 | 42 | 3.8 | 66.7% | 467 | 1 | 11.1 | 30.6 | 26 | 25 | 302 | 51.5 | -145 | $4800 | $3700 | $4000 |
| Ty Montgomery | GB | H | SEA | 39 | 8.1% | 3.5 | 32 | 2.9 | 82.1% | 268 | 0 | 8.4 | 26.7 | 6 | 5 | 252 | 46.5 | 125 | $4800 | $3900 | $4100 |
| Allen Hurns | JAC | H | MIN | 76 | 15.8% | 6.9 | 35 | 3.2 | 46.1% | 477 | 3 | 13.6 | 20.6 | 2 | 6 | 218.1 | 39 | 155 | $4800 | $3400 | $4100 |
| Torrey Smith | SF | H | NYJ | 48 | 13.0% | 4.4 | 20 | 1.8 | 41.7% | 267 | 3 | 13.4 | 28.8 | 32 | 27 | 288.5 | 44 | -145 | $4700 | $3500 | $3800 |
| Robby Anderson | NYJ | A | SF | 51 | 12.4% | 4.3 | 28 | 2.3 | 54.9% | 365 | 1 | 13.0 | 33.7 | 28 | 29 | 269.4 | 44 | -145 | $4700 | $3000 | $3700 |
| Michael Floyd | ARI | A | MIA | 67 | 13.6% | 5.6 | 31 | 2.6 | 46.3% | 428 | 4 | 13.8 | 30.3 | 13 | 17 | 264.8 | 43.5 | -115 | $4700 | $3900 | $4000 |
| Ted Ginn | CAR | H | SD | 61 | 15.8% | 5.1 | 36 | 3.0 | 59.0% | 489 | 2 | 13.6 | 28.6 | 8 | 9 | 295.6 | 48.5 | -125 | $4700 | $4000 | $4100 |
| Sammie Coates | PIT | A | BUF | 45 | 9.9% | 4.1 | 20 | 1.8 | 44.4% | 425 | 2 | 21.3 | 26.7 | 21 | 21 | 251.4 | 47 | 110 | $4600 | $3000 | $3700 |
| Terrance Williams | DAL | A | NYG | 42 | 11.8% | 3.5 | 29 | 2.4 | 69.0% | 394 | 2 | 13.6 | 27.8 | 7 | 7 | 289.5 | 47.5 | 155 | $4600 | $3200 | $3500 |
| Quinton Patton | SF | H | NYJ | 55 | 14.9% | 4.6 | 31 | 2.6 | 56.4% | 374 | 0 | 12.1 | 28.8 | 32 | 27 | 288.5 | 44 | -145 | $4500 | $3200 | $3700 |
| Jermaine Kearse | SEA | A | GB | 56 | 15.3% | 4.7 | 29 | 2.4 | 51.8% | 354 | 0 | 12.2 | 30.3 | 22 | 18 | 277.4 | 46.5 | 125 | $4500 | $3000 | $4000 |
Elite Plays
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Mike Evans, TB – It’s all about the volume with Evans. Well, that and a soft match-up against the Saints. Some say the Saints defense isn’t as bad as the numbers say they are, but I think Evans is a pretty safe play to return the proper value.
Antonio Brown, PIT – Weather could play a factor as it’s supposed to snow in Buffalo this weekend, but even so, Big Ben and Brown can handle that just as they do in Pittsburgh. That means the soft match-up against a team that ranks 27th against WR1 this year is very much in play.
Odell Beckham, NYG – The Cowboys have given up the fourth-most passing yards in the league and have allowed 20 touchdowns through the air. Eli will look in OBJ’s direction early and often.
Pricey but Affordable
T.Y. Hilton, IND – He sees a ton of targets and the Texans rank just 22nd in the league against WR1. He and Andrew Luck should reprise their Monday night efforts we all just enjoyed.
Amari Cooper, OAK – The Chiefs don’t shadow, so it’s not like Marcus Peters is going to be glued to Cooper all game. Kansas City ranks 25th against WR1 this season and have allowed an average of 83 yards per game to them on the year.
DeAndre Hopkins, HOU – Nuk got a taste of the end zone last week and will be looking to keep that momentum going. The Colts overall pass defense ranks 29th and they also rank 29th against WR1 with an average of 88.2 yards per game allowed to them.
Jordy Nelson, GB – It’s expected to be a bit of a shootout and while it will be cold, it is not expected to snow. Look for Nelson and Aaron Rodgers to exploit the Earl Thomas absence as much as possible.
Doug Baldwin, SEA – Flipping to the other side of the expected shootout, look for Baldwin and Russell Wilson to exploit the soft Green Bay corners. The Packers rank dead last against opposing WR1 and give up and average of 84 yards per game to them.
Solid Value
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Kenny Britt, LA – He’s seen almost eight targets per game and has three touchdowns over the Rams’ last five. The Falcons rank 26th against opposing WR1 and while they only allow an average of 64 yards per game to them, they’ve still given up the most passing yards on the season and have allowed 26 touchdowns through the air.
Tyrell Williams, SD – He showed the shoulder is a non-issue last week and continues to be Philip Rivers’ favorite target out there. He lines up on the outside and in the slot, so the Panthers, who have allowed 22 passing touchdowns and the third most passing yards in the league, will have trouble containing him.
Larry Fitzgerald, ARI – This is likely to be a volume play, so I like him in full-point PPR more than half-point. But Carson Palmer is averaging well over 40 passes a game, so Fitz will certainly see a ton of work. The Dolphins don’t give up a lot of yardage, but they have allowed 21 touchdowns through the air.
Julian Edelman, NE – The Ravens defense is top-notch, but they do rank just 16th against WR1 this year and allow an average of 75.1 yards per game to them. Always tough to know who the Patriots will lean on, but given the strength of the Ravens run defense, I expect Tom Brady to take it to the air inside the red zone.
Golden Tate, DET – Matthew Stafford at home is simply a better quarterback than he is on the road. The Bears don’t give up a ton of yards through the air because everyone runs on them with a lead in the second half. With a very limited ground game, Stafford will look to keep airing it out to his favorite target.
Willie Snead, NO – With Michael Thomas dealing with a hurt foot and Tampa Bay ranking fourth in the league against opposing WR1, I like Snead to get some action as the WR2 and slot receiver. If you want a piece of the Saints, this seems like a reasonable choice.
Sammy Watkins, BUF – The Bills have eased him back in but look like they’re ready to unleash him this week. Again, it’s supposed to snow in Buffalo this weekend, so there’s a bit of risk, but the Steelers rank 28th against opposing WR1 and have allowed an average of 91.5 yards per game to them.
Bargain Hunting
Brandon LaFell/Tyler Boyd, CIN – Ugh. I just don’t know which way to go here. I don’t know if the Bengals even know. LaFell is a good deep threat while Boyd seems to be in more of a possession-type role. Sort of like a poor man’s Demaryius Thomas/Emmanuel Sanders thing here. The good news is that they are priced right next to each other so if you want a piece here, I would do the exact same lineup with LaFell in one and Boyd in the other.
Taylor Gabriel, ATL – All the focus is on Julio Jones’ turf toe and Mohamed Sanu’s groin. With that being the case, look for Ryan to stay connected with Gabriel this week. The Rams corners have softened up as the season wanes and Gabriel is also a killer option for slants over the middle.
Anquan Boldin, DET – You can’t expect mad targets or big yards, but Boldin is usually a pretty good bet for a touchdown. I like using him on FanDuel and with the Bears secondary what it is, will be playing him this week for sure.
Jeremy Kerley, SF – I absolutely hate using someone who relies on Colin Kaepernick to get him the ball, but this match-up with a hapless Jets team might be too tough to not grab even a small piece of in DFS GPP contests. For the price and the fact that the Jets pass defense ranks dead last in the NFL, it’s worth a shot.
Adam Humphries, TB – Again, the heavy volume goes Evans’ way, but considering the Saints rank 23rd against WR2/3 receivers, there’s going to be plenty of aerial work for the Bucs. Humphries makes for a nice low-cost GPP play here, especially since the Saints have allowed 19 passing touchdowns and the second-most passing yards on the season.
Robby Anderson, NYJ – Anyone who watched Monday’s game knows that Bryce Petty will throw to Anderson downfield as many times as he has to in order to get the long touchdown. Couple that with the 49ers weak-ass pass defense that’s allowed 26 passing touchdowns this season, and maybe they connect for two this week!