WR Starts/Sits
Two volume monsters, a rookie with a big-play habit, and three names you should think twice about this week. Here's who's in and who's out.
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Now, on to the picks…
🔥 START: Michael Wilson (ARI) vs. Lions
Wilson has turned into one of the league's biggest target hogs, and he gets a defense that's been leaking points to wideouts.
30 targets and a 35% target share over the last two weeks, after just 14 targets across Weeks 1 and 2
44 targets on the season, third-most in the NFL, out-targeting even Trey McBride (23) over the past two games
Detroit is one of the friendliest WR matchups so far this season and just gave up 194 yards and two scores to Tetairoa McMillan
Jacoby Brissett hasn't been particularly sharp, but Wilson's volume doesn't require perfection in a potential shootout. Fire him up as a WR3 with top-24 upside.
🪑 SIT: Mike Evans (SF) @ Seahawks
Evans is a gamer, but that rib fracture is a painful injury, and facing shutdown secondary makes this a week to look elsewhere.
Has left or played hurt in three straight games: a hip injury in Week 2, the rib injury in Week 3, and gutting it out through hits to the midsection in Week 4
Seattle allows only 16.8 fantasy PPG to wideouts, and has held every WR except Terry McLaurin under 9.3 fantasy points this season
That defense held Michael Wilson, this week's top start, to 2-of-7 for 18 yards in Week 2
His 31% share of San Francisco's air yards keeps the ceiling alive in better spots. This isn't one of them, and one bad hit could end his day early.
🔥 START: Denzel Boston (CLE) @ Jets
The second-round rookie has wasted no time becoming Cleveland's go-to playmaker.
Led the Browns in receiving in three of his first four NFL games, with double-digit fantasy points in three of them
Averaging 13.8 PPG with three catches of 46+ yards and two touchdowns already
The Jets can be exploited by outside boundary receivers, and Cleveland has scored 21+ points in three straight weeks
With just 22 targets so far, there's still room for his role to grow. Boston is an upside FLEX play who can win your week on one throw.
🪑 SIT: Josh Downs (IND) @ Steelers
This was supposed to be Downs' moment, and instead he disappeared.
With Alec Pierce on IR and Keenan Allen out in Week 4, Downs finished fourth on the team in targets and posted just 4.6 points
He didn't touch the ball over the final 35 minutes and was used mostly on check-downs
Pittsburgh allows the 5th-fewest fantasy points to wideouts and the 9th-fewest to slot receivers
In an offense leaning on Jonathan Taylor, Downs' short-area role needs heavy volume to pay off. Bench him until the targets come back.
Up next: the alpha WR who just found his ceiling again, and the defense that should let him keep it.
🔥 START: Malik Nabers (NYG) @ Commanders
Nabers finally put together the kind of game that made him a high-round pick, and the next matchup is even better.
Week 4: 6-of-7 for 112 yards and a TD on a 91% route share and 113 air yards (23.2 PPR points)
Washington allows the 4th-most fantasy points to WRs (40.3 PPG) and the 2nd-most to perimeter receivers
Posted a 75.0% success rate vs. man coverage and a class-leading 81.8% success rate when double-teamed during his rookie season 2 years ago (Reception Perception)
He shook off a re-aggravated shoulder to post his first 100-yard game of the year. Even with Jameis Winston under center, this is a smash spot you can't pass up.
🪑 SIT: Emeka Egbuka (TB) @ Cowboys
On paper this is a great matchup, but the quarterback situation is a problem right now.
Averaged just 9.0 PPG through three games, then bottomed out at 3.3 points on four targets in Week 4
Undrafted rookie QB Jalon Daniels has favored easy completions to Cade Otton and Chris Godwin, who combined for 10 catches last week
Egbuka hasn't topped 64 yards in a game since Week 10 of last season
Dallas grades as the most WR-friendly defense early in this season, but that only helps if the ball can get to him. Until Baker Mayfield returns, Egbuka is barely a WR3.
That’s the list. Make the right decisions on wide receivers to get the most out of your lineup.
-Joe
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