WR Starts/Sits
Six wideouts, six verdicts. Here’s who belongs in your lineup this week and who stays on the bench.
Yo! Real quick, before we get to the picks →
Novig users are 10x more likely to profit compared to competitors.
Same games, better odds, built only for sports.
New to Novig? Deposit $10, get $50.
Now, on to the picks…
✅ START: Mike Evans (SF) vs. Commanders
With Deebo Samuel (hamstring) set to miss time, Evans takes over as San Francisco’s main boundary weapon, and he’s already in sync with Brock Purdy.
Best day as a Niner: 7-of-10 for 113 yards, a TD and 157 air yards vs. Seattle, all season highs
Purdy’s go-to finisher: Three TDs through five games, including scores from Purdy in Weeks 1 and 5
Soft perimeter defense: Washington gives up 0.46 fantasy points per route run to perimeter WRs, the second-highest rate in the NFL
He has played through rib and hip injuries and is still producing, and this matchup gives him fringe WR1 upside.
🚫 SIT: Jaylen Waddle (DEN) vs. Seahawks
The headline offseason trade hasn’t paid off in Denver the way we expected, and Week 6 brings the worst possible matchup for how he’s being used.
Stilted production: 35 or fewer receiving yards in four of five games
Slot trap: Waddle lines up heavily in the slot, where Seattle allows an NFL-low 0.13 fantasy points per route run
Brutal Matchup: Seattle’s defense is a buzzsaw for opposing wideouts, allowing some of the lowest production in the league
No Bronco has found real chemistry with Bo Nix (no Denver receiver caught more than four passes last week), so Waddle is too volatile to trust until the offense improves.
✅ START: Denzel Boston (CLE) vs. Ravens
With KC Concepcion nursing a concussion and possibly not being available for Week 6, the rookie second-rounder is clearly the receiver Cleveland uses to stretch the field.
Reliable floor: More than 12.9 PPR points in four of five starts, and at least 40 yards in every game
Big-play ability: Three TDs and three catches of 46+ yards through his first five NFL games
Ravens are vulnerable: Baltimore has allowed 15+ fantasy points to five receivers, and grade out as the 4th-worst in the NFL vs. the position.
When Deshaun Watson throws deep, he’s looking for Boston, which makes the rookie a flex play with weekly spike-game potential.
🚫 SIT: Carnell Tate (TEN) @ Colts
The No. 4 overall pick’s usage is strong, but Cam Ward’s passing can’t support it right now.
Low passing volume: Ward is averaging just 179 passing yards per game
Boom-to-bust: Tate went from 9-145 in Week 4 to one catch for 6 yards in Week 5
Tough matchup outside: He runs 75% of his routes out wide, and Indianapolis allows the fewest fantasy points per route run to perimeter receivers
Keep him rostered for the talent and target share, but don’t start him this week.
Next up is the best WR matchup on the entire slate…
✅ START: Matthew Golden (GB) vs. Cowboys
Golden’s Year 2 breakout keeps building, and Dallas is the most favorable matchup a receiver could get.
Breakout pace: 15.7 PPR points per game, with his 123-yard Week 5 his third new career high in five games
Concentrated passing game: Green Bay throws at a league-high 73% rate, and that volume runs through Golden and Christian Watson (six TDs already)
Best matchup of the week: Dallas allows top-7 fantasy points to WRs, has the league’s worst performance vs. wideouts, and plays in a projected 50+ point shootout
Start him with confidence. He’s a safe WR2 with WR1 upside this week.
🚫 SIT: Terry McLaurin (WAS) @ 49ers
McLaurin has shown flashes, and we already know his talent, but his production has been too inconsistent to trust on the road in San Francisco.
Volatile scoring: Single-digit fantasy points in three of his last five starts
Hamstring concern: He missed Week 4 and was limited in practice all week before Week 5
Stingy defense: San Francisco gives up the 10th-fewest points to perimeter WRs and has the 7th-lowest EPA per route run
If Stefon Diggs returns, McLaurin’s target share shrinks too, so leave him on the bench if you have a better option.
That’s the list. Six tough calls for Week 6 made easy.
-Joe
P.S. you can get $50 after playing just $10 on NOVIG if you sign up using code HOLKASHOW