In this piece, I highlight wide receivers who stand out in our large suite of analytical fantasy tools, most specifically, our FantasyLabs Player Models. While the models are built for DFS contests, this is an all-purpose fantasy article with actionable information for all formats.
As news breaks throughout the week and we adjust our projections (powered by Sean Koerner), player ratings in our Player Models will change. For updates, visit the models directly.
And don’t forget about the tools that FantasyLabs has to offer, like our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 150 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Top NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks in the FantasyLabs Models
On DraftKings, there are two wide receivers near the top of the Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon, Cash Game, and Tournament Player Models.
- Tyreek Hill
- Michael Pittman Jr.
We’ll discuss why these are popping in our models, as well as take a look at some other wide receivers.
Top Model NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Tyreek Hill ($6,800 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel): Buffalo Bills (-7) vs. Indianapolis Colts (50 total)
It’s going to be an adjustment period for all of us, as the Cheetah is no longer wearing his blazing Kansas City red. The Chiefs started to use Hill far more on short passes towards the end of his tenure in Kansas City, and it’s likely he has a similar role in Miami. New HC Mike McDaniel will urge Tua Tagovailoa to get the ball out quickly to Miami’s speedsters and let them go to work.
Hill gets a massive downgrade at quarterback this season, but that also comes with a price dip, as we’re used to seeing his salary in the $ 8,000s. With such a massive environment change, it’s hard to put too much stock into Hill’s 2021 campaign. However, he did show that he still has as much upside as anyone. Hill had a couple of slate-breaking games, with scores of 35.8, 40.1, and 50.6 DraftKings points.
New England was stellar last year against opposing wide receivers, allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers. However, with J.C. Jackson and Malcolm Butler departing, New England is trotting out one of the least imposing secondaries we’ve seen during Belichick’s tenure.
Facing off against a weak secondary with a depressed price tag, we think Tyreek Hill will ball out in his debut with Miami.
He’s an intriguing tournament play if his projected ownership stays under 10%.
Michael Pittman Jr. ($5,500 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel): Baltimore Ravens (-6) at Chicago Bears (45.5 total)
After a solid 2021 campaign, Michael Pittman gets a solid quarterback upgrade going from Carson Wentz to Matt Ryan. Even if age starts to get the best of Ryan, Pittman has proved he can perform without stellar quarterback play, consistently having valuable performances with Philip Rivers and Wentz under center.
Pittman posted eight games with 15+ DraftKings points last season and flashed some solid upside with five of 20+. The Colts passed the ball the sixth-least in the league last season, making Pittman’s solid performances even more impressive with limited volume.
Houston’s defense should be quite unimposing, as they gave up the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this past season. A cornerback room of rookie Derek Stingley, Steven Nelson, and Desmond King doesn’t necessarily scare you away, either. Houston gave up 20+ DraftKings points to six different receivers in 2021 and gave up the sixth-most receiving yards to opposing wide receivers as well.
If Pittman can build a rapport with Matt Ryan, we could see a breakout season for Pittman. Especially if Indianapolis looks to the air more to take some of the load off of Jonathan Taylor.
Pittman leads one of our Pro Models on DraftKings and our Cash Game and Tournament Models.
Other Notable NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Davante Adams ($8,100 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel): Las Vegas Raiders (+3.5) at Los Angeles Chargers (52.5 total)
Like Tyreek Hill, it’ll take a little while to get used to seeing Davante Adams in a Raiders uniform. Adams reunited with his college sweetheart Derek Carr, and they’re hoping this Cinderella story has a happily ever after. Sitting with the fourth-best odds to win their own division and a 3.5-point underdog on opening day to the Chargers, it appears they have some work to do.
With J.C. Jackson set to miss his debut for the Chargers, Adams should be able to impose his will upon the Los Angeles secondary. Carr may not pepper Adams to the extent that Aaron Rodgers did (10.6 targets per game), but Adams will likely see a good chunk of volume. His $8,100 price tag is the cheapest that Adams has been since Week 10 of last season, and it’s hard not to take a chance on a guy with this much talent at a depressed price tag for him.
Justin Jefferson ($7,800 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel): Minnesota Vikings (+1.5) vs. Green Bay Packers (47 total)
It’s hard not to be excited about Justin Jefferson’s fantasy outlook this season. He’s coming off of a monster year two, where his 20.5 DraftKings points per game ranked fourth in the league. He also managed to top 25 DraftKings points five different times, including a 38.6-point performance against the Lions and a 40.2-point performance against the Packers.
Speaking of the Packers, they were fairly stout against wide receivers last season. They gave up the ninth-fewest DraftKings points to opposing receivers, and they’re getting a fully-healthy Jaire Alexander back to go along with an already stout secondary.
Jefferson is a “bet on talent” play, as this Green Bay defense is pretty stout. However, new HC Kevin O’Connell just saw Sean McVay spoon-feed Cooper Kupp targets week after week despite defenses keying in on him.
We could see O’Connell take a similar approach with Jefferson.
Ja’Marr Chase ($7,100 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel): Cincinnati Bengals (-6.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (44.5 total)
It’ll be difficult for Ja’Marr Chase to outdo his rookie year performance, where he took the league by storm and topped 20 DraftKings points in eight different games. He also casually put up 58.6 DraftKings points against Kansas City in Week 17, showing that his ceiling is pretty high (you think?).
In all seriousness, Chase is a monster, and he tore apart opposing secondaries while Joe Burrow was consistently under pressure. An improved offensive line should give Cincinnati more chances to push the ball deep, where Chase and Burrow’s chemistry shines.
Pittsburgh gave up the ninth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers but gave up the 11th-most touchdowns.
Chase is no stranger to the end zone, as he found paydirt 14 total times last season.
JuJu Smith-Schuster ($5,200 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel): Kansas City Chiefs (-6) at Arizona Cardinals (53.5 total)
We know Patrick Mahomes will look Travis Kelce’s way a bunch, but who else will he throw to with Tyreek Hill gone? Enter: JuJu Smith-Schuster. JuJu will be able to thrive underneath in this offense and will likely get peppered with targets.
He gets a massive quarterback upgrade and is in an offense that passes far more but has a lower price tag than most of last season. We’re yet to see what Smith-Schuster’s rapport is with Mahomes, but I’m willing to buy in on a potential No. 1 receiver in a game with a total well north of 50.
Arizona allowed the fourth-most DraftKings points to opposing wide receivers last season and haven’t done much to change their defense.
In a game with a lot of scoring expected, Smith-Schuster looks like a player to invest in.
Randall Cobb ($3,400 DraftKings, $5,100 FanDuel): Green Bay Packers (-1.5) at Minnesota Vikings (47 total)
It’s not 2014 anymore, but Randall Cobb can still produce when called upon. With Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling out of Green Bay, and Allen Lazard likely to miss this contest, Green Bay needs answers at the wide receiver position. Rodgers and Cobb have strong chemistry together, as Rodgers basically bullied Green Bay into trading for Cobb before the 2021 season.
When Adams, Valdes-Scantling, and Lazard all missed last year’s contest with Arizona, Rodgers leaned on Cobb in high-leverage situations. We could see a similar approach in Week 1, and for only $3,400, we don’t need much from Cobb to pay off his price tag.
It’s important to note that the Packers’ other receivers (Sammy Watkins, Christian Watson, and Romeo Doubs) are all intriguing daily fantasy options this weekend as well.
