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 three wide receivers near the top of the Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon, Cash Game, and Tournament Player Models.
- DeAndre Hopkins
- Terry McLaurin
- Garrett Wilson
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
DeAndre Hopkins ($7,700 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel): Arizona Cardinals (+2.5) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (48.5 total)
DeAndre Hopkins has been absolutely peppered with volume since returning to the lineup. He has 12+ targets in four of his five games and has totaled 58 across five games since returning to the field. No matter who plays quarterback for the Cardinals, they look in Hopkins’ direction.
Since Week 7, which was when Hopkins returned from suspension, he is second in the league in target share, fourth in air yards share, and fifth in target rate per route run. It’s hard to find many players with a role similar to Hopkins. He’s definitely benefitted from Marquise Brown being out with a foot injury. Brown may return to the lineup this week, but with Rondale Moore and Greg Dortch likely out, there will be enough volume regardless of Brown’s status.
The Chargers have allowed the sixth most passing touchdowns on the year, so Hopkins should have a few chances to find the end zone. They’ve also surrendered 7.8 yards per target, which is in the middle of the pack. The matchup is unimposing, which is enough to load up on Hopkins, considering his volume.
Hopkins is the top receiver in our Cash Game Model and Sean Koerner’s Pro Model.
Terry McLaurin ($5,800 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel): Washington Commanders (-4) vs. Atlanta Falcons (40.5 total)
The Commanders offense has limited their passing volume with Taylor Heinicke at quarterback, but Terry McLaurin’s role is still secure and valuable. Since Heinicke became the starter, McLaurin is sixth among wide receivers in yards per route run, third in team target share, and sixth in target rate per route run
The matchup is about as good as it gets against the Falcons. Atlanta has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing receivers, 8.6 yards per target, and a 5.4% touchdown rate. McLaurin torched Atlanta last year, catching six of 13 targets for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Heinicke was also the quarterback for that game.
McLaurin has big play potential, and he’ll see enough volume in order to hit. He’s seen at least seven targets in each game with Heinicke under center and saw 11 targets against Philadelphia two weeks ago. He’s the top receiver in our Tournament Model.
Garrett Wilson ($4,300 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel): New York Jets (-6) vs. Chicago Bears (38.5 total)
Sometimes a change a the quarterback position proves to be detrimental to a wide receiver’s fantasy value. It’s honestly hard to play much worse than Zach Wilson is, so we’re not too worried about Garrett Wilson’s fantasy value. He’s very cheap, with a very valuable role.
Wilson ran a route on 100% of team dropbacks last week and is seeing a 22% target share and 22% target per route run rate on the year. We saw him have some big games with Joe Flacco and Zach Wilson, so there’s no reason that he can’t perform with Mike White.
The matchup is fairly easy, with the Bears allowing 9.1 yards per target to perimeter receivers. Wilson has played 73% of his snaps on the outside over the past four weeks, so he should be able to take advantage there. This game as a whole is very gross, with a total of merely 38.5. However, at such a low price, we don’t need much from Garrett Wilson to reach value.
Wilson is the top receiver in Chris Raybon’s Pro Model, while lapping the field in Projected Plus/Minus and Points/Salary.
Other Notable NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Davante Adams ($8,600 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel): Las Vegas Raiders (+4) at Seattle Seahawks (47.5 total)
The Davante Adams signing has reaped benefits over the past three games, as Adams has totaled 26 catches for 413 yards and five touchdowns in the past three weeks. Adams’ 106.3 DraftKings points in the past three games rivals teammate Josh Jacobs’ three-game stretch from Weeks 4-7, where he totaled 110.3 DraftKings points.
Adams leads all receivers with a 32.2% team target share, and he’s seen 44 targets over the past three weeks. The Seahawks have done well against opposing wide receivers this year, but Adams is a matchup-proof player. We’ve seen him put up 36.1 and 22.5 DraftKings points in his two games against the Broncos, so we’re not too worried about who lines up across from him.
Tee Higgins ($6,900 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel): Cincinnati Bengals (-1.5) at Tennessee Titans (43 total)
Tee Higgins soaked up as much volume as he could last week, catching nine of 13 targets for 148 yards. It was his second-best performance of the season, as he’s clearly Joe Burrow’s go-to target with Ja’Marr Chase off of the field. Chase is going to miss this contest as well, so we can expect another massive workload from Higgins. Higgins boasts one of the highest floors, scoring double-digit DraftKings points in every single game that he hasn’t left injured.
The matchup is enticing, with Tennessee allowing 9.5 yards per target and 8.6 receptions per game to boundary receivers, both ranking in the bottom five in the league. Higgins caught 7-of-9 targets for 96 yards when these teams matched up in last year’s divisional round.
Joshua Palmer ($5,400 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel): Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5) at Arizona Cardinals (48.5 total)
Joshua Palmer has been thriving with Justin Herbert recently and has seen a massive role bump with Mike Williams off of the field. With Mike Williams on the field, Palmer has seen a 16% target share and a 23% air yards share. With Williams out of the lineup, Palmer’s target share climbs to 24%, and his air yards share nearly doubles, up to 40%. Palmer led the team in routes run last week, catching eight of ten targets for 106 yards and two touchdowns.
The matchup isn’t necessarily imposing, and Palmer is going to run a route on pretty much every dropback. He makes for a prime candidate in Justin Herbert stacks and boasts a ceiling far greater than his price tag.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Understanding Ceiling Projections for NFL DFS Tournaments
NFL DFS Showdown: Lineup Optimizer Rules and My Favorite Angle in Chargers vs. Chiefs
Steelers-Browns Same Game Parlay: NFL Player Prop Picks, Over/Under, More, Using Parlay IQ for Thursday Night Football
Week 4 NFL DFS Top Model Picks and Value Plays on DraftKings and FanDuel
