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 as the projections change. For updates, visit the models directly.
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You can also combine them to create your own aggregate projections:
Top NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks in the FantasyLabs Models
On DraftKings, there are three wide receivers near the top of the individual Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon, Cash Game, and Tournament Player Models.
- Cooper Kupp
- Diontae Johnson
- Justin Watson
We’ll discuss why these three are popping in our models, as well as take a look at some other wide receivers.
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Top Model NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Cooper Kupp ($8,000 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel): Los Angeles Rams (-2.5) at Arizona Cardinals (45.5 total)
Cooper Kupp has been battling an ankle injury, but Sean McVay said on Friday that Kupp will be available for Sunday. He ran just eight routes last week before leaving with the injury. Against these same Cardinals back in Week 6, Kupp caught seven of nine targets for 148 yards and a touchdown.
The Rams are very cautious with injuries, but since he’s suiting up, I’m expecting Kupp to play at 100%. His first two games of the year looked like vintage Kupp, going for 22.8 and 30.8 DraftKings points. He followed that up with three single-digit DraftKings point performances.
I like Kupp to bounce back from injury and have a big game against the Cardinals for the second time this year.
Kupp is the top option in our Tournament Model.
Diontae Johnson ($4,900 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel): Pittsburgh Steelers (-2) at Cincinnati Bengals (35.5 total)
Diontae Johnson has been unable to produce on the volume he’s seen the past two weeks, catching just three of his 12 targets. Johnson has still seen nearly 30% of the team targets since returning from injury in Week 7, but Pickett has missed him many times.
This matchup isn’t anything amazing, with Cincinnati allowing just 9.9 yards per target to perimeter receivers.
Despite the tough recent production, this feels like a good time to buy low on Johnson. He had 12.9, 16.5, and 22 DraftKings points in his first three games back. Pittsburgh has now fired Matt Canada, and they should have ample opportunities with Cincinnati’s offense likely to struggle.
Johnson is second in the position in Projected Plus/Minus and tied for second in Points/Salary. Johnson is the top receiver in our Cash Model.
Justin Watson ($3,000 DraftKings, $5,100 FanDuel): Kansas City Chiefs (-8.5) at Las Vegas Raiders (43 total)
Justin Watson turned in one of his best outings last week against the Eagles, catching five of 11 targets for 53 yards and a touchdown. He was out there on 63% of the snaps for the second game in a row and is likely to continue seeing a solid allotment of snaps.
He is primarily used deeper down the field, and the Chiefs’ wide receiver rotation is constantly in flux. However, this Chiefs’ offense is looking for a spark, and Watson has been playing better as of late.
As is always the case with Kansas City receivers, his floor is extremely low. However, he’s the minimum price and doesn’t need much to pay off. He leads the position in Points/Salary and Projected Plus/Minus and is the top option in both Sean Koerner and Chris Raybon’s Pro Models.
Other Notable NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Tank Dell ($6,900 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel): Houston Texans (+1.5) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (47.5 total)
Few receivers in the league are hotter than Tank Dell right now, with 83.4 DraftKings points over his last three games, including two games above 30. His volume has been awesome, with 11, 14, and 10 targets over the three-game stretch. He is running a little hot on touchdown luck but is still averaging 19.8 DraftKings points per game over the stretch without touchdowns.
This Jaguars defense has gotten torched by receivers on the perimeter, and we saw Dell catch five of seven targets for 145 yards and a touchdown in Week 3. Dell is a strong option in all formats.
Calvin Ridley ($6,000 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel): Jacksonville Jaguars (-1.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (47.5 total)
Calvin Ridley finally performed last week, catching seven of nine targets for 103 yards and two touchdowns. He was finally able to convert on his opportunities, as a lot of his volume comes on deep passes. Those deep passes make Ridley’s outcomes more volatile, but that’s the exact type of guy we like using in tournaments.
Houston has allowed the sixth-most yards per target to perimeter receivers on the year. He only had seven DraftKings points when these teams first played, but he had two drops, including a 35-yard touchdown. He’s still underpriced, in my opinion.
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My Favorite NFL DFS Wide Receiver Leverage Pick(s)
Stefon Diggs ($8,800 DraftKings, $8,700 FanDuel): Buffalo Bills (+3) at Philadelphia Eagles (48.5 total)
It’s been tough sledding as of late for Stefon Diggs, with just 13.1 DraftKings points over the past two games. His past two games have come against the Broncos and Jets, who have excelled at defending opposing WR1s on the year. He gets a far softer landing spot this week against Philadelphia, who is allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers on the year.
Diggs still has one of the most valuable roles in fantasy, and it feels like he’s due for a big game. The Bills are likely going to need to stay aggressive to score points with Philadelphia, and Diggs is their best bet. I’ve been touting WR1s against Philadelphia for a while now, and this week is no different.
Diggs is in a great spot, in a great game environment, and is stackable with my top quarterback. He’s a no-brainer for me this weekend.
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