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.
And don’t forget about the tools that FantasyLabs has to offer, like our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Finally, make sure to check out all the projections available for purchase within the FantasyLabs Models. Subscribers now have the option to purchase Derek Carty’s THE BLITZ from our Marketplace. Projections from One Week Season and Establish the Run are available if you’re a subscriber to those specific sites (our optimizer is a separate add-on feature).
You can also combine them to create your own aggregate projections:
Top NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks in the FantasyLabs Models
On DraftKings, there is one wide receiver near the top of the individual Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon, Cash Game, and Tournament Player Models.
- CeeDee Lamb
We’ll discuss why this receiver is popping in our models, as well as take a look at some other wide receivers.
Top Model NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
CeeDee Lamb ($9,300 DraftKings, $10,000 FanDuel): Dallas Cowboys (-13) at Washington Commanders (47 total)
Few players have had as impressive of a year as CeeDee Lamb. Lamb absolutely balled on last week, catching 13 of 17 targets for 227 yards and a touchdown en route to 44.2 DraftKings points in Dallas’ win over the Lions.
We’ve been targeting WR1s against Washington for the whole season, as they’ve allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing WR1s. Lamb had a modest performance against the Commanders on Thanksgiving, catching just four of nine targets for 53 yards and a touchdown. Dallas cruised to a win in that game, so there wasn’t much need for their stud receiver.
Wide receiver is a very volatile position, but few players rival Lamb’s floor/ceiling combo. He’s topped 20 DraftKings points in eight games this year, including five games over 30 and three games over 40. There have been few duds, with just one game of single-digit DraftKings points on the year,
Despite the slate-high tag, Lamb leads the position in Projected Plus/Minus and is tied atop the position in Points/Salary.
He’s the top option in our Cash Game and Tournament Model, as well as Sean Koerner and Chris Raybon’s Pro Models.
Don’t forget to check out our SImLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:
Other Notable NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Justin Jefferson ($8,500 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel): Minnesota Vikings (+3.5) at Detroit Lions (45.5 total)
Justin Jefferson has settled in nicely since returning from injury, seeing ten targets in three straight games. He couldn’t get much going last week against Green Bay, catching just five of 10 targets for 59 yards. Jefferson produced the week prior, catching six of ten targets for 141 yards and a score against the Lions.
He gets another matchup with Detroit here, and Nick Mullens is back under center, who quarterbacked that Week 16 game. With Mullens under center, Jefferson has a 31% target share, to go along with a 27% target rate per route run and 47% of the team air yards. Detroit has allowed the fifth-most DraftKings points per game to opposing wide receivers and the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing WR1s.
Jayden Reed ($5,70 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel): Green Bay Packers (-3) vs. Chicago Bears (45 total)
Jayden Reed has stepped up as of late and become an essential part of the Packers offense. He has eight or more targets in four of the past five games, with 15+ DraftKings points in six of his past seven. He showed out on Sunday night against the Vikings, catching six of eight targets for 89 yards and two touchdowns before leaving in the second quarter with an injury.
He’s listed as questionable but should be good to go after practicing all week. Reed has also seen usage in the ground game, with nine carries in his past six games.
Christian Kirk ($3,000 DraftKings, $4,000 FanDuel): Jacksonville Jaguars (-4) at Tennessee Titans (41 total)
It’s not entirely clear if he’s playing, but if Christian Kirk is activated off of IR and plays, he’s an extremely strong option. He was a limited participant in all three practices this week after he was designated to return from IR. He’ll need to be added to the 53-man roster before 4:00 PM ET on Saturday, so we’ll know well in advance if he’s playing.
If he is active, he could be on a pitch count, but he’ll surely earn targets when he’s out there. Kirk is a high $5,000s – low $6,000s receiver when healthy, and we’d be getting him at the stone minimum in a must-win game for Jacksonville. He’ll likely be owned, but he’d be a borderline lock in cash games if active.
Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper Fantasy promo code LABS1 for a $100 deposit match.
My Favorite NFL DFS Wide Receiver Leverage Pick(s)
Calvin Ridley ($6,500 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel): Jacksonville Jaguars (-4) at Tennessee Titans (41 total)
The Christian Kirk news only furthers my potential interest in Calvin Ridley. It’d be nice to know the status of Trevor Lawrence, as he appears truly questionable. I’m expecting him to give it a go on Sunday, giving me interest in Ridley.
Tennessee has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing WR1s while also allowing the most receiving yards and receptions per game to perimeter receivers, where RIdley plays over 80% of his snaps. He’s also seeing a bunch of high-value targets, with a league-high 41% red zone share and 51% end zone share.
He carved up Tennessee when these teams played in Week 11, catching seven of nine targets for 103 yards and two touchdowns.
