Who is this week’s top wide receiver? Who has good (or bad) matchups?
Here’s a breakdown of five notable wide receivers featured in Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon and Matthew Freedman’s Week 16 fantasy football rankings.
The No. 1 WR
DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans
It’s not surprising to see Hopkins take over the top receiver this week with an average rank of 1.7. He’s dominating target share for the Texans, garnering 32% of their targets over the past six weeks.
Up next is a struggling Eagles secondary that is allowing a league-high 206.2 receiving yards per game to wide receivers specifically. The Eagles and Jets are one of two teams in the league allowing more than 200 receiving yards per game to WRs over that timeframe.
Most Favorable Matchups
Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys
Cooper disappointed last week, but he’ll get a shot at redemption in Week 15 against a Buccaneers secondary allowing a 71.8% completion rate to opposing wide receivers, the second-highest mark in the league, per Sports Info Solutions.
Cooper is seeing WR1 usage since joining the Cowboys, soaking up 24.5% of their market share of targets. He should also benefit from getting a home game as Dak Prescott has averaged 261.9 passing yards per game at home this year, compared to 214.7 on the road.
Cooper is a top-10 receiver for all our rankers.
Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings’ new run-heavy approach isn’t ideal for Thielen as he’s coming off a season-low two targets, but he’ll be up against a Lions defense that ranks dead last in pass DVOA.
And with Darius Slay shadowing Stefon Diggs, Thielen will see a lot of Nevin Lawson, Pro Football Focus’ No. 100 cornerback in coverage. He presently owns the fifth-highest median projection in our FantasyLabs Player Models.
Matchup Downgrades
Chargers Wide Receivers
Head coach Anthony Lynn stated Keenan Allen (hip) could be a game-time decision against the Ravens, leaving Mike and Tyrell Williams to go up against a pass defense allowing just 6.2 yards per attempt, 120.6 receiving yards per game and a league-low 46.4% completion rate to opposing wide receivers over the past six weeks, per Sports Info Solutions.
49ers Wide Receivers
Only the Bears are allowing fewer yards per attempt (5.88) than the Ravens to wide receivers since Week 9. Outside receivers, Dante Pettis and Marquise Goodwin will have the toughest draw of their group as they’ll see mostly Prince Amukamara or Kyle Fuller, PFF’s No. 14- and No. 3-ranked cornerbacks.
Want another edge? Be sure to keep up with the week’s news on FantasyLabs.
