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.
- Davante Adams
- D.J. Moore
- Greg Dortch
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
Davante Adams ($8,600 DraftKings, $8,800 FanDuel): Las Vegas Raiders (-5.5) vs. Arizona Cardinals (51.5 total)
Any questions about where Davante Adams’ usage would drop off this year were answered in Week 1. Derek Carr peppered Adams with 17 targets, which Adams parlayed into 10 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown. Carr made sure to show everyone that Adams was happier with his new partner (Carr) than his ex (Aaron Rodgers).
In all seriousness, we can still view Adams as the same guy that he was in Green Bay, except now there are actually other weapons for the defense to keep an eye on in Darren Waller and Hunter Renfroe. A lack of other weapons never hurt Adams’ production with the Packers, but it is worth noting. Adams also had a command over the team’s air yards, ranking third in the league in Week 1 air yards share, with 58% of the Raiders’ air yards.
The Cardinals defense provided pretty much no resistance to the Chiefs offense last week. It’s unlikely that Las Vegas puts up 40+ as Kansas City did, but Patrick Mahomes went to his No. 1 weapon in Travis Kelce with ease last week. Kelce posted 121 yards and a touchdown on eight catches. It’s likely that Carr can feed Adams just as Mahomes fed Kelce last week. The Cardinals defense is also dealing with a handful of injuries, making an already weak unit even more beatable.
Adams leads both our Cash and Tournament Models this week and is shaping up as a stellar play in all formats.
DJ Moore ($5,700 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel): Carolina Panthers (+2) at New York Giants (43.5 total)
DJ Moore posted a pretty lackluster Week 1 performance, with 8.0 DraftKings points, getting 43 yards through the air on three catches as well as a rush attempt for seven yards. However, Moore did play on every single offensive snap, and he made up 22.22% of the team’s targets. Robbie Anderson led the receiver room in targets last week, but we expect that to flip here. Wink Martindale, new defensive coordonator for the New York Giants, loves to dial up blitzes and play man coverage. With blitzes coming, it’s likely that Baker Mayfield is forced to get the ball out quickly to the likes of Christian McCaffrey and DJ Moore, as opposed to Anderson.
Moore has shredded man coverage in his career. He has seen greater than 30% of his team’s target share against man coverage in each of the past three season. He also averages 2.40 yards of average separation versus man coverage, ranking amogn the elites in the league. The Giants will also be missing No. 2 cornerback Aaron Robinson, making this secondary more attackable for Moore. He is a very talented player, and a Week 1 stinker isn’t going to scare us away.
Moore leads one of our Pro Models on DraftKings.
Greg Dortch ($3,500 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel): Arizona Cardinals (+5.5) at Las Vegas Raiders (51.5 total)
With Rondale Moore set to miss another game, and DeAndre Hopkins still in the midst of his suspension, Greg Dortch still appears as one of the best values on the slate. Dortch appeared on 91% of snaps last week, being targeted nine times and catching seven balls for 63 yards. He also tied for the team lead in routes run with 42, operating mostly out of the slot. The Raiders defense got battered in the middle of the field by the Chargers last week.
The Raiders also sit as favorites of around a touchdown as of now, so if they do get ahead and look to limit big plays, Dortch may rack up the catches underneath. This is exactly how last week played out, which led to Dortch’s nine targets against Kansas City.
Regardless of how the game goes, a wide receiver playing 90%+ of the snaps with Kyler Murray as his quarterback is certainly worth monitoring. Dortch looks like a great cash game play, but his ownership may get so outsized that taking an underweight stance in tournaments could pay off.
Dortch leads one of our Pro Models on DraftKings.
Other Notable NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Cooper Kupp ($9,900 DraftKings, $9,700 FanDuel): Los Angeles Rams (-10) vs. Atlanta Falcons (46.5 total)
We both know I don’t need to give you reasons to play Cooper Kupp, but I’ll give them to you anyways. After a monster 2021, Kupp started off 2022 with a bang, going for 128 yards and a touchdown on 13 catches, good for 34.8 DraftKings points. He saw 15 of Matthew Stafford’s 41 targets, good for a 36.58% target share. This number seems high, but it’s pretty on par with last year’s performance. Kupp averaged 11.1 targets per game across 21 total games in 2021.
Kupp was held under 90 yards twice all season including the playoffs. With Kupp’s price so high and Davante Adams looking like an awesome play for $1,000 less, Kupp’s ownership will definitely be under control. Kupp has one of the highest ceilings in all of fantasy football, and he’s pretty much worth a shot every single week.
Tyreek Hill ($7,100 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel): Miami Dolphins (+3.5) at Baltimore Ravens (44.5 total)
Tyreek Hill started off his time in Miami with a bang, dominating the team’s target share at 36%. He hauled in eight catches for 94 yards and scampered six yards on the ground on a carry. Hill is still one of the most explosive players in the league and is still quite relevant in the fantasy world despite no longer catching passes from Patrick Mahomes. The Dolphins gave up a war chest of draft picks for him and then proceeded to pay Hill $120 million. It was expected that he’d be the focal point of their offense.
The Baltimore defense looked fairly impressive last week, but it’s hard to place too much stock into a matchup with Joe Flacco and the Jets. Baltimore’s secondary is definitely exploitable despite the solid Week 1 performance. marlon Humphrey is nursing a groin injury, and Hill’s outlook would only be improved if Humphrey were to miss. Kyle Fuller is already on the IR, and backup corner Brandon Stephens is questionable for this matchup as well.
Amon-Ra St. Brown ($6,500 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel): Detroit Lions (-1.5) vs. Washington Commanders (48.5 total)
Amon-Ra St. Brown picked up right where he left off, catching eight balls for 64 yards in a touchdown in Detroit’s Week 1 defeat at the hands of Philadelphia. St. Brown played on 88.4% of snaps in Week 1, and accounted for 32.4% of the Lions’ targets. It appears that his chemistry with Jared Goff wasn’t a fluke, and St. Brown will squarely be in play with Goff under center. Over his past seven games, St. Brown has averaged 25.36 DraftKings points, with only one game under 20 points.
Washington ranked 29th in DraftKings points per game allowed to opposing wide receivers last season and still appears to have a beatable secondary. This game has one of the higher totals on the weekend, and we know St. Brown is going to see the targets.
He’s squarely in play this week.
Jahan Dotson ($3,400 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel): Washington Commanders (+1.5) at Detroit Lions (48.5 total)
Rookie Jahan Dotson had a great performance to start his career with three catches for 40 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner from Carson Wentz late in last week’s contest. Dotson saw five targets in the game and played on 88.3% of the team snaps, showing that the coaching staff already trusts him in big spots. Dotson also accounted for 25% of the Commanders air yards, showing their willingness to go to him down the field. The Lions have a fairly lackluster secondary, and they ranked 21st in DraftKings points allowed to opposing receivers in 2021.
Dotson got a price bump, but is still very affordable and provides good salary relief in order to fit in some big-name studs.
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