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.
- A.J. Brown
- Garrett Wilson
- Tutu Atwell
We’ll discuss why these three are popping in our models, as well as take a look at some other wide receivers.
Top Model NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
A.J. Brown ($8,000 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel): Philadelphia Eagles (-14) vs. New York Giants (43 total)
A.J. Brown didn’t have much going last week until he broke off a 78-yard touchdown catch. He finished the day with four catches on nine targets, going for 97 yards and a touchdown. He had a similar day in Gardner Minshew’s first start, catching six of eight targets for 103 yards.
Jalen Hurts is expected back under center this week which is good news for Brown. Hurts and Brown have established a great connection. Brown has caught 10 touchdowns on the year from Hurts, posting three 30+ DraftKings points performances.
One of those 10 trips to the end zone came against this Giants’ team back in Week 14, when the Eagles laid an absolute smackdown. Brown caught four of six targets for 70 yards and a touchdown in a 48-22 win. The Eagles are big favorites this week, and the Giants are expected to rest some starters as they’re locked into their playoff position.
However, with Hurts banged up, it’s possible he doesn’t run as much. The Eagles still need to put up points to win the game, and the engine of their offense this week could be Brown and the passing game. Brown has seen a 30.2% target rate per route run against man coverage, and the Giants run the most man coverage in the league.
Brown is the receiver in our Tournament Model.
Garrett Wilson ($5,800 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel): New York Jets (+3) at Miami Dolphins (37 total)
We knew Garrett Wilson was going to see a lot of volume last week, and we hoped that volume would allow him to overcome the difficult matchup. Sadly, that was not the case, as Wilson caught just three of 11 targets for 18 yards as the Jets’ playoff hopes died in Seattle.
Wilson gets a softer matchup this week, as the Dolphins rank 22nd in fantasy points allowed to perimeter receivers. It may not seem like an amazing matchup, but we know Wilson is going to get fed the ball, and the 22nd-ranked defense is a far better matchup than Seattle’s second-ranked defense against perimeter receivers.
Another good sign in this matchup for Wilson is that Miami plays a ton of man coverage. Wilson has seen 32.5% of the team targets against man coverage compared to 18.7% against zone coverage. The Jets don’t have anything left to play for, so they may look to pad Wilson’s stats in an attempt to get him the offensive rookie of the year award.
He’s the top receiver in our Cash Game Model.
Tutu Atwell ($3,400 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel): Los Angeles Rams (+6) at Seattle Seahawks (41.5 total)
Tutu Atwell has finally found the field for Los Angeles and has been an every-down receiver as of late. He’s run a route on 89%, 90%, and 88% in the past three weeks and is being targeted on 21% of his routes run for the season.
The Rams have leaned on the run as of late, but when Baker Mayfield does throw it, there’s a good chance that it’s going to Atwell. Mayfield attempted 19 passes last week, with five targets going to Atwell. He caught two balls for 10 yards.
The matchup is certainly difficult, as Seattle has allowed the third-fewest DraftKings points to opposing receivers on the season. Atwell had a middling day the last time these teams played, catching two of five targets for 48 yards and carrying the ball four times for 23 yards.
Atwell isn’t a play that is going to blow your mind, but he’s dirt-cheap running a route on practically every dropback. The Rams don’t have their first-round pick and would likely love to play spoiler to Seattle’s playoff chances. The Rams’ will likely pull out all the tricks and be full systems go to cap off this lost season.
Atwell is the top option in Sean Koerner and Chris Raybon’s Pro Models.
Other Notable NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Ja’Marr Chase ($8,400 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel): Cincinnati Bengals (-9.5) vs. Baltimore Ravens (39.5 total)
Ja’Marr Chase has been pretty much kept in check in his last two games despite seeing a ton of volume. He saw 13 targets against Tampa Bay, catching just seven balls for 60 yards and a touchdown. He saw 12 targets against New England, catching eight balls for 79 yards.
We know his ceiling is massive, as he has four games of 30+ DraftKings points despite missing a good chunk of the season. He had a middling day against Baltimore the last time these teams played, catching seven of 12 targets for 50 yards. Chase did ravage this defense last season, catching eight balls for 201 yards and a touchdown and seven balls for 125 yards in their two matchups.
Drake London ($4,900 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel): Atlanta Falcons (-4) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (40.5 total)
Drake London has seen solid usage in three straight games with Desmond Ridder under center, with target counts of eleven, nine, and eight. His production has been decent, totaling 13.0, 15.6, and 9.7 DraftKings points. A little bump in efficiency coupled with a trip to the end zone could give London a massive day at a cheap price. With Tampa Bay likely going easy on their starters, we could get Atlanta a chance to let their two rookies cook in a matchup against Tampa Bay’s backups.
London saw seven targets when these teams first played, catching just four balls for 35 yards.
Greg Dortch ($3,800 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel): Arizona Cardinals (+14) at San Francisco 49ers (39.5 total)
We know the slot role is extremely valuable in this Cardinals’ offense, and with DeAndre Hopkins and Rondale Moore out, we know Greg Dortch will be manning the slot. He’s seen 11 and 10 targets in back-to-back games, catching 10 balls for 98 yards against Tampa Bay, and just four balls for 15 yards last week against Atlanta.
The matchup is certainly difficult, and Arizona has David Blough under center. However, if Dortch is going to see nearly double-digit targets, it’s hard not to be enticed at his dirt-cheap price tag.
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