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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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.
- A.J. Brown
- Zay Flowers
- Michael Gallup
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, $8,700 FanDuel): Philadelphia Eagles (-7) at Washington Commanders (43.5 total)
A.J. Brown continued his hot streak on Sunday night, catching 10 of 15 targets for 137 yards and a touchdown. He now gets a matchup with a Washington defense that he emasculated a few weeks ago, hauling in nine of 13 targets for 175 yards and two touchdowns.
Washington’s struggles with Brown were fitting, as boundary receivers have trounced them all year long. They’ve allowed the most yards per target to perimeter receivers. Stefon Diggs and Drake London both eclipsed 100 yards against them, and it wasn’t too long ago when DJ Moore posted 230 yards and two touchdowns on a Thursday night.
We’ve seen Brown’s sky-high ceiling in this exact same matchup, so it’s no wonder that he leads our Tournament Model this week.
Zay Flowers ($5,600 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel): Baltimore Ravens (-9.5) at Arizona Cardinals (44.5 total)
Zay Flowers had a little bit of a letdown game last week, catching four of six targets for 75 yards. To be fair, I had my expectations set high, and Baltimore barely needed to pass in the second half.
This is another week where we can chase the Flowers’ upside, as Arizona has allowed a 74% catch rate to opposing receivers on the year, along with the third-most yards per target. They’ve allowed the sixth-most DraftKings points to opposing receivers on the year, and there’s no reason to expect that to change.
Flowers boasts a solid floor with paths to upside, and he’s the top option in our Cash Game Model this weekend.
Michael Gallup ($3,400 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel): Dallas Cowboys (-6.5) vs. Los Angeles Rams (45.5 total)
Michael Gallup provides a lot of salary relief this week, as he comes in with an extremely cheap price tag on both sites. Gallup saw a whopping ten targets last game while playing on 70% of the snaps.
He was ineffective with his usage, catching just three balls for 24 yards. However, he dropped two potential touchdowns and could’ve had a 20+ point performance easily.
He ranks atop the position in Projected Plus/Minus and Points/Salary. He’s simply too cheap for his role.
Gallup is the top receiver in both Chris Raybon and Sean Koerner’s Pro Models.
Other Notable NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Ja’Marr Chase ($8,100 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel): Cincinnati Bengals (+4.5) at San Francisco 49ers (43.5 total)
Ja’Marr Chase had a middling performance before the bye against the Seahawks, hauling in six of 13 targets for 80 yards. The week before was his absolute eruption against Arizona, catching 15 of 19 targets for 192 yards and three scores.
The bye week should’ve done wonders for Joe Burrow’s already improving health, and now Chase gets a matchup against San Francisco, who has given up big games to opposing receivers. We all watched Jordan Addison find the end zone twice and eclipse 100 yards on Monday Night. Chase is in another ballpark compared to Addison and will likely be fed early and often this weekend.
Adam Thielen ($6,600 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel): Carolina Panthers (+3.5) vs. Houston Texans (43.5 total)
If you covered up Adam Thielen’s name and just looked at his box score, you’d think he was in the same realm as Tyreek Hill. He’s exceeded 30 DraftKings points in three of the past four weeks, with 48 targets over that span.
Carolina has switched offensive coordinators, but Thielen has been stellar for that offense. I’m not expecting his usage to change too much, and his usage represents a player priced in the mid $7,000s on DraftKings. On FanDuel, Thielen is priced fine, maybe even a bit expensive. Thielen also makes sense as part of an overlooked game stack.
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My Favorite NFL DFS Wide Receiver Leverage Pick(s)
Josh Downs ($4,800 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel): Indianapolis Colts (+1) vs. New Orleans Saints (43.5 total)
Speaking of receivers who are underpriced, enter Josh Downs. Downs has seen 20 targets over the past three weeks, with 15.7, 13.1, and 26.5 DraftKings points.
We also saw Downs rack up 12 targets in Week 3 with Minshew under center, showing his rapport with Indianapolis’ signal caller. Now comes a matchup against New Orleans, who runs a lot of man coverage. With Minshew under center, Downs leads the team with a 25% target share against man coverage. He also runs over 75% of his routes from the slot, which is the soft spot of New Orleans’ defense.
Downs isn’t the sexiest play, but he’s underpriced in a sneaky great game environment.
