This season, I’ll be taking you through my favorite wide receiver start/sits using the brilliant Slot vs Wide tool on the Razzball website. This tool is revolutionary in analyzing not just the difficulty of a wide receiver’s matchup but also the success of their opponent against a specific style of player. Through four weeks, FantasyPros ranked my WR rankings as their ninth most accurate from among over 200 rankers. So yeah, the Razzball tools work. I recommend using them to help you with those tough start-sit decisions though you’re welcome to add your questions in the comments too. Please also check out my rankings at ffdfantasyfootball.com and you can find my long-form videos on the Fantasy First Down YouTube channel and my Slot/Wide analysis on the Razzball Fantasy YouTube channel.
Be sure to check out the latest tools on Razzball.com: Slot vs. Wide PPG Allowed | WR Slot vs. Wide| DEF Targets Allowed | Home vs. Away | Wins vs. Losses | TD Tool
Top WR Starts
- Player: DJ Moore
- Matchup: Jaguars
- Out Wide Matchup Rank: 1
Last week, DJ Moore finally showed he can produce with Caleb Williams. This week, he should follow up this success with another good outing against the league’s best out-wide matchup, the Jaguars. Rome Odunze is also a viable, though risky, option as well. His snap rate is still high but the return of Keenan Allen hurts his floor.
- Player: Darnell Mooney
- Matchup: Panthers
- Out Wide Matchup Rank: 2
The Falcons threw for over 500 yards last week and now get an easy matchup against the Panthers. This is unlikely to be a shootout like the Bucs game, but Darnell Mooney still has plenty of upside. His 16-target Week 5 explosion shows his upside, but if the Falcons decide to grind out a win on the ground, you’ll be relying on Mooney ripping off another big touchdown. Given DJ Moore’s Week 5 effort in a similar role, that’s not out of the question. This should go without saying, but Drake London is a great start too.
- Player: Terry McLaurin
- Matchup: Ravens
- Out Wide Matchup Rank: 5
The Commanders have looked like a legitimate contender this season, with Terry McLaurin emerging from a difficult opening fortnight to gather 264 yards and 2 touchdowns across the following three weeks. Washington will need to pass early and often to have any success against the Ravens so I’m backing Scary Terry to have another big game in Baltimore.
- Player: Tee Higgins
- Matchup: Giants
- Out Wide Matchup Rank: 10
After his massive Week 5, Tee Higgins should be back at the forefront of your mind. He gets a good matchup against the Giants, who are best attacked out wide. He’s a must-start for me even though he can be a little boom-bust.
Desperation WR Starts
Michael Wilson (ARI @ GB): The Cardinals shocked the 49ers last week and now face an inconsistent Packers outfit. Their secondary has conceded the third most points to out-wide receivers making Michael Wilson a viable start. But he comes with plenty of risk thanks to his falling snap involvement and the return of Zay Jones from suspension.
Jalen Tolbert (DAL vs DET): Through four weeks, Jalen Tolbert had out-touched and out-gained Brandin Cooks. With Cooks on IR from Week 5, Tolbert turned his 10 targets into 87 yards and a vital touchdown. He gets a great matchup against the Lions who are admittedly most generous to slot receivers (music to Lamb owners’ ears) but also give opposing outside receivers plenty of opportunities.
Top WR Sits
- Player: Michael Pittman Jr
- Matchup: Titans
- Out Wide Matchup Rank: 32
The Colts have looked very good under Joe Flacco but there’s two things that can stop this momentum. The first is the potential return of Anthony Richardson, whose passing leaves a lot to be desired at this stage of his career. The second is a Titans secondary that has allowed the least out-wide receiver points by a wide margin. I can’t trust Pittman this week and even though slot receivers are OK against Tennessee, I’m avoiding Josh Downs too.
- Player: George Pickens
- Matchup: Raiders
- Out Wide Matchup Rank: 10
I have serious concerns about George Pickens after he played under 60% of the team’s snaps for the first time since his debut in 2022. Mike Tomlin described this as “load management”, which is frankly worse news than an injury. I don’t know what all this means, but I’m not trusting Pickens against the Raiders who, for all their faults, don’t concede many points to outside receivers.
- Player: Garrett Wilson
- Matchup: Bills
- Out Wide Matchup Rank: 29
According to traditional wisdom, the ousting of Robert Saleh should typically lead to a positive response from the team in the following week. But against a strong Bills secondary in what could be a grind-fest, I’m not trusting Garrett Wilson. Sure, he had a boom game in a great matchup against the Vikings, but he was also shut down by tougher opponents in the Broncos and Titans. Many of you will have no choice, but if you have a solid WR2 on your bench, I’d play him over Wilson.
- Player: Ray-Ray McCloud
- Matchup: Panthers
- Slot Matchup Rank: 29
The Panthers have consistently erased slot receivers across consecutive seasons. Hence despite his 16 targets for 118 yards across the last two weeks, I’m avoiding Ray-Ray McCloud in Week 6. He also faces a tough slot matchup in Week 7 in the Seahawks so he’s droppable in most leagues where he’s rostered.
WR Exceptions
Jerry Jeudy (CLE @ PHI): The Eagles concede the second most points to opposing slot receivers, which should really help Jerry Jeudy. But against a great matchup in the Commanders, Jeudy put up a big, fat dud. I can’t trust him this week despite the juicy opportunity.
Rashid Shaheed (NO vs TB): Kirk Cousins threw for over 500 yards against the Buccaneers last week, so the Saints should be in for a fun game, right? Well, not so much. Derek Carr is out and Jake Haener isn’t someone I’d put my fantasy team into the hands of. There are better options on most rosters.
Good luck in Week 6 and remember, every player will be a sit in some leagues and a start in others so if you have any start-sit questions, drop them in the comments below or hit me up on Instagram @TheFantasyFirstDown
| Download Table as CSV | |||
| Note: Filters and sorting in the table below apply to the output | |||
| # | Defense | Total PPG Allowed | Slot PPG Allowed | Wide PPG Allowed | Slot% | Wide% | Next Opp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DET | 45.8 | 23.2 | 22.7 | 51% | 49% | DAL | |
| JAX | 44.6 | 14.5 | 30.2 | 32% | 68% | CHI | |
| MIN | 44.5 | 18.9 | 25.6 | 43% | 57% | BYE | |
| BLT | 42.6 | 17.9 | 24.7 | 42% | 58% | WAS | |
| PHI | 41.6 | 22.2 | 19.4 | 53% | 47% | CLV | |
| WAS | 40.6 | 17.7 | 22.9 | 44% | 56% | BLT | |
| TB | 40.0 | 16.9 | 23.1 | 42% | 58% | NO | |
| IND | 36.6 | 14.2 | 22.4 | 39% | 61% | TEN | |
| GB | 36.1 | 9.8 | 26.3 | 27% | 73% | ARZ | |
| CAR | 35.5 | 8.8 | 26.7 | 25% | 75% | ATL | |
| ATL | 33.8 | 16.7 | 17.1 | 49% | 51% | CAR | |
| NE | 33.8 | 15.4 | 18.4 | 46% | 54% | HST | |
| ARZ | 32.7 | 13.8 | 18.9 | 42% | 58% | GB | |
| CIN | 32.7 | 11.0 | 21.7 | 34% | 66% | NYG | |
| LA | 32.5 | 9.4 | 23.1 | 29% | 71% | BYE | |
| NFL Average | 32.2 | 13.0 | 19.2 | 40% | 60% | ||
| HST | 32.0 | 13.8 | 18.2 | 43% | 57% | NE | |
| NO | 31.8 | 11.0 | 20.9 | 34% | 66% | TB | |
| NYG | 31.6 | 9.0 | 22.7 | 28% | 72% | CIN | |
| LV | 31.1 | 15.5 | 15.6 | 50% | 50% | PIT | |
| PIT | 30.2 | 13.1 | 17.1 | 43% | 57% | LV | |
| CLV | 29.6 | 9.9 | 19.7 | 34% | 66% | PHI | |
| SF | 29.0 | 14.4 | 14.6 | 50% | 50% | SEA | |
| SEA | 28.2 | 8.1 | 20.1 | 29% | 71% | SF | |
| DAL | 28.1 | 8.9 | 19.2 | 32% | 68% | DET | |
| KC | 26.8 | 13.9 | 12.9 | 52% | 48% | BYE | |
| CHI | 25.4 | 10.5 | 14.9 | 41% | 59% | JAX | |
| BUF | 24.5 | 11.1 | 13.4 | 45% | 55% | NYJ | |
| LAC | 23.0 | 8.5 | 14.5 | 37% | 63% | DEN | |
| MIA | 22.8 | 9.3 | 13.5 | 41% | 59% | BYE | |
| DEN | 21.7 | 8.0 | 13.7 | 37% | 63% | LAC | |
| NYJ | 21.5 | 10.1 | 11.5 | 47% | 53% | BUF | |
| TEN | 18.1 | 9.9 | 8.2 | 55% | 45% | IND |
Love these pieces!
Trade question:
12 team 0.5 PPR, 3WR + FLEX
My team:
QB Jordan Love
WR: Amon-Ra, DK Metcalf, Davante Adams, Khalil Shakir, Calvin Ridley
RB Kyren Williams, Kamara, Pollard, Dobbins, J. Brooks (IR)
TE: Njoku
Dude in my league has LaPorta, Kraft, and Hockenson on IR
Would you trade any of the RBs straight up for a TE?
I’d certainly do Brooks. I think Dobbins for LaPorta or Kraft would be fine. I prefer LaPorta.
He offered Pickens and Kraft for Davante Adams. What do you think?
I don’t like it. You’re giving up a top wide receiver for a WR3 and it’s not even a massive upgrade at TE.
Big Ben!
10 team 0.5PPR, Superflex w 2 additional Flex spots
My WR roster is DJ Moore, G Wilson, JSN, Tank Dell and D Wicks.
Which four are you starting?
(team is 1-4 and I’m ok with some upside risk!)
Thanks in advance.
Assuming Watson is out, I’m starting Moore, WIlson, JSN and Wicks. If Watson plays, Wicks out for Dell.
Hey man! I’m torn on which deal to go with all three have been sent to me
1.) I send Hubbard, I get tyreek + James Conner
2.) i send Hubbard, I get tyreek + pollard
3.) i send Hubbard, I get tyreek + David Montgomery
Conner’s schedule down the stretch:
Week 11 bye
Week 12 @ Seattle
Week 13 @ Minnesota
Week 14 vs Seattle
Week 15 pats
Week 16 @ Carolina
Week 17 @ rams
Pollard’s schedule already had bye
Week 11 Minnesota
Week 12 @ Houston
Week 13 @ Washington
Week 14 vs jags
Week 15 vs cincy
Week 16 @ colts
Week 17 @ jags
Montgomery’s schedule already had bye
Week 11 vs jags
Week 12 @ Indy
Week 13 vs bears
Week 14 vs packers
Week 15 bills
Week 16 @ bears
Week 17 Niners
My RBs are Bijan, Achane , ken walker, Mostert, Allegier, Hubbard, Ford , Hunt
In another deal I’m sending Ford + Quin Johnston for Mike evans
My WRs are Justin Jefferson, AJ brown , MHJ, mclaurin, Brian Thomas Jr, Quin johnton
Thanks!
I’d go with Tyreek and Conner
Hi Ben,
What do you think of Alec Pierce this week given all of the injured/questionable players on his team?
Very much boom/bust. I think it’s most likely that he does absolutely nothing, but it’s possible he rips off a big play. Think Gabe Davis for much of last year.
Xavier Hutchinson or Braelon Allen for flex, it’s 1 pt ppr. I tried for Doubs but missed out on the waiver wire.
Also, it’s Spencer Rattler szn! would you trust Olave this week or go with Amari Cooper.
Last but not least, if rachaad white site, does Bucky Irving usurp either Monty or etienne?
Thanks so much!
I would favor Hutchinson’s upside. Allen has a safer floor as Hutchinson could legitimately score 0 points, but he could also have a very solid game.
At this stage, I have Olave above Cooper but it is close.
With White likely out, I’d order them Monty then Irving then Etienne.
Unless the Packers cooperate and put Watson out this week again, I’ll need to drop either Christian Watson or Xavier Worthy to pick up a kicker to make my lineup valid in a 10-tm non-ppr league. Painful.
I can make a case for and against dropping either one, but what do you think? Thanks!
I’d drop Watson. I think while Watson and Wicks are splitting a role, neither has much value.
What’s up man? Gotta PPR question for you. Would you start Bucky Irving, Chase Brown or Jamo Williams at flex? Thanks for the time.
I’d go with Jamo. He’s got a low floor but I love the upside in PPR. If you want safety, Irving for me.