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. I recommend using it 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: Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston
- Matchup: Ravens
- Out Wide/Slot Matchup Ranks: 1/3
The Ravens are far and away the best wide receiver matchup in football, regardless of alignment. Ladd McConkey is an auto-start this week but I’d also consider Quentin Johnston. His touchdowns have camouflaged his otherwise poor production but against the Ravens, he’s got such high upside that I’m willing to start him regardless.
- Player: Marvin Harrison Jr
- Matchup: Seahawks
- Out Wide Matchup Rank: 3
Marvin Harrison Jr has had seven straight difficult matchups after his early-season breakout. This has led to one boom performance, some touchdown luck and four total dud weeks. This week, he finally gets a positive matchup against the generous Seahawks. Refer to weeks 2 and 3 if you want to know what he can do in a good matchup. He’s a strong start for me.
- Player: Terry McLaurin
- Matchup: Cowboys
- Out Wide Matchup Rank: 7
In two of the last three weeks, Terry McLaurin has under 20 receiving yards. But I’m predicting a bounce-back against the struggling Cowboys. He’s a must start for me, despite the obviously low floor, because that ceiling is just so high.
- Player: Josh Downs
- Matchup: Lions
- Slot Matchup Rank: 2
The Lions remain the league’s best slot matchup and Josh Downs remains a strong slot receiver despite the return of Anthony Richardson. With the Colts likely chasing points for most of the game, I like Downs’ chances of a big game.
Desperation WR Starts
Darius Slayton (NYG vs TB): With Malik Nabers healthy, Darius Slayton has been very hot and cold. But this week he gets one of football’s best out-wide matchups. Tommy DeVito has been known to air it out at times so Slayton has a chance to produce if you’re desperate due to the bye-pocalypse.
Michael Wilson (ARI @ SEA): Refer to my Marvin Harrison Jr blurb to understand why Michael Wilson has been struggling. But we saw in Weeks 3 and 5 that he can produce in the right matchups. I feel like this is an opportunity for the youngster to shine.
Top WR Sits
- Player: Xavier Legette
- Matchup: Chiefs
- Out Wide Matchup Rank: 30
It’s hard to sit anyone this week, but I really don’t trust Xavier Legette against the Chiefs. Legette has surpassed 42 yards just once this season and his four touchdowns have hidden his consistently poor yardage and reception production. This week, you’re essentially hoping for a touchdown if you start the rookie. And touchdowns don’t come easily against KC.
- Player: Christian Watson
- Matchup: 49ers
- Out Wide Matchup Rank: 27
This is a tough one because I really like Christian Watson moving forward. He’s finally taking most of the snaps from Dontayvion Wicks and he had a boom week last time out. In a week when there’s six teams on bye, it’s hard to sit anyone. Plus, Watson is available in many leagues for WR-needy teams. But this is a tough, risky matchup so I wanted to highlight the other side of the argument.
- Player: Tyler Lockett
- Matchup: Cardinals
- Out Wide Matchup Rank: 23
Tyler Lockett is the clear WR3 in Seattle with his age really starting to show. The Cardinals are a tough receiver matchup so I’m not considering starting the veteran even with bye-week desperation.
- Player: Elijah Moore
- Matchup: Steelers
- Slot Matchup Rank: 23
Sure, the Steelers can be attacked out-wide, but they’re very strong across the middle of the field too. Elijah Moore has consistently been Cleveland’s slot receiver so he’s definitely a starter to avoid despite the lack of available options this week.
WR Exceptions
Courtland Sutton (DEN @ LV): The Raiders have been the league’s toughest matchup for outside receivers this season but I’m starting Courtland Sutton regardless. He’s been on an absolute tear over the last month and the Raiders secondary is a little banged up too.
Jaylen Waddle (MIA vs NE): Jaylen Waddle once again struggled to a sub-60 yard performance for the 10th consecutive week. This week, he gets a better matchup against the Patriots, but until I see some positive consistency, I’m unwilling to trust the talented Dolphin.
Adam Thielen (CAR vs KC): The Chiefs are best attacked over the middle of the field but I’m not risking Adam Thielen in his first week back. I expect some sort of snap count and it wouldn’t surprise me if the Panthers struggle to take advantage of the matchup regardless.
Good luck in Week 12 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NO | 39.9 | 16.2 | 23.7 | 41% | 59% | NYG | |
HST | 38.9 | 19.5 | 19.4 | 50% | 50% | BYE | |
DEN | 38.4 | 10.4 | 28.0 | 27% | 73% | BYE | |
ATL | 38.3 | 10.6 | 27.7 | 28% | 72% | MIN | |
LAC | 38.3 | 14.6 | 23.7 | 38% | 62% | KC | |
CIN | 36.9 | 12.1 | 24.9 | 33% | 67% | DAL | |
KC | 36.8 | 18.4 | 18.4 | 50% | 50% | LAC | |
TB | 36.2 | 12.8 | 23.4 | 35% | 65% | LV | |
CLV | 35.9 | 15.9 | 20.0 | 44% | 56% | PIT | |
JAX | 35.5 | 9.7 | 25.8 | 27% | 73% | TEN | |
BLT | 35.1 | 10.2 | 24.9 | 29% | 71% | BYE | |
SEA | 35.0 | 13.3 | 21.7 | 38% | 62% | ARZ | |
MIN | 34.7 | 11.9 | 22.8 | 34% | 66% | ATL | |
LV | 34.3 | 13.8 | 20.5 | 40% | 60% | TB | |
NE | 33.9 | 13.1 | 20.9 | 39% | 61% | BYE | |
LA | 33.7 | 12.9 | 20.9 | 38% | 62% | BUF | |
DET | 33.6 | 13.2 | 20.4 | 39% | 61% | GB | |
NFL Average | 32.8 | 12.0 | 20.8 | 37% | 63% | ||
IND | 32.5 | 10.1 | 22.4 | 31% | 69% | BYE | |
PIT | 31.9 | 7.5 | 24.4 | 23% | 77% | CLV | |
DAL | 31.6 | 13.0 | 18.7 | 41% | 59% | CIN | |
NYG | 31.0 | 13.7 | 17.2 | 44% | 56% | NO | |
MIA | 30.8 | 10.2 | 20.6 | 33% | 67% | NYJ | |
TEN | 30.7 | 7.7 | 23.0 | 25% | 75% | JAX | |
WAS | 28.4 | 9.7 | 18.7 | 34% | 66% | BYE | |
SF | 28.2 | 8.3 | 19.9 | 29% | 71% | CHI | |
CHI | 28.1 | 9.9 | 18.2 | 35% | 65% | SF | |
ARZ | 27.9 | 13.5 | 14.4 | 48% | 52% | SEA | |
CAR | 27.8 | 8.4 | 19.5 | 30% | 70% | PHI | |
GB | 27.8 | 11.6 | 16.2 | 42% | 58% | DET | |
BUF | 27.0 | 12.4 | 14.6 | 46% | 54% | LA | |
NYJ | 26.6 | 10.7 | 15.9 | 40% | 60% | MIA | |
PHI | 23.2 | 8.7 | 14.5 | 38% | 62% | CAR |