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. In Week 1, Fantasy Pros ranked my WR rankings as the sixth most accurate with the help of this tool. So yeah, it works. 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.
Top WR Starts:
Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG @ WAS): The Commanders were the second most generous defense to wide receivers last season and that pattern continued in Week 1 of 2024. Surprisingly though, it was from the slot that the Buccaneers had the most success against the Commanders. I expect that to stabilize a little moving forward though, making Malik Nabers a strong start against Washington in Week 2. Meanwhile Giants slot receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, who received an astonishing 12 targets last week, becomes a viable low-end start.
Drake London (ATL @ PHI): The Eagles were susceptible from the slot and out wide last season, conceding top three points from both positions. In Week 1, the Packers took them for the fourth most WR points but it was Jayden Reed from the slot who did the most damage. As with the Commanders/Giants, I expect that slot scoring rate to normalize in Week 2 making Drake London a solid starting option despite his poor performance last weekend. I think Kyle Pitts could also be a strong option as he lines up as essentially a wide receiver quite often.
Amari Cooper (CLE @ JAC): The Jaguars were particularly susceptible out wide last season and that continued in Week 1 of this year as Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle tore them up from wide alignments. Amari Cooper should be the main beneficiary this week. Despite the Browns’ struggles last week he’s a solid start for me. I wouldn’t be risking Jerry Jeudy this week though despite the matchup, as he’s on too low a snap count to be reliable.
Chris Godwin (TB @ DET): After torching the Commanders, Chris Godwin gets another sweet matchup against a Lions defense that Cooper Kupp dominated for a ridiculous 21 targets. Godwin isn’t the clear slot receiver we expected but Detroit can be targeted out wide too, making him a great Week 2 option and, I suspect, a superb sell-high opportunity next week.
Desperation WR Starts:
Jalen McMillan (TB @ DET): You know that you should target the Lions because I just said it last paragraph, but did you know that rookie Jalen McMillan received the most snaps and routes of all Buccaneers wide receivers last week? He’s a viable desperation start this week.
Jauan Jennings (SF @ MIN): Need a true desperation start at wide receiver? Well this is about as desperate as it gets. The Vikings were the worst in the league against opposing slot receivers last season and they also conceded the aforementioned 12 targets to Wan’Dale Robinson last week. With Deebo Samuel operating as the 49ers’ second running back, Jauan Jennings is getting a small out-wide snap boost as he’s also operated as the primary slot receiver. You can probably do a lot better but, if necessity calls, Jennings is an option.
Top WR Sits:
Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins (TEN vs NYJ): The Jets have the league’s best out wide cornerbacks and should be avoided at all costs. That’s before we discuss the DeAndre Hopkins injury, Will Levis’s struggles and the effectiveness of running the ball against New York. This is a recipe for disaster for Tennessee’s pass catchers.
Brian Thomas Jr and Gabe Davis (JAC vs CLE): The Browns have their own elite wide cornerbacks and effectively shut the Cowboys down out wide last week despite the game flow being against them. This week they face a Jaguars duo you may be tempted to start after last week’s performance. I’d always avoid Gabe Davis despite his high snap count but this week, I’m also avoiding Brian Thomas Jr as the matchup is brutal and he doesn’t travel to the slot enough to compensate.
Ladd McConkey (LAC @ CAR): The one area where the dismal Panthers have excelled is in shutting down opposing slot receivers. Hence, despite the rookie’s bright debut, I’d be avoiding the Chargers’ main slot man, Ladd McConkey.
As we enter the new season, I also wanted to list a few guys who the tool suggests should have particularly weak or strong matchups who probably actually don’t.
Christian Watson (GB vs IND): Ordinarily you should target the Colts out wide but with Malik Willis at quarterback, it’s impossible to trust any Packers pass catchers.
Keenan Allen (CHI @ HOU): The Texans were torn apart by the Colts of all people last week, but there’s still no way I’m trusting Keenan Allen this week if I can avoid it. His snap share is uncomfortably high and I think with Rome Odunze out, it could get even higher. He’s also battling an injury and frankly, until we see Caleb Williams perform at the NFL level, I’m not trusting his pass catchers in fantasy. Though I do think you still have to start DJ Moore this week.
Allen Lazard (NYJ @ TEN): The Titans have totally revamped their secondary meaning their status from last season as the easiest out wide matchup is far from the case now. Allen Lazard was surprisingly involved last Monday against the 49ers but he’s not worth risking this week. His snaps will decrease as Mike Williams returns to health and as teams now know to scheme for him.
Good luck in Week 2 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
