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 two weeks, Fantasypros ranked my WR rankings as their second most accurate from amond 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.
Top WR Starts:
Brandon Aiyuk (SF @ LAR): He’s been awful through two weeks, but you absolutely must start Brandon Aiyuk this week against the Rams. LA has conceded the most points to outside receivers this season and the 49ers are without Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey. This passing game will flow through Aiyuk and George Kittle making them both must-start options.
DJ Moore (CHI @ IND): He’s had a terrible start to the season but DJ Moore gets the Colts this week and he should be able to turn things around. Indy have conceded the fifth most points to outside receivers and are without starter Juju Brents. Don’t be squeamish, just slot Moore into those lineups.
George Pickens (PIT v LAC): Last season the Chargers conceded the third most points to opposing wide receivers, but this year they’ve been one of the best. What has happened? Well, they’ve faced the Raiders and the Panthers, that’s what. Using 2023 data, the Chargers are a great matchup for George Pickens, who was impressive against Pat Surtain last week, even though the box score didn’t show it.
Demarcus Robinson (LAR v SF): There’s one way to attack the 49ers, and that’s with your wide receivers. This is terrible news for the Rams, who now lack the elite Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Demarcus Robinson becomes the nominal wide receiver one and he’s the best start in a game LA absolutely must attack through the air. As an added bonus, Robinson gets plenty of slot snaps too, which should help him a lot in this matchup.
Desperation WR Starts:
Andrei Iosivas (CIN v WAS): The rule of thumb has always been that you start any receivers playing against the Commanders and that has held true so far this season. But I’m not overly comfortable using Andrei Iosivas this week. The Bengals passing game has been spread out more than usual and the potential return of Tee Higgins can only hurt that. Iosivas is essentially a touchdown-or-bust play now; but if you need a desperation play, he’s likely the best you have available to you.
Greg Dortch (ARI v DET): The Lions have consistently been burnt from the slot this season and remain one of the best wide receiver matchups in general. Greg Dortch has been the primary slot receiver for the Cardinals but he’s running a concerningly low amount of snaps which makes this a scarier start than it usually would be. Use him, but with caution.
Top WR Sits:
Brian Thomas Jr and Christian Kirk (JAC @ BUF): The Bills have been excellent at blanketing outside receivers this season. Marvin Harrison Jr had just one catch for four yards and Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combined for only seven catches for 75 yards. Brian Thomas Jr is a non-starter for me this week, while Gabe Davis is always off the table. Meanwhile, Christian Kirk has just seven targets on the season and is too hard to justify as well, despite the better slot matchup.
All Packers Receivers (GB @ TEN): The addition of L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie has totally revitalised a Titans secondary that was one of the league’s worst last season. Through two weeks they’re conceding just 9.3 points per game to outside receivers and this week they face a Packers team that may still be without Jordan Love. This game screams run-a-thon so I’d be sitting Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, while Jayden Reed’s brutally low snap count also makes him a non-starter.
Jaylen Waddle (MIA @ SEA): The Seahawks have a pair of strong outside wide receivers and Jaylen Waddle is without Tua Tagovailoa. Oh, and the Seahawks have one of the league’s worst run defenses so De’Von Achane should feed. I am avoiding starting Jaylen Waddle like the plague.
Terry McLaurin (WAS @ CIN): Terry McLaurin has just 39 yards through two weeks despite relatively easy matchups. This week he faces an improved Bengals secondary that took the Chiefs to the brink in Week 2. Until Jayden Daniels is allowed off the leash, McLaurin will remain impossible to trust in fantasy.
As we’re early in the new season, I also wanted to list a few guys who the tool suggests should have particularly good matchups who probably actually don’t.
Rashid Shaheed (NO v PHI): Ordinarily, wide receivers opposing the Eagles would be a smash start. But the Eagles have proven to be more susceptible to the run game of late, while their outside cornerbacks have shown improvement. The Saints don’t have a clear starting slot receiver to take advantage of either. While Rashid Shaheed’s spectacular start to the season, when combined with this matchup, seems to make him an obvious start; I don’t agree. He’s someone I’m only using if I’m desperate as he remains a true boom-bust option.
Allen Lazard (NYJ v NE): Allen Lazard was a popular waiver wire pickup after his big Week 1 and in Week 2 he surprisingly took over Xavier Gipson’s slot role. The slot vs wide tool suggests using wide receivers facing the Patriots but with Lazard, I’m just not willing to do it. The true return of Mike Williams can only hurt his volume and Breece Hall and Braelon Allen are being used a lot in the passing game as well. This is a spot to avoid.
Keon Coleman (BUF v JAC): Ordinarily you’d start outside wide receivers against the Jaguars, but Keon Coleman has just six targets through two weeks. He’s a player you must avoid until he gets the usage he deserves.
Good luck in Week 3 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
