I’ll be your new pilot this season, highlighting my favorite WR starts and sits each week, utilizing Razzball’s WR Slot vs. Wide Tool. This chart breaks down where a WR’s fantasy points derive from in the formation, while in the slot or out wide. I’ll throw in some bonus recommendations based on relevant data. If you have questions about your WRs, drop a question in the comments!
Be sure to check out Razzball Football’s updated rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF & our 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
Want more data-driven stats and tools to help you win your fantasy league? Check out the Razzball Fantasy Football premium subscriptions for $0.00 upfront with our 3-day free trial!
Starts
- Player: Keon Coleman & Khalil Shakir
- Opponent: vs. Jets
The Jets allowed the fourth-most points to WRs in Week 1, as Calvin Austin III and D.K. Metcalf each finished as top 30 WRs. Metcalf did the majority of his damage out wide (73%), similar to Coleman’s production against the Ravens. Shakir gets a boost as he and Austin compiled a balanced approach with approximately 50% of their points in the slot and out wide. I wouldn’t be surprised if Shakir outproduces Coleman in Week 2, similar to Austin and Metcalf in Week 1.
- Player: A.J. Brown & DeVonta Smith
- Opponent: at Kansas City
Both Philly WRs have a great opportunity to get right in Week 2 against the Chiefs, who allowed the most points to WRs in Week 1. Kansas City allowed 58% of fantasy points out wide to the Chargers’ WR trio. Brown ran 31 of 33 routes out wide against Dallas, so I am expecting a big game from him. Smith ran 23 of 33 routes from the slot, where Quentin Johnston accumulated 55% of his fantasy points against KC. Don’t forget Brown and Smith scored a TD in Super Bowl LIX, each drawing five targets.
- Player: Jayden Reed
- Opponent: vs. Commanders
Fire up Reed while he’s still healthy and off the injury report! He scored ALL of his 13.5 fantasy points from the slot against the Lions. The Giants’ WRs, Wan’Dale Robinson and Malik Nabers, each scored more than 60% of their fantasy points from slot against the Commanders. On a short week, I feel confident the Packers will look to exploit the Commanders’ weakness that gave up 15.7 fantasy points from the slot.
WR3 Starts (WRs ranked outside the top 25)
- Player: Travis Hunter
- Opponent: at Cincinnati
I expect a high-scoring affair in Week 2, which has the highest implied point total (48.5) according to the Vegas oddsmakers. Hunter drew the most targets of all Jags WRs in his pro debut, with 70% of his fantasy production coming from the slot. The Bengals gave up the 13th-most points in the slot in Week 1 against Cleveland. The Jags offense will utilize their strengths, which happen to be the Bengals’ soft spot. Hunter should be able to tally his first career TD.
Sits
- Player: Michael Pittman Jr.
- Opponent: vs. Broncos
Pittman tallied all his fantasy points out wide in Week 2 against Miami. I fear the Patrick Surtain II effect is real in fantasy, too. He limited Calvin Ridley to four receptions for 27 yards. Denver allowed the second-fewest total points (11.8) to all WRs in Week 1, granted they faced rookie Cam Ward, who did not look as bad as the box score showed. I am weary of the Danny Dimes’ hype heading into the matchup, so I am not risking the biscuit on Pittman this week.
- Player: Ricky Pearsall
- Opponent: at New Orleans
Pearsall is all the buzz right now, but the Saints were not pushovers in Week 1 against the Cards. They held Arizona’s WRs to the 8th fewest points in Week 1. Brock Purdy is considered a “long shot” to play in Week 2 with Mac Jones (WHO?) set to play. Jauan Jennings is 50/50 to play with a shoulder injury, and George Kittle is out. Marvin Harrison finished as the WR10 against NOLA, scoring 88% of his points out wide. Pearsall scored his points lined up all over formations due to the Niners’ attrition and may be forced to operate in slot. I am taking the wait-and-see approach with the San Fran offense following the slew of injuries.
Defense Slot vs. Wide Chart
- Player: Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Opponent: vs. Bears
I expect the Lions to regroup and get it together at home against Chicago. What’s working in St. Brown’s favor is that the Bears allowed 81% of opposing WR fantasy points through the slot in Week 1. That was the highest margin of any team, with the Commanders coming in at second with 67%. St. Brown ran 57% of his routes from the slot against Green Bay in Week 1. Last season, he ran 54% of his routes out of the slot. The timing of the matchup could not align much better for St. Brown after a lackluster start. He fared well against the Bears last season, totaling 11 receptions for 143 yards and 1 TD in two games.
Since you are here, check out more fantasy goodness at Razzball. Follow me on Twitter/X @Jefferson__21. Like and subscribe for more fantasy football content on YouTube @RazzballFantasy. Don’t forget to drop a comment or question down below.
