In this piece, I highlight wide receivers who stand out in our large suite of analytical fantasy tools, most specifically, our FantasyLabs Player Models. While the models are built for DFS contests, this is an all-purpose fantasy article with actionable information for all formats.
As news breaks throughout the week and we adjust our projections (powered by Sean Koerner), player ratings in our Player Models will change. For updates, visit the models directly.
And don’t forget about the tools that FantasyLabs has to offer, like our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Top NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks in the FantasyLabs Models
On DraftKings, there are two wide receivers near the top of the Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon, Cash Game, and Tournament Player Models.
- Ja’Marr Chase
- Zay Jones
We’ll discuss why these two are popping in our models, as well as take a look at some other wide receivers.
Top Model NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Ja’Marr Chase ($7,800 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel): Cincinnati Bengals (+5.5) at Buffalo Bills (49 total)
Ja’Marr Chase started the postseason hot and continued his reign over the Baltimore Ravens, catching nine of 12 targets for 84 yards and a touchdown. He finished with 23.4 DraftKings points after posting 22.6 against the same defense the week before.
Chase has at least seven catches in each of his last nine games played and has seen double-digit targets in five of six games since returning from injury, including at least twelve in each of his last five. Getting Chase the ball has been Cincinnati’s top priority.
Chase has seen 30.4% of the team’s targets when he’s on the field, and he’s being used all over the field. He has seen his yards per target dip slightly from last year, but the increase in volume makes up for the shorter targets. He also has the ability to break these short routes into long touchdowns, giving us the best of both worlds.
The Bills have allowed the eighth-most DraftKings points to opposing wide receivers and have allowed the second-most 100-yard receivers on the season. There’s no reason to shy away from Chase here.
He’s the top receiver in our Cash Game Model and Tournament Model.
Zay Jones ($4,700 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel): Jacksonville Jaguars (+9) at Kansas City Chiefs (53 total)
Are the Jaguars still playing? Yes? Then that means Zay Jones is popping in our models.
After a few mediocre games, Jones bounced back last week in the Wild Card Round, catching eight of 13 targets for 74 yards and a touchdown en route 21.4 DraftKings points at a cheap price tag.
Jones gets another chance to shine this week against the Chiefs, as they’ve allowed the most receptions per game to opposing receivers of any of the eight teams still alive. They’ve surrendered 8.5 yards per target and the fourth-highest touchdown rate to opposing boundary receivers. They’ve also been battered by slot receivers, which is good news for Jones, as he runs about 2/3 of his routes outside, and 1/3 in the slot.
He had a solid performance in Week 10 when these teams matched up, catching eight of 10 targets for 68 yards. Jones leads all receivers in Projected Plus/Minus and Points/Salary.
He’s the top receiver in Chris Raybon and Sean Koerner’s Pro Models.
Other Notable NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
A.J. Brown ($7,600 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel): Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5) vs. New York Giants (48 total)
A.J. Brown has put together a consistent season for Philadelphia, with double-digit DraftKings points in 15 of 17 games on the season. More importantly for us fantasy players, he’s had three games of 30+ DraftKings points and 28.5 in Week 1 against Detroit. When Philadelphia is slinging the ball, Jalen Hurts is looking Brown’s way.
Brown has at least 95 yards or a touchdown in seven straight games, and he had decent production against the Giants in both matchups. He had four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown in the first matchup and four catches for 95 yards on ten targets in Week 18. The Giants run a ton of man coverage, and Brown averaged a 30.9% target share against man coverage as opposed to just 22.1% against zone coverage.
JuJu Smith-Schuster ($5,100 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel): Kansas City Chiefs (-9) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (53 total)
JuJu Smith-Schuster had an up-and-down year in Kansas City but was able to have some spark production at times when the team needed it. The wide receiver room is complicated in Kansas City, but Smith-Schuster will lead the group in routes and run a route on about 80-90% of dropbacks. He got hurt in the matchup against Jacksonville earlier in the year, but slot receivers are one of the best ways to attack this defense. The Jaguars have allowed 8.4 yards per target and a 4.9% touchdown rate to opposing slot receivers, both ranking in the bottom half of the league.
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