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 150 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.
- Stefon Diggs
- Tyler Lockett
We’ll discuss why these are popping in our models, as well as take a look at some other wide receivers.
Top Model NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Stefon Diggs ($8,400 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel): Buffalo Bills (-14) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (45.5 total)
Diggs was fairly quiet last week against Buffalo, catching four of six targets for 62 yards. The entire game as a whole was slowed down due to the rain. Diggs has put up less than 15 DraftKings points in each of the last two games after combining for 77 over the first two games.
None of Diggs’ underlying metrics changed, as he still ran a route on 97.6% of team dropbacks. He’s seen a 25% target share on the year, with 38% of the team’s air yards and 75% of the end zone targets. Diggs will be fine.
He matches up with Pittsburgh, who has given up 70+ yards to all of Ja’Marr Chase, Nelson Agholor, Amari Cooper, Jakobi Meyers, and Corey Davis. These five also combined for four touchdowns. The Steelers are also dealing with a multitude of injuries on the defensive side of the ball. T.J. Watt is already out, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Cameron Sutton, Cameron Heyward, and Levi Wallace have all missed some practice due to injuries.
Diggs ranks toward the top in Points/Salary this week and leads our Tournament Model as well.
Tyler Lockett ($5,600 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel): Seattle Seahawks (+5.5) New Orleans Saints (46 total)
The loss of Russell Wilson has had minimal effect on Tyler Lockett’s fantasy output. Lockett has seen 30 targets over the last three weeks, averaging 17.8 DraftKings points per contest despite not finding the end zone.
He’s seen 36.7%, 25.6%, and 27.8% of the team’s targets over the past three games. Lockett’s ceiling has certainly dropped with Wilson gone, as Geno doesn’t have the same downfield passing ability as Wilson. However, Geno is getting Lockett the ball consistently, which is what we like.
Lockett has been moved all around the formation, running 38.7% of his routes from the slot and 61.3% of them on the outside. There hasn’t been much difference between the two when it comes to the Saints’ defense, as they’ve allowed 8.8 yards per target to the slot and 9.2 to the outside. One thing working in Lockett’s favor is if Marshon Lattimore ends up shadowing this weekend. It’s far more likely that Lattimore shadows DK Metcalf, which would allow Lockett to go to work on the rest of the secondary.
Lockett is the runaway leader in Projected Plus/Minus this week and also ranks at the top in Points/Salary.
He is also the top receiver in our Cash Game Model, as well as Chris Raybon and Sean Koerner’s Pro Models.
Other Notable NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Jaylen Waddle ($6,700 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel): Miami Dolphins (-3) at New York Jets (45.5 total)
Jaylen Waddle finally cooled off after banking back-to-back 100+ yard games in Weeks 2-3. This includes his monster 43.1 DraftKings point performances against Baltimore in Week 2. Waddle did sit out Wednesday’s practice due to a groin injury and was limited on Thursday. However, if Waddle is able to practice in full on Friday, he should be a lock to play without any snap restriction.
The Jets are most vulnerable in the slot, where Waddle only lines up 16% of the time, compared to 32% for Tyreek Hill. However, we’re still bullish on Waddle against this New York secondary, especially as he is always a big play waiting to happen.
Hopefully, Bridgewater and Waddle can show some chemistry, and Waddle can reach his ceiling.
Chris Godwin ($5,900 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel): Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-10) vs. Atlanta Falcons (46.5 total)
Chris Godwin missed two games due to a hamstring injury, and came back to ten targets from Tom Brady. Godwin caught seven balls for 59 yards in the matchup with Kansas City. He was shaken up late in the game due to a knee injury, but appears to be all systems go for this matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.
Atlanta has been shredded by opposing slot receivers, surrendering a 72.9% catch rate, 9.0 yards per target, and 27 receptions on the year. Godwin has been Brady’s safety blanket, and it’s no surprise that his return to the lineup led to a season-high 31 points for the Bucs. Godwin is pretty underpriced for his role this weekend.
Garrett Wilson ($5,200 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel): New York Jets (+3) vs. Miami Dolphins (45.5 total)
Garrett Wilson keeps getting more and more involved in the Jets’ offense, as he ran a route on 86% of Zach Wilson’s dropbacks last week, edging out Corey Davis for the first time all year. He saw six targets but was only able to haul in two for 41 yards. However, his playing time is encouraging. and his chemistry with Zach should improve with more reps together.
Wilson leads the team in targets by 10 on the year and only has one game with more than 75% of the routes. He is just getting started, and now he goes against the Dolphins who have given up 9.5 yards per target to opposing receivers on the year.
If Wilson can get some chemistry going with his quarterback, it’s likely that his price will climb in the coming weeks.
Rondale Moore ($4,100 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel): Arizona Cardinals (+5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (48.5 total)
Rondale Moore returned to the field for the first time this season, playing on 86% of snaps and running a route on 33-of-35 team dropbacks. He only saw five targets, hauling in three of them for 11 yards. Moore’s targets have been fairly manufactured, as he’s mostly seen the ball on wide receiver screens.
Greg Dortch, despite playing well, was limited to only 36% of the snaps last week. This shows that Moore is Arizona’s guy. and despite the good play from Dortch, they want to get Rondale rolling.
The good news is that he had an average depth of target of 10.4 yards, which was up from his 1.3-yard average in his rookie year. The Eagles are banged up at the corner, as their slot cornerback Avonte Maddox missed last week’s matchup. Moore lined up in the slot on 29% of snaps, so hopefully, he can take advantage of those snaps.
This matchup is tough as a whole, but Moore has quite a manageable price tag.
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