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 as the projections 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.
Finally, make sure to check out all the projections available for purchase within the FantasyLabs Models. Subscribers now have the option to purchase Derek Carty’s THE BLITZ from our Marketplace. Projections from One Week Season and Establish the Run are available if you’re a subscriber to those specific sites (our optimizer is a separate add-on feature).
You can also combine them to create your own aggregate projections:
Top NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks in the FantasyLabs Models
On DraftKings, there are two wide receivers near the top of the individual Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon, Cash Game, and Tournament Player Models.
- Cooper Kupp
- Joshua Palmer
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
Cooper Kupp ($9,500 DraftKings, $9,700 FanDuel): Los Angeles Rams (-3) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (44 total)
Cooper Kupp has quickly reclaimed his elite role, with eight catches for 118 yards on 12 targets and seven catches for 148 yards and a touchdown on nine targets over the past two weeks.
He has an extremely high floor, as he can pay off his salary tag without finding the endzone. He appeared in nine games last season and had over 20 DraftKings points based on just yards and catches in five of those games.
Touchdowns are noisy, as even the best players will go through streaks of not finding paydirt. Kupp can post great numbers without finding the end zone, and when he does, his ceiling is through the roof.
Kupp is as matchup-proof as it gets, but he gets a slam-dunk matchup this week. Pittsburgh has allowed the fourth-most DraftKings points per game. Brandon Aiyuk, Davante Adams, and Nico Collins all exceeded 100 yards and found the end zone twice against Pittsburgh.
Kupp is the top option in our Tournament Model.
Joshua Palmer ($4,800 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel): Los Angeles Chargers (+5.5) at Kansas City Chiefs (48 total)
Joshua Palmer has seen healthy usage over the past two games with Mike Williams sidelined. He’s seen eight and seven targets, catching three balls for 77 yards and four balls for 60 yards. He also had a ~30-yard touchdown called back on Monday night due to a ticky-tack penalty, which could’ve given him a great score.
He’s run a route on 97% and 100% of the dropbacks, so we’re getting an every-down receiver who’s shown an ability to earn targets on a potent offense.
The Chiefs’ defense has been stout against opposing receivers, especially No. 1 options. Most of their focus will likely be on Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler, which could lead to increased work for Palmer.
Regardless, he’s simply too cheap for his role. He’s the top option in our Cash Game Model, as well as Sean Koerner and Chris Raybon’s Pro Models.
Other Notable NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Stefon Diggs ($8,900 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel): Buffalo Bills (-8.5) at New England Patriots (40 total)
If looking for a pivot to Kupp in the expensive range, Stefon Diggs makes a lot of sense. He gets a matchup with the Patriots, whom he’s tortured in his time as a Buffalo Bill. If you remove the notorious wind game, he’s put up stat lines of 6-92-0, 9-145-3, 7-85-1, 7-92-1, 7-104-1.
Diggs has been on an absolute tear as of late, with over 100 yards in each of his last four games and four trips to the end zone. This New England defense has been battered with injuries, and now they get a matchup with a team that’s had their number. Diggs makes a lot of sense this weekend.
Zay Flowers ($5,700 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel): Baltimore Ravens (-3) vs. Detroit Lions (43 total)
Zay Flowers put up another solid performance for Baltimore, this time in London against the Titans. He caught six of eight targets for 50 yards and a touchdown en route to 17.1 DraftKings points.
The Lions are running zone coverage on nearly 70% of their dropbacks this year. Flowers has seen a 28% target share against zone, averaging a healthy 2.76 yards per route run. Slot receivers have also had success against Detroit, as they’ve allowed the third-most receptions per game to slot receivers on the year.
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My Favorite NFL DFS Wide Receiver Leverage Pick(s)
Christian Watson ($5,600 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel): Green Bay Packers (-1.5) at Denver Broncos (45 total)
Christian Watson hauled in three of seven targets for 91 yards two weeks ago against Las Vegas. That 11.6-point performance was probably on the lower end of his range of outcomes for the contest. He was caught from behind with a horsecollar tackle that prevented a touchdown, and he had a target in the end zone at the end of the game that was intercepted,
He’s seen a 22.9% target rate per route run so far on the year thus far. He gets a dream matchup against Denver, who has allowed a league-high catch rate to opposing receivers, 9.9 yards per target, and the second-highest touchdown rate.
They’ve also allowed the highest catch rate on throws of 10+ yards downfield, and Watson is one of the best big-play threats in the league. I’ll be all over him this weekend in tournaments.
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