The wide receiver position has become a tough one to predict in the fantasy football world.

Touchdowns take on a magnified role among wide receivers, so if the top-tier ones don’t reach the end zone, they’re usually not in that coveted top-12 position. That means there are some unusual names at the top of the list and we should expect that throughout this year.

The key item with wide receivers is to pay attention to matchups and have at least one consistent wide receiver that you can turn to on your roster. That’s where Antonio Brown and Julio Jones have so much value. Even if they don’t reach the end zone, they’re still in the conversation as a WR1.

There’s very few other wide receivers that can make that claim.

Here’s the week 2 start ’em, sit ’em fantasy football guide for wide receivers.

Start

Alshon Jeffery vs. Kansas City Chiefs

He failed to produce much in week 1 against Josh Norman and the Washington Redskins. Despite the small production, he was still targeted seven times, despite having to be covered quite a bit by Norman.

The Eagles are going to throw a lot this season. Despite the Chiefs solid secondary, they’re going to miss Eric Berry, which will put more stress on that unit, especially against a Philadelphia team with weapons.

Jeffery is going to command attention from Carson Wentz and can offer a big-bodied receiver in the red zone. That will work to his advantage against a Kansas City team already dealing with injuries.

Emmanuel Sanders is a good start in week 2 start ’em, sit ’em guide as a wide receiver for your fantasy football team. Flickr

Emmanuel Sanders vs. Dallas Cowboys

Take a deep breath and don’t take too much stock of week 1.

The Cowboys looked unstoppable against the pass and Sanders had a rough outing against San Diego. The NFL is a week-to-week league, so I’m not giving up on Sanders just yet.

He was still targeted six times and is by far the second-best option in the passing game for Denver. The Cowboys are a better rush defense anyway, so I expect the Broncos to struggle running the football, opening up the passing game against a Cowboys defense that struggled mightily against the pass last season.

Don’t be fooled by week 1. Dallas is still a below-average pass defense, while Sanders will get more production. Keep him as your WR2 in week 2.

Larry Fitzgerald is a good start in the week 2 start ’em, sit ’em guide for wide receivers. Flickr/http://bit.ly/1IPscZr

Larry Fitzgerald vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Cardinals looked old in week 1. That could be an issue moving forward, but for the time being, Fitzgerald is still a good play on a week-to-week basis.

He finished with 13 targets in week 1, tied for second among wide receivers. He’s really the only major weapon the Cardinals have left, so expect similar volume this week against the Colts.

Indianapolis isn’t a good team in general, especially on the defensive side of the football. The Cardinals will throw often, giving way to Fitzgerald generating enough targets to be a WR1 candidate.

Sit

T.Y. Hilton vs. Arizona Cardinals

Just because you risked a high draft pick on a player doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve to sit.

Hilton will be a solid fantasy option once Andrew Luck returns. However, I’m sitting all my Colts until I see more out of this offense. The offensive line is horrendous and the quarterback play is putrid.

That doesn’t work in Hilton’s style, who depends on deep plays to generate scoring opportunities. He’s not a high-volume, red-zone threat who could work with bad quarterbacks (i.e. DeAndre Hopkins). He needs Luck to be productive and that won’t happen in week 2.

The Cardinals also should be better against the pass in week 2. Sideline Hilton while we gather more information on how Indianapolis will move forward.

Sammy Watkins vs. Washington Redskins

I was right about the Rams in week 1. And while I don’t generally take too much stock in week 1, I’ll take a moment to gloat.

With that being said, I’m still sitting Watkins in week 2. The matchup just doesn’t work. Josh Norman showed last week that he is still elite and the Redskins will force Jared Goff to look elsewhere to make plays in week 2.

Watkins had a decent day in week 1, catching all five of his targets for 58 yards in a game where the Rams ran out the clock in the second half. I love Watkins’ potential this season, but I’m fading him in this matchup.

Los Angeles still moves the ball efficiently, but it doesn’t happen with much from Watkins.

DeSean Jackson vs. Chicago Bears

I don’t have any information on Jackson due to the postponement, but what I saw from the Bears shows me a knack for limiting big plays from wide receivers.

John Fox is going to institute a defense that will keep everything in front of them. He tries to grind out victories and eliminate big plays. In week 1, the big plays happened sporadically for the Falcons, and they came from the tight end position.

I expect the Bears to limit those big plays again from the Buccaneers wide receivers in week 2, thus shutting down Jackson’s ability to shine.

Jackson is your typical boom-or-bust wide receiver. He needs big plays to be productive and this matchup just doesn’t work. The Bears defense will be better than people believe, putting Tampa Bay in situations where they’ll have to earn points.

That doesn’t work in Jackson’s wheelhouse.

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