As opposed to running backs, the wide receiver position has seen far more consistent performances from players fantasy owners expect to start.
Antonio Brown was back at it again last week with 30 points to lead all receivers. Chances are good again this week that Brown will see several targets to make fantasy owners happy once again with his performance.
Here’s our start ’em, sit ’em guide for week 16 for wide receivers in fantasy football.
Daily fantasy start of the week
Antonio Brown vs. Baltimore Ravens
We’re not venturing too far away from the chalk choice on this one. Sure, Brown will be expensive. But he’s still the best option in fantasy football, especially with Ben Roethlisberger healthy.
In four of his previous six games, Brown has gone for more than 23 points. That’s a pretty good assurance that he will once again go for more than 20 points, which should be enough to be a quality start in DFS.
Brown also faces a Ravens defense that allows opposing quarterbacks to register a QBR of more than 100.
There’s not much reason to break this down. The Steelers should have their way with the Ravens secondary and Brown will once again see several targets.
Start
Stefon Diggs vs. New York Giants
Diggs finally got back into the fantasy relevance category last week against the Chicago Bears. He only saw four targets, but he turned those into two touchdowns.
We’re not thrilled with his lack of production in recent weeks with single-digit fantasy production in six of the past seven weeks. But last week’s big-play ability shows that Diggs is a viable weapon on a Vikings option in need of a big-play receiver.
And we’ve seen multiple times this season that the Giants have been unable to stop the opposition’s passing game. The Giants own the worst pass defense in the NFL and with Adrian Peterson having a tough time finding rushing lanes, Teddy Bridgewater is seeing more opportunities to pass.
Because of that increased production, we like Diggs to be the best weapon on the Vikings offense.
Kamar Aiken vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
We’ve been fairly sold on Aiken so far this season in fantasy as a quality WR3 and possibly WR2 option for fantasy owners. This week, he should produce solid numbers against a Steelers defense that ranks in the bottom 10 against the pass.
What also helps Aiken’s possibility at plenty of points is that this game will likely feature the Steelers scoring several points, forcing the Ravens to throw more.
Aiken turned an early deficit last week against the Chiefs into 12 targets, while producing 128 yards receiving. We’re expecting much of the same production this week for Aiken, who will be the primary target in the Ravens offense. Without many weapons left, expect Aiken to shoulder much of the responsibility for the Ravens’ offense.
Daily fantasy sit of the week
A.J. Green vs. Denver Broncos
Green put up massive numbers in two of the last three weeks, but with A.J. McCarron as the full-time starter now for the Bengals, we don’t like Green’s potential against the best pass defense in the NFL.
Green was held to only 37 yards receiving last week against the 49ers and with the weapons available on the Bengals, we don’t see McCarron only focusing on Green as his primary weapon.
Green has been up-and-down for most of the season and we’re expecting more of a down performance this week for fantasy owners, especially in DFS. His price tag is still too high for his production, even with the diminished option at quarterback.
Sit
T.Y. Hilton vs. Miami Dolphins
Miami doesn’t really do anything well on the defensive side of the ball, but it’s the rushing part that is truly awful. That could pose problems for anyone owning wide receivers on the Indianapolis Colts roster.
With Matt Hasselbeck at the helm, the Colts have struggled to get much going for fantasy owners with Hilton or anyone else on their roster.
It hasn’t been all bad for Hilton, though, with double-digit outings in two of the past four games. However, he’s also amassed eight total points in three of the past five games. That inconsistency isn’t something for fantasy owners to count on with the championship week upon us.
The Colts will likely run the football at length against the Dolphins, eliminating much of the chance for wide receivers to total plenty of points for any fantasy owners.
Sitting Hilton seemed like a stretch at the beginning of the season, but he’s just not the same fantasy option with Hasselbeck at the helm.
Tavon Austin vs. Seattle Seahawks
Austin is one of those receivers that would drive fantasy owners nuts. He’s tough to predict, but this week, he’s an option we’d steer clear from considering the defense he’s facing.
The Seahawks are a top-five defense against the pass and Austin just doesn’t have enough skill at the wide receiver position to get open consistently against those corners.
Austin does get carries, so he should see multiple touches, but it’s not worth a start this week. He’s gone for double-digit points in two of the last four weeks, but he’s also gone for a combined nine points in the other two weeks.
The Seahawks will manhandle Austin this week and despite being the most reliable option on the Rams, he’s not reliable enough for your week 16 roster.
