There’s a high probability last week’s top wide receiver wasn’t even on the majority of fantasy football rosters, let alone a starter.
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin was tops among wide receivers with 23.60 points last week against the Arizona Cardinals. He was likely a hot waiver wire pickup this week, but we’ll have to see more from the former West Virginia standout to back him as an every week starter.
Despite Austin’s big day last week, this season has been about the big names among wide receivers for fantasy football. The season’s top-five includes Julio Jones, Larry Fitzgerald, Antonio Brown, DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green.
Those, along with other WR1 players, are must-starts. Here’s our start ’em, sit ’em fantasy football guide for those wide receivers who have a few question marks heading into week 5.
Daily fantasy start of the week
Demaryius Thomas vs. Oakland Raiders
We’ve been all over Denver quarterback Peyton Manning’s struggles this season. We anticipated him not being the same old Peyton in the offseason, and sure enough, that’s happened.
But the Broncos don’t really need him to be the old Peyton. The defense is elite and as long as Peyton can move the chains at a decent clip, they should have the advantage on a weekly basis.
Against the Raiders, the Broncos will likely utilize Thomas early and often against a bad secondary. The Raiders rank second-worst against the pass in the NFL and are allowing offenses to basically have their way against them by way of the pass.
With Denver’s recent inability to run the football, expect the Broncos to pass, giving Thomas plenty of looks. With the amount of targets coming his way to go along with a leaky secondary, anticipate Thomas to have his biggest week of the year.
Start
Anquan Boldin vs. New York Giants
We’re well aware that everyone has written off Colin Kaepernick. He might as well just go to the analyst booth at this point, according to pretty much everyone in the national media.
Let’s not overreact too much, though. This is still the NFL, where teams and players seemingly change from week-to-week. Despite the struggles by the team in general, there’s still something left in the tank for Kaepernick. And Boldin should be the main benefactor this week.
Boldin was upset last week with the ineptitude on offense for the 49ers. He should get what he wants this week and should see more action his way. He’s attracted 26 targets this season and we expect him to be the main target this week against a bad New York Giants secondary.
The Giants are worst in the NFL against the pass and teams are attempting the second-most passes in the NFL against New York’s secondary.
The 49ers are bad, but don’t give up completely on a few bright spots every now and then. We’re backing Boldin in this matchup.
Pierre Garcon vs. Atlanta Falcons
Everyone’s in love with the Atlanta Falcons now, so obviously, that means we’re going with the opposite reaction.
We’ve been impressed with the Falcons, too, but we also watched Kirk Cousins target Garcon repeatedly in the final moments of the Redskins win against Philadelphia.
And let’s not forget that although the Falcons destroyed the Texans, Atlanta’s defense allowed 300 yards to wide receivers last week.
We like the matchup for the Redskins, with Washington’s ability to stuff the run and the Redskins possibly looking to find holes in the Falcons’ secondary. Garcon has 35 targets already this season, and although he hasn’t amassed the big-time yardage seen with other elite performers, he has two touchdowns and has been a consistent performer.
Garcon should continue to generate several targets and this matchup should bode well for him and the Redskins.
Daily fantasy sit of the week
A.J. Green vs. Seattle Seahawks
Does this need much analysis?
Green is really good. He’s fifth among wide receivers in fantasy football scoring. But this is the Seattle Seahawks defense, which hasn’t allowed a touchdown since Kam Chancellor returned in week 3.
This matchup should be a good game to watch, but both teams are limited severely on the offensive end. Both defenses are too good.
There’s not much need to break this down. Green, along with any other offensive player for the Bengals or Seahawks, is a bad play Sunday. Hopefully your season roster doesn’t include any of these players and stay away from this game in daily fantasy.
Sit
Golden Tate vs. Arizona Cardinals
If Detroit can’t figure out its offense, this could be a permanent move.
Tate has registered less than six points in three of four games this season in fantasy football. The only time he’s gone over six is an eight-point effort against Minnesota, where he had 80 yards receiving.
It’s not just Tate. The Lions haven’t been very good in the running or passing game this season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford’s quarterback rating is 79.7, which ranks 24th among starting quarterbacks in the NFL. He’s still slinging the ball plenty, generating 40 passing attempts per game, but those attempts aren’t finding Tate.
He has 29 targets on the season and has only hauled in 18 of them.
The Cardinals’ defense had a tough outing last week, so don’t expect that to happen two consecutive weeks. Arizona’s pass defense will bounce back and will stop Detroit’s passing game.
Michael Crabtree vs. Denver Broncos
This is a double warning.
Crabtree is uncertain to even go on Sunday against the Broncos due to an injured ankle. Even if he does play, he’s not worth the starting spot.
Crabtree has been a decent receiver so far on a better-than-advertised offense with the Raiders. He’s collected 39 targets through four weeks and he has eight or more points in two of four weeks.
But this week, the Raiders are facing a daunting defense in the Broncos, which doesn’t allow much of anything in the passing game.
Denver is allowing the least amount of yards passing per game. What’s even more impressive about that is that teams are still throwing the ball at almost 36 times per game, but completing only 64 percent of passes.
The Broncos also are relentless with their pass rush, totaling the most sacks in the NFL with 18 this season.
The Raiders’ offense is a bad play this week and Crabtree should take a seat on your fantasy football bench.
