The wide receiver position is often where fantasy football matchups are won or lost in the playoffs. We have identified a few high-profile players who are facing defensive schemes that could severely limit their production.
Conversely, several under-the-radar targets are in perfect spots to explode for massive point totals. You need to know which pass catchers can actually deliver when the pressure is on.
Start ‘Em: Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (at DAL)
What a disaster this season has been for Ladd McConkey. He had an elite stretch from about Weeks 5-10. That was fun. Beyond that, it’s been miserable, and he’s been mostly unstartable.
Over the past two weeks, McConkey has had a total of three catches for 32 yards. He hasn’t exceeded six targets in a game since Week 8. The Chargers’ passing attack just isn’t functioning as well as it was last season.
If you’ve somehow made the semis with McConkey, though, this could be the week. The Cowboys allow the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. McConkey has to get going this week. Simply put, if not now, when?
Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers (at CHI)
It is incredibly risky to put any Packers wide receiver in fantasy lineups. You just never know what to expect.
Since returning from IR, Jayden Reed has had two solid games of 9.3 and 10.5 fantasy points. He’s never going to be an every-down player, but there’s clear intent to get him the ball.
With the perennially injured Christian Watson back on the shelf, Jordan Love needs playmakers. Love is easily the best one he’s got outside of Josh Jacobs.
Reed has seen six opportunities in each of his first two games back. He could be in line for increased usage against a Bears defense that allows the fourth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
MORE: Free Fantasy Start/Sit Optimizer
Sit ‘Em: George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys (vs. LAC)
From Weeks 2-13, George Pickens never scored fewer than 12.2 fantasy points. He’s posted 8.7 and 6.3 points over his last two games.
The Cowboys continue to score points offensively, but keep losing games. In theory, the former should be enough for Pickens. However, he’s not been involved in the scoring.
Obviously, I am not condoning Pickens’ penchant for giving up on plays where he knows it’s a run or he’s not getting the ball. But this is also on the Cowboys for understanding the type of player Pickens is and making zero effort to go to him.
We’ve seen Pickens overcome tough matchups before. He’s an immensely talented player. But it’s fair to question his motivation coming off a classic, terrible Cowboys loss when they need it the most, which essentially ends any hope of making the postseason.
The Chargers allow the fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Pickens is frustrated. CeeDee Lamb remains the alpha. It’s very easy to paint a picture where Pickens has another 3-30 type line in this one.
Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings (at NYG)
Two weeks ago, I put Justin Jefferson on the cut list. The reasoning was that, because he’s Justin Jefferson, he would be instantly picked up and likely with all of a competitor’s remaining FAAB. He was a poison pill drop.
Typically, when deciding whether to drop a player, if you know that player will be added immediately by someone else, that’s a strong sign you shouldn’t cut him. In this case, you actually wanted someone to add him so that person would put Jefferson in their lineup, thereby sabotaging their roster. Kudos to you if you successfully executed this strategy.
Jefferson has now failed to reach 5.0 fantasy points in three straight games. He hasn’t exceeded 11.1 fantasy points in six straight. He has one game of 20+ fantasy points all season. There’s no world in which he would be on fantasy rosters if his name weren’t Justin Jefferson.
I don’t care how good the matchup is this week. I don’t care how well J.J. McCarthy has played the past two weeks. It doesn’t matter. Jefferson is not part of this offense for whatever reason and does not belong anywhere near fantasy lineups.
