Top 75 wide receiver standard rankings for Week 12 fantasy football

UPDATE

The likely absence of Nelson Agholor should help Alshon Jeffery see a bump in targets in what could be a high-scoring affair. He gets a bump in the rankings as well as targets.

Marshon Lattimore doesn’t look likely to suit up this week and if he does, there is a real chance he could aggravate his hamstring. That gives me more faith in D.J. Moore, giving him a rise in the rankings.

N’Keal Harry and Jakobi Meyers get a boost with Mohamed Sanu and Phillip Dorsett likely out. Harry is the player I’d take a risk on this week.

Welcome to Week 12. You’ve all been brought here to assess the probability of NFL wide receivers getting targets, catching passes, amassing yards and scoring touchdowns. It’s a tough game we play, but we don’t complain. Perseverance is our middle name. Glory is our game.

Bye Weeks

Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings

WRs on bye: Christian Kirk, Larry Fitzgerald, Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Keena Allen, Mike Williams, Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen

Injury/Status Report

Brandin Cooks is expected to return this week for the Rams as long as he doesn’t suffer any setbacks in practice.

Amari Cooper is “still fighting through” his knee injury, according to the Dallas Morning News. His snaps were lowered last week against the Lions, but when on the field, he’s still getting plenty of targets.

Sterling Shepard was a full participant in practice on Monday. He appears to be close to a return.

T.Y. Hilton is making progress according to his coach, but we’ll need to see him back on the practice field before getting excited about a return.

Will Fuller got limited practices in last week but didn’t suit up. He’s getting closer to a return.

Auden Tate is in the concussion protocol and also suffered a cervical strain. His status appears iffy for Pittsburgh this week.

JuJu Smith-Schuster suffered a concussion and a knee injury against the Browns.

Diontae Johnson also will be in the concussion protocol. If neither Smith-Schuster or Johnson can play, James Washington and Johnny Holton will likely get the start against the Bengals.

WR Ranking Tiers

Tier 1

This is a blowup spot for Julio Jones at home against Tampa Bay’s worst defense in the league against wide receivers. He edges out Michael Thomas based on matchup, but Thomas is matchup-proof in the grand scheme.

Mike Evans will be needed in the highest over/under game of the week, and even with the Falcons strong defensive play of late, Evans should rebound from two down games for him.

Odell Beckham Jr. has matched up with some tough secondaries this season, but Miami is not one of them. His last two 100 yard games have come against the Jets and Seahawks, two subpar secondaries, and this week I expect the same.

Tier 2

Amari Cooper isn’t healthy and travels to New England to face off with Stephon Gilmore. He’s mostly matchup proof, but his health coupled with Gilmore is worrisome. If he’s limited this week in practice, I’ll likely move him down a little more.

Michael Gallup could continue to be the go-to receiver as long as Gilmore is on Cooper. That’s enough for me to be high on him this week with Dak Prescott playing so well of late.

Allen Robinson will continue to have trouble due to his quarterback, but in good matchups, he’s still a safe play, and the Giants are a good matchup.

WR Streamers

James Washington could end up as the top receiver for Pittsburgh if JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson are unable to go. It’s difficult to trust Mason Rudolph, but the matchup against the Bengals is excellent, especially if Johnson and Smith-Schuster are out.

Devante Parker has a tough matchup with Denzel Wars this week, but he just played a great game with Tre’Davious White covering him, so I’m on board with Parker as an every week start until he hits the skids again.