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Some wide receivers stand out as must-start fantasy football options every week while others come and go depending on matchups and other factors. Hitting on under-the-radar plays is big in season-long fantasy and DFS. We’ve identified two wide receivers worth starting and two to consider sitting ahead of Week 9 to help you achieve fantasy success this weekend.
Wide Receiver Starts
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers
Aiyuk is one of the few key skill players the 49ers have left. Injuries to Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle, Raheem Mostert, Deebo Samuel and others have left the 49ers with limited options on offense. Aiyuk has managed to thrive despite San Francisco’s bad luck. He’s tied for the lead in the NFL with seven receptions for at least 15 yards in the last two weeks. His versatility will make him a factor on the ground and through the air.
Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Steelers are expected to beat the breaks of the struggling Cowboys and are favored by 13.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Several Pittsburgh receivers could have big games but Claypool stands out as the biggest threat. The rookie has been the Steelers’ top performer out wide in three of his last four games. Roethlisberger’s connection with the Notre Dame has proven to be reliable in recent weeks and the duo could get a boost against an abysmal defense.
Wide Receiver Sits
Marvin Jones Jr., Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings
Plenty of fantasy players could use Kenny Golladay’s hip injury as a good reason to pivot to Jones, but it’s not. The wideout has failed to build upon last year’s success and has been one of the more inconsistent starters in the NFL this year. He hasn’t missed a game but ranks 66th in receiving yards per game (37.9) and has caught less than 60 percent of his targets.
Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Carolina Panthers
Hardman’s time in the spotlight could be coming to a close soon. Sammy Watkins is set to return to practice this week and could bump Hardman from the WR2 spot. Hardman has totaled 29 targets in eight games while Watkins has 21 in five outings. Hardman could be worth taking a flier on in deeper leagues but should see a major drop in value.