Fantasy football managers who will be without A.J. Brown, Cooper Kupp, and Tyreek Hill this week due to untimely bye weeks are going to have to make some tough lineup decisions on who to start or sit at the WR position in their absence.
Here are some of my start/sit options at the WR position for Week 10 of NFL action.
Which WRs Should You Start in Fantasy This Week?
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks go from taking on one of the league’s best defensive units, the Baltimore Ravens, in Week 9 to facing off against one of the most vulnerable secondaries in the NFL in that of the Commanders this coming Sunday.
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Despite modest production against the stingy Cleveland Browns defense in Week 8, DK Metcalf still saw a season-high 14 targets in that contest. The fifth-year star then turned his one Week 9 reception against Baltimore into a 50-yard gain.
The Commanders defense went into Week 9 allowing 256.8 passing yards per game and an average of 35.9 fantasy points per game to opposing WRs. Expect Geno Smith and Metcalf to connect for a couple of big shots down the field versus Washington.
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tennessee Titans pass defense hasn’t been able to get right for the majority of the 2023 season, which presents the Tampa Bay Buccaneers air attack with an opportunity to have a big day at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
Mike Evans has seen 6+ targets in all but one game this season, which has helped maintain his fantasy floor in a middling offense. If the Titans can’t clean it up on the back end, then expect a big day from Evans in Week 10.
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders have started to throw the ball … a lot … in recent weeks. From Weeks 4-9, quarterback Sam Howell has averaged 41 pass attempts per game. During that span, Terry McLaurin has seen 9+ targets in four of those contests, which has led to some of his best fantasy performances of the 2023 season.
The Commanders have been spreading the ball around quite a bit this year, with four players — McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, and Logan Thomas — all seeing 40+ targets. McLaurin still leads the team in receptions, receiving yards, and targets through the first eight games of the season.
The Commanders heading to the home of the 12th Man against one of the contenders in the NFC may lead to another busy game for Howell. McLaurin feels like a top-24 play at wide receiver again this week.
Which WRs Should You Sit in Fantasy This Week?
Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders offense is currently a work in progress, with rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell going through his baptism by fire under center in his rookie campaign with an interim head coach calling the shots.
That doesn’t exactly bode well for Jakobi Meyers or the Raiders passing attack as a whole, which is facing off against a Jets defense that is one of the best in the league at limiting wide receiver production. If you have other quality options, I would look to avoid using Raiders WRs in Week 10.
Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars passing game hasn’t exactly been the model of consistency in 2023. And, while Calvin Ridley’s six receptions for 83 yards on 10 targets in Week 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers is certainly an encouraging performance, he may have a tougher time against the San Francisco 49ers defense this week.
Ridley’s inconsistencies have made it tough for fantasy managers to trust rolling with him in their lineups. While we can hope Ridley can build off of one of his best fantasy performances of the season, it doesn’t feel like the right week to take a risk against a quality defense.
Trending Searches for WR Start/Sit
Did you know that we have a Start/Sit Optimizer here at Pro Football Network?! It’s completely free to use, allowing you to enter up to six players to find the best option to plug into your starting lineup!
It also allows us to see the most popular trending searches, some of which we’ve jotted down here to help provide some clarity!
Should You Start Mike Evans or Tee Higgins?
Tee Higgins reminded everyone exactly why he was a second-round pick in fantasy drafts by posting eight receptions for 110 yards against the Buffalo Bills in Cincinnati’s big Week 9 victory Sunday night. Does this mean you can trust him again in your fantasy football lineup as your unquestioned WR2? Maybe.
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However, Evans has simply been more reliable than Higgins this season. Evans was very close to scoring his sixth TD of the season against the Texans and managed to produce 87 yards on just four receptions. He draws a favorable matchup against the Titans, while Higgins will face off against the Texans.
Evans feels like the safer play, but the Bengals-Texans matchup definitely feels like it should be the higher-scoring affair of the two games. I’m rolling with Evans in Week 10 based purely off of his superior consistency to Higgins thus far this season.
Should You Start Chris Godwin or Calvin Ridley?
Ridley may be a bit up and down this season, but his most recent performance was far better than the Buccaneers’ Chris Godwin, who caught just two passes for 16 yards against the Texans in Week 9.
Unfortunately, the 49ers defense is objectively a tougher matchup for Ridley than the Titans are for Godwin. If I were looking for the higher-ceiling play, I would likely go with Ridley.
However, Godwin’s dud of a Week 9 performance was the first time he failed to score 12 fantasy points in a game in over a month. I’ll roll with the more reliable Godwin when given the option between these two players.
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